Thank you, Mr. Arlooktoo. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Mr. Speaker, I do have an emergency statement and since it is Friday and I know that Members have put many long hours in all week, we also have to take time for a bit of ha-ha in our lives, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to speak to an issue of significant public concern. Public servants, and others, may have noticed a recent change on the face of cheques issued by the Government of the Northwest Territories. The change is located in the lower right hand corner of GNWT cheques, where you will now find the signature of the Honourable John Todd. I wish to assure everyone that I have received legal and financial advice which confirms that even with Mr. Todd's signature, the cheques remain good.

---Laughter

This is only the first of several changes planned by Mr. Todd. GNWT will soon issue its own currency to complement federal changes.

---Laughter

Our contribution will be a $3 coin. Therefore, the public should be preparing for use of not only the loonie, but also the federal "twonie" and the GNWT "Toddie." Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

---Laughter

---Applause

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Jim Antoine will be absent from the House today as he is representing the Government of the Northwest Territories in Chicago, Illinois, to promote tourism and marketing for the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Are there any further Ministers' statements? Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I was very interested to hear the statement that was made yesterday by the Honourable Kelvin Ng, Minister of Health, about community wellness. Mr. Ng stated that community wellness was a top priority for this government. The statement also made mention of the $2.9 million for the community action fund which was established for the current fiscal year.

The community of Broughton Island in my constituency has some good ideas for community action projects. In Broughton Island, they want to bring elders into the school to work with some people imparting traditional knowledge. They also want to help the young mothers to develop parenting skills at the community health centre. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, although these projects have been worked on for months, nothing is yet happening because the Department of Health and Social Services apparently cannot agree to pay administration fee is to the hamlet of Broughton Island, which has been asked to administer the funds.

When this government asks hamlets to administer funds at the community level, an administration fee is paid. I believe this is a usual business arrangement entered into between parties, when one party is delivering service for another. When public funds are involved, paying the hamlet for its administration costs also means that most of the available money can go into programs, rather than staff people dealing with administration.

Later today, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Honourable Kelvin Ng why this simple issue has been delayed -- Broughton Island's community action plan -- for so long. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today is about medical patients from Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay and Arctic Bay, who have experienced delays getting home following treatment or going to the hospital in Iqaluit. I have heard several complaints that people from these communities are approved to return home, go to the airport to travel on a scheduled flight and end up being very disappointed and inconvenienced when they are told they cannot have a seat on the plane.

This is especially frustrating for my constituents, since there are not very many scheduled flights going to my constituency from Iqaluit anymore. This concern has been expressed by the mayors of those three communities and was discussed at a recent Baffin leaders' summit meeting. In attempting to solve this problem, I have approached senior officials with First Air and I have also written to the chair of the Baffin Regional Health Board to ask the health board to assist in solving this problem. I am hopeful with better communication between health officials and the airlines, this frustrating problem for my constituents will soon be resolved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I note that later today on the order paper is a bill to amend the Public Service Act. Mr. Speaker, I have expressed in Caucus very strong concerns with this proposed amendment. I publicly state that I am against the amendment and look forward to debating it in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to say that I have been asking the Minister of Education, over the past several days, questions concerning the financial implications of transferring Nunavut Arctic College programs and will continue that line of questioning in the House today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to remind the Members that a topic on the order paper for the day shouldn't be made reference to until the issue has been dealt with. That is just a reminder. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was provided some information on some dog mushers who are at the 105-mile world championship at The Pas, Manitoba, practising up for the Arctic Winter Games. In first place after the first day was Richard Beck from Yellowknife.

---Applause

Third place is Frank Kelly from Yellowknife.

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Fourth place is Grant Beck from Yellowknife.

---Applause

Fifth place is Raymond Beck from Hay River.

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Eighth place is Ernie Campbell from Yellowknife.

---Applause

Twelfth place is the only girl in the race, and a rookie, Heather Beck.

---Applause

In thirteenth place is Jim Essrey from Hay River.

---Applause

Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue I will once again speak to today is with regard to the Rankin Inlet tank farm project. Mr. Speaker, since it appears we are still in a holding pattern for information relating to this project, I feel compelled to read the following press release that was issued last week by the Arviat hamlet council.

It reads as follows:

The Arviat hamlet council once again questions the need for the proposed Rankin Inlet fuel resupply hub.

