Minister's statement, Mr. Morin.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Jim Antoine will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend the meeting of the Council of the Ministers' Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety in Charlottetown. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, previous governments made the decision, and this one concurred, to remove itself from the position of landlord to it's employees. It started with the selling of staff houses in Yellowknife and gradually expanded to Hay River, and Fort Smith. Where no private market existed, one now exists. Next came Inuvik. Then the Government started to sell surplus houses in all communities across the Territories. Most recently, current tenants have been asked to make a reasonable offer on their unit without any predetermined restrictions. In fact, the Government has made it clear that it will sell all it's owned housing to either existing tenants or on the open market.

In concert with the sale of owned staff housing, the Government has also been reducing its inventory of leased staff housing, where this can be done without undue financial hardship to northern landlords. In many cases landlords have had the benefit of twenty years or more of guaranteed government leases and have achieved a degree of financial security where they should be able to rent to tenants at affordable rents. The time has come to cut the flow of government support and require these landlords to deal fairly and directly with the tenants.

Mr. Speaker, like any major change, the government's efforts to remove itself as landlord to employees has not been without challenges and, yes, opposition. The objections we are hearing today, are the same objections we heard many years ago in Yellowknife, and some of the issues and concerns are legitimate now, as they were then. Change brings issues that we must address.

Today's largest issues surround the sale of staff housing in small communities and the potential rental rate impact on employee/tenants of the government not renewing staff housing leases. Both issues are legitimate and need to be solved.

Since 1992-93 the government has sold over 400 houses to staff. Many staff have welcomed the opportunity to buy a house at a good price. There are some staff, however, that oppose the sale of staff housing, particularly in our smaller communities. To address this issue we must determine why staff are reluctant to purchase the house they are living in. The appraised value of these units is very conservative and staff can make a reasonable offer based on their own view of the value of the unit. Mortgage financing is available. Staff can actually reduce their monthly outlay for shelter by buying their staff housing unit, and the government will buy back the unit when the employee leaves at a price based on the appraised value if they cannot sell it in the open market.

Mr. Speaker, given these facts I can only conclude that staff are resisting the sales program because it has not been adequately explained to them. I know that the notices we sent out through the N.W.T. Housing Corporation were sent late and in many cases did not go out consistently. Staff also experienced difficulty in getting answers to questions once they did receive their notices, and the long and the short of it, Mr. Speaker, is we did not communicate well. To compensate for these problems I am taking two steps:

First, I am extending the deadline for the current tenants to submit an offer to purchase on a single detached unit to October 31, 1996, the date when we must receive an expression of interest on multi-plex units is also extended to October 31, 1996 and on multi-plex offers to purchase until December 31, 1996.

Second, it is my intention to retain private real estate agents across the Territories to assist the government and tenants in this sales process. The government is not an expert in selling houses and has not done a good job in trying. Professional real estate agents will assist staff to understand the purchase offer and the economics and elements of buying a home.

Mr. Speaker, the second issue that must be addressed has to do with rent increases. Staff are worried, what they will face when the government does not renew existing staff housing leases. This is a much more complex problem than the issues surrounding the sales of government owned units.

As I stated earlier, some landlords have benefited from the security of government leases for many years. Their buildings have been paid for by now and they should be in a position to offer rental rates directly to tenants that reflect the financial security these landlords enjoy.

Other landlords, mostly northern landlords, have only recently entered the field and have not had the opportunity to build equity and must pay high financing costs. These northern landlords may not be able to bring rental rates down to the levels of more mature markets such as Yellowknife. In the case of the financially secure landlord, the government will not renew leases. For newer northern landlords, the government will consider lease renewals.

The dropping of some leases does mean that there will be a direct relationship between the tenant and the landlord. The landlord will set the rent, not the government. I firmly believe that where leases are dropped, the landlord should have the ability to offer a rent level in line with mature markets. As a result, tenants should not be subjected to rents significantly higher than those in Yellowknife. Some difference from Yellowknife rates is to be expected, but employee tenants should be able to accommodate these differences as a result of the cost of living adjustments provided in the northern allowance.

