Good afternoon. I would like to advise the House that I have received the following communication from the Commissioner.

"Dear Mr. Speaker: I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of Bill 21, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1994-95, during the Seventh Session of the 12th Legislative Assembly. Yours truly, Helen Maksagak, Commissioner."

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the biggest challenges in the Northwest Territories is finding ways to become more self-sufficient and less dependent on the federal government.

With Ottawa's plans to cut $50 million out of our transfer payment next year, it is important to move very quickly to finalize a northern energy and minerals accord so that we can control the development of a more vibrant economy that will provide the revenues to support education, health care, housing and social problems for our rapidly growing population.

In addition, we have to work in partnership with industry and aboriginal organizations to develop mineral resources in a manner that puts the land to work for us to create jobs, business opportunities and revenues.

Those are some of the messages I presented during a speech to about 400 delegates attending a banquet at the annual Prospectors' and Developers' Association of Canada Conference in Toronto Monday night.

I also told the audience that northerners want to be self-sufficient and they want the respect and dignity that comes from being full and equal partners, contributing to the growth of Canada.

It was encouraging to see the industry's recognition of the north at this conference, as well as the active participation of a large contingent from the Northwest Territories that included: Energy Minister, John Todd; Nunatsiaq MP, Jack Anawak; representatives from the city of Yellowknife, town of Hay River, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated; the Dogrib Tribal Council and, of course, our own Susan Aglukark who provided the entertainment.

Representatives from the Legislative Assembly included Henry Zoe, Mike Ballantyne and Charles Dent.

Mr. Speaker, it is becoming increasingly important for the Northwest Territories to be represented at events such as this, in order for us to get our message to leading investors and developers.

Mining generates more value per capita in the Northwest Territories than any other province or territory, and the government is anxious to develop the economic potential of this sector in an environmentally sound and culturally sensitive way that will benefit all residents of the territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise the Members of this Assembly that the reviews of student accommodation in the Baffin, Keewatin and Beaufort/Delta Divisional Boards of Education have been completed.

Copies of the reports have been sent to the divisional boards and the MLAs representing those jurisdictions. If other Members of the Assembly are interested in the reviews, I would be pleased to supply them with copies of the reports.

Mr. Speaker, Avery Cooper Consulting have done a good job concluding such a sensitive project. They have provided reasonable short and longer-term options for the future use of Grollier Hall in Inuvik, Kivalliq Hall in Rankin Inlet, and Ukiivik Residence in Iqaluit.

During the next few weeks, my staff will be working closely with the administration staff of the Baffin, Keewatin and Beaufort/Delta Divisional Boards of Education. They will review the implications of the reports, with the objective of determining acceptable interim solutions for the 1995-96 academic year. These solutions will be recommended to my office for approval. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, I spoke about the importance of early childhood development and some of the successful programs that are available to children in the Northwest Territories. Today, I would like to bring you up to date on the early childhood programs, which play an important role in improving access to quality child care in the Northwest Territories.

Since the former child day care program was transferred to Education, Culture and Employment, my staff have been consulting closely with stakeholders to determine how to improve the quality and number of early childhood programs in the Northwest Territories, and how to improve access by supporting parents and people who operate programs. This consultation included a symposium held in the fall of 1993, which brought together more than 80 people from communities across the Northwest Territories working in the field of child care and early childhood education.

On the strength of this consultation, a number of changes were made to the early childhood program, effective September 1st of last year.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that contributions to assist with the start-up costs of early childhood programs have been enhanced to promote more openings in the communities for infants and children requiring additional support. As well, this contribution is now available to assist with the start-up of part-time and after school programs.

Contributions supporting the ongoing costs of operating early childhood programs are also enhanced. More funding is now available for programs which provide for early intervention and the development of infants and children with special needs, as well as for those which operate part-time and after school programs. The contributions are being made quarterly and in advance, based on anticipated child attendance.

Research has shown that post-secondary training in early childhood development for care providers plays an important role in providing quality services to children. Our next challenge is to increase the qualifications of early childhood workers in the Northwest Territories and to assist facilities in hiring qualified staff.

Further consultations with stakeholders will deal with these questions and with planning a comprehensive and community-based training program for child care providers, which will be available across the Northwest Territories.

Child care services play an important role in supporting parents as they prepare for and participate in the labour force. The user subsidy, available to assist parents in accessing early childhood programs, has now been expanded to include parents who are employed or training part-time and require part-time child care. This assistance is also available to parents who are not employed or involved in training, but whose children are at risk and would benefit from a program of early intervention.

