Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Madam Premier.

Madam, Speaker, I would like to notify the House that the Honourable Silas Arngna'naaq will be leaving the House today after question period to attend the opening of the water treatment plant in Fort Providence. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am going to be making a statement today regarding the relationship between the Housing Corporation and the local housing associations. I have been asked to bring up this subject by people in my constituency. A lot of times it appears that the local housing associations are mouthpieces for the Housing Corporation in passing on information that is unpleasant or controversial. While most of the initiatives for change come from the Housing Corporation, the local housing associations often end up being blamed for controversial decisions such as rent increases and evictions. The local housing associations, at least in my constituency, are often torn between wanting to defend the local tenants and following the instructions of the Housing Association.

Madam Speaker, local housing associations need and want more real authority and powers to make decisions that affect their tenants, and not just to be the bearers of bad news for the Housing Corporation. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Hear, hear.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker.

Nay, nay.

You're wasting my valuable time here.

---Laughter

On Monday of this week, I attended a meeting of the Iqaluit Municipal Advisory Committee with Mr. Robin Beaumont, administrator. Madam Speaker, I can only describe the tone of the meeting as that of tension and extreme frustration.

Members of the Municipal Advisory Committee are feeling a growing sense of frustration. I heard the following comments from advisory committee Members at the meeting: "I am extremely tired of this committee;" "our hands are tied;" "I hate the word recommend;" and, "Between Robin Beaumont and the Minister, there are too many layers of people concerned with process and not common sense."

Madam Speaker, one of the main sources of frustration is land. On February 2, after hearing from a local Inuk who wanted one lot to build a house this summer and who was told that there were no lots presently available, the Municipal Advisory Committee recommended to Mr. Beaumont that, in the short-term, a minimum number of lots be identified for ballot draw by March 31. So, people who want to build houses this summer and become taxpayers can be given lots so they can go ahead.

Madam Speaker, nothing has happened to date. Although we know there are leases that have expired and lots that should be available -- and we know that there are lots which could be developed with minimal cost which are near to road services and on flat land -- because there is no lands officer in the town of Iqaluit and because there's been no apparent action from Municipal Affairs in Yellowknife, there are still no lots available for people who are waiting to meet sea-lift deadlines to make commitments to build houses and to become taxpayers.

Madam Speaker, the land issue must be addressed urgently, and the Municipal Advisory Committee has asked the Minister of Municipal Affairs to come to Iqaluit on an urgent basis to meet with them and deal with it. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to make a statement that has come to my attention, Madam Speaker, that weather reporting stations in the Baffin region will close April 1 to April 5. In fact, the contractors have been instructed by the federal government to cut off the power going to weather stations. This concerns me very much, Madam Speaker. Everyone knows the Baffin communities rely on airplanes for their food and transportation. The airplanes that are going into communities like Cape Dorset, Clyde River and Pond Inlet will not know how high they are flying, whether there are cross-winds, whether there is fog or any kind of information that is essential to the pilots.

Madam Speaker, if there is no reporting taking place, the pilots will not be knowledgable about the barometers, therefore, they will not know how high or how low they are flying. I am concerned about the safety of my constituents during that transition period. I will pursue this matter in question period. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

Thank you. The Speaker would like to recognize two respected elders from Hay River, Lionel Gagnon from Hay River and Mrs. Beatrice Morin, the mother of the Honourable Don Morin. Welcome to our Assembly.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, today I wish to speak about some of the concerns I have with the way duties are split among the Members of Cabinet. Madam Speaker, we could all tell during the Cabinet review last December that the residents of the Northwest Territories are fortunate to have several natural born leaders serving as Cabinet Ministers.

My concern, Madam Speaker, is that we may be overworking some of these talented Ministers. I know from my own experience that some of these Ministers take longer to respond to concerns and questions from the ordinary MLAs simply because they have too much on their plate. This, of course, adds up to more work for the ordinary MLAs because they have to write follow-up letters and do extra lobbying that might not be required if the burden of duties were spread more evenly.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the reasons for the east/west split on Cabinet. However, Madam Speaker, I am concerned about some Ministers who do not appear to be doing their homework. I feel that this lack of preparedness on their part may be causing resentment among the more conscientious Cabinet Ministers who see their responsibilities increase, but not their compensation packages.