However, Mr. Speaker, we do not live in a theoretical world, we live in a real one. Landlords accustomed to higher revenues from their properties may need time to adjust to the new economic realities. They may not be willing to reduce rents to affordable levels immediately. Eventually they must bring rents in line with what the market can afford or they will face very high vacancy rates, but the government cannot dictate what rents these landlords should charge, so time may be needed for market forces to begin to work.

During this market transition period, employees/tenants cannot be left without some protection from significant rental increases. These tenants will also need time to make choices and pursue alternative housing if necessary.

Mr. Speaker, to bridge this market transition period, the government will provide up to twenty four months of rent support to tenants. Where the government drops a staff house lease and the landlord establishes a rent that is more than 10% higher than the rent the tenant was previously paying the government, the government will pay the difference to the landlord up to 10 percent less than the previous lease rate the government paid for that unit. Simply stated, the government will, as a minimum, expect the tenant to be able to pay 10 percent more and the landlord to receive at least 10 percent less. During the twenty four month period in which this transition assistance is provided, the government will provide additional assistance to employees/tenants to relocate to alternative accommodation if landlords do not bring rents down to reasonable level. If the landlords do not act quickly to make these rent adjustments, they face the prospect of steadily increasing vacancy rates as tenants choose other accommodation options.

Mr. Speaker, these measures are fair. They recognize and deal with real issues that staff and landlords have. But make no mistake, the government is committed to removing itself from the role of landlord to it's employees and creating as much of a private housing market as possible. Scarce government funds must be used to provide support to those that need it the most.

Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Department has entered into a dialogue with its partners and the public about what Health and Social Services should look like in the future.

We face many choices as we look to a reformed system -- the need to focus on prevention in a time of fiscal retreat may force us to take money from some areas so we can increase spending in others.

As we move into developing a strategic plan, we will continue that collaboration with more extensive consultation with partners and the public.

As a starting point, the department sent a flyer to every household in the Northwest Territories. We have already received input from the public by e-mail, fax and on the 1-800 line. Preliminary feedback focuses on the need for more education and prevention, equitable benefits and a long range strategy, Mr. Speaker, as the department moves into high gear in it's strategic planning process, we must listen carefully to what people tell us that they think is important.

We must also look at what the communities are doing, right now, to shape their own futures. For example, recent tragic events in Kugluktuk have underlined the need for that community to come to terms with it's problems. I am happy to report that the residents of Kugluktuk have stepped up the challenges they face, with a plan to integrate services in the community. This is being done so people can get the help they need, regardless of where they entered the system.

By working together towards more responsive services, perhaps this community will be able to work through these tragedies to a healthier, more positive future. Another example of a community taking control of it's services is Hay River. I recently attended signing ceremonies which included a contract of the town to run H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital and Woodland Manor. We expect more communities will come forward in the next few months to take an increasing role in their Health and Social Services delivery. Mr. Speaker, it is also important for regional boards to have autonomy in meeting health and social needs in their regions. The department is moving out of program delivery.

This shift will have a positive effect on the way boards deliver services. It will give them more autonomy, accountability, and control as well as flexibility to tailor programs to meet regional needs, and surplus and deficit retention. It is important for all of us to support this move toward autonomy by giving them control of the issues that affect them. The Department's ministry functions will include planning, policy and legislation, setting and enforcing standards, funding, monitoring, auditing, and evaluation.

Mr. Speaker, Health and Social Services reform is taking place throughout the country as a result of decreasing budgets and escalating social program costs. The NWT is in a very similar situation except for the fact that we have the highest birth rate and some of the poorest health status indicators in the country. We must begin to curtail our escalating costs by shifting some of our resources and programs from treatment to prevention.

