Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to be able to inform Members of this Assembly this morning, that representatives of the Government of the Northwest Territories, together with senior representatives of BHP Diamonds Incorporated, have completed negotiations on the Socio-economic agreement regarding BHP's/NWT's Diamonds project. On behalf of the government I initialled that agreement yesterday, as did Mr. Jim Excel of BHP.

This agreement is an important step forward in moving the proposed BHP Diamond Mine in the Lac De Gras area towards reality. Together with the anticipated environmental agreement which this government has participated in, I believe we are at a point where we can be comfortable in clearly expressing our support for this project.

Mr. Speaker, the results of the past several weeks were very encouraging. This agreement establishes principles to ensure that to the greatest extent possible, the people of the north will have access to the training, employment and business opportunities associated with the project.

Mr. Speaker, I plan to say more about this next week. My goal today is to make this assembly aware of this important development and I would like to express my appreciation to BHP officials for the strong commitments they have brought to the table to more forward together on this important northern initiative. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation is committed to providing and maintaining safe, reliable and cost-effective facilities. As part of that commitment, the corporation recently honoured the first 15 graduates of an innovative training program for diesel plant operators.

These people have the critical task of supplying power to their communities, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Their dedication to the job of keeping the lights on should not be overlooked.

The Power Corporation believes it is important that plant operators be able to upgrade their knowledge and skills. Well-trained operators are more confident in the job they are doing and they can do it more safely. Training programs are a wise investment because they provide employees with a solid opportunity for career advancement with the corporation.

The Operator Training Program brings regional operators together for two weeks of classroom training under the instruction of Ernest Murdoch, a veteran diesel-electric operator and stationary engineer with 20 years experience in the Territories. Mr. Murdoch also spends another week with each operator in their own plant.

The fifteen recent graduates are all from the Baffin region. They include ten Inuit operators, and among them is one woman. When the program is completed in the spring of 1998, more that 60 operators in 43 communities will have had their skills improved. Other courses are now underway for system operators, and a third program is being developed for shift operators at large plants in Iqaluit, Yellowknife and Inuvik.

Mr. Speaker, these people have a great responsibility, not only to the corporation, but to their friends and neighbours in communities across the North. Making sure they have the right training is the best way to help them continue to do their jobs safely, effectively and efficiently.

Mr. Speaker, I know this Assembly joins me in congratulating these operators, and future graduates, on their accomplishment. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise this House that the results of the NWT School Relationships Survey have now been released. This project was initiated by the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association, which invited the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to participate.

The survey includes information from students, regional board members, teachers, principals, and other staff. It describes the relationships in NWT schools, and between schools and the community.

The results show that in schools with a positive climate, there is teamwork and an effective discipline policy that is applied consistently. The survey also shows that schools must be flexible and use a variety of approaches to find what is most effective for students, staff and community.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture, and Employment and the Teachers Association are already working with district education authorities and teachers to improve the relationships in NWT schools.

Several initiatives are designed to help students deal effectively with challenges. These include the use of school community counsellors and peer counselling. The school health curriculum helps students learn anger management, problem solving, and personal management skills.

Providing support to teachers is also very important. A staff member from the department has travelled extensively across the NWT to train teachers in non-violent crisis intervention so they can work more effectively with students. Through the Principal's Certification Program, principals learn how to foster a school environment that encourages learning.

Developing this climate depends very much on the co-operation of parents, elders, and the community. And to ensure that students, teachers, and the community know what is expected of them, the Education Act requires every school to develop a discipline policy. The relationships within a school, and between the school and community, are very much a matter of community wellness. The resources of the entire community, including sport and recreation opportunities, play an important role in helping young people develop healthy lifestyles and the confidence they need to work effectively with others.

Mr. Speaker, I am confident that the School Relationship Survey will encourage a healthy discussion of school relationships in communities across the Northwest Territories, and help stakeholders develop an action plan to improve relationships. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The week of October 6-12 is Fire Prevention Week, and this is the time of year when we honour those who devote their time, talents, and sometimes even their lives to protecting us from the dangers of fire.

Today, I rise to boast about the Hay River fire department. This all-volunteer department consists of 28 dedicated members under the direction of fire chief Ross Potter. Nowadays fire fighters just don't fight fires. Some of the most important work they do is working with community members to prevent fires. Teaching us to install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, to install and know how to use fire extinguishers, to plan exit drills in the home and even to clean the lint out of our clothes dryers are all part and parcel of a modern fire fighter's duties.

Our fire fighters are as well trained as those anywhere. With the help of the St. John's Ambulance, Lethbridge and Red Deer Colleges, Alberta Fire Training Services, North American Rescue, and in-house training, our fire fighters are prepared for any emergency.

Fire fighters also handle medical emergencies. In Hay River, we have 2 ambulances with 3 trained emergency medical technicians, and 4 members with emergency rescue status trained at NAIT and SAIT, and who are amongst our fire fighters, and they have handled 204 medical emergencies and 78 medevacs to date this year.

Through funding from both the federal and territorial governments, the Hay River fire department has used volunteer labour to build a 3 storey fire tower with annexed smoke house and training room on Vale Island. The complex also includes a hazardous goods training area, an extrication area, and a propane tree. This facility was opened during last year's Fire Prevention Week with its first live practice burn in the tower in May, 1996. The Town of Hay River has provided funding for 2 ambulances, 3 pumpers, 1 tanker, and heavy and light rescue vehicles, but the Fire Department itself funds a rescue boat and a winter rescue vehicle.

Mr. Speaker, I think we should all ensure that the fire fighters in our communities receive the respect and honour they deserve this week. I would especially like to recognize 4 outstanding, long-serving volunteers in Hay River's volunteer fire department; Ken Hunt, a fire fighter with 30 years service; Roger Reidman, 21 years; Floyd Hopkins, 20 years; and fire chief Ross Potter with 19 1/2 years service. Thank you to all our volunteer fire department members who improve the quality of life and safety in our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today will be a little dated. This is the first session of the Legislature since this issue arose. Last spring, Saturday Night Magazine published an article accusing Farley Mowat, a Canadian author, of embroidering the tales in his popular books about the Arctic.

I am glad to see Saturday Night Magazine and author John Goddard, the author of the article, are not so easily duped by tall tales. In fact, they have now joined a long list of northern writers who have been rolling their eyes over Farley for years. Many of you have known Ernie Lyall and have likely read his book, his well publicized and best selling book, "An Arctic Man". Today, the Lyalls are a large and well known family here in the North. Betty Lyall works here as a translator in the Legislature. Any member of this clan is a highly qualified spokesperson on northern affairs. It was Ernie who first dubbed Farley Mowat as "Mr. Hardly Know it". Many of you also know News North columnist Cec McCauley. She is a Farley Mowat critic as well. In an item last May, Cec summed up the Saturday Night article with these words: "Poor Farley. They finally caught up with his fairy tales."

Mr. Mowat has not taken the criticism lightly. He has defended himself by saying he never intended to be a non-fiction writer. True; but neither did he take pains to say that he made up stories in his books, which have sold millions of copies world-wide.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Saturday Night for publishing the article by John Goddard, who, by the way, once worked as a reporter here in the NWT. Northerners are taken for granted too often. People come up here, form opinions, and go away. I am mystified by the fact that other people take them seriously. Is it so hard to talk to us directly? Mr. Speaker, it took awhile, but the rest of the country now knows what residents of the NWT have known for years. Hopefully, the Saturday Night article will demonstrate that Northerners are the best experts on life in the North. Thank you.

-- Applause