Wow!

Thank you. Just so that we're clear, the formula was not something that I established as the Minister. The formula was established by the Financial Management Board Secretariat as part of the calculations. The other thing that one has to realize is that, irrespective of the formula, what we were trying to do was make certain that there was at least a fair distribution in all the communities that exist in the Northwest Territories. So, as a result of that, there was a sharing of an additional $336,000 with the smaller communities throughout the Northwest Territories. But I will ask Mr. Gerein to add additional information to this particular issue.

Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Minister, we'd be willing, again, to share the entire distribution of resources, which we have with us, on a community-by-community basis, with the committee if they so wished. However, the formula was basically the number of unemployed in the community, divided by the number of unemployed in the NWT, times the number of dollars available. Then there were caps put on the largest allocation and floors put on the smallest allocation, in order that there be an allocation that the communities could work with. It was determined, I believe, that $25,000 was a reasonable amount for any project in the smallest community, and that the largest community would be capped at $500,000 federal, $500,000 territorial, where the tax-based municipalities would have to contribute a further $500,000, thereby getting a project worth $1.5 million. I hope that helps, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First on the issue of the telephone system. That is not really our responsibility at this juncture. While we have been key in dealing with the technological side, including video telecommunications and developing distance learning, we have other partners. The actual decision to introduce telephone services does not rest with this government. It is a matter that has to be dealt with with NorthwesTel.

For the first part of your question, I'm not sure if it was from the board review. Is that were it comes from? There has to be a board review. The issue has to be dealt with, with the board, if it's a board review. We have to get some indication about what you're referring to so we can be more specific. If it is a board review, then it is something that has to be dealt with, with the divisional board.

I won't debate the issue, Mr. Chairman. I will have to go back and look at that. My officials here say that that report was an independent assessment. We participated in it, but it is an independent review. It is not the department's agreement at this time. We have to review the report before we make final conclusions.

The letter that was sent to me was from John B. Zoe, who is the chair of the board, and he requests that we consider it. I think that before I do, I have to review the capital plan for that region. That has to be a consideration in any future capital planning.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to introduce Bill 5, the Mine Health and Safety Act. The preparation of the bill is the result of three years of hard work by not only the staff in my department, but also by those who participated in the process from the mining industry, both labour and management. I would like to sincerely thank the Standing Committee on Legislation for the excellent advice and support that Members gave me personally with respect to the conduct of this bill. I also would like to thank the Mine Occupational Health and Safety Board for their valuable recommendations.

First of all, I want to emphasize the responsibility of our government to represent the public interest in mine occupational health and safety legislation. This is achieved by having standards of worksite safety which minimize the human suffering and public expenditures associated with accidents and industrial disease.

Mr. Chairman, this bill is markedly different from the present Mining Safety Act and regulations which has been criticized as being both antiquated and unwieldy. The structure and content of the new bill reflects recommendations made over the years by special commissions, coroners' inquests and a long list of accident investigation reports. In addition, this bill has been written so as to be readable, understandable and accessible to all persons.

Mr. Chairman, Bill 5 sets out clearly the responsibility of all persons engaged in mining whether owner, management, supervisor, employee, contractor or mine inspector. Unlike the existing Mining Safety Act, this bill also provides for the establishment of occupational health and safety committees for mines, and sets out the responsibility of the committees to conduct worksite inspections and to participate in inspections conducted by inspectors.

The new bill clearly describes the right of an employee to refuse to perform any work or operate equipment which may endanger the health and safety of the employee or any other person. This right is clearly supported by a further provision that prevents discrimination against any employee who exercises the right to refuse.

Furthermore, the bill sets out the powers of inspectors to inspect or search a mine and the duties of persons at a mine to cooperate with an inspection or a search.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, the new Mine Health and Safety Act contains many changes too numerous to mention in these opening remarks. I and my officials will be pleased to answer any questions you may have as we proceed with the clause-by-clause review of the bill.

Mr. Chairman, I also want to thank again, the Standing Committee on Legislation for their advice. While at the time, I may have thought it may be difficult, I think from the changes that we've made and the idea of setting up a totally new board we were able to successfully conclude the matter. Thank you.