Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Good afternoon. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of important statements prepared and ready for delivery, including reports from Ministers on recent meetings with their federal and provincial counterparts. Since the session will likely conclude today, I would like to request the indulgence of the House and seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 34(6) which specifies a 20-minute time-limit for Ministers' statements so that all statements can be given before the session prorogues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The Premier is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 34(6). Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Premier. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Premier spoke about the challenges faced by the 13th Legislative Assembly and about how this Legislature intends to meet these challenges. My purpose in speaking today is to elaborate on some of the fiscal challenges outlined by the Premier.

I have just returned from the Finance Ministers' conference in Ottawa. It was obvious during our discussions that the federal deficit reduction agenda is once again coming to the forefront. The federal Minister was quite clear that the federal government intends to meet its deficit reduction targets. Unfortunately, we have little clarity concerning federal plans and their potential impact on the NWT until the federal budget comes down in February.

What these national developments emphasize is the need to address our current financial problems and achieve a balanced budget as early in our term as possible. Although there are no quick fixes to our fiscal situation, the problem is manageable and our goal of a balanced budget can and will be reached. However, to do this we must take the time to develop a comprehensive recovery plan based on fair and quality decisions.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling the Interim Financial Report for the year ended March 31, 1995. The report will show that we closed the last fiscal year with a $26 million deficit. This represents two per cent of our total revenues of just over $1.2 billion. This took us to an accumulated deficit of $12 million. For the current fiscal year, our revised forecast is for a deficit of $30 million, due in large part to higher social program costs than budgeted for. This will increase our accumulated deficit to $42 million. Under normal circumstances, this level of deficit could be eliminated with only moderate spending reductions.

However, in the last federal budget a five per cent reduction to our 1996-97 formula funding revenue was announced. This translates into a $60 million decline in our revenues for next year. When coupled with the increased spending required to meet the relentless growth in our social programs, the financial shortfall for next year could climb to over $100 million, Mr. Speaker. Unchecked, the deficit would soon compromise our ability to respond to the needs of our residents. But, Mr. Speaker, we will manage the looming deficit; we will not let it manage us.

Avoiding a major deficit next year will not be easy. There are no quick and easy solutions. As our social spending indicates, many of our residents depend on government support. As our unemployment statistics show, the jobs are simply not there in the smaller communities to allow people to become more self-sufficient overnight. Although we must improve education and training levels and support job creation, these are long-term solutions. In the meantime, we cannot abandon support to those most in need.

Our new Legislative Assembly has taken major steps to prepare itself, to plan for and make the difficult choices that will be necessary. The new standing committee structure, the significant measures to improve communication and cooperation between ordinary Members and Cabinet, the adoption of a multi-year planning process and the commitment to a more open and consultative approach with the public will position us to develop and implement a quality plan that will have the support of the large majority of NWT residents. But we must take the time to allow these new approaches to work to find opportunities to do things in better ways and to develop this plan.

Let me, Mr. Speaker, give you an example. In the Premier's statement, he talked about empowering communities to have more control over decisions that affect them. With this goal in mind, we need to discuss, among many other ideas, whether title to all government infrastructure used to deliver community-based programs should be transferred to each community.

We need to discuss whether the community should take over full operating and maintenance authority for this infrastructure, whether all communities should have access to block funding for construction and maintenance, and whether communities need more authority and flexibility to raise revenues and finance new infrastructure. And we must consult with the communities on these options.

If we are going to make government more responsive and more efficient, we will need to address these questions and many more. We need to balance the urgency of dealing with the financial situation with the time needed to make good, quality decisions. Today I will be tabling the results of the public consultation on eliminating the deficit. This report shows the value of seeking public input. We must continue to explore new and innovative ways of getting public views on options and approaches. An achievable timetable for developing a multi-year plan was identified by the Premier yesterday. And let there be no doubt, this will be a plan for managing the looming deficit. We will make the hard choices and the changes necessary to achieve a balanced budget as soon as we can.

