Item 2, Ministers' statements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Mr. Speaker, in a Member's statement on February 16, 1994 and again in oral question period on February 18, the honourable Member for Baffin South expressed his concern that, particularly in smaller communities, residents often do not have assistance in preparing their income tax returns. He was concerned as well that, because of this, sometimes tax returns may be prepared inaccurately. We share Mr. Pudlat's concern on this important matter.

As I indicated to him, the Government of the Northwest Territories does not have a program whereby it can send accountants to communities to help with tax return preparation. However, during the tax preparation period, Revenue Canada officials do conduct visits to communities in the Northwest Territories for this purpose. During these visits, Revenue Canada officials normally conduct workshops, after which they make themselves available to provide specialized assistance with individual tax returns. We were also informed that Revenue Canada has planned a series of trips this month to the communities in the eastern Arctic to provide workshops and to provide residents with tax preparation assistance. This week, officials are travelling to Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Arviat and Iqaluit.

Mr. Speaker, in our discussions with Revenue Canada, we requested them to make additional, special visits to smaller communities to provide specialized assistance to residents. Following our request, Revenue Canada is planning to include Lake Harbour in their itinerary next week. Additional visits are also planned for Gjoa Haven, Spence Bay, Pelly Bay, Pond Inlet and Cape Dorset before the end of March. Unfortunately, due to repairs made to the only hotel in Sanikiluaq, it will not be possible to visit Sanikiluaq prior to April 30 of this year. Hopefully, a visit can be arranged for the spring of 1995.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Finance will be following up with Revenue Canada to ensure that they will continue to include Northwest Territories communities in their future visits. I thank Mr. Pudlat for bringing this issue to my attention. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Tuesday, March 8, is International Women's Day.

In the Northwest Territories women have played a strong role in the changes that have taken place socially, economically and politically.

They have been the starting point of many new initiatives that have been taking shape in the Northwest Territories. The revamping of the child care program, declaration of zero tolerance policy and the gender equality review are examples of the work women have initiated.

The role of women in the north has been that of a catalyst for change. At the same time, they continue to provide the kind of support needed to make sure family units and values remain strong in a period of rapid change and competing interests.

Mr. Speaker, International Women's Day is a day for women and men to recognize and celebrate the contributions women have made to society. Northern women, whether they are involved in traditional pursuits or the wage economy, are helping to make a difference in today's world. And they will continue to do so every day of the year.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to advise the house that the Honourable Rebecca Mike will be absent from the House today on personal business.

And, also, Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation will be away from this House on Monday, March 14, 1994. The Minister will be attending a meeting of Housing Ministers in Regina on that date. Mr. Morin, along with the Ministers from five provinces are participating on a special ministerial subcommittee formed to address the housing needs and conditions of residents living in northern and remote communities.

The committee will be making recommendations to all federal, provincial and territorial Housing Ministers on how these needs can best be met. The Minister will be back in the House on Tuesday, March 15, 1994. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise this House about the meeting of Labour Market Ministers held on the evening of February 28, and on March 1.

The agenda began with an update by the federal government on income security reform. The Minister of Human Resources Canada, the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, highlighted the $800 million identified in the recent federal budget speech which is set aside for innovative social security reform pilot projects over the next two years.

I believe that the investing in people initiative which we plan to introduce in the next fiscal year, and other possible initiatives to be developed which support this approach, to be candidates for sharing in this opportunity for reform.

By the end of the month, the deputy ministers have been tasked to complete draft guidelines for the scope, principles and qualifications of eligible reform projects, as well as guidelines for approval, evaluation and funding.

The Ministers also discussed the focus paper, "A Study on the Modernization and Restructuring of Canada's Social Security System," released that day by the parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources Development. The paper called for submissions by March 9, 1994. Mr. Speaker, I will provide a copy of the Federal Government's standing committee paper to all Members of this Assembly.

Following this, the committee plans to produce an interim report on March 25 outlining Canadians' concerns and priorities for income security reform. The committee then plans to consult more broadly across the country and will prepare a final report by September 30, 1994. This report will include a review of the federal government's action plan and recommendations for reform.

Once this report has been released, the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers will meet again to review the recommendations to advise the federal government on legislative reform and to share information about progress on reform in each of their own jurisdictions.

