Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise Members that Canada's Environment and Energy Ministers met in February and approved a national action program on climate change. This program describes the steps that federal, provincial and territorial governments are beginning to take to control the emission of gases which cause warming of the earth's atmosphere. These gases are commonly known as greenhouse gases.

Carbon dioxide, released during the burning of fossil fuels, is the most significant of these gases. Along with water vapour in clouds, the gases trap the sun's energy and keep the atmosphere warm. Now, human activities around the world are releasing so much of these gases that the earth's climate is beginning to change.

The national action program that Canada's Environment and Energy Ministers approved depends heavily on organizations adopting voluntary actions to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. In the Northwest Territories, the departments of Renewable Resources, Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources and others are developing programs to encourage northerners to take the necessary voluntary actions.

Some of these actions include:

-Renewable Resources is participating in the Mackenzie Basin impact study to help understand anticipated changes to the north's climate which will result from these emissions.

-Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has completed an inventory of the greenhouse gas emissions caused by people in the Northwest Territories. They found that most of our emissions come from burning petroleum products for energy, transportation, heating and making electricity. The Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is also managing energy efficiency programs and renewable energy initiatives as well as working towards the expansion of waste heat use from diesel generators.

-The Power Corporation and the Department of Public Works started recovering waste heat from diesel generators 10 years ago.

-A new wind generator system to make electricity has been installed in Cambridge Bay and two other units are currently being tested in Igloolik.

-Private companies in the Northwest Territories are supplying solar and wind energy systems to northerners.

These are just some examples of actions that will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and reduce fuel consumption. Another important benefit will be the saving of money.

Mr. Speaker, climate change is a problem that the Department of Renewable Resources takes seriously. It is a problem that we are just beginning to understand and it is a problem that will be with us for a long time. Renewable Resources will continue to work to develop a better understanding of what the impacts on the northern environment will be and will continue to work with others to control our own greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have mentioned this before briefly in the House and I would like to mention it again. Quite some time ago, the federal government started going to the northern communities. The aboriginal people's lives were really changed. Recently, they haven't been sure what to do about it. Some aboriginal people have lost their culture. There is a high rate of suicide. There was a high rate of sexual assault by teachers when people were young. These are some of the things that have really hurt the feelings of the aboriginal people. Today, they are starting to find out for themselves exactly how much they have been hurt. Now, we're starting to deal with the healing process.

Last year, there was a healing process in Resolute Bay, there were healing workshops, and they were very helpful for the people; next month, they will have another healing workshop in Resolute Bay. I know there are going to be a lot of people from the communities in the north wanting to attend the healing process.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

Thank you. The Member for High Arctic is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Pudluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, sisters and brothers. The healing workshop that was held in Resolute Bay was very helpful to the people. Next month, I'm sure there will be a lot of people attending the clinic and there are going to be a lot of volunteers. The people who want to attend the workshop will be supported by some organizations and some airlines will also support the people who want to attend. I appreciate that very much.

Inuit know they will not go back to their traditional way of living but they know they are not going to lose their cultures or traditions. Their way of life is changing because a lot of people have moved away from their culture and traditions. For this reason, it's very important that they have a healing workshop. The group that is going to be holding the healing clinic in Resolute Bay is requesting that the NWT government provide interpreters for use during the healing clinics so people can understand each other in the workshop. Mr. Speaker, this is what I wanted to make a statement on because I feel it's very helpful for people to have. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For more than seven years, the major criticism of this Assembly is its lack of accountability. We have a fixed term of four years, with no mandate from the public other than election promises to work hard on certain issues and to be a good representative of the people. As individuals, we are free to vote in any way we please as we have no party discipline to direct us.

The major public concern I heard expressed, however, is that we're very good at making speeches, full of good intentions but we are reluctant to enforce on ourselves any standard of accountability or discipline. We make many laws that regulate the activities of other people but make few laws to enforce discipline on ourselves. Three years ago when I first began reading material on the issue of recalling elected Members, I had an open mind, Mr. Speaker. Over a period of three years, however, it has become more clear to me that the Legislature needed to do something more than make fine declarations against violence and adopt guidelines for the conduct and behaviour of Members.

