Members of the Legislative Assembly, I am required to convey the following communication that I received on December 15, 1994 from Madam Speaker Marie-Jewell:

"I would like to inform you and, through you, all Members of the Legislative Assembly of my decision to tender my resignation as Speaker, effective at 5:00 pm today. I have already informed the Management and Services Board of my decision in a meeting held today over the lunch hour.

"As you are aware, an issue of significant importance has arisen affecting my constituency. This issue has placed me in a position where I have been compelled to challenge the fairness of a Cabinet decision and the integrity of a Cabinet Minister in order to fully represent the interests of my constituents and, I suggest, the interests of all citizens of the Northwest Territories.

"I have a great deal of respect for the role of the Speaker, in particular, the strongly-held convention that the Speaker must not only be neutral and impartial, but must be seen to be neutral and impartial. Hence, out of respect for the institution of the Speaker and as a result of my desire to fully represent my constituents, I hereby tender my resignation.

"I would like to say that it has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Speaker. I look forward to continuing to serve the House, even if in a different role." Signed, Jeannie Marie-Jewell, MLA, Speaker.

Accordingly, it is my duty to conduct an election for the Speaker. I would call for a motion to elect a Speaker. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre.

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik, that Mr. Gargan, of the electoral district of Deh Cho, take the chair of this House as Speaker.

Are there any further motions? Being no further motions, all those in favour of the motion, please indicate. All those opposed? The motion is carried unanimously.

---Carried

---Applause

I, therefore, declare that the honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan, has been elected Speaker of the House. I would request the mover and seconder of the motion to escort the Speaker to the chair.

---Applause

Speaker's Opening Comments

Honourable Members, I beg to return my humble acknowledgements to the House for the great honour you have been pleased to confer on me by choosing me to be your Speaker.

If these words sound familiar, they have been said not only here in this House by my predecessors, but also for the last 100 years or so in Canada and for over 700 years in the British House of Commons and many other parliamentary democracies. Perhaps this is an appropriate way for every Speaker to begin because, in my experience, if you start to tinker and tamper with the traditional way of doing things, the lesson you learn is that no matter how you try to modify or improve tradition, it has certain integral values which perhaps you did not at first fully appreciate. I tried to put it into my own words, but it did not come out as well, no matter how I tried to change it. So, perhaps the lesson is that some traditions are more that just simple convention and have other, more important, values attached to them.

Traditions are important in any culture, and nowhere is this truer than in the Northwest Territories. I will do my best to uphold the many procedural and cultural traditions that have been established throughout the years and be respectful of the traditions that all Members bring with them when they are elected to serve the people of the Northwest Territories.

Sometimes the work we do here appears to be a battle for individuals' advantage, but all of us realize, I trust, that what is done here is extremely important work on behalf of all the people of the Northwest Territories; not only for the individual rights but, in addition, as an example to all that change must be brought about through the process of law and order in a proper, democratic way. Thus, every meeting we hold here should be an example to our people.

With the honour you have bestowed upon me by electing me as your Speaker, of course, goes an obligation to do the job to the best of my ability. It goes without saying that I will give it my best effort at all times. I would like to assure all Members that I place the fulfilment of this obligation ahead of every other consideration. Whether it be a question of individual or collective politics, personal considerations, friendships or otherwise, this obligation at all times comes first, and I will fulfil this role the best I can. I will not always make everybody happy, however, if I can carry out this role to the best of my ability without losing the respect and the goodwill that you have extended to me at the start, I will feel that I have done a good job.

On a personal note, since this may be the last time I will get a chance to make a personal comment, I would like to thank my wife, Alphonsine, for her understanding and patience as, yet again, I take on a new challenge. I know that her support and that of my children, which I cannot do without, will make the months ahead bearable and pleasurable.

Once again, I respectfully thank you for the honour of being named your Speaker, and now I would suggest we get on with the business before us today. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Point of privilege, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Point Of Privilege

Congratulations, Mr. Speaker. I wish you well in your new responsibility, but that's not my point of privilege.

Mr. Speaker, I want, today, to express a point of privilege as a Member of this House. Yesterday, when I arrived in Yellowknife at the airport, I was greeted by a sheriff who presented me with a statement of claim filed by Don Morin.

