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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a short statement today to inform Members about the NWT Housing Corporation's new funding model for local housing organizations, LHOs. Over the past 22 years, the Housing Corporation funded the LHOs through a deficit funding arrangement where they paid for all overexpenditures and took back any savings generated at the community level. This mechanism has not rewarded or promoted good management in the communities.

In support of Cabinet's direction to live within our means, the Housing Corporation has developed and implemented a new funding model which achieves several objectives:

it promotes fiscal accountability and provides greater authority to our partners in the delivery of housing services to residents of the NWT. As well, the new funding formula provides a framework which equitably and fairly distributes our limited financial resources to the LHOs and provides incentives for LHOs to manage their resources as effectively and efficiently as possible. Under this new arrangement, the LHOs will be able to retain 50 per cent of any surpluses generated and these funds may be spent at the discretion of the LHOs for any community housing purposes. We expect that our residents will get more value for our housing dollars.

This new funding model is also designed to support the government's plan for community empowerment. Communities will be able to set their own housing priorities within minimum program standards. For those communities which are considering housing under the community empowerment initiative, the new funding model clearly identifies the resources available to each organization which administers public and staff housing at the community level.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the new funding model represents a major step forward ' in achieving the goals of this government. It gives LHOs more power to set priorities and will make them more accountable to their communities and residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mrs. Thompson.

Mr. Speaker, as Members of the Legislative Assembly know, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is the lead department for this government's community empowerment priority. This government is committed to ensuring that communities have the flexibility and authority that they need to manage their own affairs and the department is ready for this challenge.

The department is moving to respond to this government priority. A number of initiatives aimed at building community control are already in progress. One of these initiatives is to reform the community land development process.

Land reform has been given by many factors:

- foremost, the expressed desire of communities to strengthen their authority and responsibility;

- secondly, all Nunavut community governments will hold title to land within their boundaries by July 1996 and as outstanding claims are settled, the department will encourage ownership of land by community governments in the Western Arctic as well;

- finally, in the past, MACA has provided building lots for residents in non-tax-based communities in the NWT. The costs of developing land have not been recovered. This has resulted in a huge subsidy which everyone received regardless of their ability to pay. Mr. Speaker, as all Members know, this government faces the challenges of providing important programs and services with less money. We must utilize our resources in the most effective manner possible, to provide or assist community governments in providing these programs and services. A more reasonable level of recovery and land development costs is therefore necessary.

The department will be reviewing how land should be developed, financed and priced. This review will include all community governments and band councils and will focus on an opportunity to increase local control over land development. Where the GNWT continues to do land development, a fair and affordable method of cost recovery will be developed.

Mr. Speaker, as the first step of this process, the department has prepared a paper entitled: "Funding the Right Balance: Options for Changing Land Development Practices." This paper will be used to:

- inform community governments and organizations of the issues around land development;

- outline the options available to governments for new strategies for land development; and,

- help us to work together with communities to ensure that we find the right balance between the interests of governments and land users.

Mr. Speaker, the department is committed to providing the necessary training and funding to assist community governments in this area. The department has provided funding and training for community governments and residents. Examples include the community land administration certificate program; the community lands computer system; ongoing workshops with community governments; and, managing capital projects. The department recognizes that these training opportunities are very important to the success of this particular community empowerment initiative. They will continue to be a main component of assisting communities to take on these new authorities and responsibilities.

The department is also examining ways to increase community authority and responsibility through legislative changes. For land reform, this will involve enabling legislation for long-term borrowing for land development.

The department recognizes that meaningful and thorough consultation is very important to the success of this initiative. Over the next few months, we will be discussing with communities the pricing of building lots and options for new land development strategies. The strategies will reflect the evolving role of community governments in land development and pricing of building lots and options for new land development strategies.

The strategies will reflect the evolving role of community governments in land development and pricing of building lots and options for new land development strategies. The strategies will reflect the evolving role of community governments in land development and pricing. The department will be seeking feedback on what the GNWT needs to do to facilitate these changes. Once this input is received, I will be bringing my recommendations to Cabinet.