Where political parties exist, very clear discipline is exercised over Members and there are consequences for breaking the rules. Since we're elected as individuals by our constituents, our accountability is very clearly to the electorate. If recall is appropriate anywhere in the world, Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate in the Northwest Territories, where we follow a consensus form of government and are not bound by party discipline. If it weren't for the fact that we follow a parliamentary system of government with a set of rules and

conventions, there would be a very undisciplined rabble in this Assembly, Mr. Speaker, I can assure Members.

At least for our behaviour in this Chamber, we have rules to follow and there are penalties for breaking them. As we all know, they are your responsibility, Mr. Speaker. Now that we've adopted so many principles to guide us in our work outside this chamber, we need some mechanism to make Members accountable. Today, I shall give first reading to Bill 31, Recall Act, and I urge Members to read the bill with an open mind since the bill will be in your books after I give it first reading today. I will have no fear in serving in this Legislature if this bill were in force. Thank you.

-Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

I'm very pleased to be back. I really missed you guys.

---Laughter

Just kidding. Today, Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge the achievements of two people from the Beaufort/Delta communities. We have two graduates of the Beaufort/Delta teacher education program who just graduated in the last two months. Ida Thrasher is from Aklavik and presently teaches in the Moose Kerr school, which is my alma mater. Ida entered the field-based program at the Inuvik centre a number of years ago and decided to continue her studies in the education field when the program was made available in the region. Ida was able to add diversity to her experience through her practicum sessions in Inuvik and in Tuktoyaktuk. She completed her studies on January 27, 1995 and plans on continuing her studies at the University of Saskatchewan.

The other graduate is Betty Elias who lives and teaches in Tuktoyaktuk. She began her studies through the field-based teacher education program also and attained the aboriginal language specialist certificate in 1992. She has worked as a classroom assistant and as a bilingual teacher at Mangilaluk School for a number of years. Her experience in these areas has proven very beneficial in her course of studies. Betty completed her studies on March 4, 1995.

I wish to offer my sincere congratulations to these two graduates and I wish all the best to all the other teacher education program students in the Beaufort Delta communities and throughout the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today Members were fortunate to receive a very informative briefing on the clean-up of DEW Line and DIAND sites in the Arctic. I would like to thank officials from DND, DIAND, the Department of the Environment and the team that was assembled to give us an informative briefing today.

I was astonished to learn, Mr. Speaker, that the Resolution Island site in my constituency is apparently the worst site in the Northwest Territories for contaminants. It is estimated that it might cost up to $30 million to clean up and remove contaminated soil unless innovative bio-remediation techniques can be employed. It sounds very exciting.

Fortunately, Mr. Speaker, Resolution Island is very hard to get to, due to treacherous waters around it and the nature of the island. It is a veritable fortress with high cliffs to scale, except for one access point. Again, fortunately, very few people from the area visit that island.

I am frankly more concerned about the hazardous levels of contaminants identified at the upper airbase site right near the community of Iqaluit. Therefore, I was very pleased to learn that DIAND, following its risk assessment last year, has identified that site as its number one clean-up priority for 1995. I will be encouraging them to make that site a priority and get on with the work of dealing with the clean-up of a site close to community habitation. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak about the fact that the Yellowknife Ski Club will be hosting the annual Northwest Territories cross-country ski championships on April 1st and 2nd, which is this Saturday and Sunday. They are expecting 90 or more skiers to participate ranging in age from two years to people in our age category, those over 40.

Participants confirmed are from Yellowknife, Snare Lake, Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik. We are also expecting some skiers from Kakisa and hopefully from Fort Providence, Mr.

Speaker. In past events, there have been skiers from Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay.