Mr Speaker, the effect of this matter is twofold. First, I feel, as an elected Member, the filing of a lawsuit against me results in my inability to discuss this matter, to express it in plain language. The bottom line is the effect may be to keep me quiet as a result of this sub judice convention.

Mr. Speaker, I fully recognize the rules of this House do not allow for Members to speak with regard to issues which are before the courts, particularly when you review rule 409 section 9 of Beauchesne's which states: "A question cannot deal with a matter that is before a court."

Further, Mr. Speaker, in Beauchesne's, the sub judice convention section 505 states, and I quote: "Members are expected to refrain from discussing matters that are before the courts or tribunals which are courts of record. The purpose of this sub judice convention is to protect the parties in a case awaiting or undergoing trial and persons who stand to be affected by the outcome of a judicial inquiry. It is a voluntary restraint imposed by the House upon itself in the interest of justice and fair play."

However, section 506, the first part, states: "The sub judice convention has been applied consistently in criminal cases." The second part states: "The precedents in criminal cases are consistent in preventing reference to court cases before a judgment is rendered; however, the convention ceases to apply

after the judgment is given...Nevertheless, the convention is applied again when an appeal is launched."

More importantly, Mr. Speaker, section 507(1) states: "No settled practice has been developed in relation to civil cases, as the convention has been applied in some cases but not in others." The second part of section 507 indicates, and I quote, "In civil cases the convention does not apply until the matter has reached the trial stage."

Mr. Speaker, according to section 507(2), my case is a civil case and has not, as of yet, reached the trial stage as my notice of claim has only been served on February 14, 1995.

Mr. Speaker, further, the sub judice convention in Beauchesne's section 510 states, and I quote: "The Speaker has pointed out 'that the House has never allowed the sub judice convention to stand in the way of its consideration of a matter vital to the public interest or to the effective operation of the House.'"

The second part of my point of privilege, section 511 states: "The freedom of speech accorded to Members of Parliament is a fundamental right without which they would be hampered in the performance of their duties. The Speaker should interfere with that freedom of speech only in exceptional cases where it is clear that to do otherwise could be harmful to specific individuals."

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt each elected Member of this Assembly, and any other elected Members of any Assembly of the land, enjoy a fundamental privilege of freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is a cornerstone to our democratic process which we all enjoy as Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, having said that, more importantly my fundamental freedom of speech as an MLA has been threatened and it has been hindered. My point of privilege as an elected Member, I feel, is my fundamental freedom of speech to speak out on behalf of the interests of my constituents which has been impeded upon as a result of the lawsuit filed by Mr. Morin. The possible effect of this lawsuit is that I could be constrained from speaking vigorously as I have in the past on behalf of my constituents of Thebacha on other issues lest I again be faced with another lawsuit.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully request you rule on my point of privilege. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. I have been advised I have two options here to either have a debate on it; or else take your point of privilege under advisement. You do have a number of sections in your point of privilege that would have to be looked at, and I will take that under advisement. Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the Members that the Honourable Silas Arngna'naaq will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend a Keewatin education conference in Arviat. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon and congratulations. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, February 20, 1995, I will deliver the budget address. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me be the first, under Members' statements, to congratulate you on your election by your colleagues -- which is very important -- to the very significant job of Speaker of our Legislative Assembly.

You still have to convince many northerners, Mr. Speaker, that parliamentary democracy, which is what we practice here, is one of the great inventions of mankind. It provides a place where people's voices can be heard in very many different ways. If you just look at our order paper, you can see how many ways in which voices can be heard. It seems to me strange that so many northerners have failed to see what an incredible invention parliamentary democracy really was, when we look at its long history and how it has developed. You've been a Member of this Legislative Assembly for 11 years, Mr. Speaker, and I believe you fully understand and appreciate what an incredible invention it really is. Because, without straying too far from the basic principles of democracy, it remains a very flexible system which can be accommodated to any circumstance in any country in any part of the world.

If you look at the members of those groups that practice parliamentary democracy, you realize how many countries really are in the group of countries which appreciate this wonderful invention. We seem to take in so many inventions, yet fight so much about this one. I know you will uphold all the good traditions of the parliamentary system, Mr. Speaker. I am sure we will continue to add several wrinkles of our own as we accommodate it to our special needs.

