Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you. It's been a long time. Mr. Speaker, early childhood is the most critical stage in a person's development. It is during these years that the foundations of lifelong competencies and skills are established for children. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment's strategic plan points to the importance of community-based early childhood programs to help children learn and develop.

Some children not only benefit from early childhood programming, they require it. Early intervention is needed to help children with physical and mental conditions or who live in poverty develop to their full potential. Today, I am pleased to announce an initiative that will help communities develop and carry out early intervention projects. Health Canada has established the Brighter Futures program and the community action program for children, which fund projects that focus on issues such as mental health, child development, injury prevention, healthy babies and solvent abuse.

To assist community groups in developing early intervention strategies and to help them access these funds, the NWT Counselling Association has established a position for an early intervention coordinator for a one-year term, starting March 1, 1995. The coordinator is working out of the student support division of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, which is providing office space and administrative support. The funding for this position has been provided by Health Canada under the Brighter Futures initiative.

The early intervention coordinator is helping distribute information on Brighter Futures, the community action program for children and other funding sources. The coordinator is also helping communities in developing early intervention proposals and establishing programs that meet community needs. Since the activities are closely related to health and social services issues, the early intervention coordinator and the staff of the Department of Health and Social Services keep each other up to date on activities.

Mr. Speaker, early childhood programs and early intervention initiatives have a great potential for improving a child's success in schools, in post-secondary training and in the workplace. I am pleased that the NWT Counselling Association and the department are partners in establishing the early intervention coordinator position and helping NWT communities in establishing these important projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Item 3, Members' statement. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be talking about polar bears today. When they started studying polar bears, they put collars on them. They have been using these collars for quite a while now. It was known to the Inuit that this was dangerous to the polar bears. We know that with either caribou or muskox, it doesn't matter too much if you put collars on them but it's very dangerous to put collars on polar bears because they are hunters; they rely on prey and that is how they survive. This disables the polar bear because the collar is very hard and it's heavy and it barely fits around the neck.

People have spotted polar bears that have died or have lost a lot of weight because they had collars on them. This is not very good to see especially when we try and manage our wildlife carefully. If the bears are dying away because of this, then we have to start looking at better ways of managing our polar bears, without putting collars on them. It's too dangerous to put collars on polar bears. I urge the government to look at alternative options that will not put our wildlife in danger. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support our colleagues in Ottawa and make a statement about Bill C-68. I want to add a little different perspective than the eloquent statements that we've heard here in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I have the deepest sympathy for victims of suicide, accidents and criminal attacks where guns are misused. Any thinking person with an ounce of compassion would agree that steps must be taken to lessen the awful cost to society of violence and of despair. This bill, in my opinion, will not achieve the noble objectives it sets out to accomplish. It seems to me to be a sincere effort by government to try to alleviate the real fears of many people, especially in big cities close to the United States deluged daily by media saturation of murders and violence.

Unfortunately, there is no magic in life or in politics. Violence is glorified in television and in the movies. The social fabric of the country is undergoing tremendous stress with all the casualties that go with it. Politicians are under tremendous pressure to do something about it. Guns are an easy and sometimes legitimate target on which to focus the anxiety of Canadians increasingly fearful for their safety and for the security of themselves and of their family.

I don't feel that Canada will be a safer place after this bill is passed. The millions of dollars that it will cost could be better spent on victims' programs which, ironically, the federal government is cutting back on as well as on firearms education and safety programs.

There are certainly positive aspects of the bill: criminal activity involving the use of weapons must be punished harshly. Making criminals of law-abiding people who aren't able to comply with the bill works against the philosophy of the bill which is to safeguard the public, not to punish it.

Education is the key to the safe use of firearms and legislation should support the transfer of knowledge and experience from one generation to the next without creating bureaucratic barriers which make that transfer more difficult. Responsible hunters, collectors, competition shooters and outfitters have respect and understand the safe handling of firearms much better than any well-meaning civil servant in Ottawa and should be recognized and utilized fully in the design and implementation of any firearms legislation.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Instead, Mr. Speaker, they are made to feel that they are somehow the enemy who are being punished because of the actions of

criminals and a small minority of careless and thoughtless gun owners.