The user subsidy is now based on a needs assessment which helps to ensure that families will be treated more equitably according to their needs and the cost of child care. This year, 312 families are receiving the child care user subsidy, an increase from 298 in 1993-94 and 140 in 1992-93. We anticipate approval of many more before the end of this month.

Mr. Speaker, while parents have the primary responsibility for child care, we also understand that access to child care services is essential for northerners to work or take education and training programs. The changes to the early childhood program are a step in this direction, and Education, Culture and Employment have received predominantly favourable responses to the changes since they came into effect.

The department is also collaborating with the federal government on early childhood initiatives so that Brighter Futures and the Aboriginal Headstart initiative, which will be announced April 1st, complement similar programs.

Mr. Speaker, to help mark Education Week, department staff have sent a package of information on the early childhood program to all licensed child care programs, all College East and West campuses, all community learning centres, principals of schools with grade extensions, and women's organizations. The information will also be sent to community health representatives and nursing stations. I will be distributing a similar information package to all Members of this Assembly.

Posters about the importance of parents reading to young children have been sent to all kindergarten students, as well as all licensed preschool programs.

The department staff will also continue to consult with interest groups and those directly involved in providing child day care services as the early childhood program evolves and improves so that it better meets the needs of northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is International Women's Day. For 32 years, Mr. Speaker, my wife, Della, and I have been residents of the Northwest Territories. We were married on August 3, 1963, one month before we went to Baffin Island.

It wasn't until I married, Mr. Speaker, that I fully realized what civilization really meant. I suspected that many women belonged to a different culture, to the jock male culture that I was most familiar with. In my young bachelor days, Mr. Speaker, I never seemed to have a home, it was more like camping. My wife, Della, changed all that. Order was brought to my life and a sense of purpose. It struck me in the early years of my marriage that women were really the architects of our civilization, and it made me approach my understanding of history in a completely different way. They provide the basis for settlement and stability, they're the strongest voices in our society against injustice, abuse and intolerance.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate International Women's Day, all I feel I can do is talk about my personal experience living in harmony with a clever, talented, hard-working, strong woman. This month, my wife, Della, will retire after spending the past 18 years at the Abe Miller Centre. The work was demanding, the wages modest, but for so many working for non-government agencies, it has been a battle to obtain sufficient funds to keep this vital social service alive. It's a different world to the public service where you don't have to do fund raising to help cover the costs of wages and programs.

Through her, although I'm a person elected to serve, I've learned the true value of community service. She has served without complaint, without expectation of recognition or reward. In thanking her today, I thank all women who are really the true architects of our communities and our civilization.

If the government wants to do one thing to recognize women, it would be to address the obvious inadequacies in the wages many women receive for the often demanding work they take on. It's a systemic problem, Mr. Speaker, which perhaps can't be solved overnight.

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

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

Thank you, colleagues, very much. Mr. Speaker, this is a systemic problem and I know that you can't solve huge problems overnight. But, we should at least make some start on this because it is very often women who end up working for all kinds of social causes, either in the private sector, in the public sector and even for non-government agencies. I know it's too late to help my wife and her colleague, Joyce Williams, who will also retire from the Abe Miller Centre this month. These are both professionally-trained people and I know that both Joyce and my wife would echo the sentiments I am giving you today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to acknowledge International Woman's Day. Women are often the unrecognized leaders in our communities and are the backbone of most community and volunteer organizations. We, in this House, have supported a lot of their initiatives, especially in combatting health and social services issues. We have dealt with family violence, alcohol and drug abuse issues, care for the aged, handicapped and disabled, and many other issues, maybe not to the satisfaction of a lot of people, but I believe that the initiatives we have worked on in this House, and some of the studies done by Members of this Assembly, are helping to address the issues raised by women's organizations.

Today, I would just like to wish all the women of the Northwest Territories and across the world the best of luck in all the things that they do. Mahsi.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to make a comment on this day. I would like to recognize the efforts of one woman from the

community of Baker Lake. On February 14, 1992, I rose in this House to commend Susan Toolooktook on her walk of love from Baker Lake to Sugarloaf Mountain or Nauhaaq. This 50-mile walk was to draw attention to the plight of, and raise money for, poverty-stricken local families and resulted in the creation of a food bank in Baker Lake.

