Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Good afternoon and welcome back. Orders of the day...Excuse me, Mr. Morin. I wish to inform the House that I have received the following message from Her Honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.

"Dear Mr. Speaker: I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passages of Bill 1, Borrowing Authorization Act; Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, during the First Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly."

It is signed by Commissioner Helen Maksagak.

Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No government in the history of the Northwest Territories has ever taken office faced with the number and degree of challenges facing the 13th Assembly. Some of these challenges are similar to those faced by other governments in Canada: poor fiscal situations; high unemployment; and, the impact of changing federal structure and cutbacks are causing all levels of government to change the way they do business.

Other challenges are unique to the North. We have to get ready for division in 1999, develop a new constitution for the West and settle outstanding land claims and treaty land entitlements. In addition, aboriginal self-government aspirations must be met and devolution must continue.

We have to get on top of some of the extremely serious social problems and find new ways to stimulate the economy so that the dignity of work is available for people who presently survive on social assistance.

Mr. Speaker, since taking office less than a month ago, all Members of the 13th Assembly have been working together to develop an action plan that will address the many challenges we face in these difficult financial times.

The challenges aren't new. Those of us who have been here before started the process of figuring out what to do through the transition planning. All of us heard about the challenges from the people who elected us to this Legislative Assembly.

We heard about how we needed to change the way the government works; about how aboriginal government and public government can work together; about the need for new forms of government; and, the need to protect the inherent right to aboriginal self-government. We heard that the budget needs to be balanced, so that we won't be creating two debt-ridden governments 40 months from now and so that our children will have an opportunity for a meaningful future.

Since we took office, Cabinet and Members of this House have reached an agreement about what the key challenges are and about where we are going to concentrate our resources and attention during out term of office. Despite these obstacles, we have agreed that addressing social conditions in the Northwest Territories must remain a key priority.

Our people are more poorly housed, our communities are less healthy and are faced with more social problems, such as alcohol and drug abuse, than people in most other areas of Canada.

At the same time, our population is growing at two and a half times the national rate. Demands on our programs and services in the areas of health, education, community structures and social services are growing even faster.

Mr. Speaker, people in the Territories are also faced with difficult economic conditions, high unemployment and limited job opportunities, many of which are taken up by transient workers. Our economy is not creating new jobs fast enough to meet existing needs and those that will be required a few years from now.

These conditions make it difficult for the government to implement solutions and they require a great deal of money and resources to treat without necessarily addressing the root cause of the problem.

Mr. Speaker, substantially improved economic conditions are key to a long-term future in the Northwest Territories. Fortunately, many exciting opportunities exist for us to develop our resources and to develop them to our advantage. Other opportunities in industry and small business, in making the things we use, also need to be developed.

Mr. Speaker, we have also agreed that all the work necessary to have two new governments up and running by April 1, 1999, will and must be done. The selection of Iqaluit as the capital site for Nunavut is a signal for all of us to get on with the job that has to be done.

The political aspirations of the people in both new territories will be met. In order to do this, Ottawa must live up to its commitment to pay for incremental costs associated with division. A failure by Ottawa to meet these obligations would rob us, not only of our heritage, but also of our hopes and dreams.

In the western territories, Mr. Speaker, we will strengthen our relationships with aboriginal groups. We need to talk with them on a regular basis in order to develop new partnerships and give input into the directions we will be taking.

It will also be important to strengthen our dialogue with business and industry throughout the Territories in order to develop an economy and create job opportunities. Mr. Speaker, this government knows with certainty that the people who live here need the tools to exercise full control over northern jobs, northern land and our northern resources.

Make no mistake about it: a northern energy and minerals accord can assist our economic situation, particularly if a new diamond mine goes ahead. We can't let our land and our resources continue to be managed or controlled from Ottawa.

The fly-over economy of some who come here to remove resources needs to be challenged and managed in a manner that makes sure that northern residents benefit the most. We have a young, capable and willing population who can benefit from any opportunities we can create.

Mr. Speaker, our main priority remains balancing the budget as early in our term as we can. We will be facing a significant budget shortfall next year if things aren't changed. The federal government has cut our grant for next year by $60 million and increasing demands from our growing population will require about $40 million more.