Mr. Speaker, in the short time before this plan is fully developed, we must still provide for the ongoing operation of the government. Even the relatively small deficits of the past few years have meant that a former accumulated surplus is now a small accumulated debt. This has reduced our cash position to a point where we must, during the lean months, borrow money for cash-flow purposes. This cash-flow requirement has been rising and has meant that we must seek increased borrowing authority this year.

Mr. Speaker, it is important to note, increasing this borrowing authority does not allow the government to increase spending. Spending can only be increased with the authority of an appropriation act. But we must ensure that we always have the actual cash in the bank to honour the cheques we write. Later today, I will be speaking on this issue in more detail during consideration of the Borrowing Authorization Act.

Mr. Speaker, while there is an urgent need to deal with the current fiscal difficulties and plan for the future, we must also move quickly and decisively to ensure that the NWT is not set up for an even larger fiscal and political disaster with respect to division. The most immediate issue related to division is the incremental costs of funding two new territories. Recently, the federal government has been evasive about the nature and the timing for the provision of incremental funding.

Without this funding, training cannot proceed, infrastructure cannot be built and the GNWT planning is being done in a vacuum. Now that the question of the capital has been decided by the people of Nunavut, there is no reason why a decision on funding should be delayed.

The federal Finance Minister is committed to discussing this issue with me early in the new year. It is our intention to aggressively pursue a federal commitment to fund incremental costs so that we can adequately fund two new territories on April 1999.

As we develop our long-range plans, we must also look down the road at our financial ability to meet the needs of our population. Once we manage our way out of our current financial situation, how will we ensure that we have the resources needed to address the structural, social and economic problems we face? How will we ensure that future generations will have access to a healthy future, to get a good education and to get a decent job?

Mr. Speaker, we will all be called upon to make hard choices over the next few months. Changes must be made on how we do business and to what people can expect from government. Our financial problem must be solved. But we cannot abandon support to those most in need. We must ensure that our actions are fair and equitable to all. This will require a comprehensive recovery plan for managing the deficit based on quality decisions.

We have taken the first important steps to prepare this plan. Through the process we have started, through the leadership we will show and through ongoing consultations with our constituents, I am confident that we will solve our financial problems.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 2, Ministers' statements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the annual Premier's conference in August 1995, an agreement was reached on the establishment of a Provincial-Territorial Council of Ministers for Social Policy Reform and Renewal. Premiers supported the establishment of the council because Ottawa was acting unilaterally on changes to Canada's social safety net.

The social safety package includes a variety of programs and services relating to health care, education, welfare, unemployment insurance, training and care for children, single parents and the elderly.

Premiers directed the Council of Ministers to prepare a set of principles which the provinces and territories would use to guide changes to Canada's social policy. Since August, the process of developing these principles has involved consulting with other provincial/territorial ministerial forums which meet regularly to deal with health, social services and labour market training issues.

On Tuesday, I attended a meeting of provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for Social Services in Calgary. On Wednesday, I attended the meeting of the ministerial council; also in Calgary.

Mr. Speaker, the Tuesday meeting produced a consensus among Social Services Ministers on a number of issues. For example, Ministers reaffirmed that the federal government has the primary responsibility, in law and through policy, for funding social service programs for aboriginal Canadians. Social Services Ministers also confirmed their commitment to reducing overlap and duplication. Ottawa, the provinces and territories, municipal and aboriginal governments must be more efficient in delivering programs and services.

Social Services Ministers completed their one-day meeting with a package to forward to the Social Policy Council. I should also note that Health, labour market and Status of Women Ministers have separately forwarded their views to the ministerial council.

On Wednesday, the council reviewed a draft report which will be forwarded to Premiers in the coming weeks. Provincial and territorial Premiers are expected to meet early in the new year to review the report. Their job will be to confirm a set of guiding principles for future negotiations with Ottawa on reforms to Canada's social programs.

Mr. Speaker, I realize my remarks have focused largely on the process. However, getting 10 provinces and two territories to agree on anything requires an initial commitment to process from all participants.