The Honourable Rebecca Mike, Minister of Social Services, and myself are planning to release a territorial preliminary discussion paper on income security reform before the legislature concludes in April of 1994.

Mr. Speaker, during the meeting on March 1, Ministers also discussed such matters as:

-reducing duplication and overlap between governments;

-federal youth initiatives, namely internship and the youth service corps;

-barriers to employment and training;

-labour mobility as part of the interprovincial agreement on reduction of trade barriers;

-standards and interprovincial computerized examinations for the trades; and,

-increasing private sector investment in training.

Mr. Speaker, we also discussed how the forum of Labour Market Ministers might be better organized to respond to today's challenges for change in our unemployment insurance and social assistance programs. We have to meet today's fiscal realities while providing for Canadians to become more productive, and we must continue to provide a social safety net. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you very much, Mr. Dent. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a statement today congratulating the young people from my constituency who have been selected to represent the NWT at the Arctic Winter Games next week.

They are from Lake Harbour, Jawlie Mingeriak and Julie Oolayou, who is the holder of senior women's record for the high kick; from Cape Dorset, Mosesee Qimirpik; and from Sanikiluaq, Caroline Appaqaq who at 15 is the first ever competitor from that community and is already seen as somewhat of a hero by her community.

Mr. Speaker, I must say that I am extremely proud of these young people and wish them the very best from the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask Members to join me in congratulating the Premier on another birthday. It's her birthday today, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

---Singing of Happy Birthday

---Applause

I'm sure everybody will appreciate that outbreak of happiness in this Assembly.

---Laughter

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For many years now the people and the Government of the Northwest Territories have been working hard to counter the European anti-fur lobby. It seems that despite all of our efforts we are unable to get our message through to European people.

Last night and again this morning there was an information item on CBC radio about the new TV advertisement in Spain for chocolate bars. To my dismay, I heard that the ad portrays seal hunters who are going after seal pups, as used to be done in Newfoundland but isn't done any more. Children dressed in the polar bear costumes would come and chase the hunters away before any pups are killed. In celebration, the polar bears will sit down and eat chocolate bars with the seal pups.

Since the animal activists got the European Parliament to ban seal skins, there has been a very serious negative impact on the people and the economy of the eastern Arctic. The once profitable seal harvest provided people with the chance to earn their own living and be proud of the ability to support their families. In the 1970s, a seal pelt was worth upwards of $70. A hunter is lucky today, Mr. Speaker, to get $5 for the same pelt. Without a market for sealskin, there has been an increase in suicides and other social problems, as many former harvesters are unable to make a living and support their families.

It is very frustrating to know that there are many seals, including thousands of Newfoundland seals, that come up to Baffin Island in the summertime and the spring -- which they never used to do -- looking for food. The cod and the fish supply in Newfoundland is way down and as a result the seals are coming up. I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. As you may know, Mr. Speaker, thousands of Newfoundland seals and Harp seals, are coming up to the Northwest Territories to feed on food that resident seals eat. We don't know at this point what impact these thousands of seals that are coming up to Baffin Island will have on the local food chain. I've asked the federal ministry to look into this matter and they have yet to determine what the impact is. My concern is that the food of the resident seals that we eat and rely on is being depleted in the eastern Arctic.

Mr. Speaker, it disturbs me to see the continuing lack of awareness of the Europeans about the importance of seal harvesting to the people of the eastern Arctic and the coastal people in the western Arctic. I hope that the Minister of Renewable Resources and this government will continue their effort to educate those who don't understand the northern way of life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause.

Thank you, Mr. Allooloo. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today and tomorrow, hundreds of NWT athletes are embarking on a great adventure. Across the territories, planes are filling up with excited young athletes all heading for Slave Lake, Alberta, for the 1994 Arctic Winter Games. From 38 communities across the territories, both large and small, they come, proudly wearing the NWT team uniform, their heads spinning with visions of ulus, adventure, pride in their community and pride in their territory.

On a personal note, our family is very proud of our daughter Erin, who is leaving at 3:00 am tomorrow morning to compete in cross-country skiing.