There is still much work to be done to convince northerners that there is little wrong with the system, Mr. Speaker. In the long run, what will matter is the quality of our representatives and the use to which those representatives put this system to make it work. We put our trust in you, Mr. Speaker, and I know it is very well placed. You are known as a straightforward, just man and you will do everything you can to uphold those traditions and do everything you can for the advancement of all our peoples. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Firstly, I would like to formally congratulate you, as well, on your election as Speaker of this House. I'm sure you'll do an excellent job.

I would like to also thank my honourable colleague from Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark, for nominating me for the position of Cabinet Member and thank all other Members of this House who participated in the process of selecting the Cabinet Member. It is a very important process that we go through. I also want to thank the mayor of Cambridge Bay, Mr. Larry Aknavigak; and, of Coppermine, Mr. Donald Havioyak; members of the Kitikmeot Regional Council; Mr. James Eetoolook, the first vice-president of NTI; my constituents; and, last but not least, my family members who supported me morally in putting forward my name to stand for a Member of Cabinet.

I would also like to thank Mr. Lewis for putting forward his name as a candidate for Speaker, and Mr. Pudluk and Mr. Patterson for putting forward their names for Cabinet Members. It gave us, as I said previously, the freedom to choose. Finally, I would like to thank everybody for the trust that they have placed in me in electing me as a Cabinet Member. I commit to working hard in trying to represent the interests of all residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, wish to congratulate you in taking the Speaker's chair. Mr. Speaker, from January 18th to 22nd of this year, here in Yellowknife, a historic event in the development of northern government took place. That, of course, was the first constitutional conference for the western Northwest Territories, sponsored by the Constitutional Development Steering Committee.

This conference brought together 150 participants from the 34 communities in the western NWT to consider principles and options for a Constitution, and structure of government for the new western territory following division in 1999; and, to make recommendations on how the western constitutional process should continue. To say that the conference was a success understates the case. It is fair to say that, coming into the conference, there was scepticism in several quarters about the CDSC process, generally, and about the likely success of the conference, in particular. There were fears that it would not be possible to reach consensus, even on broad principles, between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people; and, among the aboriginal peoples in the western Arctic, on such fundamental issues as the need for a central government in the new western territory and the relationship between the development of public government and aboriginal self-government negotiations.

Against that backdrop, the first constitutional conference was, in fact, a resounding success. At the closing plenary session on Sunday morning, January 22nd, many speakers commented on the tremendous sense of goodwill and unity of purpose which they experienced throughout the conference and the willingness of the participants to listen, to share and to continue working together to build structures of government which truly reflect and accommodate all the peoples in our multi-faceted society in the west. The best hopes and expectations for the possible outcomes of the conference were exceeded.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

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

Mahsi, my colleagues. On the fundamental question of aboriginal self-government, the strong consensus is that this is not a matter to be negotiated or realized through the CDSC process but, rather, as a separate, parallel process which must proceed concurrently with the CDSC process for the development of public government structures. The conference delivered a strong message for the federal government: that progress is needed on aboriginal self-government negotiations so that these two processes can proceed together. This involves the recognition that there will be aboriginal self-governing institutions, and that these must be recognized and accommodated in a new constitution and structure of government for the west.

The conference, thus, also reached a consensus that four levels of government are necessary: community, aboriginal, regional and central. The community must be the basis for any new structure of government but there is a recognized need for a central government, which is community-driven. With consensus reached on these broad, fundamental principles, the conference also recognized that there is now much work to be done on details and options for a new western constitution and structure of government. In particular, research is needed on options and costs of community and regionally-based government structures within a central government and more public involvement is required regarding constitutional options, particularly at the community level. A second constitutional conference should be held within the year to discuss these options and details and to give direction for the drafting of a final proposal for ratification by public plebiscite.

The first constitutional conference thus endorsed the CDSC process and gave clear direction for the continuation of that process. As was stated at the closing of the conference, we took several major steps together toward a consensus on developing a new form of government that we all want, but we are not at the end. We are at the crest of a new horizon and can now see our goals and our destination a little more clearly. The challenge now for the CDSC and for the people of the western Northwest Territories is to build on the foundation laid at this first conference, and to maintain the momentum which was developed.