These skiers will be skiing a distance of up to 20 kilometres. In Saturday's race, we are using the classic technique. In Sunday's race, we are using the free technique. This is the thing that young skiers can do now. They can skate about 19 times as fast as we can ski.

The Yellowknife Ski Club has a race committee consisting of many volunteers who meet to coordinate the various requirements for competitive events. Yellowknife ski trails are considered sufficiently challenging to be able to host national junior level competitions. As well, there are approximately 30 other volunteers out on the ski trails to ensure that the skiers have a good time in fair competition.

The Yellowknife Ski Club has a significant number of volunteers who, through the years, have developed an excellent recreation facility within the city of Yellowknife. During the past few months, a great deal of work has been done to renovate the biathlon range and it recently became operational. Several young people and veteran skiers are now working on improving their skills in this nordic sport.

In addition to activities in Yellowknife, the ski club has also supported the development of cross-country skiing in other communities. Our volunteer coaches have travelled to several communities in the Northwest Territories. Recently, clinics have been held in Snare Lake and Norman Wells. Skiers from Yellowknife have participated in the Canada Games, the western Canadian championships recently hosted by the ski club in La Ronge, Saskatchewan; the national junior championships recently held in Ontario; and, some skiers had the opportunity to attend the recent Nordic World Ski Championships held in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Yellowknife North is seeking unanimous consent to conclude. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue, Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the Yellowknife Ski Club volunteers, John Stephenson -- who, for many years, was my executive assistant -- was invited to assist with trail grooming in the world championships. There were 34 Yellowknifers who recently travelled to Hay River to participate in the annual ski club races. Our participants did well in these competitions and they are looking forward to hosting several Hay River participants this coming weekend.

So races will begin at 11:00 each morning. There will be hot drinks and snacks available at the ski lodge. The club welcomes all spectators to attend these events. I have been asked to invite all MLAs, if we have any time over the weekend, to come out and have a look at our ski club.

In conclusion, I would like to give some recognition to some people who have been instrumental over the years in making the Yellowknife Ski Club a very successful operation. Coach David Sutherland for many years has coached our athletes at many levels of competition; Blair and Linda Dunbar; Fran Ramsden is the present president; Ros Smith is the vice-president; and, John Monroe is facilities coordinator, who looks after the building and the trail lights. I would like to wish all the participants at the upcoming NWT championships the best of luck, and we hope to see some MLAs out to cheer on the participants from their communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise as we have a lot of concerns about the environment in our communities. I grew up in Nunavik and my parents stem from the northern Quebec area so I have a lot of relatives out in that region. So, Mr. Speaker, the government has to try to help us in all aspects and not just give us hardships. The people of Quebec are fighting hard to keep Quebec a part of Canada. I think it is upon ourselves to try to help them remain within Canada, if Quebec was to divide as a Canadian province. I would like to voice my support for the Inuit of northern Quebec to stay within Canada, Mr. Speaker. This is why I rose today. I'm sure a lot of the people here have relatives in northern Quebec, and it is upon ourselves to support the people of northern Quebec with their fight to stay within Canada. They have a good future as fellow Canadians. We will have to give continuing support for the people of northern Quebec to stay within Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take time to inform the House of a very important project in my constituency. Mr. Speaker, in today's society, the preservation of one's culture is challenged by many distractions. A key element in preserving one's culture is education. This education must begin with children and must continue as the child grows. Mr. Speaker, the success of this also greatly depends on educating the children in the appropriate environment.

Two years ago, the Sachon Gonozu Gha Youth Centre in Fort Simpson was established with this in mind. The youth centre is currently organized and run by a group of volunteer community members, the Youth Management Committee. This committee consists of youth between the ages of 12 and 25 from the community. This committee decides the direction of the youth centre, however, Mr. Speaker, views of all community members, regardless of age, are invited. The committee is responsible for approving youth centre programming.

