Thank you, Mr. Pudluk. Good morning. I have been informed that Her Honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, is prepared to assent to bills. Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain if the Commissioner is prepared to enter the Chamber and assent to bills.

Assent To Bill 17

Please be seated. As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, it gives me pleasure to assent to the following bill: Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Nursing Profession Act. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin, your point of order.

Point Of Order

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, during a Member's statement, Mr. Pudluk requested an apology from myself to the unilingual Inuit-speaking elders in the communities who did not understand the translation because it was backwards. So, on behalf of the NWT Housing Corporation, I would like to apologize to those elders and unilingual speakers. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Sorry, Mr. Speaker. On a point of order, please.

Point of order, Mr. Nerysoo.

Point Of Order

Mr. Speaker, I would like to raise a point of order concerning our practices for tabling documents.

Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, having read the unedited Hansard for March 8, 1995, it is clearly stated by the honourable Member for Thebacha that there are no rules for letters being tabled. I'm not certain, Mr. Speaker, if there is a necessity for rules, but I believe we have to establish practices in this House for the tabling of documents.

The honourable Member for Thebacha raised the issue of letters being tabled unsigned, during question period on Tuesday, March 7th, and her comments are contained on pages 1228 and 1229 of unedited Hansard. Mr. Speaker, at that time, it was indicated that letters do not have to be signed.

Mr. Speaker, I question whether this has been established as a practice or procedure of this House. Mr. Speaker, I also note that an unsigned letter was tabled on March 8th and again the issue was identified by the Member for Thebacha, that we have no rules on unsigned documents being tabled.

Mr. Speaker, I agree we have no rules or practice, but I feel that there should be. My point of order is to request you review the matter and provide a ruling on the practice of permitting unsigned letters to be tabled in the House. Mr. Speaker, in addition, you may wish to consider giving direction to the House on the types of documents and items that should or should not be tabled in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. With regard to the tabling of documents, I still remember Members of this House tabling fish heads and sewage pipes, unsigned. Those types of things were tabled in this House. We don't really have a rule for the tabling of documents and I wish to hear from other Members their feelings with regard to the tabling of documents and unsigned documents. Until I hear from Members, I will reserve a ruling, and I would like to hear from Members on their feelings as this is important.

To the point of order, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the point of order that I have raised. Mr. Speaker, it is my belief that we have a long history in parliamentary democracy about respecting the rights and privileges of Members and that is an important factor in our Assembly. But, I also believe there is a certain need for us to protect each other, not only from what general comments may be made, but also the way we conduct ourselves and how people see us in terms of protecting people outside this Assembly.

It is my belief, Mr. Speaker, that there is a certain amount of integrity that we have to uphold and part of that integrity is the way we treat each other and the citizens who we represent. I think a rule on a practice in this House so that can clearly articulate how we will protect each other and protect the citizens of our communities is important for us to adopt. I think, Mr. Speaker, your good judgement and advice is being sought in this particular situation, and I know you will consider this matter seriously and provide us with the appropriate leadership. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. To the point of order. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Prior to becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I was a band counsellor and a counsellor with the Dene Community Council of Fort Resolution. So, I have some political experience at the local level. Even at the municipal and local political level of our communities, when people get letters from constituents or people they are elected to represent that are unsigned, they don't deal with them. They put them to the side because anybody can write anything about anybody or say anything about a citizen of the Northwest Territories, but if they don't have the responsibility to sign their name to a letter it shouldn't be dealt with.

I know that, as Members of this Assembly, we have a responsibility to work on behalf of all people of the Northwest Territories. When people raise an issue with me in my constituency, I take the concern down and try to work on it. But, I always look at the other side of the story, and you cannot do that if a person makes a complaint and you don't know who it is. So, it is better not to deal with it.

I don't think, in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, we should be dealing with hearsay or rumours if people don't have the respect to sign letters. There's no way that at any time in this House we should be able to table unsigned documents, especially if they are character assassinations. We shouldn't table those documents, out of respect. We all have to do our job and do it with respect to the public, and I don't think by tabling letters that are unsigned that we are showing respect for the public. Thank you.

To the point of order, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank Mr. Nerysoo for raising this point of order today, and I would like to thank you for allowing us to speak to it. Mr. Speaker, I have been troubled, since written allegations were tabled in this Assembly earlier this week and reported in the media. Those written allegations clearly pointed to an individual in a small community. I have learned that this individual, since the tabling of the unsigned document and since the press reports, has been subjected to questions from the press and personal anguish -- the individual and his family.