The Constitutional Development Steering Committee will meet this Friday to consider a workplan and budget for 1995-96 to implement the recommendations from the conference. We look forward to the continued support of this Assembly, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada as we continue this exciting and historic process in the spirit of unity and goodwill demonstrated by the people of the west through the first constitutional conference. Mahsi cho. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

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

The Member for Yellowknife South is requesting unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue, Mr. Whitford.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, on your election, and also to congratulate Mr. Ng on his election as Minister.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about respect; about respect for people and about respect for property. That respect is being eroded in every community in the Northwest Territories. It was not long ago that we didn't have to lock our doors in Yellowknife, but that day is long gone. I don't think it's constructive to overstate the problem, and I really think that the problem still is manageable. But I think the time has come for all of us to take the problem very seriously.

Hear, hear.

We have a serious drug and alcohol problem among our youth in Yellowknife and throughout the territories. It appears that we have a gang that controls the drug trade here in Yellowknife. We have an unacceptable level of break and enters in Yellowknife, and an unacceptable level of physical and sexual assaults. I think we all agree this must stop.

Our government and our Minister of Justice have provided some leadership in this area with our stand on zero tolerance to violence, which I think was an important first step. The police here in Yellowknife are doing a tremendous job, but they are undermanned; and the Giant strike for the last year bled off many police person years so there weren't the resources here on the streets in Yellowknife to deal with crime.

I want to thank the Minister. The Minister has publicly promised that in his budget we'll have some relief here in Yellowknife. But there's more to the solution than just more police. There has to be a community-based solution. I think the community -- in cooperation between the city and the territorial government -- has to look at improving the Crime Stoppers approach; have a look at neighbourhood watch. I've brought the possibility forward to the Minister of some program where the municipalities and the territorial government can jointly provide some clerical support for the police, because it's a lot cheaper to provide clerical support than to have policemen who cost probably $150,000 a year doing their own clerical work.

I think the time has come where the community needs a logical, coordinated approach.

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

The Member for Yellowknife North is requesting unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, the city needs more police on the streets. We need to look at storefront operations in schools where the police are interacting directly with youth. We need, I think, an increased emphasis on our youth justice committees. The courts needs the proper balance between deterrence and rehabilitation. And I think we have to be very clear that some of the offenders really need some strict interpretation of the law. They have to be punished, and I think we have to look for new and more imaginative programs to rehabilitate them.

I think parents have a responsibility for the behaviour of their children. Too many parents are letting their kids run wild, are not taking any responsibility for their kids, expecting the police and the government to provide all the answers. I think any parent in this city has a very important responsibility to make sure their kids behave in an appropriate way. I think citizens have a responsibility to support the police. You can't always expect the police to do everything for you. People see suspicious things going on, people are ignoring them, people are not taking enough pride in their community.

I think if the police are to deal with this problem, they need the support of everybody in the community. I think it's all of our responsibility to take back control of our cities and to send a message loud and clear that we will not allow our city to be held ransom by attacks on people or on property. We will stamp out any groups that traffic in drugs. The present situation can be reversed if we work together. There is no way that we can surrender our city to punks, whether they operate alone or in a gang. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Shame, shame.

Shame, shame.

The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Dent.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) I congratulate you on being our Speaker. You have been an ordinary Member for quite a long time and you know what the Legislative Assembly is all about. I know you will make a good Speaker. (Translation ends)

Jeannie Marie-Jewell was a good Speaker for us during her term. She did a very excellent job. I would like to thank her. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to address an issue that has been publicized lately; namely, the fact that the Government of the Northwest Territories, through Economic Development and Tourism, has filed a lawsuit against Tagaah Ltd., a company owned and controlled by myself and my wife; and, against us personally as guarantors of a loan guaranteed by Economic Development and Tourism. We all know MLAs who own businesses during their term.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to make it very clear to this House and to all Members that my business interest, including the fact that I have a loan with Economic Development and Tourism, has always been disclosed in my annual conflict of interest filings.

Further, as I discussed in the press release yesterday, we have been attempting to sell the business to discharge this loan for a considerable period of time. However, this has been delayed due to difficulties relating to the land and placement of the gas station. Once this sale is completed, this situation will be cleared up, hopefully without any further problems.