Mr. Speaker, although there are many challenges that lie ahead in reforming the community land development process, there are also many exciting opportunities. I am confident that, working with community governments and band councils, we can take advantage of these opportunities and better serve the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mr. Speaker, on May 10 and 11, 1996, I attended the Nunavut Leaders' Summit in Arviat which was sponsored by the Nunavut Caucus. I would like to report on progress reached and on outstanding issues which need further discussion and action.

Substantial progress was made on appointment of an interim Commissioner. NTI, the federal government and the GNWT agreed on a number of key points regarding the appointment of this senior bureaucrat to assist in establishing the Nunavut government. We agreed that the appointment should be made by the fall of this year and that all three parties must be involved in instructing and advising the interim Commissioner. NTI, the federal government and the GNWT also agreed that they must all be involved in the recruitment process and must all agree on the candidate for the position. Officials have now been given direction to proceed with the recruitment of the interim Commissioner.

There was also agreement on the need for a comprehensive human resources and training strategy to ensure that the Nunavut government has a workforce that is representative of the population in Nunavut. It will be jointly managed by the three parties. The GNWT expressed its concerns with the amount of funding made available, especially since training is critical to the success of the Nunavut government.

While some progress was made on the issue of infrastructure, there remains a number of areas of uncertainty, particularly in relation to the adequacy of the identified funding. Just to illustrate the point: $150 million is roughly equivalent to six weeks of government spending in a single fiscal year. That amount, by any standard, is modest.

In fact, the most major area of concern raised by the majority of delegates was the overall adequacy of the funding and its effects on the formula financing arrangements post-1999. Federal officials again confirmed that a large portion of the incremental costs for division and the creation of Nunavut will be based on amounts identified in the formula financing arrangements for both territories. Needless to say, if that is the case, we need to fast-track negotiations on the structure and content of the post-1999 funding formulas for both Nunavut and the Western Territory. This government will be asking NTI to join us in calling upon the federal departments of Finance and DIAND to commence these negotiations no later than September 1996 and to conclude an agreement-in-principle no later than March 31, 1997. We can't leave uncertainty on this issue until 1998.

An important undertaking was reached between NTI and the Nunavut Caucus whereby they each agreed to work more closely together as partners. This can only benefit the people of Nunavut and the division process.

Mr. Speaker, while the discussions were often frank, I believe the Arviat meeting was a productive exchange which has brought the real issues into sharper focus.

Mr. Speaker, just to add, on a personal note, I would like to thank the people of Arviat; the mayor; and, the MLA, Mr. Kevin O'Brien, for their warm welcome and for their hospitality while we were there. Matna, thank you.

--- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Jim Antoine is travelling back from Fort Simpson and will be a little late for today's sitting. He should be here by about 2:30 p.m. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement will also focus primarily on the Nunavut Leaders' Summit, hosted this past weekend by my home community of Arviat. You will note that a number of my comments will follow very closely in line with the Premier's statement.

The historical significance of this meeting cannot be overstated. Many respected leaders travelled to Arviat to participate in these important discussions. Some of these visitors include the following: the Honourable Ron Irwin, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs; the Honourable Jack Anawak, MP for Nunatsiaq; the Honourable Don Morin, Premier of the Territories; Mr. Jose Kusugak, president of NTI; Paul Kaludjak, president of the Keewatin Inuit Association; Ms. Blandina Tulugarkjuk from the Baffin Regional Inuit Association; Mr. Charlie Evalik of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and the commissioners of the Nunavut Implementation Commission. Regrettably, Mr. John Amagoalik was not able to attend due to illness.

Mr. Speaker, our dream of Nunavut is fast becoming reality. After many years of negotiations and three plebiscites, calling for almost unlimited patience on behalf of the people of Nunavut, we are only three years from the creation of this new Territory. The maps of Canada will change for the first time in 50 years to mark this occasion.

