Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Dent on February 28, 1994 regarding legislative changes re family law review.

Both the departments of Social Services and Justice have recently circulated discussion papers on the recommendations made in the family law review report. This report proposed sweeping changes to family law and child welfare, and the discussion papers set out suggestions for comprehensive legislative and policy changes.

My colleague and I recognize the tremendous amount of work that will be involved in responding to the report. However, we also place a high priority on the changes that are needed. Therefore, we have agreed on a plan of action that will commit the resources needed to do the job.

Madam Speaker, the legislative changes needed for family law reform will be brought before this House in the winter session of 1995. We feel it is important to bring forward the entire package of legislation at one time to give the public and the legislature the full scope of the proposed reforms. Given the volume of work involved in drafting three major pieces of legislation, we do not feel we could do it justice in a short time frame. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the honourable Minister of Social Services. When I travelled to my area I met with people who receive social assistance from the system. There are a number of cases whereby the social assistance recipient goes shopping in one store and the store charges GST, but in another store they don't charge GST. In the area of social services my question to the honourable Minister, Madam Speaker, is that, is there a policy within the Department of Social Services that the recipient of social assistance does not pay GST when they go shopping? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will have to take his question under notice. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm not sure if I was paying close attention, but I didn't hear the Premier talk about the Minister of Housing being absent from the House. I would like to ask the Premier, will the Minister of Housing be available this week? Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, the issue of Mr. Morin's absence was brought up, and I believe that it may be that the honourable Member was away. As well, a letter was distributed saying that he is attending a housing meeting, again, and being very hopeful that that will perhaps have more positive results than in the past. He will be back a little later this week. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Madam Speaker, Return to Written Question 5-12(5) which is a provisional return to a question asked by Mr. Gargan to the Minister of Personnel on the status of Government of the Northwest Territories leased units.

Mr. Gargan's written request for information on leased housing units has proven to be more difficult to prepare than expected. To provide a factual response, my staff were required to obtain assistance from the Department of Public Works and Services staff at both regional and headquarters locations.

While I had hoped to present a response today, I will be unable to do so until Wednesday, March 16, 1994.

Return to Written Question 8-12(5) asked by Mr. Ng to the Premier concerning the purpose of Madam Premier's trips.

The following is in response to the Member's question relating to trips taken to Alaska and to Yakutia, Russia:

The trip from Inuvik to Barrow, Alaska, September 20 to 22, 1993, was to assist a delegation in promoting business opportunities between the NWT and Alaska.

The delegation included:

- Pat Lyall, Ike Haulli, Peter Raddi, Fred Hunt, Paul Quassa, Russel Newmark, Eddy Dillon, David Connelly, Frank Hansen and Roger Gruben, representing the board of directors of Norterra Inc;

- Ken Stevenson, David Burnett, Paul Prevelle, Gunner Anderson and Ramont Gillenus of Norterra Inc;

- Knute Hansen and Kathy Cockney of IRC;

- the mayor and deputy mayor of Inuvik;

- Charlie Furlong, Bob Simpson, Larry Firth and Wanda MacDonald of the Gwich'in Tribal Council; and,

- the Delta Drummers.

The government's share of the cost for a chartered aircraft was $611.41. In addition, a total of $452.55 was spent on accommodation, meals and incidentals.

The trip to Yakutia, September 24 to 28, 1993, was in response to an invitation to participate in the official opening of the new village that was designed and constructed by the NWT firm of Ferguson Simek Clark. The Government of the Northwest Territories played an instrumental and ongoing role in facilitating the project that resulted in over $11 million in benefits flowing to northern firms and business during the construction phase of the village with prospects for additional contracts being a distinct possibility.

Travel to the official opening by charter aircraft (Adlair Aviation of Cambridge Bay) was arranged by Ferguson Simek Clark. Passengers on the charter included Joe Auge of Ferguson Simek Clark; Scott Hunt of Clark Bowler; Rick Volivar of Ryfan Electric; Larry Elkin, who was president of the NWT Housing Corporation at the time; Walter Slipchenko, a consultant specializing in relationships with the former Soviet Union and Russian states.

The government share of the charter cost was $15,926.93 for two seats. Per diem expenses related to the trip totalled $607.01. In addition, there was a cost to government of $2,789.08 for gifts purchased in the NWT for presentation at the opening ceremonies.

Thank you. Item 8, replies to opening address. Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 12, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to table the following document, Tabled Document 36-12(5), Annual Report of the Superintendent of Child Welfare, 1992-1993.

Thank you. Item 12, tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motion. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to notices of motion. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 13, notices of motion. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 15, motions. Item 16, first reading of bills. Item 17, second reading of bills. Item 18, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters: Bill 1, Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1994-95; Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act; Committee Report 2-12(5), Review of the 1994-95 Main Estimates; Minister's Statement 5-12(5), Session Business; Tabled Document 1-12(5), Towards an NWT Mineral Strategy; Tabled Document 2-12(5), Building and Learning Strategy; and, Tabled Document 11-12(5), First Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of the NWT for the Year 1992-93, with Mr. Lewis in the chair.