---Applause

I'm sure that all MLAs will join me in wishing our athletes great success in the 1994 Arctic Winter Games. We hope they bring back many ulus, but, more importantly, we hope they bring back life-long memories of a wonderful shared experience and an enduring sense of pride in representing the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ballantyne. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Zoe.

Hear, hear.

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Last weekend, on February 25, 26 and 27, the annual senior recreational hockey tournament took place in Fort Simpson. A total of eight teams took part in this tournament. Teams from Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Norman, Fort Good Hope, Deline, and even Lynx River showed up to play in this tournament.

---Laughter The teams from Fort Norman, Fort Good Hope and Deline drove over the winter road to participate in this tournament. It goes to show that even on the seasonal winter roads, there's a real desire for intercommunity activity. So, you can imagine that once the all-weather road down the valley is built, how much intercommunity activity will take place down the valley.

It was a pretty good tournament, Mr. Speaker, with a lot of excitement and controversy. I would just like to say that generally there is a real need to standardize the rules throughout the north for sport so that there is consistency in officiating from one part of the north to another. I think that would really help communities and the sport in the north.

The people of Fort Simpson appreciate the excitement of the game, especially into the finals. Tournaments like these are the results of the Government of the Northwest Territories capital expenditures in building arenas in most communities in the north. As more arenas are built, there will be more and more hockey players coming out of these communities. It is one of the best investments, I think, for the north.

Tournaments are also good for the host communities. It is a boost to their economy. The hotels, motels, restaurants, gas stations, stores and even bars received contribution from this tournament. Usually at these kinds of events dances are held to try to squeeze something more out of the players, if they have anything left. That usually happens, and it is usually organized by a volunteer group. Tournaments like this, in general, Mr. Speaker, are good for the north. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, spring is in the air and it is time for us to start the planning process for our annual hockey game with the Fifth Estate North. Tomorrow morning, Mr. Speaker, at 6:00 am, we will meet at the Legislative Assembly for callisthenics in the great hall...

---Laughter

...followed by a light jog around Frame Lake. I have spoken with our coach and general manager and can state, for the record, that Mr. Arvaluk can play on our all-star team if he wants to.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the media that Don "Teflon" Morin has been disciplined by this legislature. After all, he is on the housing committee with me. He has assured me there will be no outbursts of aggression on his part.

The media's most valuable player from last year will be back again this year. Sheila MacPherson has been practising hard.

---Laughter

Not many people know that when she said she was going on holidays to Mexico, she was actually attending the Howie Meeker hockey school.

---Laughter

Our first game this year is in Fort Providence on March 19 at 3:00 pm. I have promised to get Titus "Beebop" Allooloo a ride, so he does not get lost and end up in the Baffin.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I have been assured by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association that the rule book will be the same in English as in French. Henry "Zorro" Zoe has agreed to play.

---Laughter Mr. Speaker, I believe that Mr. Kakfwi has been a good boy this year and can play, if his wife lets him.

---Laughter

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the athletes, especially those from the Deh Cho, good luck in the Arctic Winter Games and bring back a gold. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

That sounds like the last Members' statement. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ningark on March 1, with respect to airline services in the Natilikmiot region. On Tuesday, March 1, 1994, the Member for Natilikmiot asked me if I knew if any air carriers, in addition to First Air, had plans to introduce scheduled air services to the communities of Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and/or Pelly Bay.

Officials at the Department of Transportation have made inquiries of the regulatory authority, the National Transportation Agency in Ottawa, about competing licences to offer scheduled air services to the Natilikmiot communities. Buffalo Airways, Calm Air, Keewatin Air, NWT Air and Ptarmigan Airways all hold valid federal licences to offer scheduled air services to Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and Pelly Bay.

The companies have chosen not to provide a service to compete with First Air. I have no knowledge of any future plans for these air carriers to offer scheduled services into these communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on February 17, 1994.

In response to the concerns raised by the honourable Member regarding the quality of the drinking water and the location of the water treatment plant in Fort Resolution, I advise the honourable Member of the following.

While the use of chlorine has affected the taste of the water for a short duration, I would like to assure the Member that the treatment of water at the current location meets the Canadian drinking water standards.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs recognizes the community's desire to relocate the water treatment plant in order to make better use of the land in that area. An engineering consultant was retained by the department to investigate the matter.

