Speaker

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

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Mr. Speaker, over the past two years, representatives from our government have travelled regularly to Europe to alert the European community of the potential impacts on our wild fur industry of a proposed regulation. Last year, our efforts were successful in delaying the implementation of the regulation for one year. Since then, we have carefully monitored activity in the European Parliament and the European Commission, which is responsible for determining how the regulation will be implemented. We have also taken every opportunity to push the Government of Canada into becoming actively involved in resolving our concerns over this regulation.

I can now report that our vigilance has resulted in the following actions by Canada:

1. In March, the Prime Minister of Canada, after his meeting with the President of the United States, advised the Premier of renewed commitment by the US to deal with this issue and to coordinate efforts to achieve shared goals;

2. In May, the Minister of International Trade, after his meetings with his counterparts in the United States and the European Commission, advised the Premier of the important role that our government has been playing and of the potential for a negotiated solution involving Canada, the United States, Russia and the European community to resolve our outstanding concerns. If the European Commission does not accept the joint Canadian/US proposal, the Honourable Roy MacLaren has advised the Premier that Canada will take steps to protect the fur industry by initiating the dispute settlement process of the World Trade Organization;

3. In May, the Canadian Council of Environment Ministers unanimously agreed that a strong message needed to be sent to Europe immediately. Following this, the Minister for Environment Canada indicated she would contact all the European Environment Ministers to advance Canada's position; and,

4. In mid-June, the leaders of the G-7 countries will meet in Halifax and the European fur import regulation will be discussed. The Premier has written to the Prime Minister that it is important to gain the support of the other G-7 countries if we are to resolve our concerns.

The four national aboriginal organizations have also become involved and are sending representatives to Europe over the next four weeks who will make presentations and hold seminars in different countries.

Over the next few weeks, we will learn of the European community's reaction to these actions. Since only a few months are left, it is very important that any action our government takes is carefully planned to have the maximum effect. This is why I decided not to return to Europe at this time. I still believe that our government has a role to play, but that role will depend on the European community's response to the Canadian/US proposal for a negotiated solution.

On June 2nd, I wrote to both the Minister of Environment Canada and the Minister of International Trade advising them of the few months left for action, urging them to meet with their European counterparts and offering assistance from our government. In early July, I will be host to seven members of the European Parliament, who are travelling to Canada to learn about fur and forest management. I will also remain in contact with the federal Ministers to review Canada's plans for action.

Mr. Speaker, it is critical for us to continue to work together with each other, the federal government and other governments. This has been the key to our past success. For this, I would like to thank the ordinary Members for their interest, support and involvement; in particular, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Ballantyne, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Whitford, who have taken the time to participate in meetings with the Europeans.

I would like to assure everyone that we will do everything in our power to ensure that the wild fur trade continues and flourishes. We have some very hard work ahead of us yet and, as events unfold, I will keep the Legislative Assembly informed. Mutna, qujannamiik, mahsi.

Speaker

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

expensive in this area. These supplements and milk products are very important for proper nourishment, for small children in particular.

I would urge the government look into the high cost of these products, especially in the smaller communities where it is difficult to obtain these everyday necessities. I would urge the government to take a better look at this problem because these products are essential, especially 9 a mother, for one reason or another, is unable to breast-feed her child. We want more assistance with this problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker

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

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak today about the zero tolerance declaration adopted by this House a little more than a year ago. I have the feeling that there is a lack of understanding about the principle of zero tolerance, particularly in Nunavut. Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, some clarification is needed to remind our constituents and ourselves just what the focus of this philosophy is.

In February 1994, we adopted the declaration of zero tolerance for violence that occurs in the lives of too many northerners. Family violence, particularly spousal and child abuse, can be both physical and psychological and it leaves a victim scarred both physically and emotionally. It is sad that much of the time, we only hear about the violence in the homes in our community when something else occurs that brings it to our attention. Often that something else has to do with alcohol. Then the use or abuse of alcohol is mistakenly seen as the cause of violence, rather than a symptom of deeper sickness. In many cases, we are shocked to discover that the abuse has been going on for years.

Mr. Speaker, our greatest enemy in the fight against family Violence is silence. In order to stop the cycle of violence, existing attitudes must change. I quote from the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi when he addressed this issue on February 10, 1994: 'The elimination of family violence requires a wide range of actions but, at the end of the day, any family violence requires changing our attitudes which allow it to continue. We must challenge our old attitudes, values and behaviours today."

As the chosen representatives of our people, Members of the Assembly decided to adopt the declaration of zero tolerance for violence and encouraged other organizations and leaders in all communities to adopt similar declarations. It is true, Mr. Speaker, that we have many problems in the north today, but none are more damaging than violence and abuse in the home. Adopting and living up to the principle of zero tolerance for violence in our lives is a crucial first step but it is said, Mr. Speaker, that the longest journey begins with a single step.

Later this session, another step may be taken on this journey as Members debate a bill that will put in legislation what has, until now, been a parliamentary convention: that violent offences will result in expulsion from this Assembly. Whether the bill passes or not...

Speaker

Ms. Mike, your time is up. Ms. Mike.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

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

Speaker

The Member for Baffin Central is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Ms. Mike.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Whether the bill passes or not, we must keep in mind that each step on this journey brings us all closer to making our homes the safe havens they are meant to be, and reminds us that in our families we find sanctuary. Qujannamiik.

--- Applause

Speaker

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

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to extend my congratulations to 10 members of the first community-based grade 10 high school program to graduate from Repulse Bay.

I am sure that without this program, many students would have chosen not to leave the community to continue their education. With the addition of grade 11 this fall, and grade 12 in the fall of 1996, these students will now be able to stay in their home community with their families and friends, to complete their high school education.

Mr. Speaker, my thanks and congratulations goes out to the staff of Tusarvik School for their hard work and dedication to the students of this community. Even with the limited space in their school, they are still able to provide a quality education to the students. However, the problem of overcrowding in Tusarvik School is beginning to have a negative impact on both staff and students. Due to the lack of space in the school, they were forced to use the library as a classroom and a computer lab. Next year will be even worse with the addition of grade 11. Both grades 10 and 11 will have to share the library space. To compound the problem even further, 22 new kindergarten students will be enroling in the fall of 1995.

Mr. Speaker, this is why the residents of Repulse Bay are asking to have the expansion of Tusarvik School identified in the government's five-year capital plan moved from 1998-99 to the 1996-97 fiscal year. It is my hope that the government will take action on this matter so that the education being provided to the students of this community will not be compromised in any way.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I wanted to make this statement and I thank you, Mr. Speaker. The students who graduated in Repulse were the first in that community once higher grade levels were introduced within those communities. Had they not attended school within their home community, I doubt that they would have completed grade 10 or the higher levels. With the introduction of grade 11 within those communities, and eventually grade 12 in 1996, this is joyous to see. It's good that young people will be able to stay within their own communities to be amongst their friends and their own people and complete their education at higher levels.

Mr. Speaker, I'm very grateful and I'm very proud of those people who were involved in teaching these students.

--- Applause

Speaker

Are you finished? Mrs. Thompson, are you seeking unanimous consent to conclude your statement, or are you finished? You're finished?

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

(Microphone turned off)