It seems apparent, worse, that some of the allegations tabled in this Assembly were not true. Mr. Speaker, that individual has no right of reply whatsoever and no way of dealing with this. Mr. Speaker, a Member's privilege to be free from prosecution for defamation or slander for what is said in this House is a very sacred and a very special privilege given to MLAs speaking in this House alone. It is aimed at the full and free discussion of issues and it is aimed at the pursuit of truth. But, Mr. Speaker, in my view, if Members are allowed to act irresponsibly and table unsigned documents which may be furnished to Members for malicious or political purposes, then this is, in fact, an abuse of the privileges we enjoy as Members. And, it will diminish the reputation of this Assembly.

So, Mr. Speaker, unless we wish this Assembly to be a place where Members can undertake a character assassination without accountability for the source of the information, then I would respectfully recommend that this House should adopt a practice or procedure to not allow this kind of reckless practice to take place in the future. I think it is unfair to the innocent who have no opportunity to reply, and I think it goes against the purpose of Members' privileges, which I think is aimed at a full and free disclosure of issues in pursuit of the truth. It may, indeed, have the opposite effect if there aren't some reasonable restrictions placed on this practice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. To the point of order. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. To the point of order, Mr. Dent.

Hear, hear.

---Applause

To the point of order, Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been concerned about this matter for quite some time because I have heard of unsigned documents being tabled. They point out the concerns that they have, but they don't bother to put their signature on it. It is very difficult to support that individual if they refuse to sign their name. You are probably aware that in newspapers, there is a section where people can write letters and if they don't wish to put their name down, then it is withheld. When their names are not written down, how can we support that person if we want to respond by letter with regard to the concern we have or what kind of remedies that we might be able to offer? In this House, it is exactly the same when tabled documents are not signed. We can't really do anything else, when they aren't signed. Maybe in the future, if a letter that is not signed is tabled, perhaps it won't have any use even if it was tabled. Many times we get worried about the content. Even if we want to support that person, we can't really get in touch with them. So I personally feel that from now on, all tabled documents should be signed. Otherwise, they can't be tabled. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Pudluk. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. To the point of order, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rarely table documents in this House, and when I do, I prefer to table documents that are signed. I'm sure this will be a great task for you, Mr. Speaker, to make a ruling on this. As my colleague, Ludy Pudluk, said, it's very difficult to support the people when they request support if they don't have their names on the document.

We have to represent our constituents the best we can because we were elected by them. Even though I've been here only a little over three years, many times we don't pinpoint one particular person. This, we rarely see in this House when we table documents. I think we have to set up a policy for what kind of documents we should be tabling, whether they'll be signed or not. Just as my colleague said, in the newspapers there are a lot of unsigned letters that are published.

Maybe we should be reminded that we think the letters tabled in this House should be signed in this House. From listening to the comments that are being made by my colleagues, I think that would be the appropriate procedure. I think we'll have to set up a policy as to what kinds of documents, whether they be signed or unsigned, we should table. We have to be careful that it's not aimed at one particular person in the public. I think we'll have to give this more consideration so we won't encounter so many problems. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. To the point of order, Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. Good morning. Mr. Speaker, over the course of time that I've been in this Legislative Assembly, we have all, at one time or another, received letters that are unsigned and it has usually been that this issue has been discussed amongst Members or with the government, but I don't believe that I've seen one of those anonymous letters tabled in this House.

Mr. Speaker, the person writing that letter is not known to us or to the general public, or even to the person who they may be maligning, and I don't think that that practice should be allowed in this House.

Mr. Speaker, in the past, we've governed ourselves and we've done things as we see they should be done in a decent fashion. Unfortunately, an occurrence has happened, a document has been tabled that has caused an employee of the Department of Public Works, of which I'm Minister, some great discomfort.

Mr. Speaker, I'm also the Minister responsible for the public service, through the FMBS, and there are fears amongst our employees that this kind of thing, if it becomes a practice, could hit on anybody. Anybody could send in a letter that's unsigned, and if you can get a Member to table it, you could experience darts thrown at not only the public service of the Government of the Northwest Territories but anybody else who lives up here who may have annoyed somebody in the Northwest Territories. So I think, Mr. Speaker, that that practice should be stopped.

And I think, Mr. Speaker, taking a little bit of latitude on the point of order that you have before you right now, you should examine the points that Mr. Kakfwi made about whether or not we should be allowed to say damaging things about people in this House, whether it be a signed document or whether it be verbally. I think there needs to be some guidance given to Members in that particular regard.