Madam Speaker, some Cabinet Ministers are so busy that it is very difficult for them to attend important events in the Northwest Territories. I know that I have invited Ministers to attend important events in my constituency and that some Ministers have had to back out due to prior commitments. I can imagine, Madam Speaker, that they have had to decline invitations to important events in their own constituencies, also.

Madam Speaker, the smaller communities in the Northwest Territories appreciate visits from government Ministers. These visits make them feel like they, as a community, are part of the process. The process of government, Madam Speaker, is seen by a lot of communities as a strange animal that will only occur in the larger centres of the Northwest Territories.

Madam Speaker, I urge the Members of Cabinet, who perhaps do not have a full load, to buckle up and help their busier colleagues so that these Ministers can respond...

Mr. Gargan, I cut your Member's statement off prior to you finishing. Member for Deh Cho.

Madam Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to continue my Member's statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and honourable Members. Madam Speaker, I urge the Members of Cabinet, who perhaps do not have a full load, to buckle up and help their busier colleagues so that these Ministers can respond better to the concerns of ordinary MLAs and their constituents. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Ballantyne.

North Slave?

(Microphones turned off)

I have been redistributed.

---Laughter

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I would like to make a few observations about the recent visit of the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Mr. Irwin, to the Northwest Territories. Mr. Irwin was here for a short period of time, met with 13 or 14 groups and made commitments at each one of those meetings. I must say I was very pleased to hear of the commitment he made to the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories. It was a commitment a long time in coming.

---Applause

Madam Speaker, I am struck with the level of passion, commitment and the speed of change that this Minister has demonstrated. However, I do have some concerns as to how these many bilateral commitments to a wide variety of groups across the territories will all come together at the end of the day.

I am sure that the Minister will acknowledge that north of 60 is very different from south of 60. The regions and groups in the Northwest Territories must maintain common bonds, strengths and unity. A fragmented north is a vulnerable north and could easily fall prey to the agendas of large governments and large corporations.

The government and the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories must continue to play an integral role in the negotiations leading to division and to constitutional development in the west. We must strive to be a unifying force in the Northwest Territories.

I personally believe that a strong central government, strong regions and strong communities will provide the political stability we need to provide for economic development and to solve the many social problems we have in the Northwest Territories. I also strongly believe that there must be a coming together of public government and aboriginal self-government, if we are to prevent the western Northwest Territories from becoming balkanized and fragmented into irrelevance. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Pudlat on March 21. It is talking about the Great Whale/Sanikiluaq project as it relates to Sanikiluaq.

Madam Speaker, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs is currently attempting to obtain a copy of the agreement between Hydro Quebec and Makivik for our information. It is our understanding that the agreement is based on commitments under the James Bay northern Quebec agreement. Regardless of any arrangements through this or any other agreement, the Government of the Northwest Territories still has a legitimate right to argue that the environment and the residents of the NWT should not be adversely impacted by the proposed hydro project.

The Department of Renewable Resources is coordinating the GNWT's input to the environmental review process, however they have no control over the pace at which the review process proceeds. It is moving slower than anyone anticipated.

We are currently reviewing the environmental impact statement. The GNWT will argue that the document does not conform with the guidelines and must be rewritten to provide more relevant information on Hudson Bay and the Belcher Islands. The community of Sanikiluaq and the Nunavut Coalition-Keewatin have indicated that they will be taking the same approach.

We have also written to the federal Minister of Environment supporting Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated's request for the establishment of a Nunavut impact review board to review the project.

The GNWT continues to work closely with all groups to ensure that our actions support community concerns. GNWT representatives will be meeting with representatives from Sanikiluaq and the Keewatin in May to discuss our response to the review panels on the deficiencies of the environmental impact statement. The GNWT also continues to communicate with other intervenors in the process including the Crees.