Mr. Speaker, because of the positive and encouraging results achieved by the Sachon Gonozu Gha Youth Centre, other communities of the surrounding area have become very interested in adopting a similar concept for a youth oriented/youth-directed centre for special events and regular programming for community youth.

The programs offered reflect the needs and desires of the youth. Programs include probation officer training; Alateen meetings; women's support groups; sexuality/spirituality cultural identity workshops; special needs programs and so forth; and, conference workshop and participation, as well, as other excellent programs too numerous to mention.

So you see, Mr. Speaker, community involvement of all ages is the basic ingredient for all programs. Programming at the centre directly reflects the mandate. Some of these activities are offered in connection with supervisor/coordinator of the events by the alcohol and drug counsellor. All activities are generally directed for the pleasure of the youth. The main idea is to have fun in a safe and healthy environment. This includes...

Mr. Speaker, my time has run out for my Member's statement. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Nahendeh is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. This includes the promotion of increased self-esteem for any individual. The freedom of unique expression by all youth, the development of positive socialization skills between youth/youth and youth/adults, and the development of communication skills, the awareness of choices and options, and the freedom and confidence to make responsible decisions.

Mr. Speaker, the Sachon Gonozu Gha Youth Centre is the result of a concerted effort of dedication and commitment from individuals and organizations. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to ask this House to join me in recognizing these efforts, and to applaud that very positive influence in the youth of the Fort Simpson region. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two returns to oral questions today. One asked by Mr. Antoine on March 9, 1995 with respect to federal royalties to the NWT from mining activities.

Royalties from the mines vary widely depending on the profit of the mine. The maximum royalty rate is 12 per cent of the value of production, after certain costs are deducted. This is the lowest rate in Canada.

In the NWT, royalties received by the federal government from mines have ranged from $71,000 in 1986-87 to about $3 million in 1989-90, with an average payment of about $8 million a year over the last five years, for which figures are available. The federal government also charges staking fees which amounted

to about $4.5 million in 1993-94. The GNWT does not receive any of these revenues.

If NWT Mines were charged royalties that apply in other parts of Canada, the revenues collected would have been much higher. As a result of the last federal budget, the federal government has begun a process of updating its mineral revenue regime for the NWT to bring it in line with other jurisdictions.

Mr. Speaker, I have another return. This was asked by Mr. Antoine on March 8th with respect to improvements to the highway system.

On Wednesday, March 8, 1995, the Member for Nahendeh asked me if the Department of Transportation was looking at ways of improving the Highway 7 loop linking the Alaska Highway west of Fort Nelson, British Columbia to the Mackenzie Highway south of Fort Simpson.

In answer to the Member's question, for the upcoming fiscal year, 1995-96, the Department of Transportation is proceeding with the construction of a new bridge on Highway 7 over the Poplar River. The department has no other capital plans for a further upgrade at this time.

It is also important to note that the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways does not maintain its 186-kilometre section of the Liard Highway to the same standard as the Northwest Territories' Department of Transportation. In fact, British Columbia has reduced the posted speed limit on this section of road from 90 to 80 kilometres per hour.

I wrote to the British Columbia Minister in July of last year to call attention to the maintenance of this road. In response, British Columbia did additional gravel work on the road.

In January of this year, 1995, I again wrote the Minister of Transportation concerning this issue but as of yet received no reply. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Allooloo on March 28, 1995. It concerned the government's policy on out-of-community medical leave.

Mr. Speaker, an employee that escorts a member of the immediate family to a medical centre outside of a community may be granted special leave for non-elective medical evacuation. Special leave is also available for an employee that needs to escort a dependant to another health care facility under the following circumstances:

1. If a dependant is referred for specialized medical examination, treatment or surgery and is sufficiently ill to require medical attention which is not immediately available in their home community, special leave may be granted for an employee to escort the dependant if clear medical documentation is provided from a medical practitioner;

2. In non-emergency situations if clear medical authorization is given, an employee is permitted special leave to serve as a non-medical escort as care giver to a sick dependent.