Mr. Speaker, for the record, I would like to assure Members that I will be refraining from discussing matters pertaining to the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in their role as a lender; I repeat, as a lender.

Additionally, I will be refraining from discussing matters dealing with the Northwest Territories Business Credit Corporation until such time as the lawsuit has been settled. This restraint applies to the House as well as to matters being discussed in the Standing Committee on Finance. This will be very unfortunate, Mr. Speaker, because my constituents are very interested in economic development with oil and gas exploration, mining possibilities, forestry development, tourism and a lot of small business development. I would like to apologize to my constituents for this unfortunate predicament, but this situation is being cleared up at the present time, and hopefully soon I will be participating fully in this House to discuss these issues. Mahsi.

---Applause

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

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to congratulate you on becoming our Speaker. I am sure you will do a good job. I would also like to thank the past Speaker for doing a great job.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to apologize to my constituents, who I was unable to go to Cape Dorset and Sanikiluaq to visit. I was unable to reach those communities before I got here and I am sorry for that. With this last term in 1995, I thought it might be important for me to go to those communities. So I am truly sorry for not reaching the communities before this session started.

It is not to say that I am doing a bad job. I try my best to do what is expected of me. I always tell them that if they have any concerns, there is a 1-800 number to reach me at. They do know how to reach me. I have informed them that I am truly open for any concerns. With this being the last term, I am truly sorry for not making it into those communities before I came here. This is the reason I wanted to stand up to make my Member's statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like all other Members, I wish to extend my congratulations to you. I know that you will do a commendable job in assuming the responsibility.

Mr. Speaker, I wanted to rise today to make the Members here aware of a conference that is happening in Fort McPherson. It is a Gwich'in youth conference that has been organized by the Gwich'in youth under the guidance of a young lady by the name of Anita Koe. It is a conference that has received the support of the Gwich'in leadership. The whole conference is to deal with discussions on matters such as drugs and alcohol; education; spiritual and emotional health; and, the Gwich'in language and culture. Included in the discussion, Mr. Speaker, are a number of matters that need to be answered by the Gwich'in leadership. The youth have asked particularly the Gwich'in leadership to indicate to them what they are doing; in other words, to be accountable to the youth. And to also be open to the idea of recommendations and advice that the youth can give to the leadership, so that anything that they do in the future will consider the young as part of the decisions that are being made on a regular basis.

Mr. Speaker, this House, on many occasions, has risen and many Members have risen to speak on the importance of youth and the importance that this government and any other leadership must...In terms of their ability to respond to the needs of our youth. I think the conference is timely in that in our most recent constitutional discussion, we invited young people who indicated that they feel that there is a voice for them, a voice needed in constitutional evolution in the north and I think that it is important that we consider this.

I wanted, Mr. Speaker, to pay particular tribute to the Gwich'in leadership and all of the youths of our communities; more specifically I wanted to recognize Willard Hagen and Robert Alexie Jr. for their continued support and contribution to the conference. I also wanted to recognize a counsellor from the Tetlit Zheh Gwich'in Council in Fort McPherson, a young man by the name of William Koe who has spent a lot of time helping Anita try to organize the conference. But, Mr. Speaker, I know my colleague from Inuvik, Fred Koe, has also provided his support and I wanted to thank him for that. I wanted also to say that I hope that my colleagues will somehow recognize our need -- at least my need and probably the Premier's need...Mr. Speaker, if I could seek unanimous consent to conclude.

The Member for Mackenzie Delta is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was saying, I would hope that my colleagues will indulge maybe in considering the idea -- later on this week -- possibly of my absence from the Assembly so that I might attend this conference. It is not only in my constituency, but it is a conference that is dealing with a number of issues for which I am responsible, but I will only ask my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, one thing that attracted my attention is that the conference is entitled "Dedicated to the Youth of Today and to the Memory of the Youth who have Gone Before". I think that is a good title, particularly since many people have risen in this

House about the tragedy of many young people who have left us through difficult circumstances. And I do hope that we pay tribute to young that have gone but, even more important, that we lay the groundwork for a better life for young people in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Okay, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on January 19 and 20, 1995, Nunavut leaders, including Nunavut MLAs, and representatives of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, as well as regional Inuit associations and education leaders, met for two days in Gjoa Haven to discuss education issues in Nunavut. Representatives of key education organizations in Nunavut also attended, including: Department of Education, Culture and Employment; Nunavut Arctic College; Nunavut Implementation Commission; Nunavut divisional boards of education; the GNWT Division Review Committee; and, the DIAND Nunavut Secretariat. The meeting focused on the need to achieve vital cooperation and communication in planning and delivering education and training in Nunavut and for Nunavut. The meeting achieved agreement on a number of important issues.