Again, I'll repeat what other Members have said and that is that we could malign somebody in here, safe and secure, knowing that nobody could get back at us, and yet we can cause people in the Northwest Territories and their families much pain and suffering. We could cause them business losses, we could cause them to lose face in communities. There's no end to the damage that we could do to people if we don't rein ourselves in to be given some direction so that we conduct ourselves in what I would call a decent fashion, where we respect the views of other people, and we deal with these issues that cause frustration and may cause embarrassment in some other way. It can be done by meeting one on one with Ministers, or it can be done by meeting with the Premier, it can be done in Caucus if it has to be done. But, Mr. Speaker, it should not be done on the floor of this House.

Mr. Speaker, with regard to unsigned letters as opposed to anonymous letters, the government did table a document that had a number of unsigned letters in it last week, but those letters did have the names of the people on the bottom who had composed those letters and were responsible for them.

Hear, hear.

So you should also look at that particular aspect, Mr. Speaker, because when we table a document that has a name on it, the government is accepting full responsibility even though it may not be signed.

So, Mr. Speaker, your wise judgement is required, and your counsel and your guidance. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Thank you. To the point of order, Mr. Todd.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just merely want to add my voice to what has already been said by colleagues around the table, that this kind of behaviour is inappropriate and some guidance should be given to us post-haste. Thank you.

Hear, hear.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. To the point of order, Mr. Patterson.

Just one very small additional point, if I may, to assist you, Mr. Speaker. I know that several Members have referred to the practice of a newspaper printing unsigned letters, and I think they may be referring to the practice of Nunatsiaq News which is published in my constituency. I would just like to clarify for Members that Nunatsiaq News' policy is that a person may write a letter to the editor, sign it and identify themselves, but request that their name not be published. So the newspaper does have a policy of publishing those kinds of letters. But I would like to emphasize that they only publish letters where an individual signs the letter and makes their name known to the editor, for reasons of exposure to the employer or in another sensitive situation, request their name not be published. So I don't think they're actually publishing unsigned letters. They're publishing signed letters where people request that their names not be publicized. I would just like to make that point to assist you further, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. To the point of order, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a comment to the point of order. I feel, too, that the letters that are tabled in this House that are not signed should not be tabled, whether they come from the government or anybody else.

I feel that letters from government departments, if they're not signed by individuals, don't follow the law. If we're going to have a rule in this House that we only accept tabled documents that are signed, it would be appropriate. Thank you.

Thank you. To the point of order. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't want to take up too much more time, but I want to reiterate two points that have been raised already. On the matter of naming individuals, we have a long history in parliamentary democracy of protecting people from criticism or, at least, a situation where

their character could be called into question. It's interesting, Mr. Speaker, I know that Members don't want me to mention this, but the simple fact is, this issue is not simply an issue of one particular letter. In fact, the honourable Member for Thebacha was the one who, in fact, indicated that there are rules in this House that should have been followed. The fact is, she was under the impression -- after a number of responses -- that there were no rules. So, in my view, she was indicating there was a need to have rules.

The one other comment I want to make, Mr. Speaker, is simply this. We also have to be very careful about how and what we say about charges to personal characters. It is very important that we are careful, as Members of this House who represent the general public, what we say and how we affect the character of those who do not have -- as Mr. Patterson and Mr. Dent indicated -- the ability to defend themselves. The unfortunate situation, Mr. Speaker, is that oft-times maybe we forget that our responsibility is to the public good; and in doing our job, we have to make certain statements and make significant decisions that affect the lives of people.

So, Mr. Speaker, I want to ask one other thing. Upon your judgement on this issue, it is my belief that, at some time, the Rules, Privileges and Procedures Committee should establish guidelines, not necessarily rules, but guidelines on how we deal with the tabling of documents in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Are there any further comments on the point of order? I, first of all, would like to thank Mr. Nerysoo for bringing up the issue. When the issue of the tabling of unsigned documents came up I had concerns about it, but it had to be brought up by Members themselves. They have to raise a point of order. I would like you to remember that if you have questions about a Member bringing up an issue, your responsibility is to raise that right away. It should be dealt with at that time. I'm glad that this has been brought up. We are a consensus government and perhaps we have to look at this and what other jurisdictions do with regard to the tabling of documents. I appreciate the Members' comments and will reserve my ruling on it to a later date. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure of advising Members that new policies for operating and capital assistance for settlements and other small communities have been approved for implementation April 1, 1995.