Today, I rise in this House to commend the NWT Status of Women for selecting Susan Toolooktook as the 1994-95 eastern Arctic recipient of their wise woman award. This award, first given in 1991-92, was created to recognize and celebrate women who have made a significant contribution to the lives of others in their communities. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to give notice that Susan, to this day, has continued to work in the community of Baker Lake in trying to help those who are incapable of helping themselves. Susan is also the mother of a child who is now of age to work and who is making a significant contribution to the community.

Mr. Speaker, Susan Toolooktook has shown unprecedented dedication to the needy in Baker Lake and she should be celebrated as a fine role model for young Inuit. Congratulations to Susan, and thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, parks and tourism provide very important economic opportunities in the Baffin and in Nunavut. For many Inuit, parks are also seen as an opportunity to preserve and protect the land while respecting traditional Inuit activities, including subsistence hunting.

New parks and planned parks were established in Nunavut, with the consent and support of adjacent communities and Inuit organizations. Indeed, I believe, having been involved in the land claims negotiations as part of the Government of the Northwest Territories, that the land claims settlement of the Inuit of Nunavut was predicated on existing park reserves and new parks being established in the settlement area.

Land selection by Inuit was based on reliance on Heritage Canada's commitment to support and maintain existing and future parks in Nunavut. Soon, in fact, the Nunavut impact and benefit review process will begin, with the aim of establishing the present park reserves as permanent national parks.

Mr. Speaker, recently, Heritage Canada officials provided information about a reorganization of Heritage Canada in the Northwest Territories. Many of my constituents were alarmed about this. They were concerned that the recently vacated position of Nunavut parks superintendent, at least temporarily, will not be restaffed. Of even more concern was the planned relocation of the Nunavut land claims implementation coordinator for Heritage Canada from Iqaluit, out of Nunavut, to Yellowknife. Nothing against Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, but it seems to my constituents -- and as well to Jose Kusugak, president of Nunavut Tunngavik -- that the person responsible for implementing parks provisions in the Nunavut land claim should live and work in Nunavut.

I request consent to briefly conclude my statement, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to rise today to inform Members of this House that our concerns were heard and heeded. I was just informed this morning by Ms. Josie Weninger, who is acting director in the Northwest Territories of Heritage Canada, that it has been determined that the position of Nunavut land claims implementation coordinator will remain in Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit's loss, however, is Pangnirtung's gain. I understand the plan is to relocate the position to Pangnirtung, which is in Nunavut. I'm delighted that this decision has been made. So, Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the officials of Heritage Canada for heeding the concerns expressed by many of my constituents and others. I wish to say that later in this session, I will be taking steps, which I hope will allow Canadian Heritage officials to be accountable to Members of this House for further explaining their plans for reorganizing and changes in an area that has important impacts on the people of the Northwest Territories. So I am grateful for this decision and look forward to further consultation on planned changes in the north that might affect our constituents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a statement today because it is International Women's Day. I also want to say to this House Inuit women have worked along side their men, historically. I believe we still have a number of those families who still work as partners.

However, there are a few very touchy issues. If we are to effectively implement strategies such as zero tolerance, community wellness and the fight against all forms of violence and abuse, as our Premier stated, we will have to begin here in our House.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I can only say from my own experience that I cannot help but notice that when I got a Cabinet portfolio, it wasn't even two hours before I was being asked questions in the House during question period. Kindly, the Premier took the questions herself.

Since I stepped down, Mr. Speaker, I cannot help but notice Mr. Ng, who is now Minister of MACA, has had hardly any questions posed to him. That really makes me wonder. Is it because he is a man? Did I get more questions because I was a woman?

Nay, nay.

During the time I had the Cabinet portfolio, Mr. Speaker...I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

The Member for Baffin Central is seeking unanimous consent to complete her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the time I had the Cabinet portfolio, when I travelled to the communities outside my constituency, I had many women come up to me and say they are giving you a hard time because you are a woman. I would like to thank those women who, without being told, recognized that. I would also like to thank my constituents for having treated me as equally as they treat men. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statement. Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Whitford, your time has lapsed.

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

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House as to the current status of the winter roads in my constituency.

---Applause

I would like to begin with Trout Lake, Mr. Speaker. This is the longest of the three winter roads in my constituency. It is 126 kilometres in length. This 126 kilometres covers terrain that is flat and open with no hills. In the 126 kilometres, Trout Lake winter road crosses four small creeks. According to residents of Trout Lake, there has never been a major overflow problem that the community couldn't deal with.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke with the community this morning and they indicated the that present road condition no way warrants early closure, and that the residents do not understand why March 15th has been chosen as an official closure date when the road is in this good condition.