In all of the above circumstances, Mr. Speaker, the department head may grant employees special leave with pay for a period of up to five consecutive working days and, where warranted by unique circumstances, over five consecutive working days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize and welcome a person who is usually the first person I see each day as I walk into this Assembly. He always sits directly in front of me and I imagine he's there to make sure I do a good job representing the workers in my constituency. I'm referring to and welcoming, of course, Mr. Ben McDonald of the Union of Northern Workers. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the 1950s, Mr. Speaker, I lived in London, England, and taught many classes of students who were trying to learn English. Today we have in our audience a group of students from the YWCA's English as a second language program. What I'd like to do is give their names and maybe when I give their names, they can stand, and at the end, perhaps, Members will welcome them in the usual way: Raemee Lee from China; Qianru Wen from China; Di Zhu from China; Hahn Tebyanian from Vietnam; Suryani Luh from Indonesia; Draga Stelkic from Serbia; Shoko Suzuki from Japan; Viviana Llanten-Diaz from Chile, and Anna Li Juan from China. Welcome to our Assembly.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to point out to our visitors that many Members in this Assembly learned English as a second language and have done very well. Thank you.

---Applause

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

I made a terrible omission, Mr. Speaker, because a very significant person in this group is their instructor, Ms. Pam Fawcett, who is not a student but is an important member of the team. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Bess Ann Lafferty from Fort Resolution, one of my constituents. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I, too, would like to recognize someone. Gloria MacDonald, I think it is. You must be married by now, but that was your maiden name.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

---Applause

Thank you, colleagues. I have a question for the Minister of Finance. Reading Hansard, I found out there had been an agreement made on the health billings dispute, and the announced settlement of the billings dispute was some $24 million in cash plus other arrangements. But from previous questions asked in this House, I understood that the amounts in dispute were in the range of some $90 million. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance, what is the impact of the arrangement that was recently signed with the federal government on this government's bottom line?

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the impact on us is we will have approximately $6.5 million more on our books than we will receive from the federal government and will have to write off approximately $6.5 million, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

I'm not really sure I understood the total impact but I understood that the Minister said that there would be a write-off of $6.5 million. Does that mean that there will be a $6.5 million addition to the deficit we're projecting this year?

Mr. Pollard.

That's correct, Mr. Speaker, yes.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi. I'm just reading in the unedited Hansard of March 29th that there was some consultation on this agreement. I would like to know what kind of consultation took place with all the aboriginal groups that the Minister mentioned on page 1622 of unedited Hansard. What type of consultation took place with these groups before signing this agreement? Were these groups advised and given a chance to comment or were they just told what the arrangements were?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, as I said before in the House, we had a commitment not to enter into an agreement until we had advised the parties that we had been dealing with over the period of three years. The calls were either conference calls or direct calls by the Premier or myself to the organizations, to the people there, and they were advised of the agreement that we had reached. They were told of the dollar amount and the impact that it would have upon them because, particularly with the aboriginal groups, their concern was that it not get in the way of self-government, treaty rights, infringing upon fiduciary responsibility or land claims. Those kinds of assurances were made, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I guess that raises a concern, again, on the question of consultation and what it is. The Minister just told us that these people were told about the arrangement, and I would just like to ask if he considers that as proper consultation with these groups; telling them what the arrangements were before signing it. I guess my concern is how much time and what kinds of detail were these people presented with to give meaningful input into the agreement? Were they given considerable amount of time and consulted appropriately to give meaningful input in the arrangements with the federal government?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, if the Member is asking me, through you, sir, if we were saying to people here's the agreement, what do you think of it; can you suggest any changes, that really wasn't happening. What we were doing was fulfilling what we thought was our obligation to advise affected people before we entered into the agreement that we had not gone beyond what we said to them at the very beginning. Three years ago, we said this is a contractual dispute, this is a dispute about money and they made us very aware of their particular concerns and we said when we went to court, we would not get into their area or jeopardize any of the agreements they have with the federal government.