The capital and operating assistance provided by the department to settlement corporations, settlements and unincorporated communities has evolved over the last 20 years, without a framework to ensure the necessary level of funding and the consistent and equitable distribution of this funding.

The settlement operating assistance policy and the settlement capital assistance policy, known commonly as SOAP and SCAP, will ensure fair and equitable distribution of funding to smaller settlements and communities. With the introduction of SOAP, operations funding to eligible communities will be based on a formula that accounts for the basic services and programs which a community government is expected to provide. The formula is similar to that used to distribute funds to hamlets, with appropriate modifications to fit the generally smaller communities.

Mr. Speaker, SOAP and SCAP will not only eliminate any real or apparent discrepancies between communities eligible for assistance, but it will harmonize the funding approach for settlements with that of hamlets. These discrepancies have long been a concern for MLAs with small communities and, in particular, in the Fort Smith region where the majority of settlement corporations, settlements and unincorporated communities are located.

It is generally acknowledged that the communities eligible under the new policies, that are generally characterized as small and relatively undeveloped, have previously lacked the resources to fully maximize their potential. It is with pleasure therefore, Mr. Speaker, that I can confirm SOAP will result in just over $700,000 in extra funds to these communities, allowing them to provide the essential levels of municipal services and good government that residents expect. These funds have been reallocated from within the department's budget, reflecting the commitment we have to this priority need.

Capital assistance under SCAP, Mr. Speaker, will harmonize the department's approach to the communities under SCAP with our approach to hamlets, charter communities and tax-based municipalities under the municipal capital assistance policy. The standards and criteria for capital are now generally based on the size and ability of communities to contribute, rather than the incorporated status of communities.

In the next few weeks, department staff will be contacting each of the eligible communities to explain the policy provisions, review the funding details and work with the community on an agreement for funding and accountability. This preparation work will be completed prior to implementation of the policies on April 1, 1995.

I am particularly pleased that, even with the difficult financial conditions we face, we have been able to address one of the priorities identified by many Members of this House. That is, we have established policies aimed at providing adequate funding to our settlements and small communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

March is Aboriginal Languages Month in Canada, and I want to take this opportunity to announce that the government will be signing a new language agreement on Tuesday.

The agreement with Heritage Canada will provide about $18 million in federal funding over a three-year period to support and strengthen aboriginal and French languages in the Northwest Territories. In conjunction with the agreement, a further $2 million is being made available by Parks Canada for initiatives, such as oral histories that support aboriginal culture.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to announce the creation of a community language leader awards program.

The purpose of the program is to recognize individuals and organizations, at the community level, who promote the use of official languages. Nominations for the first awards will be sought in the next few months, after details on the selection criteria have been finalized.

The first recipients of the award will be announced at the beginning of the aboriginal languages month next March.

Mr. Speaker, the government recognizes that use of official languages is fundamental to the operation of good government in the Northwest Territories, by making it possible for the public to understand and benefit from government activities, programs and services.

The establishment of this award program is one way of recognizing the value we place on use of languages in the territories. And the recognition of individuals and organizations is an indication of our belief that language development and revitalization must begin at the community level.

Mr. Speaker, I would like Members to join me in acknowledging the individuals and organizations who have worked hard to promote the use of languages in the Northwest Territories, as well as our interpreters who make it possible to conduct the business of the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to announce that I will be introducing a new Education Act in this House later today.

---Applause

It is an accomplishment in which the public, school boards, and Members of the Legislative Assembly have participated.

This proposed new law for education gives authority to communities for the delivery of schooling. It provides the flexibility we need for future constitutional development. It focuses on students, promotes parental and community decision-making, and enables communities to develop a vision for their schools and for their children's learning.

The Education Act which now governs the system was approved in 1977. The organization of local education authorities in this act provided for a progression from advisory committee, to society, and finally to a decision-making board. Although some committees did become societies, societies did not evolve into boards. The system the 1977 act put in place recognized the importance of local control and culture, but it retained most of the authority for program delivery with the Minister and the department.

In 1982, the Special Committee on Education reviewed the system and introduced a new structure to give more local control to communities -- divisional boards of education. The Education Act was amended to provide for divisional boards in 1983 and, since then, has been amended many times. Eight divisional boards were established across the north, from 1985 with the Baffin Divisional Board of Education, to 1990 with the South Slave Divisional Board of Education. These changes were significant. Communities, through divisional boards, began to make more decisions about schooling.

Now communities want to make decisions about schooling not envisaged in 1977 or 1982. They want to be able to make broad decisions about learning and have more authority and flexibility than they have through the current law. They want real authority to provide direction in education in their schools and in their communities. They want high standards of excellence in education and they want the Minister and department to ensure that these standards are consistent across the territories.