Many different decisions have been made and many more challenging decisions lie ahead of us. We were pleased to have the Honourable Ron Irwin present to discuss these issues and concerns, currently facing the leaders of the Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, the summit agenda was lengthy and complex. We were dealing with such issues as the appointment of the interim Commissioner within the next few months, and the appointment of an Electoral Boundary Commissioner this summer. We must also appoint a Statute Revision Commissioner who will commence working on the laws that will govern Nunavut. New deputy ministers and other public servants must be hired to serve Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, a very clear message was heard from the majority of the leaders, primarily the federal government, the GNWT, NTI, the various regional associations and other concerned groups. The message was that we must work very closely together in a genuine spirit of cooperation. We need and deserve this in order to establish a strong and vibrant Nunavut. We must act as partners in this most critical and historic process.

The extremely important issue of recruiting and training bright and talented residents of Nunavut was also addressed.

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

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The extremely important issue of recruiting and training bright and talented residents of Nunavut was also addressed as it relates to employing individuals who will serve in the public service of our new Territory.

Mr. Speaker, there was much discussion and disagreement over the infrastructure development plan that will be necessary to govern such a large and sparsely populated region. Although we did not reach total agreement on this issue, it was understood that all parties would work together on an acceptable agreement on this major concern. The Canadian Constitution will have to be amended to ensure that the rights of Nunavut residents are reflected in that Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, there was also a great deal of concern about the $150 million incremental funding agreement that Mr. Irwin announced earlier this month. Members questioned if this sum was sufficient to build a strong Nunavut. It was, however, agreed that this issue would not be allowed to play any part is delaying our progress at this time.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, there was a general agreement that the primary responsibility of those attending was to ensure that the foundations established for the government of Nunavut should accurately reflect the will and wishes of the people of Nunavut. As Nunavut's creation is a direct outcome of the people's aspirations, it is imperative that leaders stay true to the visions of those residents. Our success will be reflected when generations from now, children reflect on the good job that their ancestors did at the Arviat summit.

Mr. Speaker, my last words are to say how proud I was to be representing the community of Arviat at this meeting. Special thanks go to the residents of Arviat, especially the elders who worked very hard to make our visitors feel very much at home. Thank you, matna, mahsi cho.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I start my statement, I would like to mention the warm hospitality of the people of Arviat.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak about access to social housing for handicapped people. Recently, I have been dealing with a request from the hamlet of Clyde River to provide access to public housing for a handicapped person. In looking into the matter, Mr. Speaker, with the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, I learned that such requests are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

I am concerned that there should be a policy in place to deal with these situations. People who are tenants in social housing should know that the corporation will respond to their request for the special facilities required by handicapped people in an orderly way.

The policy should include the Department of Health and Social Services, which obviously has resources and responsibilities for handicapped persons. I would like to see CMHC included in this policy, since the federal government should be cost sharing any new facilities which are put into houses for handicapped persons.

I hope, Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, will consider my advice and direct his officials to take the lead to develop a government-wide policy for access to social housing units for handicapped persons. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, the Nunavut Caucus met with our partners in creating the new Nunavut Territory in Arviat. Mr. Speaker, the partners I am referring to are the GNWT, NTI and the federal government. NIC, in its role as an advisory body to the parties was also in attendance. We will have to work closely with our partners to ensure that the financial, administrative and logistic hurdles are overcome, so that on April 1, 1999, Nunavut will be up and running.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Arviat were most hospitable and I personally enjoyed seeing Simon Sejjirak perform live for the first time.

--- Applause

Mr. O'Brien and the community of Arviat have to be congratulated on the first-class entertainment and administration work they put in place to ensure a successful meeting.

Mr. Speaker, myself, Mark Evaloarjuk, Tommy Enuaraq and Levi Barnabas stayed with Mr. O'Brien. I would like to thank him for his comfortable couch and good food during our stay. Mr. Speaker, returning to Yellowknife from Arviat, we had to spend a few hours in Rankin Inlet. True to form, the Honourable John Todd greeted us with much hostility during our lay-over in his community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I mean hospitality.