Arviat (February 6th) - Acting Mayor Peter Kritaqliluk, reacting to the press release from Public Works and Services Minister Goo Arlooktoo announcing the resumption of negotiations for a contract to construct a P.O.L. hub tank farm at Rankin Inlet, wishes to bring the following issues to the attention of the general public.

Does the GNWT, in light of division of the NWT in 1999, have the mandate to negotiate and enter into a contract for 20 to 25 years?

With the councils of Baker Lake, Arviat and Coral Harbour previously on record as being opposed to this project, on what authority does the GNWT feel it can proceed with this project?

"With clearly more than 50 per cent of the representative population of the Keewatin region against this project, why is it that the GNWT is treating this as a priority project and proceeding with negotiations? Is the government refusing to listen to the people?" said Kritaqliluk.

The churchill tank farm, owned by the Government of Canada, as noted in Arlooktoo's press release of February 2, 1996 is, "scheduled to shut down in 1998. The territorial government had the opportunity to purchase this facility, but declined."

"Our initial inquiries indicate that the Churchill facility will close in 1998 because it would no longer have a purpose if the GNWT isn't going to store fuel for the Keewatin there." said Kritaqliluk.

A committee struck by the Arviat hamlet council has discovered that the cost of upgrading the existing Churchill fuel storage facility was estimated at a fraction of the estimated $16 million required to construct a Rankin Inlet facility. The tank farm component of the Rankin Inlet project, by the GNWT's own estimate, would be in excess of $6 million alone. In addition, marine and navigational improvements for the Rankin project would cost in excess...

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Your time is up.

I am seeking permission to continue my statement, Mr. Speaker.

The Member for Kivallivik is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

...marine and navigational improvements for the Rankin project would cost in excess of another $10 million, making the total cost of the project in excess of $16 million.

"In light of the GNWT's projected $150 million deficit, how can this project still be justified?" asks Kritaqliluk.

Mr. Speaker, I will speak to this further during question period. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Ootes, your time is up. Mr. Ootes.

The Member for Yellowknife Centre is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Communication is an integral part of our society today. New technologies are developed every day, therefore the ability to communicate is critical in our world. Most of us communicate through the use of speech; however, many members of an important segment of society -- school-age children -- have difficulty with speech and language. Fortunately, there are trained specialists who can work with those children. Currently, the Stanton Regional Hospital has two speech pathologists on staff. These pathologists have to service the entire Western Arctic. The two pathologists cannot keep up with the workload. The previous government promised an additional three pathologists to assist with that workload. Sadly, the additional pathologists to date have not been hired.

Mr. Speaker, in these times of fiscal restraint I recognize it is difficult to expand services such as this. However, the problem remains. Our school-age children who are experiencing speech difficulties are not receiving the care they require and continue to be a large financial drain on the territorial budgets through incarceration of those particular individuals.

A group of concerned parents are interested in starting a speech pathology clinic -- I may have to go there myself.

---Laughter

To do so they would require government funding. Ideally, this funding could come in the form of coverage by the NWT health care for services rendered.

We often say our children are our future. By ensuring they are given the tools with which they may be successful, we will be making an investment in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Rabesca.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize some of the student/trainees from my constituency who are in the gallery. They are student/trainees in the retail supermarket training program by Aurora College of the new Tli Cho Co-operative Supermarket being built in Rae. The instructor is Wilfred Barranoik. Mary Adele Dryneck, Virginia Weyallon, Georgina Migwi, Ron Mackeinzo and Peter Huskey are in the gallery.

---Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a media representative, whose current stint as a Legislative Assembly reporter is ending today, that's Ms. Ronna Bremer.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a well-known union activist, Ben McDonald, Brother Ben.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to have the House recognize Dave Talbot who is the regional vice-president of the Union of Northern Workers.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. O'Brien.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize all those who haven't been recognized.

---Laughter

---Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it must be getting pretty close to the weekend, I can see everybody is smiling. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Health. Yesterday, the Minister made a positive statement about community wellness and what a top priority it is for the government. However, Mr. Speaker, two worthwhile projects are being held up in Broughton Island because the Department of Health cannot seem to accept that they should pay the hamlet the administration fee for administering the funds. Is the Minister aware of this problem? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member has pointed out the situation to me and I am aware of it. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. When will this problem be resolved so that the project can be started in Broughton Island?