Also, Mr. Speaker, the situation of having heavy equipment used for the purpose of towing vehicles when stuck has rarely occurred on a stretch of winter road. The winter road that connects Jean Marie River to the rest of the world is 27 kilometres in length. There are creeks on this winter road; however, Mr. Speaker, due to the construction of a fair weather road, bridges have been built over all these crossings and therefore pose no environmental threat.

Mr. Speaker, according to residents, there have been gravel haul operations going on here and the road has been packed, resulting in longer road life. As far as immobilizing heavy equipment for the purpose of towing vehicles, residents have exercised common sense and have never required these services. Also, Mr. Speaker, the communities involved in the heavy equipment program have been maintaining approximately half of this road.

To continue, Mr. Speaker, Nahanni Butte is the shortest of these winter roads at 21 kilometres in length. This road crosses the Liard River and the small swamp area. There is economic activity in the form of logging in this community that is relying on the winter road to remain open until the end of the month. Again, Mr. Speaker, like the other two communities, no heavy equipment has been used to tow vehicles stuck due to warm weather conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I'm running out of time. 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.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I realize that this is the first year the Department of Transportation has implemented a March 15th closure date. I understand, Mr. Speaker, that part of the reason for the early closure date was meant to address environmental concerns. This is very considerate of the department and I applaud their efforts and concerns. However, Mr. Speaker, the action that was chosen by the department to address this concern was one-sided and therefore suffers from inadequacies.

Mr. Speaker, what I'm talking about is cooperation or, in this case, the lack of it. This is a good example of how important it is for the government to consult with communities for efficient program delivery. In future decisions of the department, active participation of all factors must be a common denominator. The residents of these communities were disappointed that they were not consulted for their input. They are the ones directly affected, and if anyone is to be considered experts with regard to this issue, the residents of these communities are probably your best resources.

Hear, hear.

Mr. Speaker, it only makes sense that any community decisions made should be made in direct consultation with that community. As far as using a lack of money as a reason for early closure, as stated by the Minister...

Shame.

...in Hansard on Wednesday, March 1st, the cost of maintenance is almost insignificant in comparison with those winter roads and ice roads where major river and creek crossings are more frequent and road lengths are consistently longer. According to one highway contract maintenance personnel, Mr. Speaker, he stated that money allocated for winter road maintenance has been two-thirds exhausted. The Minister was saying in last Thursday's Hansard that the roads were opened earlier this year, but a quick estimate shows that two thirds of the money allocated has been used in the last three months. That leaves one third for the next seven days.

Also, Mr. Speaker, according to another highway maintenance official, for a three-month period, the total maintenance cost

was approximately $5,000. Again, Mr. Speaker, just a quick calculation gives a cost of $840 for an extra two-week period.

Mr. Speaker, according to the Minister, the ultimate responsibility for making the decision to close these winter roads early was that of the Minister and his department. I strongly urge the Minister to reconsider his decision, considering the sensitivity of this issue and the feedback as a result of the March 15th closing date. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Hear, hear.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleagues, today being International Women's Day, I would like to recognize someone very special. Someone who is very special and has been a defence lawyer, a doctor, a teacher, a woman of God and she has done all these without pay, without complaint. Her clients are myself and my kids, her customers are myself and my kids and she has done this for over 20 years. My kids and I are very grateful to her. I am speaking of my partner in life, my wife, Celine. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some of my colleagues have mentioned that today is International Women's Day. Mr. Speaker, in these modern times, we often hear about how good women have it. On the surface, no doubt, it is true. Women can vote, women can work and women can take an active role in our society today.

However, Mr. Speaker, I want all Members to take time to think about the realities of a woman's place in society. Some men say it jokingly but some say it sincerely, that every day is women's day. In some places in our society, this is true and there are many men who respect their spouses and treat them as equals. I commend them for that.

---Applause

However, Mr. Speaker, as a whole, the idea that women are treated with respect and equality reflects an ideal world, and we know we don't live in such an ideal world. When we look at our communities, we see women who are facing difficult situations daily.

Women face violence, physically, mentally and emotionally. Women face intimidation from men who are not comfortable sharing an equal standing with women. Women face the difficulties of single parenting, of providing for a strong family life and have primary responsibilities for child care. Women even face the difficulty of acquiring pay equity which I know is still an outstanding issue to be addressed by this government.