Mr. Speaker, by focusing on longer term cost-saving initiatives, such as preventive programs, I am confident Health and Social Services reform will ensure a more effective, efficient system, which is sustainable in the long term. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to informing my colleagues about specific initiatives and directions in health and social services reform as we move through this session. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Minister's statement, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later today, I will be tabling the government's 1995 interim financial statements. These statements show our financial results from the past fiscal years. In summary, the government ends up with a $15.6 million annual deficit, and total revenues of $1 billion and $255.7 million. This is a slight improvement from the $30.8 million annual deficit estimated in the May 1996 budget and resulted in a closing deficit of $27.2 million.

As I stated in the May 1996 budget, federal reductions to our form of finance and revenue began in the current fiscal year. The two year fiscal recovery plan developed by this Legislative Assembly allows us to recover from these reductions and once again start living within our financial means.

In May, I estimated that the deficit for the current fiscal year would be approximately 43 million dollars. To ensure that we meet this target, the Legislative Assembly passed amendments to the Deficit Elimination Act, also, the Financial Management Board instituted an expenditure management system to monitor on a monthly basis, the progress we are making toward meeting our deficit target and to ensure corrective action is taken, if necessary.

With these two accountability measures in place and the budget reforms we have implemented, I believe we will stay within our target of a 43 million dollar annual deficit for 96-97. Mr. Speaker, our plan is to return to a balanced annual budget in 97-98. We are on course to achieve this goal, if we remain committed to the reforms instituted by this House.

But make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, the reforms require that more difficult decisions lie ahead of us. Our priority must remain balancing the budget and moving ahead with the critical social reforms and economic initiatives upon which our future depends.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you Mr. Todd. The Chair would like to recognize, in the

Speaker's gallery, Mr. Jean-Pierre Kingsley, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada and of the Northwest Territories.

Welcome to the Legislative Assembly Mr. Kingsley.

Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to make my statement first, as I will be leaving for a period of time to go to a funeral.

My statement today is in regards to fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects.

The Member from Yellowknife South, Mr. Henry, and myself have made several statements on this subject and just to refresh our memories individuals with FAS/FAE can be compared in social behaviours and cognitive impairments to persons with a closed head injury. Their handicaps are hidden.

Mr. Speaker, children with FAE typically have normal appearance but have predictable problems in school, community and home.

FAS/FAE are the most common cause of mental retardation in the United States and is a condition that cannot be outgrown. The brain damage lasts a lifetime but the manifestations and type of problems change with each age.

Mr. Speaker it is absolutely important to indicate that FAS and FAE are 100 percent preventable.

Under questioning in this House the Minister of Health and Social Services had indicated that he is willing to work with other groups to get a strategy in place for this government to be able to tackle this preventable problem.

In the spring, after that statement was made I met with the FAS Community Team in Yellowknife. And we agreed it would be good for them to develop a strategy that they could present to the Minister and to this House.

The Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Henry, and myself met with this team the other day and they actually presented their strategy to us. They had to work hard over the summer and they are very proud of their achievement and I am also proud to say I played a small part in this.

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

Thank you Mr. Erasmus. The Honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays?

Mr. Erasmus please conclude your statement.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I will just read a little bit of their covering letter that they included with their strategy.

"Since it first began meeting two and a half years ago, the FAS Community Team has enjoyed a number of successes in raising public awareness about FAS and supporting families and children affected. Some of our successes include two television ads that have been broadcast in the NWT with prevention of FAS/FAE messages."

They have also developed two FAS/FAE prevention posters and a plain langauge information pamphlet. One of these poster, Mr. Speaker, is right here, there is also a pamphlet here and these two will be tabled later today along with the strategy.

There are several other successes, Mr. Speaker, which people can read once this document is tabled. I wanted to indicate further in this letter the strategy document was developed by the FAS Community Team which came together to advise the Living and Learning with FAS Project, which is funded by Health Canada.

The document is the result of many people who have experience in the community, coming to consensus about the most appropriate way to approach the complicated issues surrounding FAS/FAE. Members of the FAS Community Team include representatives from the following groups:

- The Department of Health and Social Services

- Parents

- Public Health

- Status of Women Council of the N.W.T.

