Mahsi, Mr. Whitford. Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, Members will be aware that for the past several months this government has been in discussions with all aboriginal groups in the Northwest Territories, in an attempt to reach a common position on the devolution of the legislative authority for oil, gas and minerals from the federal government to the GNWT.

I must inform Members that yesterday these discussions reached a serious impasse, regarding the definition of aboriginal rights and self-government within the northern accord document, that threatens this process.

Mr. Speaker, the aboriginal groups have put forward a position that attempts to define self-government within the northern accord document.

Throughout these discussions, it has been our view that while we recognize the linkages between constitutional development, including the northern accord, and self-government, they remain two separate and distinct processes.

The northern accord is, primarily, an economic agreement that will allow the Government of the Northwest Territories and, pending agreements between aboriginal groups and Canada, aboriginal claimant groups, and future aboriginal governments the ability to raise revenues from mineral development.

At the same time, we have recognized the importance of current and future self-government negotiations in this process. We have been committed to proceeding with the northern accord discussions in a manner that does not, in any way, abrogate, derogate or prejudice any aboriginal and treaty rights, including any future agreements reached between aboriginal groups and Canada. We have proposed to include wording within the northern accord that not only protects, but promotes the opportunity to negotiate agreements with the federal government on matters covered by the northern accord.

We believe this position is fair and, in fact, enhances the ability of aboriginal claimant groups and First Nations to begin

negotiations with the federal government on the self-government issues.

The Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs is prepared to meet with all of these groups to discuss in more detail this government's position on aboriginal self-government.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot stress enough the importance of this issue. This government is being faced with fiscal restrictions and federal cuts that will significantly erode our financial base and fundamentally affect our ability to deliver essential services to people in all regions of the Northwest Territories. At the same time, the options available to raise revenues to offset these cuts are limited.

Northerners cannot afford significant increases in taxation or service charges. Revenue generation from resource development is our best opportunity to raise revenues and retain a financial base that will allow us to meet the increasing demands for services in all of our communities.

I note that the protection of our fiscal base is of fundamental importance as it will be from this fiscal base that the resources to finance all future government that may eventually be formed from the existing Northwest Territories will have to come from.

Mr. Speaker, I remain committed to continuing these discussions in an earnest and genuine attempt to find a solution to this impasse. Although we have reached this impasse, I am still prepared to work towards the May 31st deadline that was set by all parties in the process. I hope during that time we can develop a common northern position that we can bring forward to the federal government.

Mr. Speaker, if there is no resolution to these discussions at that time, I will have to go forward to Cabinet with the options available to determine a course of action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Renewable Resources' mandate involves working closely with those pursuing traditional aboriginal lifestyles. Our field officers in smaller communities

work with local harvesters to responsibly manage our resources.

I would like to inform the Members of an innovative approach recently undertaken by Renewable Resources to facilitate contact between community harvesters and senior management staff. A snow machine trip from Yellowknife to Coppermine and return was undertaken during the sessional break. On March 15th, the deputy minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Joe Handley, and four others left Yellowknife by snow machine and travelled to Deline, then across Great Bear Lake to Hornby Bay and to Coppermine.

They then travelled back to Yellowknife via Contwoyto Lake through Lac de Gras area, reaching Yellowknife on March 27th. They were accompanied and guided along the way by many people from the various communities to which they travelled.

This trip proved an excellent way to meet people who live in smaller communities, and especially those who depend on the land for their livelihood. These people now know our senior departmental staff understand at least a small amount about what it's like to be out on the land.

Grand Chief Joe Rabesca and the other Dogrib chiefs met with the group in Rae Lakes, checked their equipment and clothing, went over the travel plans and arranged a guide for them to Deline. Moise Rabesca provided accommodation for a night at his outfitting camp headquarters at Rae and loaned some equipment he felt they should have. Walter Bahya and his family travelled from Deline to Hornby Bay, guiding the group across that huge lake and over dangerous pressure ridges. Walter is quite proud that his wife is the first Dene woman to have travelled to the Hornby Bay area, probably since the turn of the century, at least. Colin Adjun, Stanley Klengenberg and Josh Hunter guided the group from Hornby Bay to Coppermine. Bobby Algona, a Coppermine hunter and trapper born and raised in the Contwoyto Lake area ensured the group was able to make the trip from Coppermine to Contwoyto Lake.