This means that unless we take action, we will be short by over $100 million next year. That is nearly 10 per cent of our current expenditures. If this happens, interest costs will start to accumulate and we could find ourselves financially crippled. As a result, we agree that everyone must share the burden of solving this problem. We can and must manage our way out of our current situation. This will be done in a manner that does not unreasonably threaten essential programs and services, particularly for those who need them the most.

Mr. Speaker, we have also examined the impact that our shortened term of office will have on planning and action. We have spoken about public expectations and the needs of the people. We have reviewed the instruments and resources we have at our disposal and we have looked at the institution of the Assembly to see if there isn't a better way for us to conduct our business.

We have agreed that all Members of the Assembly must play a meaningful role in the decision making, in monitoring and evaluating government action, in consulting the people and in developing and maintaining a consensus for change.

We have to work together to make sure that all our communities understand the nature of the challenges we are facing. Everyone must understand the big picture before we start to make decisions about what can be cut and what should be maintained. We have to take the time to make sure that in dealing with the financial problem we are not prevented from addressing the other very important challenges we face. The decisions we make in this House must be part of an overall plan of building for the future.

Mr. Speaker, some people might have been expecting the Assembly to have everything figured out already and that we would be bringing forward a comprehensive plan today that would detail how the government is going to tackle the challenges it faces. That, Mr. Speaker, would be completely reckless. Instead, Mr. Speaker, Cabinet and the Assembly will be taking the necessary time to make well-reasoned decisions.

We want to get more information about various options, about what each might mean for the Northwest Territories as a whole, and what they will mean for smaller communities where conditions are most in need of fixing. We want to make sure that the decisions we make are balanced and that the burden of meeting the challenges falls where it can be carried the easiest and that those least able to take a hit are protected.

As a result, we're going to meet again as Caucus in January to further discuss the options and to consider goals and objectives. Following that meeting, a multi-year agenda for action will be prepared for discussion in the Assembly in early spring. And we will be providing opportunity for public input before we work it into the budget that will be brought forward before summer.

Mr. Speaker, there are some things that we can tell you about what our common agenda will look like, even though the strategies to implement it and many of the specific details still need to be worked out. The biggest thing that needs to be said is that there is going to be change. Make no mistake about it, change is coming. Whatever is not essential to our objectives -- to meeting our common agenda -- must be considered for cutbacks.

Mr. Speaker, government can and will become smaller. Costs will be contained. The deficit will be managed. We're going to change the machinery of government so that it is more cost-effective, so that any duplication and over-management is eliminated, and so that our resources are focused on program delivery instead of administration and overhead. Everything is on the table.

Wages and benefits will be reduced and we will need to work with employee associations on developing a made in the North approach. We're going to make sure the package we offer employees is affordable and is what is needed to live in the North. This Legislature will lead by example.

Mr. Speaker, there will also be changes to programs and services. Some programs will have reduced service levels and others might have higher user-pay charges. Others will have to be cut. The question we still need to resolve is how to do this in a balanced way that will give us the best mix of what we need with what we can afford. And let me assure you, we will be taking a compassionate approach that recognizes the needs of each and every community. In return, every community will have to recognize that this government can't afford to offer all of the programs and services that it presently operates.

As I stated earlier, everything is on the table. But we will be even-handed. This is not going to be a cut and slash government. Changes will be fair. No one will be exempt and no one will be singled out. Any cuts will be consistent with our priorities and objectives.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, if this Assembly is going to make difficult but responsible choices, it will need the cooperation of more than just the 24 Members of this House. Aboriginal organizations, interest groups, our employees and their unions, the private sector, and the people will all have to work out a consensus for change. We will all have to take a long, hard look at the big picture and place the needs of the whole Northwest Territories before our individual wants and desires.

When Members leave this House tomorrow, they will be going back to their constituencies to talk with the people. We have to spend time listening to people. We have to get their views on what can be done here in this Assembly to empower communities, to give them more control over decisions that affect their lives.