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the community action funding was targeted to try to provide funding for projects. In defining the criteria, they decided not to allow for general administration costs in order to maximize the amount of dollars going into the actual programs themselves. However, I recognize the honourable Member has brought up concerns about not having his communities being able to access this because of their request for general administration. But I would like to say that the department would be willing to consider specific costs if they were to be identified within the project applications; things such as direct telephone costs or materials and supplies. But at this time, for general administration overhead costs, we wouldn't be willing to look at that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Minister said that he was working on a framework to allow communities to take on responsibilities for a full range of wellness programs and services. Will this framework include provisions for reimbursing hamlets for administration costs when they go to the expense and trouble of administering these programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in general terms, yes. Once negotiations between the department and the municipalities or the groups taking on these programs are finalized, I would imagine that an administrative component would be a part of those negotiations. It would depend upon the negotiations that would be undertaken before they finalized their agreements, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Health. The health centre in Hall Beach has a vehicle but they don't use it to deliver patients to and from the airport. I'm wondering if you can check into this because the patients who have to leave their community for medical attention have to take taxis. Are you aware of this? If not, could you please check into this, Mr. Minister? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I am aware of it. There is a policy in place that medical patients travelling for treatment are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the airport unless they're indigent and then at that time Social Services will pay for it. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions, as always, is for the Minster of Education. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday Mr. Dent stated that he would get back to the House and inform us if he could release the consultant's report

on college transfers to the House. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is will he release this report.

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to seeing the report, hopefully next week. Mr. Speaker, at the present time, almost 28 per cent of the total college budget is eaten up by headquarters. Mr. Speaker, a reduction of 10 or 12 per cent in headquarters could provide the needed monies to accomplish program transfers without negatively affecting the individual campuses. Mr. Speaker, has the Minister asked the college to look at this?

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased to hear the Minister say that and I look forward to seeing that happening. Mr. Speaker, over the course of the past several weeks we have talked about empowering communities with CTI and block transfers, et cetera. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is has he looked at block transferring funds to the college campuses so that the campus can deliver and be accountable for the programs and services it wants to run.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past couple of days and including today, I have asked the Minister to justify approving the transfer of these programs. Mr. Speaker, the process of the transfers was not well thought out. Mr. Speaker, input from the majority of staff and students affected stated that they were opposed to this transfer. It seems that this transfer of the programs is a political move and not one for financial, logistic or administrative reasons. If on March 31st the college reports the costs and lease costs are substantial, will the Minister reconsider the transfers? Thank you.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I believe the Minister is aware of the ongoing problems of providing services in the areas of speech and language pathology for school-age children. I know the government isn't able to provide services to all the children in the Western Arctic who require speech therapy with the current staff of two. Would the Minister be prepared to review the current regulations with a view to amending them to enable private speech and language pathology clinics coverage under the NWT health care system in keeping with the government's priority of privatization?

Also, could the Minister report -- if not today, at a later time -- to this House on the status of the additional speech language pathologists that were promised by the previous government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng. Two questions, I believe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I would be prepared to look at the proposals from private speech pathologists and I would be willing to report back on the matters that Mr. Henry raised. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education. Why are we transferring programs from the Nunatta Campus when the Minister and the Arctic College board of governors know that the long-term costs of doing this outweigh the regional balance that we are trying to achieve?

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For example, Mr. Speaker, students from my riding of High Arctic, if they want to attend these transferred programs, it will cost the government at least 35 per cent more in the airfare alone.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Mr. Speaker, a lot of the students of my riding of High Arctic are married. The college in Iqaluit has married accommodations. Mr. Speaker, has the Minister looked at this extra cost associated with funding of married accommodations with the transfer communities?

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in view of my Member's statement this morning regarding the hamlet of Arviat's press release and the apparent lack of financial details on the multi-million dollar Rankin tank farm project, I'm requesting that the honourable Minister consider delaying this project until all parties are in agreement pending a full cost-benefit analysis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Matna.

Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said yesterday, the government will be conducting a detailed briefing for all Members next week on this particular project and other projects. At that time, the Department of Public Works will show Members the exact costing of the project.

As for the status of the project, I've asked the Department of Public Works to conduct a review of all the concerns that have been raised by the Member and of his communities and come back to me with a recommendation on how to proceed with it.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien, supplementary.