I will table the approved resolutions later today. Critical decisions included agreement on an ongoing process for working more closely together. A key recommendation was that the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment should be requested immediately to appoint an assistant deputy minister for Nunavut to provide a focal point for the Nunavut education leaders and their organizations to work together with the department; that a working group of Nunavut education leaders be established to be chaired by the assistant deputy minister for Nunavut; and, further, that the Minister sponsor a further meeting of Nunavut education leaders in Nunavut in April 1995.

Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment about his response to these very important recommendations, and other recommendations of Nunavut education leaders on reforms to student financial assistance; gaps in existing programs and services in Nunavut -- particularly including trades and nursing training, for example -- academic programs for high school students including maintaining student residences; and, measures to strengthen Inuit language and culture, later today and throughout this session. I look forward to working with you, Mr. Speaker, and congratulate you on your appointment. Qujannamiik.

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, my congratulations. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, June 16, 1992, our Premier announced in this House her Cabinet's new directions. During the Premier's speech, she indicated the government's decentralization plan. Mr. Speaker, seven areas were to be addressed in the decentralization plan, which were to begin April 1, 1993 and end in April 1994.

The first was to decentralize airports and transportation programs to be moved to Fort Simpson, Norman Wells and Baker Lake.

The second was to take advantage of existing infrastructure and support services, the head office and administration of Arctic College would be moved to Iqaluit and Fort Smith.

The third was in recognition of a distinct...For the supply roads for products delivered by the POL division, its headquarters operation would be placed in Rankin Inlet and Fort Simpson.

The fourth was given the availability of the necessary communications and processing facilities and available infrastructure, the health insurance section which will primarily process health billings will be located to Inuvik and Rankin Inlet.

The fifth was a Science Institute headquarters would be moved to its laboratory and research facility in Inuvik, Igloolik and/or Iqaluit.

The sixth was recognizing the predominance of transportation and utility companies in Hay River, the Highway Transport Board and Public Utilities Board will be moved there.

The seventh was in order to capture the economic benefits of government spending, Cabinet is prepared to support the location of an aircraft maintenance facility in Fort Smith for its fleet of water bombers and to develop a training component in conjunction with Arctic College.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier herself stated the decentralization would take place starting April 1, 1993 and end April 1994. Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge, practically all of the decentralization has been completed and I commend the government. Except for the last one which is to support the location of an aircraft maintenance facility in Fort Smith. My constituents are waiting patiently for some movement of construction of this facility.

I want the public to know that I resigned as Speaker because of recognizing that the creation of an aircraft maintenance facility, which Cabinet Support, was being placed on the back burner of the government's agenda. I am obligated, as an elected Member, to ensure the commitment of this government that has been made is fulfilled, and I honestly believe that the focus has shifted from what was told to this House on June 16, 1992.

I must stress the importance of my...

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, your time is up.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to continue my Member's statement. Thank you.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, as I stated, I must stress the importance of my purpose as an elected Member to ensure that the issues of my constituents are addressed in this House,

taking into account, of course, that they are addressed in the most appropriate manner which is best for all residents of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Members for their support while I was Speaker. I feel I have made every effort to serve this House to ensure that the dignity of the House was upheld. I have confidence that you will do the same. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 3, Members' statements. As there are no further Members' statements, I would like to recognize the new Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, Helen Maksagak, who is in the gallery.

---Applause

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My congratulations on your election. I have several returns to oral questions. One was asked by Mr. Antoine on November 14th with respect to public utilities hearings on power rates. The honourable Member for Nahendeh asked when the Public Utilities Board would reach a decision on phase II of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation's general rate application.

As a result of regional hearings held in Inuvik and in Iqaluit in January, and the need to develop further information on this application, the deadline for reply argument has been set back until March 17th. As a result, the board does not expect to be in a position to render a decision earlier than April 30, 1995.