We need to hear from people on how we should find the best balance on the difficult choices that need to be made in the coming months. This process has to be completed early in the new year. If we wait much longer, we will find ourselves so far in debt that we might never get out, and even further behind on meeting the social, economic and political challenges that we face.

Our plan to address these challenges can be constructed on the foundation of hard work laid by the last Assembly, by Cabinet, the committees and the Caucus of this Assembly, as well as input from aboriginal groups, interest groups and the public.

This will be a key part of building both the budget for this year and towards establishing a common agenda for action that will guide our collective decisions through our term and into the future. Working together, we can do this. All of us in this House welcome the challenge.

On another matter, Mr. Speaker, I will be tabling a borrowing bill later this afternoon on behalf of the Minister of Finance. It's not part of our projected deficit. The bill is designed to help us over the tight money situation we presently find ourselves in. Mr. Todd will be speaking to the bill when he returns from Ottawa tomorrow. Mahsi Cho. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure today to make my first statement to this Assembly.

For the past two decades, people in the Central and Eastern Arctic have pursued the dream of public government in Nunavut. The realization of this dream is just 40 months away and there is much work to be done between now and 1999. (Translation ends)

Since passage of the Nunavut Act in 1993, a great deal has been accomplished. The last Assembly established a Special Joint Committee on Division that focused on the critical issues to be dealt with, and developed recommendations that the Government of the NWT has adopted. Other accomplishments include:

- the establishment of the Nunavut Implementation Commission;

- the division of Arctic College into two new colleges;

- the development of GNWT public service training plans for Nunavut and the western NWT;

- the realignment of electoral boundaries in the East and West to correspond with the division boundary;

- the establishment of separate headquarters in Nunavut and the West for Health Services and the Petroleum Products Division;

- the completion of draft transition plans for division by all GNWT departments; and

- the start of research and policy development on intergovernmental agreements, expenditure and revenue management, infrastructure and administrative requirements, and many other division-related issues.

The government of the NWT and the 12th Assembly also supported the Constitutional Development Steering Committee as a forum for the people of the Western Arctic to reach consensus on the restructuring of government and a constitution for the future western territory.

Although much has been accomplished, many significant and complicated issues remain to be resolved in the next three-and-a-half years. A number of projects begun during the 12th Assembly need to be completed. Electoral boundaries for Nunavut and the West will have to be established. Constitutional development efforts in the West must continue. In the area of incremental costs of division, a more precise agreement with the federal government is required; given the fiscal cutbacks imposed on this government, we cannot divert money from programs and services to cover a federal obligation resulting from the settlement of a land claims.

These and many other issues will require our time, our effort and our cooperation.

In short, Mr. Speaker, division of the NWT is a tremendous challenge and we must work collectively and with determination to meet this challenge. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Arlooktoo. At this time I would also like to recognize in the gallery a class of grades 10 and 11 students from Chief Jimmy Bruneau School of Rae-Edzo visiting us today. Their instructor is Mr. George Mackenzie. Welcome to the Assembly.

---Applause

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable John Todd will be absent from the House today to attend a Ministers' of Finance meeting in Ottawa. The Honourable Kelvin Ng will also be absent from the House today to attend a meeting of the Ministerial Council on Social Policy Reform in Calgary. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Kivallivik, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to sincerely congratulate the people of Iqaluit on their successful bid for the capital of Nunavut. I strongly believe and support the adage that it's now time to move forward in a positive and constructive fashion in order that we will achieve the greater goal which is the successful formation and completion of Nunavut.

In closing, as a reminder, I wish to add that it's my sincere hope that the new capital of Iqaluit will keep in the Christmas spirit when it comes to sharing the possible resources and jobs with the smaller, have-not communities in Nunavut. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statement. The Member for Aivilik, Mrs. Thompson.

I was with the other Members of the Eastern Caucus during the announcement that Iqaluit was chosen capital of Nunavut. After the announcement, I was interviewed and made some remarks about how I felt about the vote.

