Yes, Mr. Ng.

Mr. Speaker, I find the Honourable Member for Iqaluit is not wearing a necktie and I find that it would be inappropriate that it is not traditional dress that he is wearing and I ask that he correct that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Under the rules of decorum, the rule states that (12.9): "When in the Assembly every Member shall be attired in native dress or in a manner appropriate to the dignity of the Assembly". If you have a collar, then you wear a tie, but he has a military collar, so, how do you wear a tie on a military collar? I ask for the Member's explanation on that because there is a difference, one a tie is appropriate, and one it is not appropriate. Perhaps, you may want to clarify that, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not recognize the types of collar that the Honourable Member has on, so I would think, Mr. Speaker, I would think that he would be able to wear a tie with that, but if it is deemed that that is suitable, then obviously that is your ruling, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Is there any other Member that wishes to comment on that? The point of order, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As anyone who accepts and respects the decorum of this House, it would be me. When I reviewed the rule book this morning I did note the section, as you did, that as long as the shirt that I am wearing today, Mr. Speaker, which was a gift from my poor, dear old mom...(laughter)...does not have a tie, but it is, as it is, it is called a polo shirt and, ah, if a priest can wear it with decorum, then I am very proud to...(laughter)...the problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ootes, point of order.

The rules do make any reference to the kind of dress he used, but it does make reference to the way you dress would be appropriate for the Chamber itself and I understand that the Member did feel offended by it and, it is a difficult situation, and I do not mind saying that now. Maybe I will ask the Clerk's advice on this one. (Laughter). David?

Thank you, we will continue to, we are not clear, I am not clear which direction the Members' are asking for...I am sure, like, there are a number of times when Members' feel offended by the kind of ties you are used to, so, Mr. Kakfwi, a point of order.

I will say to the Members' now that this rule has been there since before my time and it has not changed with the times, either. I also realize that military style collars of shirts is one of the new styles that are now in the marketplace and so, perhaps maybe the rules are inappropriate for the times that we are in now and, if Mr. Ng would accept it, perhaps we can allow that type of shirt to be appropriate for the House, but if he feels offended, yet, then I will ask maybe Mr. Picco to put an appropriate string tie or bow tie or a neck tie. So, Mr. Ng, would you wish to maybe accept the way things are now or do you still feel offended? The debate is closed on this now, Okay? Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did not realize that I had caused this much of a debate on this issue, Mr. Speaker. I certainly do not have any offense to the honourable Member wearing the shirt since his Mother gave it to him. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Ng, it is very much appreciated. Perhaps in the future, I would like to ask Members, if they feel discomfort about the way they enter the chamber, that they ask for advice on whether or not it is appropriate. We do not have to run into this type of situation every time. A Member comes into the House, and I also realize that all the Members on this side are new Members and perhaps they are in the learning process too, so I appreciate your cooperation Mr. Ng.

Orders of the day. Ministers' statement. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Manitok Thompson will be absent from the House today to attend to a personal matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Ministers' statement, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statement. Ministers' statement, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to announce today that the government has selected its partner for the development of the digital communications network that was first announced to this Assembly during the Budget Address in May.

This decision is an important step in a long process to improve and modernize the communications network in the NWT as we prepare to enter the twenty first century.

To ensure that northerners have access to the opportunities presented by a modern communications network, the GNWT has taken the step of acting as the anchor tenant to get this network off the ground.

Equally as important, Mr. Speaker, was the requirement to make this increases service available on a fee for service basis to other levels of government, businesses, non-profit organizations, and individual citizens across the Territories. The implementation of the publicly accessible high speed data communications network holds tremendous potential to provide new spin off opportunities for northern companies and residents.

Mr. Speaker, three companies responded to the request for proposals. Over the past two and a half months, we have analyzed the proposals and met with two of the proponents to review their proposals and ask further detailed questions. Based on this detailed analysis, I am pleased to announce that the successful proponent is Ardicom Digital Communications Inc., a northern owned and operated company. The equal owners of Ardicom are: Arctic Co-operatives, NASCO, the Northern Aboriginal Services Corporation, and NorthwesTel.

Arctic Co-operatives Ltd. is the co-operative federation for 41 community based co-operatives across the Territories. In addition to numerous other services, Arctic Co-ops run cable TV distribution systems in a number of NWT communities.

NASCO is owned by four aboriginal development corporations; Denendeh Development Corporation, Yukon First Nations, Nunasi Corporation, and the Inuvialuit Corporation. NASCO is experienced in providing services and operating facilities throughout the North.

I want to emphasize that this network will be available to every community across the Territories. Through services such as distance education, tele-medicine and electronic delivery of government services, we will be able to improve services while avoiding spiral costs.

Members will be aware that the major user departments have already identified funding in their business plans for the cost of this service. We expect other departments and organizations to utilize this service as opportunities for service improves and cost reductions become available to them.

The request for proposal requires that the network be completed by March 31, 1999. We remain committed to this deadline in order to ensure that the network is completely in place by the time this Territory divides and in time for the new Territory of Nunavut to take full use of its capacity to support a decentralized structure and operations. However, we are also hopeful that this time frame can be shortened to make the entire network operational prior to that date.

Once negotiations with Ardicom Digital Communications have been concluded, I will provide Members of this House and the residents of the NWT, with the further details of the plans to implement this exciting project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Ministers' statement, Mr. Dent.