--- Laughter

--- Applause

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

Mr. Miltenberger, your time is up.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please continue.

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

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please conclude your statement.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my thanks. First, I would like to say that I really appreciated the people of Arviat. They really welcomed us. I really enjoyed the dogteam ride. I would like to thank Joe Manik who gave me his winter clothing for the ride. I would also like to recognize a lot of the singers who we enjoyed watching. There were a lot of singers there. (Translation ends)

I would like to express my thanks to the Honourable Manitok Thompson for taking time out of her busy schedule to visit Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord on April 16th to 18th. The highlight of her visit, Mr. Speaker, was the official opening of the new hamlet offices and council chambers. For years, the hamlet council and staff have operated out of the old community hall and government offices. Up till now, council had to use the small entrance of the government offices for its council meetings, setting up tables and chairs and then taking them down after each meeting. Now that the hamlet council has taken on more responsibilities for delivering community services and is actively working on taking more responsibilities, I believe that it is very appropriate that the council and its staff finally have a proper place to meet and work.

I am very pleased that the honourable Minister and her officials were there to celebrate this happy event with local residents and also that she took time to meet with the mayor and hamlet council to discuss their desire for a covered outdoor rink, community access roads and land administration. I am also very pleased that Ms. Thompson was able to visit Canada's northernmost community. In Grise Fiord, following a community tour...

Mr. Barnabas, your time is up.

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

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please conclude your statement, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Grise Fiord, following a community tour, we met the council and discussed street lights, erosion protection, an enclosed outdoor rink and the fencing of the lake. The hamlet also suggested that with hamlets expected to take on even more powers through community transfers and community empowerment, the Legislature should consider changing the eligibility requirements for council to permit hourly employees, but not management employees of the hamlet council, to be able to run for office.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister and her officials for coming to my constituency. I think this is the best way to find out what is going on. Also, on behalf of local artists, I want to especially thank Ms. Thompson for not being able to pass a crafts workshop without buying something. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you. I would like to remind Members, when you make your Member's statement, please stay with one subject per Member's statement. Mrs. Thompson.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to appreciate our mothers. Yesterday was Mother's Day. I would like to thank the mothers of Nunavut and my mother, who prays for her children often to do well. This has always been the case growing up. My mother always remembers her sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and children in her prayers. I am very proud to have her for my mother. (Translation ends)

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Rena Thompson, my husband's mother, who has been willing to support Tom and 1. We love her very much and we appreciate her. I would just like to take this opportunity to recognize all mothers who have done such a great job of having babies and all these men. Thank you to all the mothers in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

--- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Sunday, May 12th, the Stanton Regional Hospital, in cooperation with Arctic Runners' Club, the Yellowknife Seniors' Society and the YWCA held a Mother's Day osteoporosis walk/run.

The purpose of this event was to raise awareness and funds for the crippling disease of osteoporosis, which is a serious health issue for many women. Regular physical activity is a key preventative step which women can take against this disease. Approximately 130 men, women and children and dogs walked or ran the 10-kilometre course and returned back to the Stanton Regional Hospital, where the Lion's Club supplied a barbecue. The Lion's Club also funded a jazzy T-shirt, which all participants received with their registration fee. Many local businesses sponsored this event through donations of food, prizes, gift certificates and other forms of support. Funds were raised through registration fees and pledges. While the total is not yet in, several hundred dollars is expected which would be shared between the Osteoporosis Society of Canada and education and awareness programs at Stanton Regional Health Board.

I have been informed that there are still wonderful T-shirts available at a cost of $10. That will be a donation to osteoporosis and they can be obtained from Stanton Regional Hospital. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a businessman and member from Arviat, Mr. George Kuksuk. George is the recently-appointed director of the Workers' Compensation Board and is also vice-president of the Arviat Development Corporation.