Mr. Speaker, this trip provided an opportunity to meet with outfitters like Moise Rabesca and Gary Jaeb, with the Dogrib chiefs, with HTA members and generally with people from the communities. The meetings were informal and relaxed, which is the way we do much of our business in smaller communities.

It was unfortunate that my schedule prevented me from participating in this trip. I know the people in the communities were pleasantly surprised to see a deputy minister travelling by snowmobile over such long distances. This trip allowed staff to visit remote locations; to demonstrate their understanding of travel on the land; and, was completed at less cost than if the staff had simply flown directly to Coppermine without managing to visit the camps in between.

This innovative approach to fostering better relations between the department and communities was an overall success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, today I will be tabling "Working Together For Community Wellness: A Directions Document," on behalf of the Ministers of the social envelope.

Mr. Speaker, northerners have said they need to have more control over health and social services programs. The community wellness strategy will give them more control. People in the communities know what their problems are, and they know how to solve them. Under the community wellness strategy communities will identify their own priorities and develop their own strategies for achieving wellness.

The document being tabled today is part of the ongoing work in developing a community wellness strategy. It will guide the government and the communities in their work to change the way health and social programs are planned and delivered. A completed community wellness strategy with a specific plan of action and implementation schedule will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly in the winter of 1996.

But community wellness will continue to be a government priority in 1995-96. A community action fund of over $3 million will be made available to communities and non-governmental organizations during this time. This money will help fund new and existing community wellness projects that cannot be funded through other programs.

The community action fund will be available only until the final strategy can be implemented, and will give priority to projects in:

-family violence;

-early intervention services for children and families; and,

-training for care givers.

Work on the final strategy will be ongoing in 1995-96. A working group drawn from the social envelope departments will coordinate strategy development. A community wellness steering committee of deputy ministers will oversee their work and continue monitoring other wellness issues. As well, regional community wellness conferences are planned for 1995-96. These conferences will provide further direction for the development of the strategy.

Working Together for Community Wellness:

A Directions Document provides our departments, the residents of the Northwest Territories and non-governmental organizations with a blueprint for the community wellness strategy. It is the joint effort of the departments of Education, Culture and Employment, Health and Social Services, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Justice, Municipal and Community Affairs, the NWT Housing Corporation, and representatives from community and cultural groups, aboriginal organizations, women's groups and non-governmental organizations across the NWT.

Hundreds of people have helped make this document possible by taking time to guide us in the right direction. Their input and collaboration made this new vision possible. Let us now continue in that direction and make that vision a reality.

Mr. Speaker, general release of the English and Inuktitut document will take place shortly. A French translation of the document is now under way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to comment on the provincial/territorial Ministers of Health meeting in Vancouver.

As Members know, the health system across the country is undergoing reform and undergoing change. The recent cuts to health care funding and the impact those cuts will have on our national system of publicly-funded medicare was the main concern of Ministers attending the meeting.

Because of this, there is an urgent requirement for the federal government to work collectively with the provinces and territories to define the level of health care which will be provided to Canadians, and to establish a strong partnership designed to maintain uniformity of health services across the country.

In addition to the issue of medicare, the Ministers also signed off the master agreement on the Canadian blood supply program. This agreement completes an initiative began in 1991 and provides an administrative framework for the management of Canada's blood supply.

Mr. Speaker, a number of other significant health issues were discussed at the meeting.

These include the management of health issues in a national context, a physician resources management strategy, the national forum on health, the Krever Inquiry and the growth of private health clinics in the provinces.

There was also discussion on the need for the federal government to take action to control costs in areas such as drug pricing and the need to identify and eliminate duplication between federal, provincial and territorial programs.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories intends to play an active role in the discussion on national health issues, particularly as they relate and impact on health delivery in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make an announcement to my colleagues about what happened yesterday morning in Sanikiluaq. The airport terminal at Sanikiluaq experienced a fire yesterday. According to what I have heard, no one was hurt in the fire and also, Mr. Speaker, I've been told that this was an accidental fire. But, Mr. Speaker, the airport terminal in Sanikiluaq cannot be used until they get a new one. I heard that the Department of Transportation and DPW are currently working to determine what needs to be done with the building. I'm happy to announce, Mr. Speaker, that no one was hurt in the fire but I wanted Members to know that the airport terminal in Sanikiluaq burned down yesterday. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, the NWT Senior' Society unveiled their seniors' housing and social needs study.