Madam Speaker, I have another return to oral question. I would like your permission to continue. This is a return to a question asked by Mr. Ningark on March 16, on the status of departmental amalgamations.

In order to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of government, a number of departments and programs were proposed for transfer or consolidation. The consolidations are some, but not all of those recommended by Strength at Two Levels.

These consolidations were announced in 1992 as one aspect of Reshaping Northern Government, which also included decentralization, privatization, reorganization of the central agencies and increased roles for MLAs in decision-making.

Of the announced consolidations and amalgamations, the following have been completed to date:

1992-93: Education and Culture and Communications; Government Services and Public Works; Justice and corrections; and, Intergovernmental Affairs and Aboriginal and Constitutional Affairs.

1993-94: Employment with Education and Culture; and, reorganization of centre.

In May 1993, mandates of central agencies were clarified to streamline decision-making and the central machinery of government, and to rationalize the roles of Comptroller General, the Department of Finance and the Financial Management Board Secretariat.

Madam Speaker, I have a further return to oral question if I may proceed. This is an oral question asked by Mr. Ng on March 21 regarding the policy of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to support northern businesses.

Madam Speaker, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation follows a tendering and contract policy that provides for a northern discount. Sound business practice dictates that support for local businesses that can provide the service for the corporation, leads to development of those businesses and an economy that can help to reduce the corporation's costs.

Other examples of the corporation's efforts to use local business include the use of standing purchase orders and local purchase orders to facilitate local purchases. The SPOs are set up at the beginning of the year for local purchases. These standing orders are set up with businesses that can provide the necessary goods and services. The SPOs are approved by the vice-president of operations.

Purchases against standing purchase orders and local purchase orders are monitored centrally by purchasing and finance. All other purchasing is handled centrally under the tender and contract policy. Madam Speaker, in turn, these operations are reviewed by internal audit. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, I have a short reply to an oral question asked by Mr. Ballantyne on March 29, regarding the update on negotiations between the United Steel Workers of Canada and Miramar Con Mine.

We have been advised by federal authorities that the federal conciliatory officer assigned to the dispute will be in contact with both parties next week, so as to determine when they should begin and meet again. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Kivallivik, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to Ministers' statements.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to Ministers' statements. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and Members, colleagues.

Madam Speaker, as Members know, changes were made to the water and sewage services subsidy policy earlier this month. This afternoon, I want to outline the background and basic features of the changes.

The subsidy program was introduced in 1987 because consumers were not getting equitable treatment in the municipal water and sewage rates charged to them. Often the rates they paid were far greater than the economic costs of providing water and sewage services in the community.

Municipal governments often chose to use their water/sewage rates as a key source of municipal revenue, because of the lack of comprehensive GNWT municipal O and M funding policies at that time.

The water and sewer services subsidy policy was created because of this to help make sure that basic services were provided equitably throughout the Northwest Territories by municipal governments at a price that residents could afford.

Until amendments to the policy were made earlier this month, it applied mainly in hamlets, charter communities and some settlements. The lack of coverage for residents of most tax-based municipalities was raised as an issue by the NWT Association of Municipalities, the town of Hay River, the village of Fort Simpson and by the Member for Nahendeh.

As a result, changes to the policy now extend its provisions to all municipalities except Yellowknife. Yellowknife doesn't receive the subsidy because it gets municipal service funding under a three year block funding agreement.

In making the changes to this policy and extending the benefits of the subsidy program to the large population of residential and commercial users in the tax-based municipalities, it was necessary to balance equity and affordability of service costs with the realities of limited financial resources.

Even after the policy changes, the government will still be subsidizing, on average, 91 per cent of the cost of water and sewage services in hamlets, charter communities and designated communities.