We never, ever did say that we would consult with people and say what do you think about the agreement. What we did say is we would get back to them and make them very aware that we had not compromised them in any way and that we were settling this dispute in the best interests of people in the Northwest Territories. So there weren't days given. It was a telephone conversation, people were asked for their opinion and that was all, Mr. Speaker. There wasn't a lot of time given. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Health with regard to funding allocations for personal care facilities across the north. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister of Health what is the departmental policy with regard to allocating funds for personal care facilities across the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, at this point in time and for the last three months, I have been trying to find out exactly what it is that had been allocated to each community and how we came to those decisions to put these particular facilities in the communities. From the information I have gathered, it does not appear to me that we have a clearly defined policy as to when, how and to what degree we do needs studies before a facility is determined in a certain area.

So, Mr. Speaker, I'm still working on that to see if we can come up with a fair distribution of infrastructure so that each region gets treated fairly, and that each community has a needs study in terms of what their needs are as well. There are some policy guidelines, but decisions of this government in the past, as far as I can determine, have not really been guided by a global look at the Northwest Territories; rather, by community interest, or maybe a couple of communities together or a community that aggressively pursues resolution of infrastructure needs to be met in that community.

I hope shortly I'll be able to do an assessment to see how we can more adequately look at needs. Presently, for example, in the Delta region we've had a request for the ongoing maintenance of the Aklavik elders' facility. At the same time, we have another suggestion on what the town of Inuvik would like to see in their community; as well, what Tuk would like to see in their community. At one time, when the facilities were first built, one facility was put in and everybody else was channelled there. However, communities are getting more aggressive. They're getting more clear in enunciating what it is they feel they should be responsible for and to what degree they should keep their elders in their own community, and at what point in time we have to ship them out to a facility that has more medical back-up.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to clearly say that the guidelines and general policy really seems to have been motivated by the hard work of certain communities or areas to pursue facilities for their region. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's my understanding that there used to be needs studies done in order to determine whether personal care facilities are required or senior citizens' homes are required. I know in my particular community, it's a community initiative that has created and allowed for the building of a personal care facility. I guess the concern I have is that if there's no departmental policy in place, what guidelines does the department use to determine the amount of funding granted to each personal care facility in the north. Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, once a facility is designated in a certain category, there are guidelines that indicate exactly what type of human resources you require in personal care, depending on the level of that care. So it does exist. I'm not saying that the government or the department is totally void of any guidelines. There are needs assessments done. For example, I know that, in looking at why there are some facilities in certain areas and not in others, some communities have been more aggressively pursuing and establishing the need so they could get in the forefront of another community or group of communities that have not done so.

It's not to put a negative connotation on somebody who has moved ahead, it's just that I think we haven't communicated very clearly with all the communities. There are certain levels of care that are quite able to be handled at the community level; other levels of care have to be handled in areas where there are more medical services available. I've been attempting to deal with that over the last two or three months, or maybe a little longer, and trying to rationalize that with the communities so we get a clear understanding from the communities what is possible to be done at the various levels.

As to staffing requirements for certain care facilities, there are criteria that have been established in terms of the human resources that are required. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once the funding is allocated from the department, it appears to be determined upon the different levels of care throughout the facilities. I'm wondering whether the Minister can advise me, are the service fees imposed to seniors who are in personal care facilities determined or is there a guideline that these facilities can impose on seniors. Is there a cap which basically allows for personal care facilities to be charged to seniors utilizing the service? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, there is a formula. I'll take the question as notice and provide that information. Thank you.

Thank you. The question is take as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation made a statement on northern manufacturing initiatives, and that the Housing Corporation spends approximately $17 million each year. Is this $17 million expended only in the west part of the territory for northern manufacturing initiatives?