The results of this study are still under review and a monitoring committee has been established with representatives from the community and the departments of Municipal and Community Affairs and Public Works and Services.

Both departments will continue to work with the community council to ensure that a safe and reliable long-term supply of water is available to the residents of Fort Resolution.

I have a second response, Mr. Speaker.

This was asked by Mr. Gargan on March 3, 1994 regarding the Hay River Reserve emergency communication system.

The department provided communication equipment to the reserve in past years. But now, the community has taken the initiative to improve their situation. In the recent past, the Emergency Measures Organization had assisted the reserve by supplying a basic VHF communication system which allowed them, during breakup, to communicate on the reserve as well as to the both the GNWT and the town of Hay River off the reserve.

The Emergency Measures Organization has explored various options with the reserve which could lead to funding to purchase a complete VHF communication system.

In 1993, the band submitted a funding proposal to Emergency Preparedness Canada, under the joint emergency preparedness program. This proposal was approved by the federal government on November 2, 1993 on the basis of a 50/50 cost-sharing. The system installation was completed in February 1994 and the reserve now has a fully operational VHF communication system with a repeater and telephone interconnect linking the band office with vehicles, key personnel, the town of Hay River and NorthwesTel.

The EMO coordinator is travelling to the reserve on March 9 to assist the band in preparing their claim to the federal government under JEPP, and review contingency plans for the 1994 breakup. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Arngna'naaq. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Thanks, Mr. Dent. Mr. Minister.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. What have we done in the last month? I've instructed the department to develop a fast-track agenda. Hopefully, if we can get all parties to the table, we've set what I think is a fairly aggressive agenda for ourselves that we hope we can accomplish a mineral accord and an oil and gas accord by the end of this year. Discussions are under way with Mr. Irwin, and discussions are currently under way with Mr. Rayner and others with respect to how we can proceed from where we left off in 1992.

The intent is to move forward with the oil and gas accord, which is basically in place, to add minerals to it and, hopefully, with the support of this Assembly and with some kind of protection and to ensure that we protect the interests of claimant groups et cetera, we can move forward and come to a satisfactory conclusion by the end of this year. I'm optimistic we can do it. I think the momentum is there, the opportunity is there, and it would be foolish to not move quickly. Thank you.

Thanks, Mr. Todd. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Todd.

I support the initiative by the Finance Minister, Mr. Pollard, for a one-window approach. Mr. Pollard has had extensive discussions with Mr. Martin, the federal Finance Minister. We are going to Ottawa next week. While you're at the Arctic Winter Games, we'll be toiling hard on your behalf. The meetings are set up, as I said, with the federal Ministers in an effort to bring this issue up the priority ladder. I feel confident that provided we have unanimous support in this House and we can address the concerns of aboriginal claimant groups, we can move forward with this accord. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. It is well known that the Metall project at Izok Lake, which was a base metal project, has been shelved, put on hold now. It has clearly focused all the mineral exploration and potential into the diamond area. I'm encouraged that the possibility of these precious gems being available in the north end of the Slave geological corridor, which is near Coppermine, of course. However, I understand that the diamond industry is totally different from other forms of mining that we're accustomed to in the Northwest Territories. I would like to ask the Minister at this time if he and his department recognize this difference. Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

I'm terribly sorry. I didn't quite catch that question. My headset isn't working.

Would you like to restate your question since it's your question, Mr. Ng?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, yes. I would like to ask the Minister if he and his department recognizes the fact that diamond mining is different, is distinct in itself, from other forms of mining that we're accustomed to in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we clearly recognize that diamond mining is different from base metals. As a matter of fact, my understanding is that we have very little expertise in Canada as it relates to diamond mining. The operators who are currently in place are using extensive experience from South Africa, Australia and places offshore.