Immense changes have occurred in our country and in the Northwest Territories in the last 15 years. We have seen the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of Canada; new technology; changes in the age, values and skills of the population; and, increasing fiscal restraints, to name a few. In consultation with the people across the north, we have developed a strategy for Education, Culture and Employment programs to take us 15 years into the future, but we need a new Education Act to support and enable the kind of change envisaged for education.

People have been asked and have provided direction for the legislative change they think is necessary in education. In 1990, they provided general directions through a consultation process and in 1994, they gave us more specific direction about each section of the proposed act. Last November, we tabled a legislative discussion paper on the draft of the new Education Act. We presented and discussed it in detail with the Standing Committee on Legislation and with boards and divisional boards of education. Concerns about specific proposals have been raised and debated and, where possible, changes made in the legislation.

Education is a subject which is important to everyone and everyone has opinions on what they would like to see change or what they think is most important. Although we cannot hope to have consensus on every issue, the consultation so far has resulted in changes in the act which I believe address most concerns and respond to the directions we have received.

The new Education Act begins with students and ends with the administration of the system. It emphasizes partnership and enables students to be real partners in their learning. It continues to recognize language and culture as the foundation of the system and increases the responsibilities of educators, as well as students, parents and community authorities. Above all, it enables communities to make decisions together, in those areas where they can pool their resources and separately, when they are providing direction for the schools in their communities. It enables change and development in the education system.

This government has recognized the inherent right of aboriginal peoples to self-government. The changes proposed in this act will facilitate the development of a unique Inuit system of education in Nunavut and will facilitate change in the western territory to enable people to set their own education goals.

Mr. Speaker, this Assembly has stated that education is a priority, and I believe that introducing and considering the new Education Act now demonstrates that priority. This act is the result of considerable investment and consultation over the years. It will be seen as an accomplishment of the 12th Assembly. Thank you.

---Applause

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

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I've been very concerned over the past week about the recent news reports on CBC and recent headlines in our newspapers about the heavy use of cocaine. The use of cocaine and any other drug has very, very serious impacts on our society and on our youth. We now find that there are gangs in the area of Yellowknife and there is a lot of drug trafficking which is leading to violence. There has been a rash of thefts and break-ins and all of this impacts on our justice system.

I think it is incumbent upon our formal justice system to start getting tough. The police and our court system led by judges have to start putting a heavy hand down. Our judges, in many cases are appointed by the Minister of Justice, and if they are a Supreme Court judge, I believe they are appointed by the federal government. I'm sure pressure from this Assembly, by people of the Northwest Territories, and from the Minister can give some direction to help deter and reduce the problem. Judges should get tough. They should start giving stiffer sentences to lawbreakers and not continually slap them on the wrist and give them negligible fines. Thank you, very much.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to inform my constituents that during the recess of this House, from March 11th to March 26th, I will not be able to travel home. The Nunavut Caucus, NIC and NTI will be meeting on March 16th to deal with the Price Waterhouse report, which is an important component in designing the Nunavut government. However, I assure them that on the 18th, I will be going to Pangnirtung. I regret that I won't be able to go to Broughton Island and Clyde River during our break. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to screw up my courage, here. Mr. Speaker, I have served in this House for 15 years, including many years as a Cabinet Minister. Members of this House know that I have always been a major supporter of division and have long awaited the creation of the new Nunavut territory. I hope that Members of this House view me as a man who will speak his mind honestly and to the point. However, Mr. Speaker, I have to confess that I have been living a lie for the past few years.

Mr. Speaker, over the past few months, there have been a number of reports in the media and in other venues that I am a committed supporter of the "Iqaluit for capital" campaign. However, Mr. Speaker, today I must confess to all Members that I have now come to recognize Rankin Inlet as the best and only logical choice to become the capital of the new Nunavut territory.

Shame.

---Applause

And I'm not running for re-election.

---Laughter

No, sorry, I wasn't supposed to say that. Mr. Speaker, I must tell Members that I came to this realization after Mr. Todd outbid all others, to the tune of $580, to purchase me at the auction during the Nunavut Trade Show.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to say that this auction raised over $27,000 to benefit the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Iqaluit Child Care Society.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Todd's purpose in purchasing me was to educate me about Keewatin political correctness.

---Laughter

I will require consent, Mr. Speaker, to complete this important statement.