Mr. Speaker, I want to apologize to Members and the people of Nunavut with respect to my comment. I didn't mean to suggest that non-aboriginal people were going to have a problem with the decision. We're all in this together and strongly support the creation of public government in Nunavut. If there is going to be any healing process needed, we will work on it together. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Baffin Central, Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement today is about the Nunavut capital vote held on Monday in Nunavut. I was very impressed by the high 79 per cent turnout of the people of Nunavut for this important vote, even though the weather was cold and windy in many places.

I was to congratulate the Iqaluit for Capital Committee and the people of Iqaluit for their clear victory. I wish to make special mention of the people who worked on this campaign in the communities. Those community workers deserve credit for the high turnout in Baffin communities and in my riding.

I also wish to congratulate the people of Rankin Inlet and their campaign committee for their hard work and for making this an exciting contest. I know that the community of Rankin Inlet will make an important contribution to Nunavut.

I wish to make it clear to the Nunavut Implementation Commission, Nunavut Tunngavik and the governments of the Northwest Territories and Canada that my constituents were very much aware of the Iqaluit for capital model when they voted in this plebiscite. With Iqaluit as capital, the NIC model of a decentralized government distributes more jobs in the Baffin region to communities like Pangnirtung, in my riding, than the Rankin Inlet as a capital model did. I feel that it is therefore very important that the decentralized model proposed by the NIC be very much kept in mind as we move to design and implement Nunavut.

After all, the new capital of Nunavut is for all the people of Nunavut. It should not be seen as a win for only one community or even one region. Now that this important step has been taken, we must all work together. The people of Nunavut must unite to ensure that Nunavut is implemented in a manner which is fair to all.

Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Baffin Central is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After all, the new capital of Nunavut is for all the people of Nunavut. It should not be seen as a win for only one community or even one region. Now that this important step has been taken, we must all work together. The people of Nunavut must unite to ensure that Nunavut is implemented in a manner which is fair to all.

I would like to endorse the idea of a Nunavut leaders' meeting in the new year which should be held in the Kivalliq region, which would be dedicated to unity and moving forward together in Nunavut.

I would also like to say to my friends and colleagues in the western part of the Territories that, as we take each step towards establishing our new government in Nunavut, I wish you every success in your work in designing a new government for the West. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statement. The Member for High Arctic, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will speak in Inuktitut.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to make a statement concerning the capital of Nunavut which was decided December 11th by all the communities within Nunavut.

I am happy to see that we now have a location for the capital. I am also happy to see the percentage of the people who came out to vote. My reasons are mainly for the Baffin area and concerns the people in my riding.

I would also like to congratulate the mayor of Iqaluit, Mr. Joe Kunuk, and Mr. Jerry Ell who is the president of the Baffin Chamber of Commerce, and my fellow MLA, Ed Picco, Member for Iqaluit. Also, I would like to congratulate all those who were involved in the Capital for Nunavut Committee. I would also like to congratulate Mayor Keith Sharpe of Rankin Inlet who also worked very hard towards the vote of Nunavut.

I would like to congratulate and recognize the community of Rankin Inlet who did a lot of preparation to encourage people to vote for their community for the capital. It shows that they have incentive and it showed us that there was a lot of work to be done in preparation for the actual vote. Now that this has become a reality, it is time that we begin implementation work and be ready for Nunavut. The communities in the Baffin region...(Translation ends)

I would like to ask for unanimous consent.

The Member for High Arctic is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) I realize the people of the Baffin communities will continue to welcome their fellow Inuit from Kitikmeot and Keewatin regions. We have to have an understanding that the Nunavut government will be a public government. If we are to ensure that Nunavut becomes a reality in 1999, we will have to work closer together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to note a historic milestone for the community which I am honoured to represent. I refer to the results of the Nunavut capital plebiscite held Monday, December 11th, throughout communities in Nunavut and the clear endorsement, by 60 per cent of the voters, of the town of Iqaluit as capital of Nunavut. This significant margin tells me that we received support, not just from Iqaluit and Baffin, but from all regions of Nunavut and we are very thankful for that support.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the citizens of Iqaluit are overwhelmed and grateful for the strong support they received in this vote. Iqaluit has had some setbacks in recent years. Several years ago, our council was dissolved by the Government of the NWT and just over a year ago, a tragedy took the lives of eight of our most able hunters.

