Is there any more money for the northern oil and gas action program now?

Mr. Minister.

Thank you. No, it is a discontinued program.

Thank you. Mr. Gargan. 18-28.

Well, continuous up to 18-31. So, I am just wondering about the official languages, aboriginal and French. There are no numbers designated. What is the progress on this whole thing?

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you. That particular question is best directed to the Premier, who is not here at the moment, because she is in charge of the overall position. The honourable Member may want to pose that particular question at a more appropriate time.

Thank you. Page 18-30. 18-31. 18-28, 18-29, 18-30, 18-31. Agreed? Do I have agreement?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Page 18-31, total department, $554,000. That is the detail of work performed on behalf of third parties. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Back to the summary. Program summary on page 18-11, total O and M, $212.547 million. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you very much. Does the committee of the whole agree that this department is concluded?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you very much. I would like to thank the Minister and witnesses for appearing before the committee of the whole. Thank you very much. That was a long one.

There was a suggestion by Mr. Dent, and with the concurrence of the committee of the whole, we will deal with the Department of Safety and Public Services on page 08-8. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Department Of Safety And Public Services

Thank you. Does the appropriate Minister have any opening remarks for the committee of the whole? Minister Nerysoo.

Introductory Remarks

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present the proposed 1994-95 O and M budget for the Department of Safety and Public Services. For 1994-95, the Department is requesting $6.512 million compared to last year's budget of $6.410 million, for a net increase of $102,000. This increase is the result of an additional $100,000 contributed by the Workers' Compensation Board to fund the workers' advisor position and $2,000 returned to the department base as a result of changes in the proposed program reduction initiatives. The department is projecting revenues of $18.279 million, an increase of $415,000.

I am pleased to inform you that the department is making progress in its affirmative action program. At present, 19 per cent of our staff are aboriginal people and an additional 15 per cent are indigenous non-native. The department has taken steps to further improve its record in this area. For example, our labour standards inspector trainee will be completing her training program in August 1994, and our safety officer trainee was hired in July 1993.

The department has three major initiatives for 1994-95. The first one is completion of the legislative process to enact new mine safety legislation. This process has already involved extensive consultation with mining companies, exploration companies, mine unions and representatives of unorganized

mine workers, through the involvement of occupational health and safety committees.

The second initiative is to determine the feasibility, assess the impact and potentially plan for new gaming initiatives.

The third initiative also involves a major consultative process with the residents of the NWT to bring forward a new Liquor Act by 1996.

Beyond these three initiatives are three other objectives, including the tabling of a legislative action paper on electrical safety, the possible transfer of lottery licensing to various communities under the community transfer initiative, and continuation of work on discussion papers that will lead to a new Labour Standards Act. Six discussion papers on labour standards have already been sent out for public comment.

Fire safety continues to be a concern, especially among our young people. The office of the fire marshal has revised the learn not to burn curriculum for preschool to grade three students.

Mr. Chairman, the investigation of accidents and fatalities to determine causes and make recommendations to reduce such accidents will continue to be a high priority in the department, along with monitoring work places to ensure that work practices are safe. The department will continue to ensure that the safety and health of the public is protected through the effective enforcement and administration of legislation pertaining to fire, safety, gas, boiler and pressure vessels, safety, electrical and elevator safety.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to present these short introductory remarks to the Members of the committee.

Thank you. Do we have the statement from the finance committee? Mr. Ng.

Standing Committee On Finance Comments

New Initiatives

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The department identified three major initiatives for this coming fiscal year: new mine safety legislation, new gaming initiatives and a new Liquor Act.

The committee has concerns about these initiatives. Most importantly, committee Members are concerned that this department, and perhaps the government as a whole, may be announcing a number of new initiatives which they will not be able to complete at once. Each of these initiatives is complex and potentially quite controversial. There has already been much controversy and contention over proposed new mine safety legislation, for example. Also, recent developments, such as the Catholic bishop's banning of bingo in western Arctic catholic churches, suggest that new gaming initiatives could meet with resistance and controversy.

While such initiatives may be worthy of consideration, and certainly new mine safety legislation is urgently needed, the committee feels the department should carefully prioritize its objectives.

More Safety Inspectors Needed

The government's restraint initiatives over the last few years have been effective in keeping the territories out of the kind of chronic debt that is plaguing every other government in the country. However, the Department of Safety and Public Services demonstrates that restraint can be a blunt instrument, often hurting where an impact was not desired.

The Northwest Territories is now home to the biggest staking rush in Canadian history. Since October 31, 1991, over 48 million acres, or almost six per cent of the NWT's area, have been staked for mineral exploration, mostly in search of diamonds. Two mining companies have set up bulk sample operations in hopes of being able to justify actual diamond mines. Lead/zinc exploration in the Izok Lake area continues with hopes of a new mine opening there. But, because of restraint measures, the number of mining inspectors has not increased.

The committee recognizes that mining is a dangerous occupation and that there is a need to improve our mine safety record. This, combined with the recent and anticipated growth in the mining industry, indicates that an increase in the number of mine safety inspectors is urgently required.

The committee is basically reacting to Workers' Compensation Board reports that the mining industry and the construction industry have the highest level of accidents in the Northwest Territories. Given that, committee Members feel that there is an impetus, as well, to increase the number of occupational health and safety inspectors in the construction field. Committee Members are encouraged by government assurances that the situation will be examined.

Recommendation 31

The committee recommends that the Department of Safety and Public Services develop a plan to hire more safety inspectors, especially in the areas of mine safety and occupational health and safety for construction workers, and respond to the committee with that plan by August 1, 1994.

More Fire Safety Resources Needed

The committee expressed concern about the NWT's poor fire safety record. There is a special concern that initiatives of the fire marshal's office are not being felt at the community level. Members felt that appointing and supporting a "fire chief" in each community could be the best way to address the problem. Such a person could administer and train the community's volunteer fire brigade, implement prevention initiatives, and so on.

The committee suggests that the Department of Safety and Public Services, in cooperation with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs or other departments, consider supporting positions for fire prevention and suppression in the communities, and report back to the committee with an analysis.

Thank you, Mr. Ng. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.