---Laughter

The Member for Iqaluit is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Todd has provided me with audio cassettes that repeat the following phrase when I sleep: "Rankin Inlet and the Keewatin are wonderful. Rankin Inlet and the Keewatin are wonderful. Rankin Inlet and the Keewatin are wonderful. Rankin Inlet and the Keewatin are wonderful."

---Laughter Is that enough, John?

---Laughter

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, Members will note that these cassettes allow me to utilize my time in an efficient manner as they play while I sleep and re-educate me about the Keewatin. I would recommend their use for all Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

---Applause

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

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good Friday morning. I can't speak as eloquently as the other Members in this House but, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to inform my constituents, even though we represent the whole Northwest Territories, that I won't be able to go home right

away next week, but I'll be able to go home during the weekend next week.

I would like to inform my constituents that I will be behind, but I will still be open to them if they have any issues or concerns that they would like to bring to me. I would just like to inform my constituents that I will be able to go to my community some time, not next week but the week after that. I am not leaving them behind and I am not just shutting out their concerns or their issues that they would like to discuss with me. I will still be open to them. I just wanted to inform my constituents of this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on March 3rd regarding assistance for disabled adults living outside institutions.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services has a number of programs in place that can assist disabled adults who choose to live in their own homes. There are coordinated home care programs in six communities across the NWT, and our budget for 1995-96 has proposed to enhance theses services by the addition of community-based respite and home care programs in four more communities.

Mr. Speaker, disabled adults can also take advantage of medical and hospital care, medical travel, non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit people and social assistance special needs benefits. The social assistance program also provides $125 per month to any disabled adult who is eligible for social assistance and unable to pursue employment.

There is no specific program that provides a disability pension to disabled residents; however, my colleague, the Honourable Richard Nerysoo, is consulting with people across the Northwest Territories through the Minister's forum on income support reform. These consultations will include discussions about the income needs of the disabled. As you know, Mr. Speaker, it will be very important for us to redesign our income support system over the next year, in preparation for the block funding of social assistance by the federal government starting in 1996 and 1997, and, as part of this reform, the income support needs of all residents will be considered.

Mr. Speaker, I have a further return to a question asked on February 22, 1995, also by Mrs. Marie-Jewell regarding the status of staff housing available for purchase.

Mr. Speaker, the initiative to eliminate staff housing entirely applies to level I communities and Inuvik only. In Yellowknife, two houses remain to be sold to the tenants who have offered to purchase them. The sales have been delayed while a problem with retaining walls on the properties has been remedied. Until the repair is complete, the title cannot be transferred.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has three single-family units which are not currently offered for sale. One has been retained for the Commissioner as part of an agreement with the federal government. Two have been retained for Ministers who have moved to Yellowknife to undertake their Cabinet duties, and they can remain in staff housing for the life of this government; after which, the houses will be sold on the open market.

The sale of one vacant duplex is waiting for a legal survey. It will be sold on the open market.

Dorset apartments have been on the market since October 1994. Sales of Burwash and Matonabee apartments are in progress as purchasers are arranging financing. The buildings will be sold with the remaining tenants in place, as required by the Residential Tenancies Act.

Two multi-family properties remain which may not yet have been listed for sale. Lanky Court row housing will be sold in conjunction with an adjoining federal property, when an arrangement is concluded for the joint sale. Rockhill apartments will become the property of the GNWT on April 1, 1995, under a lease-purchase agreement. It is currently occupied by Arctic College students. A decision as to whether it will be sold will be made when the college completes its housing plan.

In Fort Smith, one single-family house remains to be sold to the tenant who is in the process of arranging financing.

There is one duplex which remains unsold. The tenant has been trying to purchase it and has a short time left to arrange financing. The duplex will be listed with a local realtor if the tenant is unsuccessful.

Three trailers and a house have been listed for public sale since September. There is a tenant in the house. The trailers are vacant. The tenant remains in the house, in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act.

All other staff housing has been exchanged with units leased for the Arctic College for student housing. This has allowed the GNWT to meet college requirements at a lower cost. Leased units have been offered for sale by the owner at the government's request, which has allowed the GNWT to terminate leases.

In Hay River, all staff housing has been sold except for two duplexes. These sales are delayed while the legal plan is registered. One is vacant and the other will be sold to the tenants who expressed interest in purchasing some time ago. The other will be sold through the local realtor.

In Inuvik, all single-family housing has been sold. Row housing has either been sold or has offers pending after a recent public tender. Tenants remain in the row housing units after the sale, in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act. Other row housing has been turned over to Arctic College for student housing, or to the Housing Corporation.