---Applause

It is my understanding that the territorial Minister, Mr. Morin, and also senior territorial civil servants were there as the seniors unveiled this study. Some of the major recommendations of the study are as follows, Mr. Speaker:

- As there is a shortage of affordable and accessible housing in the Northwest Territories, new approaches for shelter must be developed for delivery to seniors by the public and private sectors;

- An overhaul of the current income security system for seniors in the Northwest Territories is required because the majority of seniors have low incomes and currently support spending is not focused;

- The delivery of programs for seniors is fragmented and lacks coordination. A long-term, holistic approach to seniors' needs, managed and directed by a senior government agency, in the NWT is needed. One of the first objectives of an agency dedicated to seniors should be to undertake a comprehensive evaluation to appraise seniors' services in the Northwest Territories;

- Renewed emphasis on home support and coordinated home care, as a primary means for promoting "aging in place" is advised;

- Institutional facilities to care for the needs of frail elders and those suffering from physical and mental disabilities should be developed;

- The abuse of seniors is reported to be widespread in the Northwest Territories and further research and reporting, as well as a public information campaign, is essential to safeguard seniors from abuse;

- Promotion and maintenance of proactive seniors' programs that encourage healthy nutrition, fitness, recreation and social development contribute to the long-term well-being of seniors. These programs should be enhanced and increased.

- A senior management information system which measures and tracks the costs in use of services by seniors is recommended, especially in light of public sector spending restraint.

Mr. Speaker, we owe a debt of gratitude and thanks to Esther Braden, the president and to the NWT Seniors' Society. We, as legislators, often talk about the importance of seniors and elders to our society and to our lives.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, everything that we are and that our children can be, we owe to seniors and elders. They've asked to be partners with government, they've asked to take control of their own destiny, Mr. Speaker, we owe them no less. Thank you, very much.

---Applause

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

The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. 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, I'm pleased to report to the House on the Inuit "Spirit of the Arctic" pavilion being featured at this summer's Canadian National Exhibition. I'm pleased to report that the official announcement of the Inuit as the feature pavilion at the 1995 Canadian National Exhibition will be made April 20th at the annual general meeting of the CNE in Toronto. As part of this public announcement, throat singers and drum dancers will perform, and products manufactured across Nunavut will be displayed.

Mr. Speaker, feature pavilions at the CNE in past years have historically generated between $2 million and $4 million in direct sales of products. In addition, spin-off businesses, such as new distribution arrangements for products, have delivered a further future business to participants.

I would like to state that I am very pleased that the Honourable John Todd has seen fit to support this worthwhile project with a very generous contribution of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

---Applause

I trust that other departments will also take advantage of this opportunity to support the project, through their own existing programs or by offering services in kind and artifacts to the organizers. For example, our Department of Personnel offers summer employment for many students. The CNE offers unparalleled on-the-job training experience working in service industries such as restaurants and retail. I am hopeful that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and federal programs can help bring these job experiences to the Inuit youth, while at the same time ensuring a significant Inuit presence in the pavilion.

I understand that the event organizers are proposing pre-event seminar training sessions and a mentorship program to team Inuit youth with experienced service industry personnel. Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Also, promoting the fur industry is of interest and great concern to all Members, I know. This event is a great opportunity to once again tell the Inuit story on the seal controversy. Perhaps the Department of Renewable Resources could support display of seal fur fashions in the fashion shows being put on in the pavilion four times a day.

Other assistance from our government, such as the loan of artifacts from the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, could help contribute to the success of this event and, I am sure, help attract tourism by enhancing northern awareness amongst a southern audience.

Mr. Speaker, I trust that our government will make every effort to capitalize on all of the many opportunities that this splendid event offers, with Ministers of all departments being receptive to making a commitment to ensuring the success of the Inuit Spirit of the Arctic pavilion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past weekend, I had the privilege of making a trip to Inuvik and to the Delta; I drove on the Dempster Highway to Fort McPherson and then, on the ice road up the river to the Tl'oondih Healing Camp. This is a camp that is owned and operated by the Gwich'in. At that camp, the first group of counsellors just graduated and enjoyed a meal with visitors from the various communities. I was very pleased to see the response and support that the Gwich'in provides to this camp. I am very proud to see the people who have just completed their four-week training program and see how pleased and proud they were to graduate from this course.