Nevertheless I can report that:

-A number of the provinces, particularly in the West, are taking a strong stand on federal responsibility for aboriginal social programs;

-Ministers in the South have recognized the reality of self-government and how aboriginal institutions will be delivering social programs in the future;

-They have also recognized the special circumstances of smaller jurisdictions which need to work out cooperative and shared arrangements with Ottawa for delivering programs and services;

-Finally, all provinces and territories are committed to ensuring that Canadians in need will have access to the social safety net.

Mr. Speaker, it is my intention to brief committees of this House on what has and will be taking place leading up to Premiers' meetings early in the new year. I also intend to keep aboriginal organizations, health boards and other social services agencies informed of these initiatives in the coming months.

Finally, social policy reform has government-wide implications. Therefore, the government's position cannot be developed in isolation of the Ministers of Finance, Education, Culture and Employment, women's bureau and national constitutional affairs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon to all the honourable Members of this House.

As Minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, most of my agenda will be driven by the commitment by Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories to divide the Northwest Territories in 1999. While the task is challenging, processes are in place and planning for the establishment of a Nunavut territorial government is well under way. The circumstances in the West are much more complex.

The Constitutional Development Steering Committee held a successful conference last January which reached consensus on 22 principles to guide the western constitutional process. One critically important point of consensus was the recognition that aboriginal self-government processes and the public government process are equally important, that they are closely linked and that self-government processes must catch up to the CDSC process for either to succeed.

Timing is critical. Division will occur in 1999, but new legislation to replace the NWT Act for the West may need to be drafted two years in advance for introduction into Parliament. The next federal election must be held by October 1998, at the very latest, and could well take place in 1997. We have a two-year window of opportunity in which to move ahead on self-government and western constitutional development, or we may find ourselves faced with the status quo when the new Western Territory comes into being.

We must accept the advice of the CDSC conference and ensure that the self-government and western constitutional processes are proceeding in tandem and as quickly as possible. To do so means we must find better ways to communicate and cooperate with aboriginal organizations in Nunavut and the West.

The aboriginal summit, a group comprised of leaders of western aboriginal organizations, shares this objective and have expressed a desire to meet with Cabinet. Premier Morin has responded by arranging a first meeting between Cabinet and the aboriginal summit for this Friday to begin exploring common interests and to consider the establishment of a more formal mechanism for ongoing discussions. A similar meeting is being organized with Nunavut-based organizations early in the new year.

Members of this House should be aware that self-government discussions have been going on between Canada, the GNWT and most of the western aboriginal organizations for some time. A self-government conference scheduled for March 1996 is being coordinated by the Sahtu Secretariat on behalf of aboriginal summit members. The GNWT is cooperating with and supporting the efforts of aboriginal organizations to accelerate self-government talks with Canada.

The tasks before us are challenging, especially in light of the time constraints. However, we can forge ahead successfully if we are willing to work together for our common goals. I will do my best to help build the consensus we need to succeed. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Before I go on to the next Minister, I would like to recognize a former colleague of ours, Mr. Nerysoo. Welcome to the Assembly.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mrs. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, December 11th was election day for 35 hamlets and two settlement corporations across the NWT. This was the same day, as you know, that the Nunavut capital vote took place. I am sure the Members of this House can appreciate that election officials were extremely busy.

Mr. Speaker, there were 177 council positions available on community councils, for which there were 399 candidates. Of the 37 communities requiring to hold elections, only two communities acclaimed their full council. The department has advised that it is waiting for the official results from four communities. The information available at this time shows that there were 11,360 eligible voters, of which 7,623 cast their ballots. That, Mr. Speaker, calculates to a 67 per cent territorial-wide voter turn-out. Complete information respecting the election will be made available to this House as soon as we receive it.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and the Members of this House, I would like to extend congratulations to all the newly-elected officials and extend our sincere appreciation to those who ran. There are many challenges facing locally-elected officials. I extend my best wishes to them as they take on their new responsibilities and offer the expertise and services of the Municipal and Community Affairs department to assist them as they undertake their duties.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased, as well, to inform this House of the department's efforts to ease the transition period of new councillors. We're offering...I'm used to speaking Inuktitut so it's getting confusing. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased, as well, to inform this House of the department's efforts to ease the transition period of new councillors. We are offering municipal and community governments the opportunity to train elected officials of their roles and responsibilities using training modules set up by the department. Our staff will be advising all hamlets and settlement corporations of these orientation sessions and scheduling workshops to occur in the near future.