The revised water and sewage services policy includes the following new rates for residential and commercial users:

- the subsidized residential and non-profit rate will be .33 of a cent per litre in all tax-based municipalities effective June 1, 1994;

- in Iqaluit and Norman Wells, that means an increase from an average of $25 a month to $37 a month for residential users of trucked services; and, an increase from an average of $50 a month to an average of $75 a month for residential users with piped services.

In addition:

- the subsidized residential and non-profit rate will be raised from .22 of a cent per litre to .27 of a cent per litre in hamlets and designated communities effective June 1, 1994;

- based on specific household accounts, some typical increases in rates per residential user in hamlets would be:

- from $18 to $22 per month in Chesterfield Inlet;

- from $30 to $37 in Aklavik;

- from $37 to $45 in Fort Providence;

- from $25 to $30 in Pond Inlet; and,

- from $26 to $32 in Pelly Bay.

- any additional annual increases will be subject to Financial Management Board review.

Madam Speaker, other changes affect the subsidized residential and non-profit rate in special service areas, mainly small areas outside the built-up areas of certain municipalities:

- the subsidized residential and non-profit rate for those locations will be increased from .33 of a cent per litre to .37 of a cent per litre effective June 1, 1994, with a further increase subject to Financial Management Board approval;

- the subsidized commercial rate in hamlets, charter communities and designated communities will also change. Effective June 1, 1994, 90 per cent rather than 100 per cent of water/sewage consumption by commercial users will be subsidized.

The subsidized amount will be reduced each year until 50 per cent of the consumption is subsidized at .44 of a cent per litre and the rest at the economic rate. Each yearly reduction will be subject to Financial Management Board review. This review process will allow the Financial Management Board to review specific cases, to avoid undue hardship.

Some examples of the immediate impact on commercial users would be:

- an average monthly increase of $31 to $39 for the Northern Store in Aklavik;

- an average monthly increase of $19 to $52 for the Northern Store in Chesterfield Inlet; - an average monthly increase of $46 to $66 for the Northern Store in Fort Providence; and,

- an average monthly increase of $31 to $58 for the Northern Store in Pond Inlet.

Madam Speaker, there have been questions about consultation with this House and with the municipalities on the changes to the water and sewage services subsidy policy.

On February 19, 1993, the Minister of Finance announced in his budget address that the government planned to adjust the degree of subsidization of commercial users in hamlets. And on November 24, 1993, my predecessor, the Honourable John Todd, made a return advising the Member for Nahendeh that policy amendments had been approved to extend coverage to all towns and villages, but that the financial implications of the policy amendments were to receive final review by the Financial Management Board.

In addition, during the seven years since this subsidy program was instituted, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has engaged in ongoing consultation with municipal councils and their administrations on items such as the objectives of the policy and program, the economic rates for water and sewage services in each community, and on establishing municipal water and sewage services rates by-laws.

Madam Speaker, municipalities are familiar with the workings and administration of the water and sewage services subsidy policy and program, including the fact that rate adjustments periodically occur. The systems are in place in municipalities for the rate adjustments to be made effectively. The subsidized rate increases are targeted to take effect June 1, 1994, to afford councils at least 60 days to amend their water and sewage rates by-laws and advise consumers.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, in attempting to address Members' questions about the policy changes on March 24, I stated that the subsidized residential and non-profit rate was not affected and that policy changes would take effect May 1, 1994. This information was not correct and the information I have provided today should set the record straight. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. A couple of days ago, on Monday, March 28, I raised the issue of child sexual abuse in a Member's statement. I have a question related to that statement for the Minister of Social Services.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In answer to the Member for High Arctic, I would like to make a brief statement on sexual abuse because there are different types of sexual abuse that can be defined. It includes exposure to pornographic materials, exposures to flashers, inappropriate touching, oral sex and sexual intercourse.

It is important to remember that this type of abuse has different levels of trauma. The level of trauma is also affected by whether the incident, or incidents were one-time or ongoing. By law, sexual abuse must be reported by all persons when it is identified. The department provides counselling and support through contract services in each region. As much as possible, assistance is provided at the community level.