Firearms legislation should protect the public. It should not incriminate responsible Canadians for procedural errors or omissions. It should not threaten the economics of sport hunting. It should not threaten the livelihood of subsistence hunters. It should not make more difficult the use of firearms at shooting competitions. Members are aware that our shooters have done very well at international competitions. And fundamentally, it shouldn't threaten the traditional way of aboriginal people. This legislation, if passed, will force police officers or wildlife officers into conflict with our communities. Mr. Speaker, despite the best of intentions, Bill C-68 in the Northwest Territories, and in much of Canada, fails the test. Thank you very much.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During our break this past week, I had the opportunity to welcome the Anglican Women's Auxiliary's 60th anniversary in Pangnirtung. There are about 50 members attending this meeting from Baffin regional communities and from Nunavut communities. Their main topic for discussion was, of course, about fund-raising. AWA's role over the years in Anglican communities has been increasing, from producing crafts to providing charity to widows, widowers and elders and others who are in need. AWA will provide catering for conferences and public meetings as well.

Mr. Speaker, at their opening of the meeting, in remembering my grandmother, Mrs. Alookie Kilabuk, who was AWA leader for many years, I was very much delighted to welcome their meeting knowing how appreciative my grandmother would have been to see the AWA's progress and the charity service the members provide in their communities.

I would like to thank Hanna Tautuajuk and Meeka Angnakkaq of Pangnirtung for organizing this important conference and to say to their members that their work in their communities may not be mentioned often, but their work makes life a lot easier for many individuals who are in need in their communities.

Mr. Speaker, during their conference, the weather was excellent in Pangnirtung, with blue skies and melting snow. The women couldn't believe how warm it got in Pangnirtung. Thank you.

---Applause

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stand today with regard to patients who have to travel to other communities to be treated. Mr. Speaker, I usually don't pay much attention to the workers in the hospitals, but there is still need for more services available for patients who travel to see the doctor. When they go to the hospitals there are many people who are stranded. I know they are well taken care of, but there are more services needed for people who are transient. There is a need for more services available. Children and adults are usually waiting for flights and going to and from communities. We should worry more about the services for these patients in the hospitals; not just interpreters, but an escort service should be provided for these patients in the hospitals. This is my concern, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, may I go back to Ministers' statements, please?

The Member for Nunakput is seeking unanimous consent to go back to item 2. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Ms. Cournoyea.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My apologies. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Silas Arngna'naaq will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week. Mr. Arngna'naaq will be meeting with European parliamentarians in Brussels to discuss fur trapping issues, and with the Honourable Brian Tobin in Ottawa to discuss the seal industry and the turbot fishery.

The Honourable Stephen Kakfwi will also be absent from the House today to make a presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on Bill C-68, An Act Respecting Firearms and Other Weapons.

Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Don Morin will also be absent from the House indefinitely to attend to a family emergency in Edmonton. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two returns to oral questions, if I may. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on April 10th regarding the status of the agriculture policy.

The department has received a proposal for an agriculture policy from the Territorial Farmers' Association. Officials in Economic Development and Tourism have contacted MACA, Health and Social Services and Renewable Resources in order to establish an interdepartmental committee which will review the proposal and identify stakeholders to participate in further discussions with the Farmers' Association.

Agriculture policy has to deal with a number of issues, the most important being land. The department is looking to the association to ensure that all affected parties are behind this effort and supportive.

Optimistically, it would seem reasonable that a draft policy could be completed and ready to circulate to stakeholders in the fall of 1995.

I have a second return, Mr. Speaker. This was asked by Mr. Antoine on April 10th with respect to the status of zone associations.

I tabled the executive summary of the NWT Tourist Association review on April 12, 1995. In order to complete the report, extensive consultations were held throughout the Northwest Territories. To obtain information on views, 187 letters and 238 facsimiles were sent to operators. Most zone managers also informed their membership of the process, while community liaison contacts hired by the consultant informed communities and interest groups through radio announcements, posters and personal telephone calls.

The consultant and association visited each of the zones and over 100 operators and interested group representatives attended one or more meetings. Individual operators were interviewed, as were government officials, zone managers, zone presidents and some board members. Written and/or oral submissions were welcome. In total, over 200 people had input into the study results through the interview process or by written communication.