The GNWT has leases on two apartment buildings which will be allowed to expire at their termination dates; Mountain View in May 1995 and Boot Lake in December 1997. Tenants remain in these units.

I have a further reply to another question that was asked by Mrs. Jeannie Marie-Jewell on February 24, 1995 regarding authorization for a 90-day time frame for fire suppression negotiations.

Mr. Speaker, in the submission to Cabinet, it was recommended by the sponsoring departments, Public Works and Services and Renewable Resources, that negotiations with Dene Metis Holdings Limited should start immediately and be concluded within 90 days in order to allow for the approval of the contract by the end of 1994 and for construction of a hangar to start in the summer of 1995. The objective of the 90-day time frame was not to establish a rigid schedule, but to ensure significant progress so that arrangements could be completed in time to have plans in place for the 1995 fire season. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Patterson on March 1, 1995 with respect to the development of policy for film industry.

As indicated in my initial response, a person-year has not been dedicated to assisting the industry. During this time of restraint, it isn't possible for the department to dedicate one person to work solely on film development. Existing staff will be utilized to meet industry needs, at least in the short term.

The department has provided support to the industry by utilizing the business development fund and will continue to do so. The fund can provide up to $150,000 per project, based on employment and other economic benefits. Typically, the department will provide $25,000 for every $200,000 in expenditures made in the north by film companies. The guidelines for the Canada/NWT economic development agreement also allow for assistance to film companies who are developing film or video projects. Other assistance is also available through a network of federal programming through Telefilm Canada, the National Film Board and the Canadian independent film and video fund. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Finance. In the Finance Minister's Budget Address, delivered on February 20th, the honourable Minister detailed some of the restraint measures to be undertaken by this government. At the end of the section on restraint measures, in his speech the Minister stated: "In addition to these reductions, Mr. Speaker, there is a very real possibility that further cost cutting may be necessary over the coming fiscal year. We must await the outcome of the federal budget to know precisely where we stand." I would like to ask the Minister, now that the federal Budget Address has been delivered and the Minister and his staff have spent some time analysing the details of the speech, is there a real possibility that further cost cutting may be necessary over the coming fiscal year?

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the budget that you see before you remains the same. There will be some minor adjustments. There may be some write-down required with the settlement of the health billings dispute. I am not sure on that. I haven't got all the numbers yet. The budget that you have before you right now for this fiscal year, 1995-96, will remain the same.

The problem, Mr. Speaker, is going to occur in 1996-97. That is where we lose $58 million again from the amount that we would have normally received in that particular year in the grant from Canada. That will put the next government, in putting and O and M and capital budget together for 1996-97, in the bad position of having to look at a $100 million shortfall in that fiscal year.

So, Mr. Speaker, Cabinet has been wrestling with the approach to take with the next government. If we don't start to look at some measures now, we may just be bringing that government up against a really hard wall. Cabinet has requested and received documents that spell out to them all the programs and revenue in some detail at the task level. Cabinet is reviewing those Ministers individually. We will be meeting shortly to look at those particular things to see if there is something we should be doing between now and the end of our term, in order to prepare the next government for at least having a shot at balancing the budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

I would like to thank the Minister for that response. As he mentioned, the impact may not hit us in this current budget that we are reviewing, but will in the following year. If the number the Minister used, $100 million, is correct, that will be a big whack in one year. Is the Minister taking any steps now to start the process? Are you making any cuts that will impact what we do next year?

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are going to lose that $58 million and there is usually $30 million to $40 million in forced growth and the price of things go up. So I shouldn't say that $100 million is a hard number. We can say to departments that you are going to have to eat these inflationary increases. That would bring that number down. Nevertheless, it does require us to start working right now. At the present time, FMBS is putting together some outlines of rules and regulations for this government to be able to come forward with supplementary appropriations. I think Mrs. Marie-Jewell has asked to see a copy of those rules and regulations when they are laid down, and I said I would provide them. I think SCOF wants a copy as well, and I said I would provide it to them. So, that's the first thing that we're doing as

a government, and that's to make sure that our spending doesn't run away this year.

The second thing that I'm extremely worried about is if we have a bad firefighting year again. We should make some decisions very, very early on, whether or not we're going to give Renewable Resources the kind of policy they have right now, which is virtually a blank cheque and to report back to us about how many fires they fought and how much it cost. That's another cost containment measure that I think will do us well to get under control. We're getting full cooperation from Renewable Resources and they will be providing us with an update on a policy very shortly.