Mr. Speaker, today the citizens of Iqaluit are feeling proud that they have been entrusted with the responsibility of being the seat of Government of Nunavut. They also showed, with their very strong support, that 98 per cent of the population of Nunavut voted for Iqaluit -- that should be 98 per cent of the population of Iqaluit turned out for the vote. Our community has come together and become stronger as a result of these changes and other challenges. That strong community spirit was certainly reflected in the overwhelming turnout at the polls on Monday.

Mr. Speaker, I am very confident that the people of Iqaluit will rise to the challenge of reaching out to all of Nunavut as the capital of Nunavut. In this connection, I was very pleased with the recent announcement that First Air will provide direct links between Iqaluit and the Kitikmeot in the new year. As an elected representative of Iqaluit, I also want to pledge to my colleagues in this Assembly and to community leaders from all three regions of Nunavut, that as MLA for the community which will become the capital of Nunavut, I look forward to working closely with all of you to ensure that the new Nunavut government is a decentralized government, which will be planned and implemented in an efficient and equitable manner. I, too, wish to endorse our mayor's suggestion that we should have a Nunavut leaders' meeting in the new year. It should be held in Kivalliq or Kitikmeot regions and it should focus on moving forward together to implement Nunavut.

I seek unanimous consent.

You still have 12 seconds, Mr. Picco.

I wish to congratulate and thank my friends and colleagues; Joe Kunuk, the mayor of Iqaluit; and, Jerry Ell, the president of the Baffin Region Chamber of Commerce...I seek unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. I would appreciate if Members would keep track of their time. It is only after your time is up that you require unanimous consent to continue. The Member for Iqaluit is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, fellow colleagues. I wish to congratulate and thank my friends and colleagues; Joe Kunuk, the mayor of Iqaluit; and, Jerry Ell, the president of the Baffin Region Chamber of Commerce, for their very hard work and able leadership, and also the many helpers who worked so hard. I also wish to congratulate the community of Rankin Inlet; their mayor, Keith Sharp;, and their supporters for a very good campaign and hard work.

Now that the capital vote is over, we must all work together to ensure that the federal Cabinet moves forward quickly to implement Nunavut on time and with adequate finances. Qujannamiik. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the chairperson of Nunavut Caucus, I would also like to congratulate the people of Iqaluit; the people of Baffin Island; the people from the Kitikmeot region; and, the people of the Keewatin, who, I am sure, also voted for Iqaluit. There are also people from the Baffin and Iqaluit who may have voted for Rankin Inlet.

Having said that, Mr. Speaker, there is no one leader in Nunavut. By making the reality of Nunavut one step closer, every Member and every person has won yesterday, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have lived in Repulse Bay in Keewatin and I have also lived in the Kitikmeot. I have travelled to Baffin Island. I have not visited any other communities other than Iqaluit in Baffin Island.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Nunavut are used to working together. That was our only means of surviving. Mr. Speaker, having said that, we can focus our energy to prepare for 1999, when Nunavut will be realized. Also, Mr. Speaker, we can work towards making the western government a reality in the future. Thank you.

---Applause

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have a written statement for distribution, so my statement will be oral. I would also like to thank the MLAs who are within our Nunavut area. We all agreed when voting day came close that we would still remain united and support the end result of the vote, whichever way it ended. This was not an unhappy situation for me, personally, because in the early 1960s, we were against building a school in Iqaluit. Students still attend school in Iqaluit. I am happy to see those results because over time our ideas have changed. I am happy to see that continuing.

Also, the people who worked very hard from the Keewatin and the Baffin regions should be congratulated. I would also like to remind others that this will not be implemented or become a reality by tomorrow. I watched a TV program where people did a radio phone-in. The subject was that people expected the capital will happen overnight, but I wanted to tell people this will not be the case. That is my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements, the Member for North Slave, Mr. Rabesca.

Mr. Speaker, I have been made aware of the fact that most recently the arena that was identified for Rae Lakes has been decommitted and withdrawn from the capital plan and now set back for two more years by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs without any consultation with the community. The leaders in the community had already informed the people that they would be getting an arena based on the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs commitment to the project.