- The Tree of Peace

- The Yellowknife Women's Centre

- Yellowknife Dene Community Wellness Program

- The Stanton Regional Hospital Paediatric Rehab Team

- The Yellowknife Education Region No. 2

- Mackenzie Regional Health

- The N.W.T. Council for Disabled Persons

As you can see, Mr. Speaker, this team had very comprehensive input from very many different types of organizations and areas of work in this field. The FAS Community Team has identified two objectives in this strategy as priorities:

Number one, to pilot a comprehensive treatment program for pregnant women with substance dependency issues.

Secondly, to develop and deliver a standardized modular training program, on FAS/FAE, with materials in plain language.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Members' statement, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Baffin Regional Hospital was built in 1962 and since then no major renovations have ever been done. Even though the population in Baffin region has doubled, the hospital is 34 years old and needs to be replaced. It serves 13 communities and approximately 13,000 people. It is the only hospital serving the Baffin region.

It is not acceptable to have this project delayed or cancelled in the agreement signed March 31, 1988, the Territorial Government took over the responsibility of health services for the Northwest Territories. Also, in which, the federal government promised to provide its share of $25,000,000 for a new hospital to be located in Iqaluit.

Last year at the Baffin Leaders' Summit, in Iqaluit, last January, it passed two different motions to have this construction proceed, and the motions were unanimously passed.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my people in Amittuq, and other parts of the Baffin region I will keep this issue alive until we see some results in this greatly needed service for the Inuit in Nunavut.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. Members' statements, Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you Mr. Krutko. Members' statements. We have the Member for High Arctic, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Swift action immediately after election to avoid an unaccountable budget deficit. We all participate in the process of developing this year's budget, and considering the various initiatives brought forward by the Government. This kind of inclusive decision making demonstrates consensus government at it's best. While the process was not perfect, I believe we have come to a point where we can make decisions on the 1997-98 business plans and budget knowing that we have an excellent foundation to build on.

Now, after a number of consolidations and amalgamations of departments, there is a proposal for yet another amalgamation. This time the plan is to combine the NWT Housing Corporation with the Department of Transportation and Public Works and Services. These are the three most important arms on the Government in terms of building infrastructure in the Northwest Territories. While there are undoubtedly some sound reasons for amalgamating them, we still can not take such an important step without the full participation of this Assembly. That is why I was disturbed to hear the Honourable Premier say that this amalgamation may proceed without a full debate.

Mr. Speaker, if such a thing is allowed to happen, when the government's fine words from earlier this year was about a common agenda and working together, how meaningless. The restructuring of the government is too important to pass off as casually as a minor policy change. This proposed amalgamation is worth it to fill an open debate in this House, and I expect the Honourable Premier and his cabinet colleagues to live up to a promise of a common agenda and provide opportunity for such a debate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger, Members' statement.

Thank you, kindly, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements, Member for Inuvik, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Members' statements. Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the major policy thrusts of this government is the twin towers of pain, community empowerment and the community transfer initiative. Mr. Speaker, in many respects the details of implementing this policy have not been well thought out. I personally believe there is a way for the government to save money, by downloading programs and services to the communities. Community empowerment is being marketed as a motherhood, an apple pie issue.

Give communities responsibility, let them run it, they know what communities want. Mr. Speaker, in these fiscally challenged times, what communities want is more resources, more money and more training, without adequate resources to back them up. If communities take on more operations and maintenance, infrastructure and program delivery, I fear, we will be setting these communities up to fail.

Yes, we should empower communities, Mr. Speaker, to make decisions for themselves, but empowerment is not just handing over the reigns and then abandoning all responsibility. Is it empowering our children to let them drive, if we just give them the car keys and tell them to go at it. That is not empowerment, to empower is to endow with the ability or power required for a purpose or task. We do not let anyone sit behind the wheel without training and testing. If community empowerment is to live up to its name, we have to remember the dictionary definition I have just quoted.

We must ensure that our communities have the ability to carry out the task that would be assigned to them. I am concerned that we are rushing too quickly to give the task to communities without empowering them with the ability to perform those tasks. I know the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and the departmental staff are working on training programs, monitoring systems and so on, but these have to come before the transfer of responsibility, not afterwards. While I applaud the government's efforts to empower our communities, I want to see it done right. I want community empowerment to work. I am sure all of us want to see community empowerment work, but it will not work if we put the cart before the horse. We had to do the right things in the right order.