Thank you and merry Christmas, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Safety and Public Services, I am pleased today to announce that the new mining safety legislation will come into force on Friday, December 15, 1995.

Mr. Speaker, the new Mine Health and Safety Act represents a major step toward ensuring safer working conditions in the northern minerals sector. It places an increased emphasis on safety training and provides improved standards for technology and operations in the mining industry. This act will replace the Mining Safety Act, which is outdated and ineffective. Mine safety legislation in the Northwest Territories has been in need of reform for the past decade.

The process leading to this reform has included all facets of the industry: managers, unionized labour, non-unionized workers and government. Their involvement will not end with the proclamation of the new act. This legislation allows for the appointment of an expanded mine occupational health and safety legislation committee, with responsibility for advising the Minister and recommending any further amendments to the act and regulations.

While the act specifies that the Minister has up to 12 months to establish this committee, I want to indicate today that I intend to proceed with committee appointments as quickly as possible, and will be informing the House as progress is made in this area.

As well, the Department of Safety and Public Services will provide a series of technical seminars to explain new regulatory requirements. The chief mine inspector will also be issuing a series of directives to clarify the way in which some of the more complicated regulations are supposed to be interpreted.

Before concluding, it is important to acknowledge the leadership provided on this legislative initiative by previous Ministers, especially the Honourable John Todd, Mr. Nerysoo, Mr. Whitford and Mr. Patterson. I also want to note the many valuable comments and recommendations made by the last Assembly's Standing Committee on Legislation, which you chaired, Mr. Speaker.

Responsibility for reviewing over 750 new regulations was undertaken by the existing Mine Occupational Health and Safety Board. Representatives who served on the board during this period should be commended for their hard work and commitment.

I am sure that all honourable Members of this Assembly will join me in looking forward to the proclamation of the Mine Health and Safety Act, and to a new era of mining safety in the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Baffin Central, Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a respected Pangnirtung elder and distinguished artist, Malaya Akulukjuk, who passed away recently. Malaya was born in 1913 at Qikiqtaq, outside Pangnirtung. She was married to Nutaralaaq and had 13 children. In the 1960s, she and her family moved to Pangnirtung following an epidemic which killed most of their sled dogs.

She started drawing for the local co-op shortly after her arrival. Her striking illustrations were always based on her own life and Inuit legends. Malaya was involved with the Pangnirtung weave shop right from the beginning. Recently, the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts celebrated their 25th anniversary with a beautiful collection of tapestries, all based on Malaya Akulukjuk's designs. The anniversary celebrations were held in her honour.

Malaya was known for her kindness and generosity, and also known for her skills as a midwife, seamstress and hunter. Whether it was making kamiks, caring for the sick, sharing food and clothing, comforting and assisting women in labour, Malaya was there.

She was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will forever live in the hearts of her family and community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is regarding the two new sites that were designated by the federal Minister of Heritage. These historical sites are located in Arviat and Baker Lake. Just to give you some background on these two sites, Century Island and the Fall Caribou Crossing on the Kassan River were designated nationally significant to Canadian history by the Minister of Canadian Heritage in August 1995. This designation follows four years' of consultations with the communities of Arviat and Baker Lake. The hamlet councils and various groups in Baker Lake and Arviat were also consulted in October 1995 and planning committees were recommended for both communities. The first meeting was held in Arviat on November 15, 1995. The training committee will meet once a month until the plan is completed.