In the Deh Cho area specifically, communication was sent to all licensed operators, a widely-advertised public meeting was held at Fort Simpson Visitors' Centre on March 20th. The local zone manager was advised several weeks in advance of the meeting and arrangements were made to hold it in the evening to allow for maximum attendance. The meeting was open to all. Pardon me, the meeting was open to all community representatives from Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Trout Lake, Jean Marie River. Community representatives from Wrigley could not attend because of weather and Nahanni Butte was not represented partly because no one wanted to attend. The Nahanni Ram Tourism Association was also represented at the meeting. The regional office in Fort Simpson offered financial assistance to representatives from outlying communities who wanted to attend.

In addition to the public meeting in Fort Simpson, the consultant met with departmental staff, interested operators, the zone manager and president. A breakfast meeting was also held with seven members of the town council of Fort Simpson. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, they are both returns to written questions, so they will be filed with the Clerk. My apologies.

Are there any further returns to oral questions? Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, we don't have a solution for the problem. There are two factors that have to be considered: one, the resources that are being allocated presently for the students; and, second, whether or not there's a need for us to increase the amount of money that is presently being allocated, based on the formulas that presently exist.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't be definite with the honourable Member. I can just advise the honourable Member that there are a number of complex questions that have to be answered. The other point is, we have not yet resolved the issue of overall service delivery to individuals along the Ingraham Trail. That seems to be one of the biggest issues. We have not determined whether or not we have the responsibility of delivering those programs and services to those individuals. That is a complex issue. We are trying to address the issue of the formula in addition to the particular concern that the honourable Member has raised.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the concern the honourable Member has raised. This government is also concerned about the services the honourable Member is talking about. However, the issue of financing transportation and programming for education is a little more complex than one might consider. While we are trying to address some of the concerns, it has to be recognized that we have to deal with these issues in the context of the resources that my department has been assigned by this government.

Recognizing that, I don't want to create any additional expectations in the minds of people but I do want to indicate to the honourable Member that we will try to find a solution, in conjunction with the boards, to the concern the honourable Member has raised in this House.

Final supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can deal with it right now and say, no, I'm not going to finance it but that would not be the most appropriate solution.

Ohh.

What I will advise the honourable Members is that we are trying to be as supportive of the concerns he has raised and will try to solve how to deal with this concern with the honourable Member and with the school boards. It is a little more complex, but we will try to find a solution. I hope I can report positively, if nothing else, that something has been done. However, whether we fund the program, is another issue. But I will report back to the honourable Member for certain in June.

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

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, as the honourable Member knows, we are still finalizing the details of the negotiations for the Arctic A airports. The general thrust has been settled and to my understanding, so has the baseline funding to some extent. We recognize the importance of firefighting and safety across the territories and at the Arctic A airports, and we are going to do whatever we can to ensure there is adequate firefighting services available. If that requires additional training, et cetera, then we will have to look to some creative thinking and some partnerships in developing the appropriate training programs that are necessary for those firefighters. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Todd.

I believe that's under way right now. As the honourable Member has stated, there is a review of

standards as it relates to fire safety and firefighting at airports. That's under way at the present time. Once it's concluded early this year, I'd be only too happy to share the information with the honourable Members. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, Return to Written Question 19-12(7), asked by Mr. Patterson and replied to by the Minister of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation concerning northern preference commitments with Nova Construction.

Mr. Patterson asked a written question that was separated into four parts, I would like today to answer all four parts in order:

1. Nova Construction was given northern preference for this contract in Clyde River, as they are a registered northern contractor under the business incentive policy.

2. In their bid, Nova Construction identified the use of $41,000 worth of local labour. Further, Nova committed to contribute $55,000 locally for room and board.

3. Nova Construction contributed $22,000 of the $41,000 committed for use of local labour and $50,3000 was spent on room and board.

4. No penalties or holdbacks have been taken against Nova Construction by the Housing Corporation, although a lower than projected amount was actually spent on local labour. Nova Construction reports that many of the local workers hired did not return after being paid and they had a difficult time replacing them. This has been confirmed in writing by a local contractor in the community. I have supplied a copy of this letter to Mr. Patterson directly. Therefore, the corporation believes that Nova Construction made a serious attempt to meet the local target.

Further, there were five other large projects being built in the community at the same time, making it more difficult to attain local labourers. The other projects that were being worked on were a two-bay maintenance garage, hamlet garage renovations, a tank farm addition, a school addition and a health centre, all costing around $6 million in total.