That is why I suggest that no further responsibilities be transferred to communities before the Members of this House, and the people of the North, are assured that the appropriate preparation has been completed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Member's statement from North Slave, Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the course of a few months the community of Rae Lakes has developed a proposal that will take care of capital needs of the community.

This proposal has taken into account all projects currently in five year capital plan under the Department of MACA will combine community office buildings, the outdoor recreation facility and arena project. It is intended to work this project on a block funding basis, and also save the Government approximately 11 percent of the current total projected budget. With the support of the community, Department of Resources and Wildlife Economic Development and Treaty 11 Council the community is proposing to deliver a community hall, office complex, golf course, a playground, and an arena which will better reflect the community's needs and aspirations.

This proposal is based on partnership with the government, First Nations Band Council, MACA, Resources Wildlife Economic Development and contribution expected from all parties.

If this project is given the green light to proceed we will save the government approximately over $269,000. In our mind this seems to be the perfect example of community empowerment and fiscal responsibility at the community level. This project, however, may not get off the ground simply because of the latest controversy that has risen regarding the capital project here in the House.

It is imperative this project proceed. Too much work at the community level has been done not to allow it to go ahead. As always time is the essence of this to proceed and I fear it will be all wasted if Rae Lakes cannot get the ministerial approval it needs. This would be a real letdown considering this Assembly continually states its support for community empowerment and fiscal responsibilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Member's statements, Mr. Henry. Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Henry.

Mr. Speaker, recently the Standing Committee of this Assembly took the opportunity to review the mid-year progress of the government departments in meeting their objectives. Community empowerment is arguably the single government initiative that will have the biggest impact on how northerners relate to

their governments, territorial and municipal.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my support for the principle of community empowerment. Yes, it will result in a further downsizing of territorial government presence in Yellowknife, as more responsibilities transferred to municipal governments, but I do not believe that will hurt Yellowknife significantly. Yellowknife will continue to prosper thanks to the industriousness and resourcefulness of the citizens.

Yellowknife already pays almost half the income tax collected from the N.W.T. and the Yellowknife business community is going to get healthier thanks to such initiatives as the BHP Project. I say this to make it clear that I do not see community empowerment as a Yellowknife against other communities issue.

The issue is whether our communities are ready for community empowerment. Municipal government, both in concept, and actual implementation, is still very new and relatively undeveloped. I do not mean to pick on the constituency of my honourable colleague from Iqaluit, but the fiscal crisis by the town of Iqaluit a few years ago serves to prove my point.

Many of our communities are not yet at a stage where I at least am confident of their ability to manage greater responsibilities. I do not want to see assets transferred to communities before they are ready to properly maintain them. I do not want to see non-tax based communities given the power to borrow money before seeing assurances that they are capable of repaying the loans that they take out.

I recognize that we have many fine people serving on municipal councils and serving this House it should be responded to in a dignified manner with every effort made to provide adequate information. When this is not done, there is a perception of avoidance and then this House is brought into question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Members' statements, the honourable Member for Kivalliviq, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when a Member puts forth a question or statement in this House, it is a serious question or statement and should be treated in a respectful manner. Too often, Mr. Speaker, we receive curt or flippant responses from certain Ministers. I would once again remind my honourable colleagues across the floor that this is still a consensus government. Mr. Speaker, every question asked in this Chamber should be answered if the information is available, unless a legal issue is at stake.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of this House, this Assembly, it is not my intention to become one of the Brady Bunch. Therefore, if my constituents raise certain issues with me, whether is it popular or not, my honourable friends across the floor, I will ask that question because that is why I am here. As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Speaker, when Members pose a question, he or she has the right to expect a serious answer. These are not personal questions, and they should not be treated, as they are in some cases, with such disdain. Mr. Speaker, I will close by saying when a question or concern is raised by an Ordinary Member in this House, it should be responded to in a dignified manner, with every effort made to provide adequate information. When this is not done, there is a perception of avoidance, and then this House is brought into question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Members' statements, honourable member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Ootes, your allotted time has expired.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. You have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Members' Statement, Members' Statement, Mr. Morin.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I rise today on behalf of the riding of Tu Nedhe, which I represent, that is Fort Resolution and Lutselk'e. Nine years ago, approximately nine years ago, October 5, I believe it was, the people elected me to represent those communities and the clear mandate the people in those communities gave to me back nine years ago was that they wanted to make the decisions at the community level. They were tired of decisions being made in Yellowknife, that was the bottom line.