Individually, as I said, Ministers are beginning to look at their programs and become more familiar with other ministerial programs. What will happen very shortly is that this government will look at the list and repriorize, if we have to, what our goals and objectives are and what the reflection of this Legislative Assembly is with regard to priorities in the Northwest Territories. From that, Mr. Speaker, we will make some decisions on if there are impacts we can make on our budget this year that will put the next government on better footing.

I would anticipate that by June, we will be on our way to making decisions in that particular area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the recommendations from the Standing Committee on Finance was for this government to begin preparing a transition plan to do some of the things that the Minister just stated. We have now set the election date in this House and I would like to know what the Minister is currently doing in developing a transition plan.

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the responsibility for the transition plan rests with the Premier and her office. Finance and FMBS are part of the document that deals with the fiscal issues and we will be making recommendations to the Premier who will eventually take that plan to Cabinet. I also have a commitment to meet, I believe in the third week of August or some time late in August, for the last time with the Standing Committee on Finance to bring them up to date on where we are, fiscally, before going into the election. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked some general questions of the Minister of Public Works about negotiated contracts, and he said he would be pleased to respond if I had a more detailed proposal. I would now like to ask the Minister, Mr. Speaker, if he's aware of an offer from Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and the Kakivak Association to provide leased premises for the planned new area office of Renewable Resources in Iqaluit, in the building they're proposing to construct on prime land in the downtown of Iqaluit this summer.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm aware of the offer from these companies and there has been discussion between myself and the Minister of Renewable Resources with regard to this project. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he's aware that the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and the Kakivak Association would be very pleased to negotiate a lease with the Department of Public Works and Services and that, to encourage this new corporation to get a start in real estate and to develop this prime land, the Iqaluit Chamber of Commerce has indicated it's not opposed to a negotiated lease. Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Yes, I'm aware of those facts, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he's aware that, with the help of Nunasi Corporation and a northern architect and a northern construction firm, it is hoped that phase I of this building will be put up this summer and, therefore, Cabinet approval -- if there is to be a negotiated contract -- must be expedited in order to meet sealift deadlines for this year? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, if the Department of Renewable Resources decides this is the way they want to go and they come to DPW to get us to negotiate, if Cabinet approves, we will recognize those time and supply constraints that this project would be affected by and would do our utmost to conclude negotiations in order to meet the sealift deadlines. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm very encouraged by all that the Minister has said. I guess I would now like to gird my loins and ask him...

---Laughter

Screw up my courage -- whatever is the appropriate expression -- and ask him, in light of all the above and the support that is there, is the Minister prepared to recommend -- provided there is a fair and reasonable price -- that a contract be negotiated with the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and the Kakivak Association to provide for the area office requirements of Renewable Resources in Iqaluit? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Renewable Resources has advised me that they are aware of this project. They are checking with two other corporations in Iqaluit. When Renewable Resources comes back and tells me that they've done their investigation or polling, as it were, and this is the corporation they recommend to me that they negotiate with, I will put it to Cabinet, receive their instructions and, if I'm given the green light, I will go and negotiate -- and hard, I will tell you -- this contract immediately. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In the Finance Minister's Budget Address, the Minister announced that the Department of Economic Development and Tourism has allocated $650,000 for two three-person economic development officer teams to serve smaller communities where no economic development officers are present. I believe the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism calls this "an itinerant EDO service."

Mr. Speaker, this is a very good initiative and should help the people in smaller communities, but I would like to get some clarification on how this program is going to work. I would like to ask the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism,

from which community will these two three-person teams be working out of?

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These positions will operate out of Economic Development regional offices. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

I understand there are regional offices in the Baffin, Keewatin, Kitikmeot, Inuvik, Fort Smith and also in Yellowknife. There are only two teams of three people, so I would like to know, specifically, where they're going to be stationed from.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I seem to be having a terrible time this session taking all of these questions as notice, but I'll have to take this question as notice. Thank you.

---Applause

The question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Justice if he could describe the status of his negotiations with the federal government to take over prosecutions in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, certainly, for one, hope that the answer will be yes.

I would like to ask the Minister, Mr. Speaker; I'm aware that in previous negotiations which had gone on for many years, one of the concerns of the federal government was that the office of the director of public prosecutions, or the office of the Attorney General for the Northwest Territories in charge of prosecutions, would be independent and free from political interference. I would like to ask the Minister, has he and his officials developed a model for how the Northwest Territories would handle this important responsibility which will demonstrate that the office of the director of public prosecutions will be independent, impartial and free from political interference? Has that model been developed?