I have also been informed that the decision on the setback of the capital project for an additional two years was made during the election when there were no Ministers in place in the department. Mr. Speaker, I realize that the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs has only recently inherited his new portfolio, but I will be asking the Minister what she will be doing about this issue later today. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Are there further Members' statements? Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Thomas Suvissak and Michael Suvissak who came in today from Pelly Bay. They were very strong supporters of me during the election. Thank you.

---Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Miltenberger.

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The Member for Amittuq, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a former resident of Igloolik. His name is Hugh Lloyd. When I was younger, he used to be my best friend in Igloolik. I would like you to recognize him. He is married to a resident of Igloolik. Thank you.

---Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Are there any further

recognitions? I would then like to take the opportunity to recognize a former colleague of ours, Mr. Whitford.

---Applause

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Rabesca.

Mr. Speaker, Members have already heard about my serious concerns about the sudden decommitment of funds by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for the arena in Rae Lakes this year. This capital plan is now set back by two additional years. Is the Minister aware that the arena that was supposed to go to Rae Lakes as part of the department's capital plan was recently set back by an additional two years.

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mrs. Thompson.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the Rae Lakes capital budget. I would just like to tell the Member, there are no decisions yet made for the department's 1996-97 capital budget. We will be discussing with communities ways of meeting our targets. There will be no guarantees about which projects will remain and which ones will be deferred. We all know that we will be reducing our budgets. With the input from MLAs and communities, we will be setting priorities that reflect the needs of all our communities over the next few years. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger. I am sorry, Mr. Miltenberger. Did you have a supplementary, Mr. Rabesca?

Yes, it's supplementary but it's for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

It is a new question then?

Yes.

It is a new question. I have Mr. Miltenberger next.

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mrs. Thompson.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I will be speaking in Inuktitut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The policy under my department will not be changed, and I am in agreement with it. I know the predicament of the young person referred to, but if he wanted to join a team, then he should have joined a team in his own community or form a team in his own community. I stand by the policy. It states that an athlete must compete for the community or region within which he or she lives. University students are allowed to compete for the community that they live in when not going to school. This policy was established to encourage more interest in the selection trials process by not allowing the practice of stacking teams with the best athletes from a number of communities. I would suggest to the individual that he will help others in his region or in his community to organize a team because I stand by this policy from my department. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mrs. Thompson.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will ask my staff to look into this, but I still stand by this policy because, in the small communities there are a lot of players who are very good at that sport. Many times, larger communities often take the best players. So I think we should treat each team fairly. That's what is done by this policy.

I will look into this matter and get my staff to work on this. I understand that there is only one individual in Fort Smith. I just wonder why there is only one individual in Fort Smith who

will be able to play this sport, or who is interested. That is just a question of mine. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

You can ask a supplementary question. Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister responsible for Public Works, and possibly to the Minster of Transportation. It's in reference to the status of the Eastern Arctic fuel resupply proposal. This is an issue, Mr. Speaker, that is a great deal of concern to the residents of Kivallivik, which is Arviat and Baker Lake. There is a great deal of concern regarding the possible negative impact that the awarding of this project may have; for example, the increased cost to dry goods, food, et cetera. I am therefore requesting that an in-depth report be made to this House by the appropriate Minister before this proposal is opened and tenders approved. Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the Premier will respond to the question.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the Member is requesting if this House be informed prior to awarding of the request for proposals for Eastern Arctic resupply, if I heard the question properly. Eastern Arctic resupply is going to be evaluated by the Department of Public Works. The Department of Public Works is also going to hire an independent person to evaluate that in due process. We will be following that and the Member will be informed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker...