I want to assure the honourable Member, with respect to the Izok Lake project that I did get a letter just the day before yesterday from Metall. I see this whole development as not necessarily being stopped, I see it as a postponement. There will be discussions in Toronto next week with the senior management of Metall to see if there is some way that this government can assist them with moving that project forward in the coming years. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recognition of the Minister recognizing that there is a difference between diamond mining and base metal mining, I would like to ask what his

department has done to find out exactly what those differences are to date. Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Energy, Mines and Resources is working extensively and in close consultation with BHP and Kennecott. We're all learning as we go along because the industry itself is learning, and we as a bureaucracy are learning right now. It's kind of like an evolutionary process here. As we move along with the exploratory work we're learning every day. That's about the extent of it at this time, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Second supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, to the Minister. Has the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources done anything to acquire the expertise to provide this sound, knowledgeable advice that the government will need to deal with diamond exploration and development companies? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

We do have technical people on staff, and they are currently trying to learn as much as they can with respect to diamond exploration, et cetera. Some consideration has been given, for example, to look at the possibility whether our diamond mines in operation to perhaps taking a visit there or learning from some of the people who are currently looking after operational mines in South Africa and Australia. There is some learning going on where exchanges have taken place in the Yakutia, Russia area because of some diamond mining there. It's a learning process for all of us. Steps are being taken. We're trying to quickly learn as much as we can. I know we have to do a great deal more, and I'm hoping that some exchanges between operational diamond mines and ourselves will bring about some of that learning. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Final supplementary, Mr. Speaker, thank you. The Minister has conveyed that he has technical people on staff, and I respect that. But I'm asking specifically in relation to the diamond mining aspect. I'm asking, will the Minister's department be acquiring the expertise of an individual to deal with diamond mining? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

We would acquire their expertise within the current resources we have. We have no new resources to go out and buy diamond expertise. The current exploration that's going on in Canada, the exploration companies are buying that expertise from South Africa or Austria. Within the department it's not our intent to go out and get a diamond specialist. It's our intent within our technical staff to learn as quickly as we can about diamond exploration, et cetera.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. In dealing with the opportunities associated with exploration, particularly diamond exploration, this government needs to assess business expertise in the diamond industry to ensure northern residents can take full advantage of this opportunity. I would like to ask the Minister, what has the Minister's department done to ensure this expertise is available to northerners? Thank you.

Minister Todd.

It's a far larger question than just trying to acquire the expertise for the Department of Economic Development. If this diamond venture does take off, it will have an enormous fiscal impact on the Northwest Territories. What we've done is put a committee together in conjunction with my colleagues to try to put a plan in place to determine the kinds of issues that will come about should this take place, the kinds of economic benefits that are going to be derived from it, the kind of support we're going to have to provide to the industry and to the people in the area, the type of training required, the employment opportunities, et cetera.

So, what we need, I think, anyway -- and I've asked Mr. Bailey to head it up along with Mr. Gerein, Mr. Nicholls and Mr. Handley -- is a kind of a blueprint should this exploration come into being. We have to determine how we're going to protect the interests of northerners, whether it is in the economic field, the training and employment field or the environmental field. This thing has come about very quickly and I'm trying to move quickly to put a paper in place that at least attempts to address all these issues for debate in this House.

I'm hoping to do that within the next 90 to 120 days. In the meantime, we are looking at the kinds of economic opportunities that would be derived from this exploration and where we can provide both the technical and financial support to it. I know that in each of the Ministers' departments...For example, in Mr. Nerysoo's department they are looking at how they would develop the type of training and employment opportunities that are going to come forward. We need to package it in some order for debate, to see if we're going in the right direction. We're trying to do that quickly at this time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Antoine, first supplementary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, there's a plan being developed. This exploration is taking place at the current time. What is in place at this time for northern residents to take full advantage of the opportunities? Is there expertise in place in this department to help these northern residents take full advantage of these opportunities at this time? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We don't have anybody specifically designated to this project at this time within the Department of Economic Development. I spoke to the business community two weeks ago and what we are saying is that if they require support from us, whether it is fiscal or technical, we're prepared to give that. This thing is moving at a pace which is, quite frankly, way faster than government, but we're trying to catch up with it and we're in the throes of trying to develop a blueprint for where we can all fit, and to determine the fiscal resources that are going to be necessary to respond to this exciting and phenomenal national and international mining venture. But, I don't have anybody specifically designated for that at this time.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Antoine.

Final supplementary, Mr. Speaker. This is a different type of exploration from the what my previous honourable colleagues had questions on. It is a different type of exploration in mining. Where are the northern businesses getting the assistance that they require at the present time? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

I think it's important to point out that diamond exploration is new to Canada, it's not just new to the Northwest Territories. My understanding is that right now the expediting firms, the airline companies like Buffalo Airways, and some of the Weaver and Devore type businesses are getting a significant amount of this business.