I have two other replies, Mr. Speaker.

I have a return to question asked by Mr. Arvaluk on November 14, 1994 regarding commercial harvest of caribou on Southampton Caribou.

On November 14th, the Member for Aivilik asked the Premier why the commercial hunt on Southampton Island was being done in the spring rather than in the fall. The commercial harvest of caribou on Southampton Island, organized by the departments of Economic Development and Tourism and Renewable Resources, will be conducted this spring between March 10th and April 24th. It was decided to schedule the harvest in the spring rather than the fall for economic reasons.

To successfully conduct an operation of this magnitude, strict logistical coordination of up to 50 personnel and equipment is required. In spring, there are more daylight hours, the weather is generally better and there are more days available to

conduct harvest operations. Better weather and longer days increase the odds for the hunt to be successful.

I have a third return, Mr. Speaker.

I have a return to question asked by Mr. Gargan on November 15, 1994 regarding the study on egg quotas for the Hay River Reserve.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has been actively pursuing entry into the national supply management systems. Membership in these systems would include the application of production quotas.

In July 1994, the government was successful in securing from federal/provincial Ministers of Agriculture their support and agreement to proceed with negotiating access to the supply management regimes by dealing directly with the National Farm Products Marketing Council, as opposed to the separate agencies and their respective signatories.

The National Farm Products Council is the supervising agency for all supply management systems in Canada and reports directly to the federal Minister of Agriculture.

The federal/provincial Ministers directed the marketing council to prepare a report for a December meeting of Ministers of Agriculture on the means by which the Northwest Territories would gain access to the systems, what legislative requirements would have to be enacted and other conditions which would have to be met. The National Farm Products Marketing Council and the department jointly tabled a report with Ministers in December.

The report offered that the Northwest Territories required the following minimum conditions be met:

-access must result in full and unequivocal signatory status; that means everybody has to sign off on it;

-access must be accompanied by a distinct allocation for each commodity; and,

-access must involve the entire geographical area of the Northwest Territories -- in other words, eggs for Hay River and eggs for Iqaluit -- and not be limited to a specific area or region.

The report provided that in order to offer access and meet the requirements of the Northwest Territories, the Ministers of Agriculture would have to agree to amend the proclamation for supply management. Ministers unanimously agreed to this requirement.

On the matter of a distinct entry level for quotas, Ministers agreed that work should continue between the department, council and provinces, with a report due in March, 1995. All things considered, a resolution to this long-outstanding issue appears imminent. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I might introduce the father of our esteemed Law Clerk, Mr. Gerry MacPherson in our gallery. For those who do not know, Mr. MacPherson taught in Inuvik from 1961 to 1970 and in Iqaluit from 1970 to 1983.

---Applause

And, quickly, Mr. Speaker, if I might introduce the students of the Yellowknife teacher education program and their instructor.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the mayor for Clyde River, Mr. James Qillaq; mayor of Broughton Island, Loasie Audlakiak; and also the mayor of Pangnirtung, Manasa Evic. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Mr. Gerry MacPherson, a former constituent of mine. He's got a reputation, in addition to being Sheila MacPherson's father, as being a very able math teacher; and, I believe -- and Mr. Nerysoo didn't mention it -- he takes credit for being Mr. Nerysoo's teacher in mathematics, as well as Mr. Koe's.

---Laughter

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take the opportunity to recognize our acting chief of the Fort Smith native band, Mr. Fred Daniels. Welcome to the Assembly.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment if he is committed to appointing a new ADM for his department, responsible for providing a focal point, so Nunavut education leaders can work cooperatively with his

department, as recommended at the Gjoa Haven Nunavut leaders' conference. Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to indicate to the honourable Member that I have received the recommendations that the leadership has made and we are also in the process of developing implementation plans. I will seriously consider the advice that has been given to me by the Inuit leadership conference.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, as the Minister knows, I believe, the resolutions of the Nunavut education leaders also called for the Minister to sponsor the next meeting of Nunavut education leaders in April 1995, and take the appropriate lead role in planning education and training for Nunavut.