I'm sorry, Mr. Enuaraq. Mr. O'Brien has a supplementary. I apologize. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I get a confirmation on whether there is a date set for the opening of these tenders, number one? Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a process in place for this particular contract that the Member is asking about. The tender documents will be opened on December 18th and the review will start then.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, does that mean that we will have to wait for this review to be completed prior to getting any information? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, once the tender documents are opened, there's a complex review process where all the applications are reviewed. This review will be an in-depth one; therefore, it will take time. Yes, it will take three to four weeks. That's how long you'll have to wait.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a point of clarification. The honourable Minister is stating that the contract or the proposal will be awarded, then we will get the information and background and details that I'm requesting. In other words, is the deal done before we get to hear what the overall picture is? Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, MLAs are not normally involved in the opening of tender documents and awarding of contracts and will not be involved in this one either. There is a review committee that will be dealing with this issue; plus, as Members will recall, an independent person to review this complicated issue. So we will have to wait for the award.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you once again, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education. I believe the Minister knows that the new community learning centre is being planned for construction in Clyde River in the coming year. My constituents are concerned that so far they have had little or no input into the scope or design of the new learning centre.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, is it the policy of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment that communities can have input into the design and scope of community learning centres? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm asking the Minister of Education is there still time for community input into the community of Clyde River learning centre project? Thank you.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the absence of the Minister for Health and Social Services, who is on duty on ministerial travel, my question is directed to the Premier of this government. Mr. Speaker, during the last six years, I have asked the same question but it hasn't been resolved. There are two individuals; one in Pelly Bay and one in Taloyoak: Taliriqtuq Leo Krarshuvik is in Pelly Bay -- if Hansard requires the spellings, I will provide that to them -- and Jimmy Totalik is from Taloyoak.

According to the baptism certificate, Mr. Taliriqtuq Krarshuvik was born in 1930. The registration of birth was done in 1948. That is 18 years after he was born. According to his birth certificate, he was born in 1932. I think the two gentlemen have the right to receive old age pension in this country, but they are being denied and deprived because the records are incorrect. I would like to ask the Premier if he would enquire about this in Pelly Bay and Gjoa Haven. Will he talk to the elders about this, so we can have it corrected?

Thank you, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will work with the Member and get the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services to discuss this with the Member and get the name, birth dates and everything else straightened out. We will try to get this resolved, so you don't have to ask the question again for the next six years.

Thank you. The Premier is taking that as notice, then? Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister have his staff in the community of Pelly Bay and Taloyoak work on this before Christmas? Thank you.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to assure the Member that we will start working on this before Christmas. Whether or not we are going to send people into Pelly Bay and the other community before Christmas, I cannot guarantee. It will be addressed and put to rest, let me assure you of that. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for North Slave, Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you. This is regarding adult education in Snare Lake, Lac La Martre and Rae Lakes. Mr. Speaker, I have been informed by my constituents in Snare Lake, Lac La Martre and Rae Lakes that their adult education programs over the years have been delayed or limited to 22 weeks instead of a full academic year. Many adults who have registered to enter the program have been informed that adult basic education programming is more of an academic program. The other two programs are basic-skills oriented.

I have also been informed that the northern skills development program is a pilot program and it may not continue. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is is he aware that his department has informed the communities that they may not be able to fund the program next year.

Thank you. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, political leaders in the communities have registered to attend the adult education classes in their communities. The communities have agreed to have the programs only for 22 weeks, rather than opposing the short program and losing it all together. Many of my constituents are anxious to improve their education. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is can he give me his assurance that that adult education program will be ongoing and part of the department's long-range plans?

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Rabesca.

My final supplementary, Mr. Speaker. The three isolated Dogrib communities want funds transferred to their bands to administer the adult education program for 10 months every calendar year. My communities believe that the program can be delivered at less cost and more effectively if it were transferred to the band. Would the Minister consider transferring administration of these programs directly to the bands?

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I would like to direct my question to the Premier, in the absence of the appropriate Minister. It is regarding the health centre for Gjoa Haven. The existing health centre, Mr. Speaker, was built in Gjoa Haven when the population in that community was about 400. Now the population in Gjoa Haven exceeds 1000 and is one of the fastest growing, perhaps the fastest growing community, in the Territories. I believe the proposed health centre was deferred. I wonder if the honourable Minister will reinstate the plan to build a health centre for Gjoa Haven? Thank you.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll have to take that question as notice.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Are there any further oral questions? Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Mr. Roland.

Mr. Roland's Reply

Thank you. Item 9, replies to opening address. The Member for Hay River, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mrs. Groenewegen's Reply