--- Applause

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

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mrs. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The NWTAM's 1996 AGM was held in Inuvik, March 28th to 31st. They passed a total of 37 resolutions. Eighteen of those resolutions were directed to MACA. The department and the NWTAM jointly maintain a tracking list which is being developed now. The deputy minister has asked the president of the NWTAM, His Worship Mayor Dennis Bevington, for a meeting to discuss the resolutions and other matters suggested legislative review. A date has not been set yet for this meeting, but we are dealing with all the resolutions that were connected to our department. Thank you.

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

Thank you. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the northern accord, I did not speak to Mr. Irwin specifically on that issue. We spoke on many other issues. Most issues concerned Nunavut and transition, leading up to Nunavut on April 1, 1999. I have spoken to him before. I have received correspondence from the Minister. He's in agreement to appoint a negotiator to negotiate with this government on the establishment of the northern accord for the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member well knows, the aboriginal groups in the Northwest Territories -- especially those in the Western Arctic -- raised many concerns in the previous consultation rounds of the northern accord with the previous government. The number one issue of process is to meet with our aboriginal partners and start talking to them and addressing the concerns they had with this government taking control of northern resources and putting them in the hands of northern people. In talks I've had with aboriginal groups or aboriginal leaders, what I find is that the majority are in agreement with having northern control of northern resources in the hands of northerners; it's just how we reach those agreements that is yet to be figured out. We were waiting until the Aboriginal Summit had their leadership meeting here in this great hall. They've had that now, and fairly soon we'll be corresponding with them to see what direction we're going to take as a government to move ahead to get northern control of northern resources in northerners' hands. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the youth inhalant abuse treatment program funding agreement will expire on June 30, 1996. This program serves the entire NWT and it targets Inuit and aboriginal youth between the ages of 12 and 17. Currently, Mr. Speaker, there is a waiting list of 10 youth who have been referred from across

the Territories. My question is for the Minister of Health. Has this government reviewed this most-needed program to ensure funding will continue and that the program will not close on June 30th? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're aware of the termination of funding by Health Canada on this youth solvent abuse program. At this time, we're reviewing some of the options within the department to see about the possibilities of maintaining it. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this very important program funding will close on June 30th, which is a short six weeks away. I wonder if the Minister can tell us what the early indications are of getting the funding necessary to continue in this program.

Thank you. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it wouldn't be gaining funding to fund the program, it would be looking at reallocating resources from the existing departmental budget. One of the things we're looking at is exactly how much money is currently being spent for sending adolescents down south for the same type of program, to be able to sustain a program within the Northwest Territories or the possibility of diverting some money from some of the adult programs to make sure that this funding is available for the others. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know the Minister of Health is looking at it to make sure that this program continues. What's the percentage of the costshared factor of this program with the federal government? Is it cost-shared 60/40, or 70/30 or is it 100 per cent funded by the territorial government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from my understanding, this is a 100 per cent federal

program as it stands now. It is a pilot project that was initiated in March of 1993. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. The honourable Minister Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure if I understood the question correctly, but the funding formula is based on an average of several prior years of funding that the association had received from the corporation.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen, supplementary.

Thank you. Honourable Minister Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, as I understand it, the way the deficit funding arrangement worked is that the associations were reimbursed for the costs they incurred, and that any savings that were different from previous year's costs were returned to the Housing Corporation. I am not exactly sure of the answer to the question, so I can get that information and get back to the Member.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. The honourable Minister of Housing, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I will take that question as notice.

Thank you. The honourable Minister is taking the question as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to applaud the Gwich'in for their initiative. I've spoken to the honourable Member about this initiative on numerous occasions. The department has been able to provide a contribution arrangement to help the Tl'oondih Healing Camp to offset some of their operational costs. We must recognize, Mr. Speaker, that within the Inuvik region there already is a core-funded alcohol and drug treatment facility which this government provides and has provided some substantial contributions towards over the past years. There are some regions within the Northwest Territories to date that don't have those services available in their region. Thank you.