People never elected members to this legislative assembly to come here to keep the status quo, to come here to only protect government jobs and not turn over some responsibility and authority to communities. People elected me as their MLA to come here to make sure that we move the decision making back to our communities where it rightfully belongs.

Our communities are willing and able, Mr. Speaker, to make decisions on their own, they are willing and able to take on that task. And let me make it clear to my communities as well as other people in the Northwest Territories, it is not downloading or offloading as some think it may be.

Back in the early seventies I can remember when I was sitting on the Deninoo community council back in Fort Resolution, we happen to get one or two members on that council. In those days those councils, the communities councils were made up of nurses, or teachers or RCMP officers that were all transient to the community. Those were the people that made the decisions in our communities.

Now, I remember very clearly sitting in the Slave River saw mill office where one of these transients who was making it very clear to me, and excuse my language, Mr. Speaker, but he says "You Indians are not capable of running your own community. You are not capable of picking up your own garbage, you are not capable of cleaning your streets." We do that today, that was 20 years ago.

But we are now capable not only of picking up our garbage, cleaning our own streets, we are capable of running our own businesses, running our own programs in the community and running our own communities.

And the communities fully know there is going to be less dollars. My community knows that. But they would prefer to make the decision where the cuts happen in their own community, not let Yellowknife make it, so that is what community empowerment means to my communities, Mr. Speaker, and let me assure everybody here, Fort Resolution, Lutsel K'e are ready to move ahead and make decisions on their own. Thank you.

Thank you, Honourable Mr. Morin. Members' Statements.

Item number 4, returns to oral questions.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Returns to oral questions. Returns to oral question.

Item number 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Mr. Henry.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Dave Talbot, he is a regional vice-president for Yellowknife for Union of Northern Workers.

---Applause

Thank you Mr. Henry. Recognition of visitors in the gallery, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Recognition

of visitors in the gallery.

Item number 6, oral questions, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Dent

Thank you. Question. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr Speaker, my question today is to my good friend Mr. Ng, Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng, what is the formula that is used for the staffing of health centres to make sure the health centres are staffed with an adequate number of registered nurses? Thank you.

Thank you, Minister for Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if there is a formula, per se. I think staffing of health centres in regions are undertaken, right now by the board staff within those regions to determine where they, the human resource requirements are and they put their emphasis, then finalize their funding and provide nurses basically on those needs as they see fit, and place them in the communities, Mr. Speaker, thank you.

Oral questions, supplementary. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell this House how casual, or part-time or term nurses are hired, through what process. I understand it is through some form of an agency in the Keewatin.

Thank you, Honourable Minister Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, regional health boards have the responsibility for staffing the health centres in their region and in their board administration, so if the honourable Member wants, I could find out that information. I know the Keewatin does contract out a lot of their nursing services from an agency which I believe is based in Churchill,

however, I will confirm that and advise the Member accordingly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Oral questions, second supplementary. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister further agree to review the fact that it is my understanding that, there is a significant charge when using these agencies. If these agencies were not used, possibly the money could be used to increase the salaries and benefits of nurses so that we could further attract more permanent nurses in the north, and particularly to the Keewatin? Thank you.