I have a provisional Return To Written Question 20-12(7), asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell and replied to by the Premier, concerning summary of international travel.

The information requested by Mrs. Marie-Jewell has taken some time to compile and a return to the question cannot be ready by the due date of April 25, 1995. A return will be filed on or before Wednesday, June 7, 1995.

I have a return to Written Question 22-12(7), asked by Ms. Mike and replied to by the Minister of Health and Social Services, concerning health concerns regarding seal meat.

The Department of Health and Social Services will continue to promote the use of seal meat as a healthy food, considering what is known about its risks and benefits. The department is currently working on the development of "fact sheets" which will outline the benefits of traditional foods. These will be made available to Inuit coastal communities and other Northwest Territories communities in 1995-96.

Thank you. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Whitford.

Report On Bill 28

Thank you. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Dent.

Report On Bill 30

Thank you. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Rule 42(10), I wish to table Tabled Document 96-12(7), response to Petition 3-12(7) tabled by the Clerk and responded to by the Minister of Justice.

Thank you. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Mr. Whitford.

The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Whitford, proceed with your motion.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters: Bill 1, Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96; Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Fair Practices Act; Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Retirement Plan Beneficiaries Act; Bill 22, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 1994-95; Bill 23, Write-off of Debts Act, 1994-95; Bill 24, Community Employees' Benefits Act; Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Jury Act; Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act; Committee Report 2-12(7), Report on the Legislative Action Paper on the Office of Ombudsman for the Northwest Territories; Committee Report 3-12(7), Report on the Review of the Legislative Action Paper Proposing New Heritage Legislation for the Northwest Territories; Committee Report 4-12(7), Report on the Review of the 1995-96 Main Estimates; Committee Report 5-12(7), Report on the Review of Rewriting the Liquor Laws of the Northwest Territories: A Legislative Action Paper; Committee Report 6-12(7), Report on the Review of the Legislative Discussion Paper on the Draft of the New Education Act; and, Committee Report 7-12(7), Report on the Second Annual Report, 1993-94, of the Languages Commissioner of the NWT, with Mr. Whitford in the chair.

By the authority given to the Speaker to address the sitting hours, I would like to place you in committee of the whole until such time as the committee is prepared to report.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Department Of Municipal And Community Affairs

Yes, Mr. Chairman, thank you. Mr. Chairman, the department's mandate is to assist municipal governments and community authorities to provide responsive

government and municipal programs and services. In fulfilling this mandate, the department believes in forging strong partnerships with communities.

In the preparation of the 1995-96 main estimates, various envelope committees were established. The department was part of the Infrastructure Envelope Committee with the departments of Public Works and Services, Executive, Finance, Personnel, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Financial Management Board Secretary and the Legislative Assembly.

Staff of these departments worked cooperatively and collaboratively to establish priorities and seek ways of sharing limited financial resources. Numerous alternatives were examined, relative priorities compared and joint approaches explored to make better use of the financial and human resources available.

The department's 1995-96 O and M estimates is the result of this process, Mr. Chairman. For the 1995-96 fiscal year, O and M estimates of $67.933 million are proposed for the department, an increase of 5.3 per cent over the 1994-95 main estimates.

This past year the department's headquarters offices have been reorganized to streamline the organization and improve its responsiveness to community transfer initiatives, division preparation and other Cabinet priorities. The department's 1995-96 operation and maintenance main estimates reflects the revised accounting structure of this reorganization.

Reorganization has allowed the department to reduce its person year requirement, Mr. Chairman, and the department is advancing a six person year reduction in permanent person years to 141.8 person years and a .8 person year reduction in casual person years to 5.7 person years for 1995-96.

All person year reductions in the headquarters organization were made with every attempt to redeploy the staff affected to other positions in the department. To date, no one has been laid off.

The envelope committee process included three major phases, where reductions were proposed, new initiatives examined and funding for forced growth identified.

Mr. Chairman, the reductions proposed totalled $2.128 million for 1995-96. Departmental reductions are planned in the following areas:

-As a result of departmental reorganization there is a planned reduction of $820,000 in salaries.

-A reduction of $545,000 will result from an expenditure management program aimed at reducing overhead. Special management action will be taken to ensure present levels of service continue to community governments.

-A reduction of $600,000 in extraordinary funding to communities is proposed. This reduction will not limit or impact normal transfer payments to community governments, but will reduce the department's flexibility to address extraordinary funding needs.