Century Island is located approximately .5 kilometres from Arviat, and has evidence of many centuries of Inuit use and occupation. The island continues to be used by the people of Arviat and continues to be a very special place.

The Fall Caribou Crossing is located on the lower Kassan River and is a well-known example of the important fall

caribou crossing hunt which sustained Inuit in the region in the past.

Two years of historical and archaeological research were directed by the Baker Lake Elders' Advisory Committee and the Arviat Historical Society, respectively. The research was presented to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in July 1995. The board recommended to the Minster of Canadian Heritage that the sites be designated nationally significant. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board also recommended that Parks Canada staff return to the communities to consult and help commemorate these sites in a meaningful way. Plans will be developed from a community-based perspective. The training process will consider other related heritage projects engaged in by the communities from time to time.

Mr. Speaker, special thanks to Mr. Darren Keith, the Inuit historic site specialist; Mr. David Webster, consultant; Luke Suluk and the Arviat Historical Society; and, the Baker Lake Elders' Advisory Committee for their hard work on this particular project.

Also, Mr. Speaker, since this is our last session of the year, I would like to wish all my colleagues and the staff here at the Assembly a very happy and safe Christmas, and also a special greeting to the residents of Arviat and Baker Lake, especially the children and elders of the communities. Thank you, matna, mahsi cho.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

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

(Microphone turned off)...and the rest of my colleagues and the people of the Northwest Territories. I would like to make my Member's statement in the Dogrib language. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have an opportunity to speak Dogrib; I am very grateful for that.

It was in November of last year when the then MLA for North Slave expressed his concern about the icy and dangerous conditions of the highway between Rae-Edzo and Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, this road is still used daily by the people of Rae-Edzo, government employees and various trucking businesses. It was only last month that an employee from the Department of Health and Social Services was killed on that road. Other deaths have occurred on that highway over the years, including a mother and two children.

I and other colleagues like yourself, Mr. Speaker, have travelled on that road to meet with our constituents or to travel with our families to Yellowknife. The road can be treacherous, and I, as a Member of this House representing my constituents, do not want any more deaths or fatal accidents due to icy or treacherous conditions on that highway.

Last year, the Honourable Mr. Todd stated during the November session that the highway is one of the most heavily used in the Northwest Territories. It is due to this that I have grave concerns about the safety of those who use the highway as their only means of transportation. Mr. Todd didn't mention that out of $20 million used on highways, $9 million is spent on that highway. He used the unique global climate conditions as a contributing factor that made it difficult to maintain the highway.

Later today, I will be asking the Minister of Transportation what he is willing to do about this.

Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for High Arctic, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was very happy to attend the official opening of the new Tununirusuq Arena in Arctic Bay on December 1st. It was a very happy event.

I would like to thank our former MLA, Ludy Pudluk, for his hard work and dedication to getting this project completed. The new arena is also a credit to our former mayor, Juda Taqtu, and the council of the hamlet of Arctic Bay.

(Translation) I would also like to thank the Honourable Manitok Thompson, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, who sent a message which I was happy to deliver on her behalf and a plaque which I was pleased to present to the community. I very much appreciate the Minister's efforts to extend her congratulations to Arctic Bay, since I know that she had only just been appointed when the arena was opened. (Translation ends)

The new arena was full of Arctic Bay residents when it was officially opened. It was very exciting when everybody went out on the new ice to skate together and enjoy the new facility. There were even people who went out on the ice who had never skated before. I want to also make special mention to thank Mr. Shorty Brown of Yellowknife, whose generous program provided skates for many people who would not otherwise have been able to skate.

I am pleased that the arena is already well used and has a busy schedule. I know that wonderful new facility will be enjoyed by Arctic Bay residents and will also be very beneficial to our youth who now have a much-needed place for healthy recreation and are grateful.

Mr. Barnabas, your two and a half minutes are up. Mr. Barnabas.

Sorry. I am asking for unanimous consent.

The Member for the 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. My last comments are that I would like to say to my colleagues to have a merry Christmas and to my constituents in High Arctic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 3, Member's statements. The Member for Inuvik, Mr. Roland.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, 1995...(Translation ends).