Mr. Speaker, when we look around this Assembly, there are only three women Members of this Assembly. It is not that women aren't good leaders, Mr. Speaker. When we look at the community governments, there are many women leaders. Most community organizations are run by women.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is at times difficult for women to get into politics at the territorial level in particular. Aside from the issues of intimidation and child care, women have to deal with being away from their families, and it makes it much more difficult when we have children.

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

The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, when we are away from our families it is, at times, difficult to receive the same degree of support which men receive for doing the same work. At times, I think of this difference when people approach me and make comments to me about my husband. They'll often say to me gee, Jeannie, you have a great husband -- not that I don't agree with them -- but they tell me he's great because he's willing to take care of the family so I can do my work. The ironic thing is that they would never dream of saying the same thing about men in this Assembly who allow their wives to do the work at home while they do their work in the Assembly.

It's expected that women should keep the family going and it only seems special when the man does it. Even when women make it to this Legislative Assembly, Mr. Speaker, I wonder whether we're treated as equals. I remember, vividly, receiving a plaque when I first became a Member, from a male Member in this House which read: "A woman's place is in her home and that's where she should go, right after work." I certainly hope, Mr. Speaker, that that attitude still doesn't prevail.

Women in the public see the things that happen in this Assembly and are they the kinds of things which would encourage women to consider this type of political lifestyle? As my colleague, Rebecca Mike, said when she was a Minister -- and I have to agree -- she was often the subject of fierce and frequent questioning. Did being female have anything to do with the approach Members took? If she was male, would she have received such harsh treatment? Male Ministers who sit in this Assembly have received warning tickets from Renewable Resource officers, who are in fact considered police officers when they apply the Wildlife Act for offences, and they still sit as Ministers. Do we have a double standard, where a female Minister is forced to resign, not because of actual offences but simply because of allegations which, at the time, the RCMP decided were not worthy of pursuing?

Mr. Speaker, another example discussed in this House which often becomes quite heated are issues of concern to myself as a Member. However, for the most part, it remains in the House. I wonder at times, Mr. Speaker, if I were a male criticizing the Minister the way I did regarding the CL-215 base, would I have been taken to court? If I were a male criticizing the actions, he would have viewed it as something between men and not something to be pursued in the courts. Mr. Speaker, I've been in politics for about 18 years and, although the presence of women has increased over that time, there is still a long, long way to go.

After hearing about the difficulties which face women in territorial politics, some women may wonder if they should pursue a seat in this House. And, Mr. Speaker, I don't blame the women for being discouraged. But, at the same time, I would like to encourage women to pursue the goal of acquiring a seat in this Legislative Assembly. It's important that women get involved at the territorial level.

Women in politics bring their personal experiences with them. One of the most important of these is their ability to organize and balance priorities, skills most women learn very quickly in order to survive and become an effective mother. As a result, women deal more directly with issues. They know what they want and are prepared to work quickly and in a straightforward manner to get on with the business. They are very organized in their approach and the women I've known in politics make sure their homework is done on issues they have to deal with.

Mr. Speaker, it's important to remove the barriers and break down the chauvinistic attitudes which remain with some of our politicians, particularly in this House. I also want to say that there are some Members who make every effort to work equally with women. Mr. Speaker, I would urge more northern women to stand by their strong convictions and put their names forward for the territorial election in the fall. Women have always been great teachers, and with the presence of more women in this Assembly, women will continue to strive to achieve equality for all women in our society. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a reply to a question that was asked by Mr. Titus Allooloo on March 6, 1996 regarding the protection from rental increases for public housing tenants.

Mr. Speaker, the rent scale is the protection for social housing tenants. Rents are based on a tenant's income. Therefore, if a tenant's income changes, the rent charged also changes. In market housing, the rent is a fixed amount set by the landlord, regardless of a tenant's income. There is no protection if a tenant's income decreases. In social housing, if a tenant's income decreases, their rent will also decrease. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question that was asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on March 3, 1995 regarding procedures for verifying GNWT candidates' credentials.

Mr. Speaker, for positions working with youth and other positions of trust, we ensure employees hired have a clear criminal record. Credentials are verified for certain professional positions such as nurses, lawyers and teachers. Job offers for these positions are conditional upon membership with the professional association. The association sets standards and verifies credentials for these positions. New employees are requested to provide a copy of credentials for their personnel file. If credentials are falsified, dismissal action is taken. If appropriate, other related action may be initiated.

The Department of Personnel is currently updating the staffing guidelines in the human resource manual. Verification of credentials for all positions, where appropriate, will be added. This section will include a detailed verification process for staffing officers to follow, prior to formalizing job offers.

