Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress.

No, he can't.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to present the proposed 1995-96 O and M main estimates for the Department of Safety and Public Services. For 1995-96, the department is requesting $7.241 million compared to last year's budget of $6.512 million, for a net increase of $729,000. This increase is the result of:

-$713,000 approved in the 1994-95 supplementary estimates, No. 1, to re-establish the safety officer position in Rankin Inlet, provide two additional mine inspectors and one additional labour inspector in Yellowknife and to provide additional duty travel funding to increase inspections;

-$257,000 for forced growth to provide an electrical inspector and fire inspector in Cambridge Bay and a vital statistics clerk in Yellowknife to provide administrative support to the aboriginal custom adoption program;

-and subtractions of $241,000 in program reductions which have been spread across the department so as not to impact program delivery.

The department is projecting revenues of $19.697 million, an increase of $1.703 million.

This increase is a result of raising the fees of business, professional and lottery insurance licenses, as well as raising the prices for special occasion permits and alcohol products.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to inform you that the department also continues to make progress in its affirmative action program. At present, 22 per cent of our staff are native northerners and an additional 13 per cent are indigenous non-native. Our labour standards inspector trainee completed her training program in August of 1994 and has been appointed as a labour standards inspector, and our safety officer trainee in Iqaluit will be completing his second year of training this summer. The department has taken steps to further improve its record in this area. A fire inspector trainee was hired on October 3, 1994 and the department is in the process of negotiating with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment for funding to establish safety officer trainee positions in Rankin Inlet and Inuvik. I am especially pleased to announce that the department has recently recruited two well-qualified aboriginal people to serve as electrical inspectors, one in Hay River and one in Inuvik.

The department has two initiatives to complete in 1995-96. The first one is to enact the new Mine Health and Safety Act by completing the required regulations and to bring the legislation into force by this summer.

Members are also aware of the department's initiative to reform liquor control legislation. The liquor law review project was initiated in December 1993 and has now completed an extensive public consultation process. A legislative action paper outlining the principles and potential regulatory strategies is being presently reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation. Based on feedback received during the standing committee's consideration of this document, the department will work closely with the Department of Justice to draft new legislation.

Mr. Chairman, fire safety also continues to be a concern, especially among our young people. The department has revised its learn not to burn program which has now been accepted as a supplementary resource for the NWT school health program. The department, in cooperation with Municipal and Community Affairs, has been successful in developing a firefighter education and training program for community firefighters. The training will consist of four regional workshops in each of the regional headquarters communities during the 1995-96 fiscal year.

Other objectives include the continuation of discussions for additional transfers of lottery licensing to various communities under the community transfer initiative as well as the preparation of strategies to review many of the acts and regulations the department administers. Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening remarks. I will be pleased to answer any questions the Members of the committee may have.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In our report on the 1994-95 main estimates, the committee raised a concern

regarding the current mineral exploration rush including bulk sampling operations and mine safety.

The committee recognizes that mining is a dangerous occupation and that there is a need to improve our mine safety record. This, combined with the recent and anticipated growth in the mining industry, indicates that an increase in the number of mine safety inspectors is urgently required. As well, the committee recommended an increase in the number of occupational health and safety inspectors in the construction field to deal with the high rate of accidents in that industry.

The committee wishes to note the positive response by the government to the recommendation. The additional safety inspectors provided for in the 1995-96 main estimates should contribute significantly toward making the north a safer place to work.

Fire Safety Resources

Fire safety continues to be an important issue. Across the county, volunteer firefighters receive regular training. While the hope is that these volunteers will never have to use their training, frequent training and practice ensures they can fight fires effectively and safely when the need arises. In most northern communities, volunteer firefighters do not have access to regular training and instruction in firefighting and prevention. Without this work, there can be delays and coordination problems when inexperienced volunteers try to battle a fire in the community. It is crucial that the government identify some way of ensuring volunteer firefighters in the communities are not just willing to fight fires but be trained as well.

In previous years, the committee expressed concern about the NWT's poor fire safety record. There is special concern that initiatives of the fire marshal's office are not being felt at the community level. Committee Members acknowledge the department's announced plans to establish municipal firefighting training standards. However, the division of responsibilities between this department and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has to be clarified.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Safety and Public Services and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs clearly define who has the responsibility for fire training; and further, that a plan be developed to deliver such training to volunteer firefighters in northern communities. Mahsi, Mr. Chairman.

Question.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Finance. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.

The House will come back to order. Item 20, report of committee of the whole. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. The motion is in order, seconded by Mr. Antoine. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 21, third reading of bills. Item 22, Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 7, 1995, at 1:30 pm.

---ADJOURNMENT