I would like to ask the Minister, is he prepared to sponsor and have his department take the lead role in chairing and planning this important next meeting? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to say to the honourable Member that we are trying to be as positive and constructive as we can about our approach to the advice that has been given by the Inuit leadership and the leadership of Nunavut. But, I do wish to make the honourable Member aware that the Special Joint Committee on Division also has given us some direction as to the approach we should take in this matter. We are going to make sure we accommodate the appropriate educational leadership, but it should be in the context of our overall implementation plans.

That may mean that we will make some appropriate adjustments to the recommendations that have been made, but it will be with the view that we take the leadership role that the honourable Member and other Inuit leaders have suggested.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister's answer, but I'm not sure it is clear. His colleague, Mr. Todd, sponsored -- or helped sponsor with Nunavut Tunngavik -- an important conference to plan economic development in Nunavut, which was a great success. Now the education leaders have asked the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to build on the success of the meeting in Gjoa Haven -- in large measure, due to the active participation of his

officials -- and sponsor and take the lead role in chairing the next meeting. I know the department is working on an internal transition plan for division, in response to the committee's recommendation.

My question is about this conference. Is the Minister prepared to sponsor and take the lead role in this important next meeting, planned for April 1995 in Nunavut? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The problem the honourable Member must recognize is that there are a number of conferences which I have been called upon to host; including a conference, for instance, of the Nunavut Implementation Training Commission, which made the recommendation that we host a conference in May almost three or four months ago. The problem is, there is a logistical question as to how we address the issues that should be dealt with on any conference agenda.

In light of that, I think we need to ensure that if any conference is hosted -- and I don't see it as a major problem -- the issues of timing and agendas have to be dealt with. They can be dealt with in conjunction with the appropriate organizations involved.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson, supplementary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee endorsed the notion of holding the next Nunavut education planning conference in April, 1995. I'm sure all Nunavut leaders support one conference where all organizations would get together in one room and discuss the important matter of training and education in Nunavut.

I guess I would like to ask the Minister if he agrees it is appropriate that the Northwest Territories Department of Education, Culture and Employment play a lead role in planning training and education relating to Nunavut over the next three years? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I do support that. I've indicated that even in this House, as it applies to other regions as well. My concern with the suggestion of the conference is logistical. The fact is there is a need for us to plan the issues that need to be discussed. For instance, this Assembly may be sitting at that time. The problem with that is all Members of Nunavut would like to continue to play a significant and, I think, constructive role that they have played so far.

Those are some of the so-called immediate logistical questions that we have to deal with. The other ones are location and agenda issues. That is the kind of stuff that, for me, need to be dealt with. I think it would be just as confusing to the honourable Member as it would be for me. The other thing is, the role and involvement of the department in this conference.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. As I stated in my Member's statement this afternoon, the government had announced in June 1992 plans to support the location of an aircraft maintenance facility in Fort Smith. Taking into account, Mr. Speaker, the Premier's commitment to this House that this was to be completed by the end of April 1994, and there is no construction or movement to construct as of yet, can the Premier advise this House when the aircraft maintenance facility will be built in Fort Smith? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the negotiations on the facility in Fort Smith are being dealt with by the Dene/Metis in Fort Smith and the government on the structure. I don't have the time lines here, but I believe that the government is expecting a proposal on a facility in Fort Smith very shortly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Premier. Mrs. Marie-Jewell, supplementary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing last week the government has awarded the contract to Buffalo Airways to operate and maintain their fleet of CL-215s in the hangar; apparently, however, publicly it has been stated that Buffalo Airways might use the aircraft maintenance facility when it becomes available, can the Premier assure this House and the constituents of Fort Smith that Buffalo Airways' contract will use the hangar when it becomes available? Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that it was part of the proposal call that the facility would be used. Thank you.

Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Premier if she would provide to this House the chronological order of events with regard to negotiations as to where the hangar is within the middle of negotiations as of this date. Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I will talk to Dene/Metis Holdings and will try to prepare a chronology of where the particular proposal is and when it's to be concluded, and what stage the operation is at. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final supplementary is will the Premier commit to providing this chronological list of events within the next two weeks? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, yes.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to indicate that I have made the recommendations to first, retain those board members who are already on the board; and the recommendations are that Mrs. Crane, I believe, and Mr. Strang from Yellowknife, be appointed to the board, along with Mrs.

Mary Rose Casaway of Lutsel K'e. Those are the recommendations that I'm making.

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Nerysoo.