When a sexual abuse case is reported to Social Services, the steps that are taken are first that usually the RCMP does the investigation. Depending upon the findings of the RCMP investigation, charges are laid on the offender and the work begins by the social worker and sexual abuse specialist. This depends on whether the person who has been abused is a child or an adult. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Pudluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question was really about those people who were sexually abused as children about 20 to 30 years ago and about the healing and counselling for those people. They are now adults. Abuse affects not only the child but the whole family. What program or support is offered to the family for coping with child sexual abuse? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In each region, we have mental health and sexual abuse specialists. They are available for survivors of sexual abuse who are now adults who were abused when they were children. Also, they work with the families to cope with the abuse and, often times, when the community makes this request, the specialist comes in town and tries to help out the community in getting a support group going for those who are the survivors and who are the victims. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There was some training received a few years ago with in-service training with our staff through contract services through Arctic College, and, as a result, we ended up having one specialist in each region. Up to today, the training is still available when requested. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

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

The department's plan also includes, along with Health, Education, Culture and Employment and Justice, the development of a strategic plan for community mental health. The process will involve various groups and agencies and communities in the development of the plan which will address, amongst other issues, child sexual abuse and how government as a whole can be more effective in dealing with devastating problems, so there is a plan and ongoing training for those staff who request sexual abuse specialists training.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There is no program within Social Services' training program. The training component part of it is a responsibility of Education, Culture and Employment.

To note, there was a workshop from January 31 to February 4 in Baffin on sexual abuse, with representation from Social Services, Justice Canada, RCMP, Health, Department of Education, Culture and Employment, territorial Justice and the Status of Women. A training subcommittee planned and facilitated a similar workshop in Rankin Inlet in March of 1993 for 51 professionals in the Keewatin region. The RCMP and departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Social Services will give $90,000 to Baffin communities for the workshop that was held in Iqaluit.

So there are workshops that are ongoing in each region for sexual abuse and how to deal with sexual abuse. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, further to Mr. Pudluk's and Mr. Dent's questions, I would like to ask the Minister of Social Services about another group that needs support in addition to children, and that is adults who are finally dealing with sexual abuse they may have suffered as a child. I think these people are being identified in connection with new investigations in the Northwest Territories about residential schooling experiences, and we are finding many people carrying scars and burdens of many years. I would like to ask the Minister, what support is available for these adults carrying these scars of sexual abuse they may have suffered as a child? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Like I said earlier, we have specialists who come in to the communities when they are requested, and they work with the group who are the survivors of sexual abuse in helping them out in starting their self-help group. Pauktuutit has also started this healing process, as well, and that started this past winter when they met in Iqaluit. So there are agencies, along with our specialists, that can help and are available in each region. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Madam Speaker, along with the Minister, I attended the Pauktuutit annual general meeting, and there were a number of very emotional moments when adults, sometimes elders, made disclosures about painful experiences they had suffered many years before. I think it's been pointed out in a recent letter to the editor in Nunatsiaq News that these kinds of disclosures can -- although they are helpful in themselves, if they are not followed up on -- lead to even more frustration and anxiety. So I would like to ask the Minister, given that these kinds of disclosures seem to be occurring more frequently and even publicly, and the latest example was the Pauktuutit AGM, is there a strategy within the department to respond to this apparently growing need? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish the Member for Iqaluit, could provide percentages when asked. He uses the words, the growing need. With the information that I have been provided by my department, in 1991 the incidence of child sexual abuse between the ages five and eight was 23 per cent, and in 1992-93 it was down to 16 per cent. For ages zero to four, in 1991-92, the incidence was 15 per cent, and in 1992-93 it was 16 per cent. I'm talking about the reported cases.

In the age category 16 to 18, the incidence was 8.5 per cent in 1991-92 and nine per cent in 1992-93. In 1991-92 between the ages of 13 and 15, 26.5 per cent of children were sexually abused, and in 1992-93 the figure was 22.3 per cent. Between the ages of nine and 12, 27 per cent of children were sexually abused in 1991-92 and in 1992-93 it was 36.7 per cent.