...Dorothy suggested that Mr. Gzowski hold one of his golf tournaments for literacy in the North. Mr. Gzowski thought it was an excellent idea and thus began the annual tournaments that we have had since. That first tournament was held here in Yellowknife and, as one of the first members of the NWT literacy council, I had the great pleasure of caddying around Frame Lake in February for celebrities like Valdy and Ken Dryden. We have Dorothy to thank for this.

Dorothy has been an innovator and a strong advocate for ESL and ABE programming in the Eastern Arctic. This busy educator and mother also recently completed her masters degree in adult education. Only five people in the Northwest Territories were honoured with the Minister's Award for Literacy, and I am proud to say that my friend and constituent, Dorothee Komangapik, was one. Qujannamiik, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, like my colleagues, despite the fiscal situation we are in, want to wish a very merry Christmas to the people of Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, Pelly Bay and the people across the North; especially to you, Mr. Speaker, my colleagues in this House, Mr. Hamilton and his staff members. I wish you all a safe trip home and I hope to see you again within the new year. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to wish a merry Christmas and a happy new year to the people in the Yellowknife North constituency, and also a safe journey to all the Members and staff of the Legislative Assembly as well as a merry Christmas to all of you and to all of the staff who make our work a lot easier. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize in the gallery today a well-known local Yellowknife businessman and author, David T. McCann, and sitting next to him, Mr. Gordon Rennie, a long-time northerner and a big supporter of mine during the recent election in Iqaluit. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of the Department of Public Works and it relates to the Eastern Arctic resupply proposal request. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the House I indicated that the residents of Kivallivik had a great deal of concern and fear that the awarding of this tender and any other related tenders may have a negative impact on their cost of living. Mr. Speaker, at this point, I am seeking assurances from the Minister that the cost of living will not increase in any form or fashion by the awarding of this contract or any other contract that is directly or indirectly related to this particular proposal. At this point, Mr. Speaker, that is my request and my question to the honourable Minister. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do appreciate the concern the Member has about the possible increase in the cost of living. I wish to assure him that I'm told by departmental officials that there will be no increase in the cost of dry goods, due to this change in the way fuel will be supplied. In fact, the overall landed cost of fuel will be less than it is now, as well as the fact that the cost of dry goods is remaining the same.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for High Arctic, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Justice. My Speaker, the hamlet of Arctic Bay is concerned about not having any police in their community. Arctic Bay is at least half an hour away from the RCMP detachment in Nanisivik by a very narrow and steep road. The road is sometimes closed due to the weather and the mining community has very few policing problems compared to the problems that occur in Arctic Bay. I would like to ask the Minister if he is aware of the request from Arctic Bay that RCMP be located in the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was very happy that my honourable colleagues across the floor were getting into the Christmas spirit. But for me, business comes first so I will get into it.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to ask a question of the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. I have been approached by the long-time residents of Pangnirtung who are long-time employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories. They have been hit hard recently with steep increasing rents and the cost of utilities. Mr. Speaker, my question is would the Minister be open to assisting these employees to purchase government staff houses in Pangnirtung.

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I would like to advise the Member and commit to him that if those employees are interested in purchasing their staff housing units, we'll ensure the corporation staff work with them and try to help accommodate. Thank you.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Justice. The Minister of Justice worked very hard with the gun control act. I wonder if he ever asked the question of how much money will be used to enact this law. If he cannot respond to my question, I would like a letter from him showing the amount that might be used. Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

