The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a short statement today to update Members on the northern manufacturing initiative. This initiative was started by the Housing Corporation to create employment opportunities and to encourage the development of manufacturing businesses in the NWT.

Through this initiative, the Housing Corporation has broken down large material tender packages to encourage northern manufacturers to bid. In 1993-94, the corporation entered into multi-year contracts with northern firms to manufacture specific housing materials. In addition to these long-term contracts, the corporation has listed which materials must be manufactured in the NWT in their contracts.

The Housing Corporation spends approximately $17 million each year on construction materials. Although virtually all materials for corporation houses are purchased from northern suppliers, most of these products have been manufactured in the south.

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For the 1995-96 construction year we expect that figure to rise to over 25 per cent. This represents more than $4 million in expenditures going back into our northern economy.

The following housing materials are being manufactured in the Northwest Territories: windows; doors; kitchen and bathroom cabinets; fuel tanks and fuel tank stands; dimensional lumber; foundation screwjacks; roof trusses; tubs and tub surrounds; and, sewage and water tanks.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that effective July 1st of this year, all government staff at Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife will be transferred to Yellowknife Education District No. 1.

An Hon. Member

Bravo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Agreements have been negotiated with the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association and the Union of Northern Workers.

In addition to the transfer of staff, procedures have been agreed upon for the transfer of the capital facilities.

Mr. Speaker, this transfer finally brings into reality the long standing vision of Education District No. 1 to have complete control of the public education system in Yellowknife from kindergarten through grade 12.

I would like to publicly recognize and thank the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association, the Union of Northern Workers and the staff and board of Yellowknife Education District No. 1 for their hard work and commitment to finalizing this agreement.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, I do want to thank my colleague, Mr. Pollard, and the staff in FMBS and the Department of Education for their work.

Mr. Speaker, there will be a ceremony to mark the transfer of these responsibilities to Yellowknife Education District No. 1 tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. at Sir John Franklin High School. I would like to invite all Members of this House to attend the ceremony. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Allooloo on March 28, 1995, status of rents charged for GNWT parking.

The Department of Public Works and Services studied the cost and provision of parking spaces for government staff in Yellowknife. The charge to staff for a parking space reflects recovery of electrical, lot maintenance and lease costs. The user-pay principle is being followed. The rates are reviewed annually to reflect adjustments to costs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Allooloo on March 3, 1995. It concerns summer student employment program.

Mr. Speaker, the government hires students to fill casual positions over the summer period. The terms and conditions of employment for casual employees are established in the collective agreement between the government and the Union of Northern Workers. During recent collective bargaining, the government was unable to negotiate separate casual wage rates for summer students. The result is that when the government hires students to fill casual jobs, it must pay the negotiated rate associated with the nature of the work being performed. The government cannot adjust the rate of pay based on who is doing the work.

The government must also abide by collective agreement requirements on contracting out work. Employing students for government work through contracts with other agencies may constitute contracting out.

Mr. Speaker, the government is continuing to explore options to resolve this issue. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to recognize a very good friend of mine, SAO from Pelly Bay, Elwood Johnston who came to Pelly Bay for the Hamlet recovery of programs about two or three years ago. He recovered the financial situation within record time. Elwood Johnston.

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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