I think it is important, when we talk about something as serious as this, that we have accurate numbers. I don't object to the wording that the Member used, but because of the nature of what we're talking about I think it is important for the public to know.

Since awareness was commenced about four years ago, we have had a snowball effect now that it is okay to talk about sexual abuse. It is out in the open. According to the stats that we have from two years ago, the numbers have not increased. Perhaps it will have increased for adult numbers for this coming year, but that is yet to be seen.

There is help available in each region, when it is requested. Specialists are available to help the communities get started with self-help groups, which our department is directing, so the communities can deal with some of the serious problems themselves, along with the help of the department. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I don't think it would be fruitful for myself or the Minister to engage in a debate about one or two percentage points in the number of reported cases which indicate a trend, especially when we know that reported cases are probably only the tip of the iceberg. I guess I would like to get back to the theme of my question about adult survivors. I would like to ask the Minister another question. Recognizing that the problems of adults dealing with past abuse are quite different from the strategies used to deal with children dealing with past abuse, I would like to ask the Minister, is there in-service training and support now available for social workers for dealing with adult clients and their special problems? Thank you.

Thank you. Just before we go on, I want to caution Members not to be repetitive with their questions. I believe this same question was posed by Mr. Dent earlier on. I also want to caution the Minister about lengthy and detailed replies to the questions posed. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. (Translation) As I stated, in the different regions there are professionals who can deal with people who have been sexually abused. These professionals are highly qualified and they work with the people who have past experiences with sexual abuse when they were children. I know in my community of Pangnirtung, there are a lot of people who have been supported by the elders' group, using the social worker in the community.

As I stated earlier, each community, with the help of the social workers, should start a self-help group. We assist in that way, by using professionals to start up these groups for people who have been sexually abused as a child. Every time a community requests professionals, they are available.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Social Services. Child sexual abuse is not something which happens in certain types of homes or certain communities. There are some services available to children and their families in our larger communities. However, in the smallest communities, support for people is limited or not there at all. My question to the honourable Minister, Madam Speaker, is how does the department ensure victims of sexual abuse and their families in our smallest communities receive adequate therapy and support? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There is no question that this is a problem. When the victim is a child and in the custody of the department, the focus is to attempt to have the child placed in a safe environment that meets the needs of the individual. In the smaller communities, if our worker is not trained to deal with sexual abuse, that is when our regional sexual abuse specialists are available, at the request of the communities, to help the family of the abused to deal with the trauma that occurs along with the horrible behaviour that is carried on it our society. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The only person who is available in the community to help these people is the social worker. According to my understanding, in the smaller communities, the social worker is not properly trained to deal with the matter. There are no specialists in the communities. Would the honourable Minister ensure that we have specialists in the communities to deal with this matter which is unacceptable to our society? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. With sexual abuse cases, there are certain procedures carried out. There is a protocol in the community. Like I said, the RCMP is often times involved in carrying out the investigation, along with the social worker or the school counsellor, including the nurse from the community. Depending upon the findings of the investigations, that protocol is followed. In each region, we do have sexual abuse specialists who are available to the communities who don't have the expertise. Either through the RCMP, nurse in charge or through the social worker, they are available at their request. Often, they come into the community to work with the family of the abused. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) My question is in line with the questions that have been asked. Madam Speaker, passing a sexual abuse case through the courts is all a part of the process, but there is still a healing process for the victim and their family. What kind of follow-up is done with victims and their families after court cases are finished? Thank you.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. After it has gone through the court system and after the family and the victim have gone through this process, the victim should ask for support. There are other people who can request this after the court case has gone through. For example, through the Department of Justice, the victims can apply for the victims' assistance program. So the support is there. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Supplementary, Madam Speaker. I am very happy to hear the response by the Minister of Social Services, in that there's a process for the victim and that there is a follow-up done. At what point does Social Services close the case of child sexual abuse victims? Thank you.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. They are done case by case because they vary from each other. If the victim was a child, at times the social worker will have to support the victim for a long time. Sometimes they are referred to another family outside of the family house. If the child is in temporary custody of Social Services, they are helped as long as the help is needed. They do go back to their families within the discretion of the court system. Or, if Social Services is not responsible for the victim after the court case, following the court procedure, usually at three months is the point at which we close the case. It varies from case to case. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Not only do the victims of child sexual abuse need support, but there are those who commit the abuse and they also must be dealt with and, in some cases, helped to find ways of dealing with their problem and their feelings. I have a question for the Minister of Justice. What programs are available for people who are found guilty of sexual offences and who are incarcerated?