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

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

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Transportation. The Minister may be aware of a request in Taloyoak regarding the length of the runway. According to the operational requirements, a 748 is a critical aircraft in the Kitikmeot, which has recommended a runway of 3,610 feet; that is, 3,400 feet. We also have a Lear jet based in Cambridge Bay sometimes, Mr. Speaker, used for medevacs when a situation is life threatening. There are times, Mr. Speaker, that the situation can be life threatening. According to operational requirements, a Lear jet needs 4,000 of runway. My question to the Minister is will the Minister look into the situation seriously and get back to me about the status of the request. Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to my honourable colleague from the Taloyoak riding. This is my first question as Minister of Transportation. I am aware of the Taloyoak airstrip situation. I have been briefed on it. I understand the concern that the Member has on behalf of his constituents. This particular airstrip isn't long enough to accommodate a certain type of aircraft, but there is an airstrip there and they are utilizing it for other aircraft. The department is looking at the situation. It requires additional capital expenditure and it might be quite substantial. I will get back to the Member on the findings of the department. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there was an internal review done by the FMB. I haven't had an opportunity to read their report. I understand that it will be on my desk later on this afternoon. Once I've read it, I'll present it to Cabinet and then we'll be able to table it in the House during the next session. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I mentioned something to do with transportation on highways. Mr. Speaker, many of us have already heard my concerns about dangerous road conditions between Rae Edzo and Yellowknife. My question to the Minister is, is he aware of the problem. Mr. Speaker, in light of the high number of accidents and fatalities on the highway between Rae Edzo and Yellowknife, my question to the Minister is will he agree to review the adequacy of the maintenance on this heavily travelled stretch of highway.

Thank you. The Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I'm very aware of that stretch of road. In fact, I just drove back from Fort Simpson last Sunday when it was about 45 below so I know the conditions of the road very well. I agree with the honourable Member. The department is briefing me on the conditions of the road and once the department gets me the information about what levels of maintenance are there, I will get back to the Member with that information. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions, supplementary. Mr. Rabesca.

Mr. Speaker, my constituency is not aware of anyone patrolling the Rae-Yellowknife highway to ensure the accidents are quickly attended or that drivers and passengers are not waiting on the highway during the cold winter months. My question to the Minister is is there a highway patrol officer in his department who regularly checks for breakdowns and maintenance on the road between Rae and Yellowknife.

That's a new question. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, again, Mr. Speaker. The highway patrol is supposed to be on that stretch of road, as everybody should know, and the Speaker knows about the situation very well, from driving this road as well. In the past they've been there. If the Member is saying that they are not there, then I'll check into that situation and get back to the Member.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Rabesca.

Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. I understand there are plans to realign the road between Rae Edzo and Yellowknife. In order that my constituents are made aware of any plans that will effect them in that area, Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister, does the Department of Transportation have concrete plans to rebuild this stretch of road to eliminate injuries.

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe this is somewhat of a new question. I just want to inform the Member that being the new Minister of Transportation, the department has some documents that he should be aware of that describe the transportation strategy that was put together by the department in 1990. There were two tabled documents: the first in 1993, entitled The Transportation Agenda; the second in 1994, entitled The Transportation Strategy Update. These documents have a lot of information on the direction that the department is going in all areas of transportation as well as in the area of highway construction.

As the Member knows, the department has been paving the road from the border right to Yellowknife. I think that is still in the strategy. We are at the stage where there is a section between Providence and Rae that still has to be completed. There is also a section from Rae to Yellowknife that is in the plans to be done. As to exactly when it will be done, it's a capital expenditure and we haven't got to that stage in the House. It's still up for discussion. The Member should know that it's in the plan and if he reviews these documents he'll become more aware of the strategy for highway construction. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not too clear on that, whether it's an all-weather road that he's referring to or is it a winter road. However, as for the winter road, I know the department works in that area to try to keep transportation going there in the wintertime. As for the all-weather road, this is more of a long-term strategy and I'll have to check with the department to get the specifics on that and get back to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Hay River, Ms. Groenewegen