I have a second return to questions asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on February 21, 1995 and February 23, 1995: Question 127-12(7), established public policy regarding procurement procedures and Question 152-12(7), economic policies regarding organizations and businesses.

Mr. Speaker, a response provided today to Written Question 8-12(7) asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on February 21, 1995, provides the information requested by these two questions. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Bill Norn, president of the Nuni Development Corporation from Fort Resolution. He is also a town counsellor. Sitting next to him was Euan Hunter, the mayor. He's not there right now, but I'll recognize him anyway.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two people from my community, Letidia Apsaktaun and Catherine Kringorn.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's very difficult for people in the smaller communities, especially in the east, to come here. I have three constituents from the community of Baker Lake, one of whom is Susan Toolooktook, who I spoke of earlier this afternoon. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I've been informed by several honourable Members -- in case I didn't notice -- I would like to recognize and welcome back Mr. Ben MacDonald of the UNW. I understand yesterday he was attending an important meeting with the GNWT on employee assistance, so I'm prepared to excuse him for his absence from the House yesterday. Thank you.

---Laughter

---Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to recognize Clifford Schaefer. Clifford used to live in Fort Providence.

---Applause

Okay, we'll take a break now until the bells sound.

---SHORT RECESS

The House will come back to order. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Finance who is responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat. It's regarding concerns raised about the affirmative action program. Early this year, this government formed a review committee to review the affirmative action program. I would like to ask the Minister the status of this review committee.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, the committee will soon commence consultation to see if the affirmative action program is and has been working and to look at what people from different areas of the Northwest Territories think about the program, with the objective of reporting back to the Financial Management Board the results of their survey and to make suggestions if there

need to be any changes to the affirmative action program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Can the Minister advise us who is on this review committee?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I will table that information in the House. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

I will be looking forward to finding out who is on the review committee. The Minister said the committee is going to begin their consultations. I would like to know who they are going to be consulting with.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, the committee will continue consulting with the original group they talked with late last year, with aboriginal organizations and also there will be some consultation by region with interested parties, whoever wants to make a presentation. Or if people want to send in briefs to us, they can do that as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if there are any representatives of any of the aboriginal groups on this review committee.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, it's an internal committee and it is consulting with aboriginal organizations. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to refer to Tabled Document 51-12(7). I would like to ask the Minister of Housing if that tabled document was used as a form to inform housing association tenants about rent adjustments due to take place April 1, 1995. Thank you.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe it was one of many that were used. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, did the Housing Corporation develop a form for the housing associations in the communities to use to assess the income of the household which will affect the rent scale? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that the local housing authorities have all been trained and they are going to sit down and work out with their clients what their new rents will be. They have forms that they use to calculate that. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Was that form provided by the Housing Corporation to assist the housing associations? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For sure the Housing Corporation is involved with the local housing authorities and they are working with them to help them assess the rents for tenants. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know if the Minister is evading my question but I'm asking whether the Housing Corporation provided forms that the housing associations would use to assess the rents of tenants. I wonder if that was done. I believe, Mr. Speaker, that my question has not been answered. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have answered the question. The Housing Corporation does work with the local housing authorities and they use different forms, to my understanding, to assess the rents of the tenants. The housing authority staff sit down with tenants, go over their income and other things they need in order to assess the rent. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. My question is, was the form that went to the housing authorities entitled "Rent Change Notice" designed by the Housing Corporation?

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the forms in the information package is titled "Rent Change Notice." One of them is, yes. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How many rent change notice forms were sent to the housing associations from the Housing Corporation?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like I said yesterday in this House, I believe approximately 7,000 English copies and 2,900 copies of the information packages were distributed. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The rent change notice form indicates that rents will change as of April 1, 1995. Was that sent to all housing associations and authorities across the NWT?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, all local housing authorities received these packages and they had workshops as well. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Had the Minister answered my first question, I wouldn't have had to use all my supplementary questions just trying to get the answer I'm after. My question to the Minister is this: was the translation in Inuktitut of that notice also provided to the housing authorities and associations by the Housing Corporation?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up the statement I made earlier today with regard to the winter roads to Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte and Jean Marie River, which are scheduled to close March 15th. I also, in recognition of those constituents who are involved with this issue and are making their concerns known, on behalf of those constituents, I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation what the department has done so far in reaching an attainable and reasonable solution to extending the closing date. Mahsi.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.