Overall forced growth increases of $2,395,000 are proposed for 1995-96 for the following areas:

-$959,000 is proposed for the water and sewage services subsidy program resulting from the building of 171 privately-owned housing units in the Northwest Territories in 1993-94. The transfer of 23 units to government staff also increases the department's budget for this program by $85,000. This $85,000 increase is offset by an equivalent decrease in the Department of Public Works and Services budget.

Mr. Chairman, the department continues to work with communities to ensure safe water and sanitary sewage services. While most communities in the north now have a good water supply, some difficulties remain.

Coppermine, Fort McPherson and Nahanni Butte, for example, still have less than satisfactory service, and efforts are under way to improve the difficulties with their water supply.

-Forced growth funding of $395,000 is proposed to meet increased O and M costs of new municipal infrastructure in hamlets, charter communities and settlements. Hamlet transfer payments are a major part of the department's O and M funding. This funding is transferred directly by contribution to hamlets and charter communities, and accounts for nearly 45 per cent of all departmental O and M grants and contributions.

Support provided by this government to these non-tax-based communities is essential for their continued effective operation.

-$648,000 is proposed for the recreation salary subsidy program to meet costs of subsidizing the salary of recreation leaders in 19 additional communities. The subsidy applies to graduates of the Arctic College recreation leadership program and to facility maintainers.

Funding is included for those facility maintainers in 30 communities who have improved their qualifications through the department's recreation facility maintainer course. The recreation salary subsidy program supports an estimated 100 full-time positions in the Northwest Territories and the training received by facility maintainers helps protect over $110 million invested in community recreation infrastructure.

-$308,000 is proposed for the recreation facility operating subsidy program to operate newly constructed community gyms, halls, assembly buildings, above-ground pools and arenas.

In addition to these forced growth increases, Mr. Chairman, the department's 1995-96 budget has been increased as a result of two interdepartmental transfers.

-A budget transfer from the Department of Public Works and Services of $1,704,000 is proposed to offset the department's costs of the government implementing user-pay for water and sewage services to occupants of GNWT staff housing.

The Department of Public Works and Services formerly paid the full economic cost for water and sewage services for GNWT staff housing.

With the introduction of user-pay, the department now pays the difference in the subsidized rate and the economic rate. In effect, Mr. Chairman, the introduction of user-pay will reduce government expenditures for water and sewage services to GNWT staff housing.

-The department also proposes to receive a budget transfer of $978,000 from the Department of Public Works and Services for the community dust control program. This program transfer has been made in response to the Standing Committee on Finance's recommendation to this House.

The community dust control program will provide contribution funding to 39 communities at levels equivalent to that spent in each community by the Department of Public Works and Services last year for application of dust suppressant chemicals on community roads.

Mr. Chairman, I am also pleased to present new initiatives of $1,469,000. These new initiatives are largely directed at providing advice, training and support to community governments in support of the ever-increasing responsibilities communities are assuming.

The focus of the department's training initiative is the elected leaders as well as senior administrators, firefighters and land administrators who work for community governments. Also, $126,000 has been allocated to the development of an education program leading to certification of senior administrative officers.

These senior people in the community administration are key to the sound management of community governments. There is $91,000 proposed for the completion and delivery of an elected officials orientation program.

Mr. Chairman, the loss of human life and property as a result of fires in the Northwest Territories is well above national averages. Recognizing this fact, the department is pleased to propose funding for a three-year firefighter training program with $350,000 in the first year, 1995-96.

This program, to be developed in conjunction with the fire marshal's office, will provide training and support to firefighters to protect human life and property. The program will provide firefighter training, heightened general public awareness and education, and support for live firefighting exercises in regional centres.

There is $200,000 proposed for land administration training for community staff. The demand for trained land administration staff will be highest initially in Nunavut, in preparation for the transfer of municipal lands under the Nunavut final agreement, but training needs for other communities in the western NWT are expected to grow.

As Members are well aware, a referendum was held April 10, 1995, in each community in Nunavut allowing residents to decide whether their municipal council will be able to sell or lease the municipal lands to be transferred under the Nunavut final agreement. As a result of the community referenda, all Nunavut municipalities will lease municipal land, and exercise a greater authority over management of community lands after July 1996.