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Often abusers are repeaters. Some people have a history of repeat offences for this type of criminal behaviour in the north. People, these days, tend to be very mobile. My supplementary to the Minister is, what process is in place and used nationally to make other jurisdictions aware of such offenders?

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I'm aware that in the past there used to be a system for alcohol abusers. I think it was called interdict list where people were listed who were abusers of alcohol. So, my question is, given the response the Minister just made that some are chronic abusers, will the Minister consider looking at developing some kind of process similar to the interdict lists that used to be posted? I'm not sure they are still available, but would the Minister look at such a process for sexual offenders?

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is also regarding sexual abuse. I have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. The high

incidence of child sexual abuse is of great concern to all of us. One of the tools we can use in the fight against this type of abuse is prevention education. Children need to know that it is okay to say no and to understand what kinds of things are not acceptable, from either strangers or family members.

Some education districts, such as Yellowknife Education District No. 1, are offering excellent ongoing programs which help children prevent sexual abuse and recognize bad situations. Is this type of program offered across the NWT? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Through you, I would like to thank the honourable Member for giving me an opportunity to respond to a question of this type. I want to indicate that the Northwest Territories school health program includes lessons on abuse prevention in grades one, two, six, seven and eight, and all schools are required to teach the program.

It is our practice and philosophy to use a holistic approach to teaching and learning and, for this reason, the health program includes lessons on decision-making, assertiveness, handling stress and other skills to help students deal with a variety of stressful situations, including possible sexual abuse.

I would also like to add that we are currently developing a handbook to help school personnel deal more effectively with child abuse. The handbook will include ways to recognize the symptoms of abuse, how to handle disclosures, how to report abuse and how to work with the abused child in the school setting. By helping the school personnel to deal with child abuse, we are, of course, helping children. The handbook will be in place for the new year.

I want to indicate to the honourable Member, as well, that the handbook to help personnel is being guided by a very effective and committed inter-agency committee with representatives from Health, Social Services, Justice, the RCMP, and the NWT Teachers' Association. The feedback from educational boards and schools on the draft version of the documents has been very positive. This appears to be a much needed resource.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. Given the declaration against violence adopted by this Assembly, can the Minister commit to working with the divisional boards of education to ensure programs aimed at helping children combat sexual abuse are available for all NWT primary and elementary students? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Social Services, following up on the discussion of child sexual abuse. A couple of years ago, it is my understanding that the Department of Social Services centralized the function of the child sexual abuse experts. It is my understanding that there were a couple of people in headquarters dedicated to that particular function and it was decentralized. I wonder if the Minister could tell us how many individuals now in the regions are used solely to combat child sexual abuse.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We have sexual abuse specialists in each region. I think we have four or five mental health specialists in place who are also available, upon request by the communities. To my understanding, there are four sexual abuse specialists, if not five. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary, Madam Speaker. I thank the Minister for that response. Does the Department of Social Services have a comprehensive plan of action to deal with child sexual abuse in all its complexities.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In my opening remarks I made just before we dealt with our O and M budget, I indicated that we are going to get four additional PYs that will be dealing strictly with human resources and the training needs that have to be assessed in the communities. This will come into effect. I believe we are in the stage of advertising for the positions. Once that is done, then

the selection of the applicants will take place. Once they are hired, they will assess how much training is required by our front line workers by region and by community. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.