Also, in the community, I enjoyed a lot of good hospitality, a lot of good food, and lots and lots of tea. I even participated in their local curling bonspiel. Today, I would like to thank everyone in McPherson and Inuvik for their hospitality. Also, because this is our last day before our Easter break, I would like to wish my colleagues here a happy Easter, and also everyone else across the Northwest Territories. Happy Easter.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to encourage the government to continue to develop and complete the agricultural policy that they are working on. The other day I asked the status of it and I do want to indicate to the Minister the need for such a policy, particularly in my community. We all know that south of the lake we have a lot of nice, warm weather, we also have good areas for soil and things grow very, very well.

At this time, I want to commend an elder in our community, Mr. Harry Sudom, who works very hard during the summer months...

---Applause

...and grows a lot of potatoes, enough to probably provide the town. But with the absence of an agricultural policy, it doesn't allow people to be able to set up a good farm to provide potatoes to the whole north. If we can encourage individuals to set up something which would provide potatoes to the north, we will be doing away with importing a product that we can provide in the north. So I would like to take the time to encourage the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism to continue working on his agricultural policy and complete it as soon as his department can do this, because it would address an economic opportunity that we are all looking to provide to northerners.

At this time, I would also like to wish all of my colleagues a happy Easter and I hope they have a safe trip as they go home for Easter. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to rise to speak about a matter that was raised by my colleagues in the House yesterday, by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South and the honourable Member for North Slave.

It is with regard to a matter of discussion now here in the city of Yellowknife that was raised by the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital board. I wanted to make a couple of comments because it is important that all Members of this Assembly and people of the north recognize the importance of contributions of people, whether they are aboriginal people or non-aboriginal people.

I recall at one time a debate occurring in our Assembly about a change of name for our Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. The kind of debate that occurred at that particular time was such that everyone came to the conclusion that Members couldn't agree with the name because the question was what name would we give it. Would we give it a Gwich'in name? Would we give it a name from the Slavey community? Would it be the Inuit community? Would it be a non-aboriginal name? The fact is, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to say this: I do not have a problem with the name of Stanton, mainly because my view is that we have to recognize people for what they have contributed to the north. In our community, we have a health centre by the name of William Firth Health Centre, and he is a descendant of a Scotsman and a Gwich'in. The fact is that what we were doing was recognizing his contribution to the health services in our community.

I wanted to say that I hope, Mr. Speaker, that we take the advice of the honourable Member for North Slave and recognize that what we should be focusing on clearly are the services and the programs which are being delivered to our people. I agree with the honourable Member because I don't want the issue of names to confuse the responsibility that we have of delivering programs and services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on March 28th regarding a policy for Ministers awarding sole-source contracts in areas outside of their ministerial mandates or responsibilities.

Mr. Speaker, there is no policy which permits Ministers to award contracts or authorize expenditures in areas outside their ministerial mandates or responsibilities. All government expenditures authorized by a Minister, including by means of sole-source contracts, are governed by the Northwest Territories Financial Administration Act and government contract regulations. Further direction is provided in the Financial Management Board's financial administration manual. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on March 27th regarding the status of recommendations for fire management review.

The recommendations in the report on the review of the Government of the Northwest Territories forest fire management program and policy were reviewed by a steering committee chaired by the deputy minister of Renewable Resources and consisting of the secretary to the Financial Management Board and the deputy ministers of Public Works and Services and Economic Development and Tourism.

Two of 33 recommendations were not accepted by the steering committee. One recommendation and portions of four other recommendations were not commented on by the steering committee because they referred to the proposed aircraft maintenance facility, which was outside the terms of reference for the review.

In February 1994, the Financial Management Board accepted the steering committee's assessment of the report's recommendations. A copy of the steering committee's assessment has been provided to the honourable Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my executive assistant for six years, John Stephenson, who shared with me the ups and downs of politics. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just this morning, I was asked whether I am biased in favour of, or a spokesman for, the Union of Northern Workers since I have recognized their representative from time to time in our House. Just to establish that I represent everyone equally and not one organization, today I have decided I will not recognize that representative. Thank you.

---Laughter

---Applause

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

Point Of Order

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that according to our rules you are only allowed to recognize someone. You are not allowed to stand and not recognize someone.