Thank you. First supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm not saying that we won't fund the Tl'oondih healing program; they are receiving contributions from the department. With respect to the non-insured health benefits funding that we receive from the federal government and administer on their behalf, our contributions also go towards the other treatment centres within the Northwest Territories from that funding as well. Thank you.

Thank you. Second supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I did not say that. I recall from what I have said to the honourable Member in the past on this particular issue, with respect to Metis health benefits and their eligibility to have programs available to them, that it was something I was going to look into and advise the Member accordingly.

Thank you.

Thank you. Third supplementary, Mr Krutko.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, any funds that will be appropriated towards treating NWT -residents no matter what descent -- would come from the department's budget. So it wouldn't necessarily matter to me as to where the funding was being derived, it's where the money is being spent that is the factor here, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd. What form of negotiations will take place for the gross expenditure base for Nunavut, as a result of our meetings in Arviat this past weekend? Are there any new developments on this?

Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just drafted a letter to Natsiq Kango, who is the secretary-treasurer for NTI, indicating I will be in Iqaluit next weekend and would like the opportunity to sit down and discuss with her how, as partners in this process, we can move forward and work out the formula or a partnership for discussions with the federal government. My office is currently working with Mr. Martin's office to seek some time with him, hopefully this week or next week. I would suspect that once that meeting is concluded and my discussions with Ms. Kango I will be in a better position to advise the House of the appropriate process we would use to move forward on trying to achieve two gross expenditure bases. One thing is clear: that we must move quickly. I've sort of set a time line of some time in June for the discussions to take place. Hopefully, at least by the fall, at the very least to have concluded an appropriate ongoing process for the two partners -- GNWT and NTI -- to be working with the Department of Finance to work out an appropriate formula for the two new gross expenditure basis for 1999. Thank you.

Qujannamiik. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During this past weekend, one of my constituents came through from Inuvik. The person I'm talking about has very severe back pains and apparently didn't have any support. While he came through Yellowknife, he was able to go see a chiropractor. He indicated to me that that really helped him. (Translation ends)

My question is to the Minister of Health. Could the Minister tell this House of the progress he has made on reviewing whether these services should be included in our NWT medicare plan? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I committed previously in this House, I asked the department to undertake a feasibility study to see the appropriateness of having chiropractic services as an insured service. To date, I haven't heard back or requested an update on that matter, but I will since it has been brought up again. I will ask the department to provide me with the most current information on the status of that and advise the Member accordingly. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Enuaraq.

Item 6, oral questions.

Mr. Speaker, I know there are a lot of doctors and experts in the Department of Health. I believe that many doctors do not believe that the chiropractors can really help. I would like to ask the Minister if he can make sure that the department is getting advice on this question, not just from doctors, but also from ordinary people who know the value of these treatments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since this became an issue in this Assembly, I undertook to have some consultations with private citizens, with Members of this House, with chiropractors themselves and also with physicians, and I agree that there is a wide spectrum out there of some people who think that chiropractic services are very valuable and an essential service, and others who think that chiropractors are not a valued service. So I recognize that and I'll take it under advisement. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Minister, are you taking the question as notice?

Sorry, Mr. Speaker, I took it under advisement. Thank you.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question directed to the Minister of Education, Culture

and Employment, Mr. Dent. I was notified today and I have received a letter regarding a problem in my community of Arctic Bay. The community freezer is 20 years old. Last summer this community freezer broke down and the food products that were being sold by the HTA ended up spoiling because of that. I would like to ask the Minister of Public Works about this problem in Arctic Bay. Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) I was just informed about the problems they're having with the community freezer and I will advise my officials to check into this further and to fix the freezer.

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

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mrs. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Reductions to community funding were identified in the department's business plan, reviewed by the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Infrastructure. The standing committee recommended several additional reductions and one of them was water/sewage subsidy program funding that has been capped at 1994/95 expenditure levels of $9.8 million. It used to be $12 million. Capital expenditures have been reduced by $6.8 million for 1996-97. If the Member would like additional information, we will be doing the estimates this month. So the detailed questions can be answered then. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.