In support of the orderly transfer of municipal land administration to Nunavut municipalities, a community land administration certificate program has been established at Nunavut Arctic College.

Mr. Chairman, the municipal lands situation in the western Northwest Territories is in evolution. The land lease only policy, brought into effect in 1985, was intended as a temporary measure to restrict the sale of community lands in the Dene/Metis comprehensive claims area until the completion of land claims negotiations.

Cabinet recently extended the policy until July 1995, however, an evaluation of the policy, conducted in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders during 1994, has led to the decision to replace the land lease only policy with a new municipal lands policy by July 1995.

This new policy, to be developed in consultation with community governments and aboriginal stakeholders, will provide for the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs to provide a stable land administration in regions or communities where treaty or land claims negotiations are ongoing, while providing means by which communities will determine if and under what conditions, municipal lands might be sold or leased.

Mr. Chairman, a final major new initiative for which funding is proposed is the settlement operating assistance policy, which I announced several weeks ago in this House.

Mr. Chairman, in concluding these opening comments to the department's 1995-96 O and M estimates, I wish to confirm the importance of the department's partnerships with community governments.

The NWT Association of Municipalities, as the united voice of many of the community governments in the NWT, is an important partner and I look forward to a strong working relationship with the association.

At the association's annual general meeting resolutions are passed, often directed to the department. Of the 25 resolutions passed at the 1994 annual general meeting, eight were directed to the department. Four of the eight resolutions have been responded to by the department.

The remaining four resolutions, together with several outstanding resolutions from previous years, deal with changes to municipal legislation. The number of concerns raised about current legislation has convinced me, Mr. Chairman, of the wisdom of a comprehensive review of amendments to municipal legislation. I will soon be announcing a process to undertake such a review.

Mr. Chairman, in closing, the department's proposed budget strives to respond to the changing needs of community governments on a comprehensive and equitable basis. I now look forward to answering the committee's questions. Thank you.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left is Mr. Dave Ramsden, deputy minister. To my right is Mr. Jim France, director of finance and administration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't have a great number of general comments. I just wanted to talk in a general way about a number of issues that have faced Yellowknife that I and other Yellowknife MLAs have dealt with, with the Minister and the deputy minister. I expressed a number of concerns earlier in this session, back in February, and I want to go on the record that I'm satisfied with the progress we're making on these issues. I have a firm commitment from the Minister that these issues have been resolved so, at this point, Mr. Chairman, I don't have any concerns with the department. I think the department is generally doing a good job in dealing with the concerns that I have, as an MLA. Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I, too, don't have a lot to say but I was satisfied with and liked the Minister's opening remarks. Earlier this winter, I had some concerns about the hamlets that were going over their budgets and whether those were growing or if they were paying them off. I put forward this question earlier but he told me he would be able to answer my question at this time. Is he ready to give the answer to my question, Mr. Chairman?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, at this time, if the Member wishes, we have copies available of the financial status of hamlets up until December 31, 1994, if he wants to wait until we get to the community development section of the budget. It is up to the Member, Mr. Chairman.

(Translation) Mr. Chairman, he keeps putting off my question. He is now saying we can deal with it when we get to that activity, but I would like to get the answer right now if it is possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will deal with the question now. There are 21 hamlets, Mr. Chairman, with an accumulated surplus in the general municipal fund. There were 18 hamlets that had an accumulated deficit as of March 31, 1994. That is in comparison to the previous year, where there were 20 hamlets with a surplus and 19 hamlets with a deficit. So one hamlet has gone into a deficit position.

I am sorry, Mr. Chairman, I got that backwards. There is one more that has gone from a deficit to a surplus, Mr. Chairman.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Line By Line

Directorate

Agreed.

---Agreed

Community Development

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Can I ask for clarification? Is the Member referring to regional reorganization?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there has been an internal committee of the department which has drafted some terms of reference about some possible changes to the functional make-up of the department. At this stage, that report has gone forward to the other senior management committee members of the department and it is the intent of the department, once it comes back to me, to develop a consultation paper which will go forward to municipalities, the NWT Association of Municipalities, MLAs and other concerned parties to get their feedback into what the department is proposing in restructuring the department. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, it was recognized in our headquarters reorganization that there is the lack of a communications strategy. In looking at the next phase of the reorganization of the department, we are developing a communications strategy and outlining a consultation process for concerned parties.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Sport And Recreation