Thank you, Madam Speaker. Again, to the Minister of Education. Since he has targeted a certain amount of capital dollars to the regions, I realize that in Fort Providence there is a requirement of about $3 million to $4 million to renovate or rebuild sections of the school that were built back in 1960, 1959 or 1958. Is it still the Minister's intention to give first preference to the regional high schools as opposed to local schools?

Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. No, the whole matter of priorities is really based on what the needs are that have been identified by the boards in working with them, and responding to the ongoing, primary schooling needs so that we can get students to high school. So that is the basis on which we're trying to work this whole matter to resolve the concern the honourable Member is raising.

Thank you. The time frame for oral questions has lapsed.

I want to bring to the attention of the House, a letter that has been circulated to all Members from the Member for Deh Cho, who earlier wanted me to recognize officials from Revenue Canada. It's been a long standing practice of the chair to recognize only elected officials and former Members in this House. However, it is a Member's prerogative to recognize any individual if they wish, and this is done through a Member's statement. I advised the Member for Deh Cho of this option, which he chose not to use.

I would like to quote from the letter. "I asked Madam Speaker to recognize Mr. Ron Quinn, chief of public affairs for Revenue Canada; Tina VanFraassan, Randy Mann, also from Revenue Canada; who are sitting in the gallery today. Unfortunately, the Speaker has her own preference of those who she wishes to recognize."

The letter circulated has been reviewed and I find it very offensive towards the chair. Therefore, I request the Member for Deh Cho to apologize for stating such unwarranted comments. Member for Deh Cho.

Madam Speaker, the letter that I wrote to all the Members was to indicate, prior to going into the House, that I requested you to recognize certain individuals from Revenue Canada. I was also of the opinion that the Speaker's chair is supposed to be impartial in passing judgement on what the requests of the Members are. It was based on that, that I had requested that of you, but you chose not to recognize them. I don't know why I should be the one who is apologizing for something I've requested of you.

Mr. Gargan, I view it that you are questioning the chair. I am asking you to apologize. Are you willing to apologize to the House?

No, I'm not going to.

Naming Of Member By Speaker

Unfortunately, Mr. Gargan, according to our rules, I request that you remove yourself from the House and be suspended for the rest of the day. Thank you.

Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Madam Speaker, Return to Written Question 7-12(5), asked by Mr. Pudlat, to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, concerning employment in NWT mines.

1. During the last half of 1993, 59 per cent of employees at NWT mines were northerners and 10.2 to 10.5 per cent of employees were aboriginal workers. The breakdown is as follows:

Mine, Nanisivik; total, 205; northern employees, 125; aboriginal employees, 40; percentage aboriginal, 19.5; mine, Lupin; total, 385; northern employees, 53; aboriginal employees, 53; percentage aboriginal, 13.8; mine, Polaris; total, 275; northern employees, 95; aboriginal employees, 27; percentage aboriginal 9.8; mine, Treminco; total, 15; northern employees, 15; aboriginal employees, 0; percentage aboriginal, 0.0; mine, Giant; total, 220; northern employees, 220; aboriginal employees, 12; percentage aboriginal, 5.4; mine, Con; total, 348; northern employees, 348; aboriginal employees, 15 to 20; percentage aboriginal, 4.3 to 5.8. Totals: total, 1448; northern employees, 856; aboriginal employees, 147 to 152; percentage aboriginal, 10.2 to 10.5.

2. Staff at Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources wrote to each mine requesting information on the turnover rates for northern residents and aboriginal employees and will be following up with a phone call. Responses have not been received at this time. It is not known whether all or any of the mines will be able to provide this information.

3. There are examples available of the earlier benefits agreement for the Colomac Mines (1989) and the agreement for Nanisivik. There are many other examples of benefits agreements in other jurisdictions in Canada and the provisions of these agreements are synthesized in "Aboriginal Communities/ Mineral Companies/ Governments Working Together: A Summary of Socio-Economic Agreements." I will provide copies of these publications to all Members.

Thank you. Item 8, replies to opening address. Point of order, Mr. Pudluk.

Point Of Order

Madam Speaker, that question was asked by me, Mr. Pudluk, not Pudlat. Thank you.

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. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Report On Bill 8

Madam Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Finance has reviewed Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act and wishes to report that Bill 8 is now ready for committee of the whole. Mahsi.

Thank you. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Pursuant to rule 70(5), Bill 8 is ordered into committee of the whole. Item 12, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to table the following document, Tabled Document 33-12(5), from page 857 from the unedited Hansard, the Member's statement that was made by Mr. Dent criticizing me for my absence from this House during this past week.

Madam Speaker, I also have, from the unedited Hansard, pages 364, 365 and 366, a Minister's statement that I made on Wednesday, February 16, advising the House of the national meeting on income security reform. I ask Members to note specifically page 365, paragraph three, regarding the schedule of meetings. Madam Speaker, it indicates, "Further, a series of ministerial meetings have been scheduled. The first will be a meeting of education and labour market Ministers held at the end of February to explore the school to work transition, to discuss the national apprenticeship program and to consider additional training initiatives for our workforce." Madam Speaker, I just wanted to note that I do not want to make it difficult for this House, but I had already advised the honourable Members.

Thank you. Item 12, tabling of documents. The House will recess for 15 minutes.

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Item 13, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Item 13, notices of motion. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 15, motions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent to waive the rules to address Motion 20-12(5) today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Whitford.

The motion is in order. To the motion.