The technical aspect of it, which I think is what we're alluding to here, is something we're attempting to quickly see what is required. Specifically, what type of infrastructure is required and how would we get in behind it if it was going to be northern? We really don't have a full understanding of that right now, to be quite frank with you. But, at the present time, at the exploratory stage, I understand that there are a significant amount of northern businesses contributing to this project. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. It has to do with diamond mining and exploration. The way diamonds are mined is different than how gold, lead/zinc and other mineral deposits are mined in the Northwest Territories. I would like to ask the Minister, what is the Arctic College or his department doing to prepare Northwest Territories residents -- most particularly in the North Slave and the Kitikmeot -- for jobs that may emerge in any new diamond mines? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The partnership that originally was developed was, as the honourable Member should recall, with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, Human Resources Development Canada Limited and Metall. The issues being addressed were to develop training initiatives to allow for the participation of people in the Kitikmeot region in mining, generally. Not specific to the Izok Lake area, but in the whole area of mining participation. We are working with those groups.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the efforts that are being made in the Kitikmeot but I believe that the diamond prospects are most likely to occur in the North Slave region. I would like to ask the Minister, are there initiatives planned to allow residents of the North Slave region to take advantage of diamond mining jobs? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, as I just indicated to the honourable Member, the issue was to deal with overall training in the mining area and we are developing a strategy as to how we should respond. What is important for us to do is to identify the training requirements, the total amount of jobs available in a particular area, and specifically target the possibility of training in certain sectors, whether it is for electricians, carpenters, heavy equipment operators or specialized equipment operators. That information is required

and we need to work with the North Slave, and we are in fact working with them and with the Kitikmeot so we can respond to those needs. It would be applied right across the Northwest Territories for people involved in mining training programs.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to hear that there's a mining training strategy in the process of being developed. I would like to ask the Minister, when can Members of this Assembly get more information about the process that's being followed and the elements of this strategy which is very important to all of us? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm working in conjunction with my colleague, the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism and the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, to develop an overall strategy so that we deal with a number of factors that have to be dealt with. That includes training and education programming, because part of that deals with possible requirements for financial resources. Our view is that it should be a package arrangement as has been suggested by other Members on how we develop programs. So, I am working now in conjunction with my colleague.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Final supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm sure that Members would be very pleased to get more information before this session ends on progress in this training strategy. I would like to ask the Minister one specific question about this strategy. I think it's well-known, Mr. Speaker, that we are still feeling the impacts of the largest staking rush in the world in virtually every region of the territories, including even the Baffin region. I would like to ask the Minister of Education, will the proposed mining training strategy also deal with the tremendous opportunities that are still available for northern people who know the land to get involved in prospecting? Thank you.

Thank you very much. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would hope it would deal with all aspects of the mining industry. I think the problem that people have is focusing only on a particular region. The fact is that mining potential in the north, right across Nunavut, right across the western Northwest Territories, has significant potential. The whole matter of training that we want to propose is not for the short-term, but for the long-term. It's certainly our intention to address those particular needs that the honourable Member has raised with me today.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Minister of Renewable Resources. This is with regard to the fact that the Northwest Territories government has regulations to govern the acceptable level of sulphur dioxide emissions by NWT companies. Does the Government of the Northwest Territories have the authority to press charges against a company which exceeds the acceptable levels? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

I think it's just repeated, not rephrased. Would you repeat the question, please, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you. My question has to do with the regulations to govern the acceptable levels of sulphur dioxide emissions by NWT companies. My question is, does the GNWT have the authority to press charges against a company which exceeds the acceptable levels? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is no regulation to govern the levels of sulphur dioxide emissions or any other type of emissions in the Northwest Territories, from the Minister's answer to my question. Is the department developing regulations to try to deal with this problem? I have a concern about it because we have some companies that are emitting quite a substantial amount of sulphur dioxide. If this diamond mine goes ahead, it would also be emitting a lot of sulphur dioxide. Is there going to be a regulation in place soon? And, if so, when? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Mr. Zoe.

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Kakfwi.