Thank you, honourable Member for Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member is correct, when you use short term contract types of professionals, regardless of what field it is, the costs are significantly higher than if you had permanent staff, I know in respect to the issue of staffing of nurses throughout the Northwest Territories, it is an issue that we are aware of and we continue to work with health boards, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral question. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, the Honourable Minister for Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will make the commitment to do my utmost to ensure that the projects Inuvik and in Iqaluit go forward in as timely a fashion as possible, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral question, first supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Honourable Minister, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would look at any alternatives that could assist in bringing these projects on-line, Mr. Speaker, and recognize the importance of them. Thank you.

Oral questions, second supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, the honourable Minister, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, certainly if there are proposals for the possibility of maybe private financing services, if that were decided to be an avenue to explore and to proceed with, certainly aboriginal groups or any groups for that matter who would have the dollars to invest, would be considered towards investing in these initiatives, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, oral question. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, the Honourable Minister and House Leader, Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Presently, on the northern accord process we do have people working on that whole issue, drafting a framework agreement and, hopefully, that will be completed fairly soon. Then we can go to the aboriginal groups and the aboriginal summit, approximately in mid-November, and then we would have to re-draft that after Cabinet has approved it and then take it back to the aboriginal groups. Then, hopefully, by late November or December we will be able to discuss this issue with Members of this Legislative Assembly and then on to the Minister responsible, Minister Irwin.

As far as community benefit agreements between BHP and the aboriginal groups, they are pretty close to being finished, I think. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Oral question supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Premier.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. The negotiations between the aboriginal groups and BHP are separate processes completely, we are trying to assist and facilitate as a government and help both sides as much as

possible, and I don't see it as a precedent set in a process that would flow on to a northern accord or any other developments in the Northwest Territories. On the other hand, Mr. Speaker, they are also negotiating a social-economic agreement with BHP and I see that as a start to being able to set some ground rules for development of the North for the government to follow as well as mining companies to look at, but that would be developed over the time prior to us negotiating a northern accord or final negotiations, with the federal government. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral question, second supplementary. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Premier.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. No, I understand what the member is saying, we are moving ahead with the negotiations on the Northern Accord with the Aboriginal Groups in general, and in no way would this negotiation on socio-economic agreement or this community benefit agreement set a precedent towards the negotiations of the Northern Accord. We are dealing with all aboriginal groups with an even playing field on the whole negotiations and we will carry out with that with the same thought in mind. I thank the member for raising that issue.

Thank you, final supplementary. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Premier.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. By all means, I will do that and once again I thank the Member for raising that issue. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral question. Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Picco.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Justice, Mr. Ng. Can the Minister inform me what regulations or rules are in place to guide the

increase in rental rates? For example, a rent that goes from $500 per month to $1200 or 120 percent increase, in less than a three month period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister for Justice, honourable Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I do not have that information with me. I will commit to finding that out and advising the honourable Member. Thank you.

The honourable Member is taking the question under advisement. Oral question, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, did the honourable Minister say he was taking that question as notice? If the GNWT has actually a regulation or law in place guiding the regulation for rent increases?

Thank you, Minister for Justice, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I did not take it as notice, I said that I would find out the information and advise the member accordingly on what he requested. Thank you.

Thank you. Second supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, I guess we have kind of got to the point now where we do have this regulation in place except we are not sure what it really says, so my supplementary question is, who enforces the regulations concerning the increase in rental rates? Do we have a rental officer, for example?

Thank you, Minister for Justice, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr Speaker, yes, there is a rentals officer for the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, over the past several weeks, as Mr. Todd has mentioned earlier in his statement also, there have been several very drastic rent increases in my riding with regards to housing. The reason for my questions, of course, are to find out exactly what are in place so my constituents in my constituency will know. I am not trying to be flippant in my questions.

So, my final supplementary, if the Minister will allow me, is, is the rental officer that is based here in Yellowknife, does he or she do investigations all over the Northwest Territories, so that, the constituents in my riding would be able to contact said person, said position, put in complaints about these rental increases which the Minister has already told us there is regulations in place? So that is my question, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The honourable Minister for Justice, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the rental officer has jurisdiction for the entire Northwest Territories, but, like I said earlier, I will find out the correct information and advise the honourable member accordingly.

Thank you.

Thank you, oral question. Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.