I would like to remind Mr. Patterson that I believe this is the second time. I ruled you out of order the first time. I have done it and you are still out of order, so I want to

remind you. Item 5, recognition of visitors to the gallery. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is not too often that I have an opportunity to introduce someone from my constituency. I am fortunate that I have two mothers in this world, and I want to introduce you to my mother, Doris Itsi, who brought me into this world.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a very important person in one of our Member's lives, and that is Geraldine, Richard Nerysoo's wife.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I asked the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism some questions about the tourism study and events related to the tourism industry in the north. In one of his statements, the Minister was very adamant that the future state of the tourism industry in the Northwest Territories should be driven by the private sector. I can't agree with him more that it should be industry-driven.

On a question that I asked him about whether a broad range of tourism operators were notified of an upcoming meeting where a letter was sent by one of his departmental officials -- the deputy minister, I believe -- to a select number of operators, the Minister came back with an answer that not everyone could come to the meeting because of the cost. I think the intent of the letter was to inform people of this meeting and invite them to participate. I know letters are fairly inexpensive -- 43 cents, I think, to mail out a letter -- and we can reach a broad range of operators in the Northwest Territories. So I would just like to know if the Minister has had a chance to review the letter that was sent by his deputy to these operators, and ask whether a broader range of operators will be given an opportunity to maybe not participate directly, but participate through their partners or through the zone associations at this meeting?

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps yesterday I was somewhat abrupt in my response to the honourable Member's question.

Shame.

Anyway, Mr. Speaker, this is the last day.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, we all need a break. Anyway, I would like to assure the honourable Member that I did discuss the matter with the deputy minister yesterday, and I want to assure him there will be provision made for a broader-based representation on this important issue with respect to tourism marketing in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

As mentioned yesterday, there are a lot of operators who seem to have been missed in the first list of invitations that went out. Will other participants be given an opportunity to feed into this process and have an opportunity to make their comments known on how tourism zone associations will be managed and operated in the future?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to assure my honourable colleague that every effort is going to be made to ensure whatever evolves out of this Western Arctic Tourism Association is reflective and, more importantly, representative of the industry in its broadest context. We are making provisions, within the fiscal restraints we all live in, to try to ensure we have broad-based representation in this review, to try to come to some consensus as to what kind of association we want that would represent western Arctic interests. And, when that association does get up and running, to redirect additional fiscal resources the department has into that association so they can more clearly reflect the needs of the industry, rather than just the needs of the department.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for those words. Will the Minister assure me that he will, or through his senior staff, direct the tourism people and other departmental people in the communities that this is a direction that is coming from the Minister, that tourism should be industry-driven, should be managed by the operators and that the membership, rules and by-laws will be set by the tourism industry itself?

Mr. Todd.

Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. There is no question in my mind that whatever the association or organization resolves should be clearly reflective of the interests of the industry. One of the partnerships I see, perhaps for the government, is in the distribution of dollars and an examination of the existing programs to see if they are relevant to the industry today and, if they are -- and I stress "if they are" -- what kinds of new programs and marketing plans do we want to put in place that should be industry-driven, in some kind of partnership with the government. Thank you.

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

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Did he say his last gasps?

---Laughter

Sorry, Mr. Speaker. The department has, in fact, been reviewing this important initiative that the Member has brought up on a number of occasions. We felt at the time that it was impractical to carry out this request because of the lack of medical facilities in the Northwest Territories. However, in the honourable Member's statement earlier today he indicated that in southern Canada that isn't the case. So, I'm prepared to re-examine the issue and get back to the honourable Member as soon as I can. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, about two weeks ago I asked a

question of the same Minister regarding the delays in old age pensions. Since then, I have received information from the Premier's office. I'll read part of the information, Mr. Speaker:

"We finally received an answer from the Edmonton office. They apparently sent out the cheques in time but there was a delay either in the transportation or post office. There are plans to open an office here to handle CPP and old age pensions."