Thank you. The Minister responsible for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, have some serious concerns, as the Member for Hay River has, about the direction mining is going in the Northwest Territories. I would agree that mining companies should invest and at least have their employees living in the Northwest Territories. I have contacted the Chamber of Mines already on this issue and I will be contacting Colomac Mines as soon as possible on this issue as well and encourage them to encourage their people to stay in the Northwest Territories and not resupply that mine out of southern Canada. But we must also remember that without a hammer or legislation like the northern accord, there is little that we can do except for encourage and try to work with them to invest and keep their employees in the North. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Transportation. Out of the concern for safety of Mr. Rabesca on the road to Fort Rae, I have had plenty of occasion to travel on the highways south and back when I've been going to school and visiting some friends in Hay River and I've always been concerned with the vehicles that are travelling without lights. Often you can't tell if a vehicle is coming towards you or going the other way. I know there have been studies done in areas where it's mandatory to have lights on. The studies have shown it is safer and there are less accidents when it's mandatory to have lights on highways. Of course, this brings down the hospital costs, long-term care and stuff like that, so I was wondering if the Minister would consider initiating an amendment to the proper act to make it mandatory to use headlights on our highways.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. That's a very good point that the Member raised. I think for all safety and protecting lives on the highway, I think if that is the direction that this Assembly wants to take, then we could certainly look at the necessary acts and make the amendments with the support of this House. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education. Is the Department of Education reviewing a process for standardized testing at the grade 11 and grade 12 level in the NWT at this moment? Thank you.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Economic Development. Mr. Speaker, the service contract the Department of Economic Development and Tourism has issued recently is for a period of four months for Rae Lakes, Lac La Martre and Snare Lakes. The communities have all indicated that there is a definite need for economic development officers in these three communities. Mr. Speaker, the department has indicated that depending on operating funds available in the last quarter of this fiscal year, they may be able to provide some funding towards a workshop with three communities going to plan the transfer of economic development officer to the communities.

Mr. Speaker, at present, the service contract is only for a short period of four months, and no consensus was reached regarding the transfer of the economic development officer position to the communities during a recent meeting held in Rae-Edzo with the department.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister if the department will fund further meetings with these communities to resolve the concerns and to reach consensus on this issue before the end of the fiscal year.

I don't know, but I've been getting two...the Dogrib and the English. Mr. Evaloarjuk, are you getting the Inuktitut translation on your receiver? Okay. The Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Economic Development and Tourism has been working with the communities of Rae Lakes, Wha Ti and Snare Lake to solve the problem of an economic development officer and how they will man that position in those communities. They have talked to the three communities, they have consulted with the three communities. The communities have agreed to share that position. The only thing the communities have not agreed to was how to divvy up the funding that was available for that position. The department put the process to them, or a recommendation on how they can share those dollars. Cash would be given to the communities to administer themselves, $2,000 a month. The only problem we have now is Rae Lakes has indicated support for that approach; the Wha Ti band manager has indicated that the offer is not acceptable; Snare Lake has not responded, so we have to get together with the three communities again and try to negotiate how we can staff that position or else we will have to staff it ourselves to make sure the services are still available to the communities in the new year.

Let me assure the Member that we will sit down with the communities again and try to work out a compromise or a deal with them how they can provide that service to their own people themselves.

Supplementary, Mr. Rabesca.

Mr. Speaker, the service contract that the Department of Economic Development and Tourism provided is only for a short period of four months in each of the three isolated communities. The contract will pay the designated economic development officer $2,000 per month. The individual will work for 12 and a half hours per week which is one third of the standard 37 and a half hours per week for a government employee with the same responsibilities within the department. The communities have indicated that the salary does not clearly take into account the high cost of living in the isolated communities, most importantly the hours do not consider the range of duties and responsibilities of this position. Mr. Speaker, will the department reconsider the salary of this economic development officer position in three communities before the end of the fiscal year?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will meet with the Member at a later date before he leaves and try to solve this issue. We have a certain amount of money in our budget to fund an EDO position in his communities. That's one position to service three communities. I will be willing to sit down with the Member to try to come to an arrangement of how we can fund those positions and let the communities control those positions. I'm willing to do that.

Mr. Speaker, it's also really hard to hear the Member's question because I can't pick it up on here as well because I'm getting the Dogrib language instead of English. Thank you.

We've been having that technical problem, too. I'm getting this. Could you look into it? We'll take a five-minute break.

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