Minister of Housing, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The $17 million represents expenditures of the NWT Housing Corporation in the whole Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My supplementary to the same Minister. Where are these northern manufacturing businesses located in the NWT?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to say that bathtubs and the tub surrounds are manufactured in Fort Resolution, in my riding. The doors are being manufactured in Hay River. The windows are being manufactured in Hay River. Cabinets are being manufactured

in Hay River, trusses in Yellowknife. Screwjacks are being manufactured in Yellowknife. Fuel tanks are being manufactured in Yellowknife and a portion of tank stands are manufactured in Fort Resolution. The other portion will be manufactured in Yellowknife. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My supplementary is to the same Minister. Realizing the northern manufacturing initiatives have been successful in this western part of the territory, would the Minister look into the possibilities of making the same initiatives in Nunavut communities? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, it has been a very successful undertaking in the Northwest Territories. How it was developed was they went to public proposal call and anyone interested could have put in a proposal to bid on these contracts. I also believe that last year in Iqaluit, cabinets were manufactured. We are working with an Iqaluit company now to manufacture cabinets in Iqaluit. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One thing we don't have that the west has is trees. However, there are fibreglass products that could be successfully implemented in Nunavut communities to increase employment and create a viable economy. Would the Minister look to see whether that would be feasible or not?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be pleased to look into that and see if it would be feasible.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. When is the plebiscite on municipal lands in Nunavut? Thank you.

The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is going to be held on April 10th of this year. Advance poll is April 3rd.

Thank you.

Since I know his department is very involved in assisting in the holding of these community referenda, what is the choice the communities will be making when they vote in April? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question will be, do you want to give your municipality the right to sell municipal lands; either yes or no. Those are the two choices that the voters have. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What are the implications of a yes vote or a no vote in those communities? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

If the voters vote no, the municipalities will not be able to sell land for at least 20 years before there is another referendum allowed. If the majority of the voters vote yes, they will give the municipalities the right to sell the municipal lands at any given time between that date and the next 20 years. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Do I understand, Mr. Speaker, that even if people in a community feel that they may not be ready right away to sell land, but they might be ready in five, 10 or 15 years, if they would like to keep the option open, they should vote yes. Is that correct? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If a majority of voters vote yes to give their municipalities the right to sell land within the municipality, the municipal council has the option at any time to decide when they want to sell the land. It doesn't necessarily have to happen immediately. It will be up to the municipal council to decide that.

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

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe, Mr. Speaker, that they were. I will provide more details. We also had a session at the University of Alberta approximately one month ago, to advise the students at the university in the Edmonton area about some of the processes and the recommendations that they should be making clients or potential employers aware of their expertise in terms of their education.

Mr. Dent, supplementary.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes. We will be following that up again with other seminars once the students return back to the Northwest Territories, particularly in the city of Yellowknife, which has the largest number of students in a particular community.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. Mr. Speaker, in the north, we give many subsidies to seniors, such as the fuel subsidy. I know in my community we attempt to assist them by their tax subsidy and we certainly try to help our seniors as much as we can. However, one subsidy they don't have is a subsidy for their electricity bills. At some point in time, I asked the Minister whether the Power Corporation would consider this. I would like to know whether or not the Minister has thought of the concept of a subsidy for seniors for electricity in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, there is one subsidy that is available for everyone across the Northwest Territories. It is a subsidy that this territorial government gives as a subsidy on a power bill. There is no specific subsidy for seniors on power costs. The issue and the idea has been circulated. However, other than the subsidy for everyone across the board, there haven't been any indicators that there will be one for seniors specifically. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The subsidy that is given to individuals now appears to be on the current rate that is being applied here in Yellowknife. In my constituency, I know that our electricity rates are a lot lower than Yellowknife because we have an abundance of power, even though we have to pay for the low water surcharge. In fact, seniors and the people of Fort Smith don't really get a subsidy for electricity. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not she would consider reviewing the concept of creating a subsidy program for seniors and, possibly, passing on the idea to the NWT Power Corporation. Thank you.