Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Once again, the Premier didn't listen to the question that I posed, Mr. Speaker, and it's unfortunate because I'm not going to use my supplementary on it. MI leave it on the record, but I want to ask the Premier, will she review and relate to this House whether or not there was political interference in the dismissal of the Bird Dog officers who have been given verbal notice of dismissal? Will she determine whether there was political interference by her Minister? Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Madam Premier.

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I will look to determine that. I have full confidence in the Minister, in the carrying out of his duties in these very difficult times...

--- Applause

And I have full confidence that he has followed the proper procedures, but I will check again to ensure that those procedures were followed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you. Time for question period is over.

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Speaker, Return to Written Question 26-12(7), asked by Mr. Patterson on June 5, 1995 of the Minister of Health and Social Services concerning residency requirements for NWT health care cards.

Any individual or family, resident in Canada, having left their home province to take up permanent residence in the Northwest Territories is eligible to receive coverage under the Northwest Territories health care plan after three months residency.

People in the following groups are eligible for coverage on the first day of arrival in the territories: newborns, whose mothers or fathers are eligible for coverage; landed immigrants; Canadians returning from foreign residence; members of the Canadian Armed Forces or RCMP upon discharge; federal penitentiary inmates upon release; individuals holding a valid working visa; and, individuals holding a Minister's permit.

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Item 9, replies to opening address. Mr. Pudluk.

--- Applause

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Mr. Pudluk's Reply

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Thank you. (Translation) Thank you. I will make a short reply. It will be 20 years since I was elected. First of all, I would like to make an apology to my constituents because I haven't been able to visit them for a whole year. We had a lot of things to deal with, with regard to legislation. That's my first apology to my constituents. Hopefully, before August 30th, I will be able to visit my constituents.

Mr. Speaker, when I was first elected in 1975, I had more communities because Pond Inlet was included in my constituency. For the last election, they took Pond Inlet out of my constituency. It made it easier for me to visit the communities I represented, although it was cheaper then to visit my communities. Even though the number of communities has decreased, it is more expensive.

I would like to thank the people who supported me in my campaign when I ran, particularly, I would like to thank my wife who is up in the gallery. She has been very patient with me. Even though I was away a lot, she looked after everything. I would like to thank her, first of all. I would like to say to the Member for Kitikmeot, who used to sit right beside me, that since he has moved to the opposite side nobody has touched

because of the cutbacks in funding. They will have to start --- Laughter

... which is quite all right with me. Even though the person who sits beside me now is a female, she hasn't touched my legs. Residency Mr. Speaker, between 1975 and 1995 a lot of things have been accomplished in the north. Some of them are successful and some are not. The operation of the government has changed somewhat, which hasn't been very easy to deal with. Back in 1967 or 1968, a government was set up in the north and it was operated like a southern government. The Members were appointed. Back in 1975, there were 15 elected Members, and the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner led the government. I am happy to say today that this has changed. The Cabinet consists of eight, instead of two. The government in the north is more directed to the north now, and it works for the people of the north. We all know it is impossible to keep all the residents happy, but when you're representing people, you try your best to do what you have to do for your constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I was also involved when they were first dealing with the division of the Northwest Territories and it was a very difficult task. I won't go into details as to why; there were a lot of things involved. The Northwest Territories is a vast area to be handled by one government. I would like to thank the people who worked with me during the plebiscite and the people who were working on the boundary of where Nunavut should be. I am sure that western Arctic people will pick out an appropriate name for their region, Mr. Speaker. During my time, I am proud to say that when I first started back in the Baffin region, there were no hamlets. When they first started, they could become a hamlet if the population was 500 or over. Now, all the communities have hamlet councils. Also, in order to get a satellite for the communities, they had to have 500 people or over. Nowadays, all the hamlets have television services. I am very happy to see that.

Mr. Speaker, I am also proud, especially in my constituency, there has been lots of development within the past 20 years. I won't go into detail, but there have been two mines started; Nanisivik and Polaris. They also built a road from Nanisivik to Arctic Bay and it is the longest road in the Baffin region. A lot of new schools have been built in those communities, gymnasiums, et cetera. In my constituency, there will be the first arena built in Arctic Bay. Those are the major developments that have happened and I wanted to mention them because I am proud to see that.

Within that last 20 years, it hasn't always been easy. We have gone through sad times. I have had sad times and happy times. I have lost a lot of relatives when the House was sitting; I also lost a younger brother who passed away when I was here in Yellowknife. These times can be strenuous, but I am happy that I overcame them.

Like I said before, I am going to make my reply brief because I know this will be my last time during this 12th Assembly. I would like to say that I won't be running at the next election. I will miss all of you. I am not saying I won't be running again because I am too old, I am just not too new any more.

Mr. Speaker, I know for a fact that the 13th Assembly will have my leg ... a lot of work ahead of them. One of the main reasons will be working on self-government in Nunavut. The residents of

Nunavut believe in this and are expecting this. There will be alot of other work for the 13th Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I have noticed when they are first elected, Members can be good friends and help support each other; however, I have seen, more than once, after a while they become enemies. (Translation ends)

Some people understand differently. Someone says a word I understand, but you understand differently. I see something and you see something ... For example, this glass is half-full and you can say it is half empty. That is where arguments start sometimes. I have seen, a number of times, people become enemies. People are not electing us to become enemies, they are electing us to work together.

Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

--- Applause

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Pudluk for your last Member's reply, your swan song. On behalf of the Members, I would also like to wish you the best.

Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

--- Applause

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Mr. Patterson.