My question to the honourable Minister is, when will the office open to handle CPP and old age pensions here in Yellowknife? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, that information was just given to us the other day, and when the question was asked there was no indication when exactly that would be. Because of the volume of work and problems that were increasing, I guess they are trying to get closer to the people they serve. They couldn't give us a date or time when they would implement such a plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. Perhaps the honourable Minister could communicate with the airlines that currently have the contract to deliver mail to the eastern Arctic regarding the problem of delays in receiving old age pension and CPP cheques. Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, at the same time that there were problems with old pensions going to the Kitikmeot region, there were also problems in Tuktoyaktuk and in the Keewatin, so it is questionable where the transportation problems occurred. The delay exists in several different regions and we didn't have time to argue the point in where the delays occurred. Was the delay in getting it from the office to the airline in the first place? Was it a delay out of Yellowknife? We can admit there was a delay but at which point the delay occurred was never identified.

I will commit to speak to the airlines about shipment of first-class mail and mail delivered to communities. However, I just wanted to assure the Member that, because of the delay in several different regions, the delay was not at the regional level. Somehow or another we have to try to resolve this problem. As suggested previously, perhaps in the far north a few more days advance mailing would help the circumstances. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. Is the honourable Minister indicating to the House that she will, in fact, communicate with the airlines that deliver the mail in these jurisdictions? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I intend to do that.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the last few weeks we have talked a lot about mining. At the same time we're talking about mining, there seems to be increased interest in oil and gas exploration and activity in the Northwest Territories. My question to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is, what is the department doing to maximize the potential for the regions of the Northwest Territories to take advantage of the increased interest in oil and gas activity?

Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a difficult time with my hearing and I didn't quite get the end of the question, Mr. Speaker, as my honourable colleagues have said many times, I have selective hearing.

---Laughter

I wonder if the honourable Member could repeat the question, my apologies.

Thank you, Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if hearing aids are covered under our medical coverage, but I think the Minister should enquire.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, there has been increased interest in oil and gas exploration in the Northwest Territories over the past few months. While we spend a lot of time talking about mining, there is a lot of interest in the territories in the area of oil and gas. My question to the Minister is, what is the Minister's department doing to ensure that the different regions of the Northwest Territories can maximize opportunities in the oil and gas field?

Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, my apologies to my honourable colleague in not hearing the question the first time around.

I know that there is some concern. EM&PR is overly preoccupied with the diamond mine, but I want to assure my honourable colleague that that is not the case. We are working closely with the people in the Deh Cho and other areas to provide them with some technical advise with respect to oil and gas. For example, we are working closely with Chief Harry Deneron. So we are paying attention to oil and gas, we are giving them support when they require it and we are giving them technical assistance when required also. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I think it is always wise to look ahead to the future. There might be time when the Northwest Territories oil and gas is marketable. Does the Minister have any plans, along with representatives from the regions, to meet with the oil and gas industry to see what we can do as a government to attract more investment in this area?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do recognize what my honourable colleague is saying. He addressed the issue in the House earlier this week. Clearly there is a need to be more aggressive in the marketplace and explain to industry that we are open to business under certain conditions.

No, at this time, there were no provisions made on my department's part to move forward with a delegation into Calgary and other areas. However, we did discuss it informally earlier this morning, and my honourable colleague's comments over the last two or three days are well founded and we have to be more aggressive in the oil and gas field as we have been in the diamond and mineral fields. I want to assure my honourable colleague that is what we intend to do in the coming months, but to date we have not done it. Thank you.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, during question period, I was questioning the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment with regard to a statement that he made in the House called "partners in education." In the statement he stated that there is a review of the student financial assistance program in the new fiscal year. Further on in his statement, he said that the territorial government will also need to review its funding levels to the colleges as we have reached a point where we must reduce spending and increase efficiency and effectiveness.

This is quite a loaded statement, Mr. Speaker, it could mean all kinds of different things. So, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for this department exactly what he means by saying this government has to reduce funding levels. Further on he said we must reduce spending. What does he mean by that? Thank you.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In providing the statement, Mr. Speaker, I was informing the honourable Members -- and I think an issue that we are all grappling with at this particular time -- about the amount of financial resources that we have available to us, whether or not it is in this government or whether or not it is in institutions that act on our behalf as our agents.

Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member made a number of statements in this Assembly about the way in which we deliver programs. The honourable Member pointed out a very successful program in his region. For us to continue or pursue the suggestion that the honourable Member made about the idea of a permanent institution to deliver that program, which was the arts program, requires us to rethink the way in which we spend resources in Arctic College. What I was doing was indicating that in order for us to respond to the suggestions being made in this Assembly and the requests that are being made in our regions, we must assess our priorities and we must review our expenditures in the regions in order for us to accommodate the requests that have been made by other regions.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for that response. Could he tell the House what his department is doing to review these funding levels to the colleges at this time? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the situation right now that we are all faced with is with regard to the financial resources that will be available in the future for any of our government's institutions. I point this out not to indicate that this government is not committed to

developing Aurora College or Nunavut Arctic College, but rather there is a need for us to assess the programs and services that we are providing in Aurora College. Also in the campuses that we have established and the programs that we are now offering, there are other components to financing our programs.

I can advise the honourable Member, we have to determine whether or not social assistance can be a proactive program that is used, for instance, for post-secondary education. The aboriginal groups that have signed final agreements for claims have a number of dollars identified for training, education in post-secondary institutions. The question we then have to ask ourselves is how do we get the confidence of these organizations so that they can become partners in the delivery of post-secondary programs.

Some of these organizations -- as in the experience that we have had with the Gwich'in -- have allowed us to be partners in the development of programs and also the aboriginal organizations have provided resources.

The other component is third party funding; programs that we run on behalf of other organizations or other governments. All these are factors on how we deliver programs, Mr. Speaker. They have to be reviewed and we have to provide the information and the advice that is necessary to spend these resources.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you. When the Minister stated there will be a review of the student financial assistance program in the new fiscal year, Mr. Speaker, it has been brought to my attention and to the attention of other honourable Members, that some Arctic College students who passed, who wish to further their education, have experienced difficulty because the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is acting like the collection agency for Arctic College.

If money is owed to the college, and even if the student is eligible for education assistance, the students have difficulty receiving further assistance until the Arctic College account is clear. I would like to ask the Minister if this particular policy is going to be reviewed at the same time as the total student financial assistance program? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It certainly can be one of the issues raised in the review. However, I do want to advise honourable Members that one of the problems that we have encountered historically is the matter of financial resources owed to Arctic College or some other institutions. The fact is, collection agencies also request us to forward any resources or money paid out to individuals, including financial student assistance. It's not only a matter of our government collecting those resources. The fact is, we've been asked in some instances to collect on behalf of other organizations.

That's a factor which has to be dealt with with students as well. It's not simply a matter of us being a collection agency. We feel there is a need for us to deliver programs effectively and in support of students. But, at the same time, there is the issue of responsibility and accountability of students. It can be one of the issues that's addressed.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the statement that I'm referring to was made on Monday, April 10th. The Minister stated that the Government of Canada, in announcing the new Canada social transfer has the intention to reduce spending in the social envelope; assistance to health, education and social assistance, by $7 billion.

I would like to ask the Minister, what are the implications of this statement to us here in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can advise the honourable Member that we have not yet identified all the implications. One of the reasons we have not done that is we have not got into formal negotiations with the federal government on the types of arrangements we would be prepared to accept in a regional agreement of block transfers. That work still has to be done. Part of the direction for our agreement will come from the advice given to us by the task force on income reform and recommendations from the standing committee on the issue of income support programs and services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some time earlier this session, I asked the Minister of FMBS about students hired during summer break by the government. The response I got from the government was interesting: that they couldn't get away from paying students $18 per hour and more because of the collective agreement. Those are last year's rates, this year they are probably more.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister understands the situation very well, I believe. Our interest is to hire as many students as possible in small communities where there are very few jobs. Also, Mr. Speaker, the private sector cannot compete with the government in this area. They have to pay minimum wage, which I believe is between $5 to $7 per hour. I wonder if the government is working on finding ways, in the interest of hiring as many students as possible for summer break, to allow that to happen? Is the government working on policies or finding out ways to get away from the collective agreement for casual workers? Thank you.

Chairman of the Financial Management Board, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, as I said to Mr. Patterson last week, in 1992 there were 416 placements of students; in 1993, 668; and, in 1994, 785, so we are managing to place more students, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm well aware of the issue the Member raises; that is, if we paid less, we could probably hire more people and spread the wealth around. We recognize that and I've committed to this House that I will have the issue raised with the UNW at the earliest opportunity to see if some accommodation can be made in that particular area, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, keeping in mind that summer break for some communities, like the communities of Pond Inlet and Hall Beach, will be towards the beginning of June until early August, and since that time is approaching very quickly, when does the Minister think he will be able to talk to the union? Thank you.