Thank you. Good afternoon. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mr. Speaker, Members of the Assembly, in the Agenda for Change, the Premier presented 10 priorities of the government for securing the financial future of the Northwest Territories, improving our quality of life and creating new economic opportunities for northerners.

In his Budget Address, the Minister of Finance emphasized the importance of partnerships to create and exploit economic development opportunities.

The Department of Transportation has much to contribute in achieving these directions. Despite fiscal cutbacks, the department sees many opportunities to promote economic development while ensuring a basic level of accessible, reliable and safe transportation.

Fulfilment of opportunities in transportation will require the cooperation and input of other stakeholders who share these common objectives. They include other governments, the private sector, communities and transportation users. Opportunities can only be fulfilled by establishing partnerships with these groups.

The development of the transportation system needed in the Northwest Territories for our economic development is a longer-term objective than the three-year planning horizon of the Department of Transportation's business plan. It is also a broader objective that is too easily lost in the financial detail of the annual budget process.

I would like to sketch for the Members some of the broader economic development themes I want to pursue through the transportation portfolio.

Transportation Infrastructure For Mineral Development

As the Minister of Finance stated, "responsible development of our mineral resources represents the single most important opportunity that we have for sustainable economic growth."

However, it is the lack of adequate road and port infrastructure that impedes mineral exploration and development. There are several promising mining projects in the East and West that will require new transportation infrastructure if they are to proceed.

I want to look for innovative solutions to infrastructure financing. This will require partnerships with the federal government and the mining industry. Finding a solution will not be easy but it is an objective we must pursue.

At the same time and in cooperation with the departments of Economic Development and Tourism and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, I will be working on a resource access road policy. The policy will be aimed at encouraging economic development. It will provide a framework for evaluating the territorial government's involvement in the provision of infrastructure for mineral developments.

Extension Of The Mackenzie Valley Highway

Extension of the Mackenzie Valley Highway has been one of the department's long-term objectives since the 1990 transportation strategy was developed.

The lack of all-weather access to the Mackenzie Valley communities limits the people's mobility and impedes their economic development. There are also environmental concerns related to the annual construction of the winter road.

I will increase my efforts in pursuing a partnership with the federal government and communities for the construction of this highway. This will be pursued with the federal government as an employment creation initiative. In response to environmental concerns, I have proposed that funding be increased for winter road improvements.

National Highway Program

For a number of years, the provinces and territories have been urging the federal government to take the lead role in establishing a national highway program. In the Northwest Territories, the route from the Alberta border to Hay River and Yellowknife is part of the designated national highway system. Sections of this route are not up to current national highway standards. In fact, the gravel sections of Highway 3 are the only unpaved sections in the entire national highway system in Canada. The end result is increased operating costs and safety concerns for users.

In the department's current plan, reconstruction of the highway will take a long time to complete. Additional funding to accelerate construction would be available if the federal government instituted a national highway program. I will increase my efforts, in cooperation with other jurisdictions, to persuade the federal government to establish a national highway program.

Marine Transportation

Marine facilities are required to support both community resupply and resource developments. The department will continue to improve community resupply facilities and will work cooperatively with the Department of Public Works and Services on initiatives to rationalize the marine resupply system in the Northwest Territories.

To ensure they remain a priority, I will work to raise the profile of northern marine transportation programs. The federal government must know that these programs are essential to the northern economy, especially to communities in the East. The level of service provided by these programs must be maintained to ensure safe, reliable and accessible marine transportation. In addition, I will pursue devolution where these programs can be more effectively managed by the territorial government.

Air Transportation

Reliable and low-cost air transportation is important to the North, particularly for off-highway communities. I will work with air carriers and communities to find ways of improving air transportation services and to provide appropriate airport infrastructure to reduce air travel costs in the North.

The federal government is responsible for the regulation of the air industry and for aviation safety. I will work to ensure that the unique aspects of air transportation in the North are accommodated in federal air regulations.

NavCan is the newly-created commercial company that will assume responsibility from the federal government for the air navigation system in Canada. I will work with NavCan to ensure a continued high level of air navigation services in the North.

Improve Transportation Safety

Safety is a basic, ongoing concern and objective for the Department of Transportation. One of the department's priorities outlined in its business plan is to improve transportation safety awareness and regulation to reduce injury and fatality rates in all modes of transportation.

I will work to improve transportation safety on our highways and on the water. This will be achieved through the

development and implementation of programs to promote small boat, ATV and snowmobile safety. Campaigns and programs will be undertaken to increase the public awareness of safety issues.

In pursuing the six initiatives I have outlined, I will ensure that the road, air and marine modes of transportation work in an integrated manner to provide the most effective service to meet the transportation needs of communities and to create economic development opportunities.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, we must all pull together to accomplish the vision of our future described by the Premier. The Department of Transportation has a crucial role to play in building a healthy economic future for the people of the Northwest Territories. We look forward to doing our part. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak in support of the appointment of the next Supreme Court justice as the new Supreme Court judge for Nunavut. Now that Justice Mark de Weerdt has moved to the Supreme Court of BC, there is a vacant seat in our Supreme Court.

Mr. Speaker, I would very much like to see a judge for Nunavut put in place and working in the present NWT justice system well before Nunavut is actually implemented. This will help ensure a smooth changeover when Nunavut is put in place in April 1999.

Mr. Speaker, I know that Supreme Court judges are appointed by the federal government, but I also know that the federal government will consider the views of our NWT Minister of Justice and of a committee of the Law Society.

I know that when Mr. Kakfwi was Minister of Justice, he stated in this House that he would like to see the next Supreme Court judge a resident of Nunavut. That did not happen, Mr. Speaker.

I believe that the people of Nunavut are looking forward to the first resident Supreme Court judge in Nunavut. I know that, until very recently, the law required that our Supreme Court judges live in Yellowknife. This is probably why the last three appointments to the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories have been practising lawyers and residents of Yellowknife. However, Mr. Speaker, I hope that in looking for the best candidate for what will be the Nunavut Supreme Court, we could somehow make sure we get the best talent, wherever it is.

For example, I have met Judge James Igliliorte, who is an Inuk judge of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. The people of Labrador are fortunate that for many years, they have had the advantage of having a judge who understands them well.

I was very impressed to learn that Judge Igliliorte was a school principal who was sent to law school by the provincial government especially to become a judge. Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the spirit of the new Nunavut government, which I believe will be dedicated to serving the unique needs of its constituents...

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

The Member for Baffin Central is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ...in a very special part of Canada, I think it is time we appointed a Supreme Court judge for Nunavut who will be specially recruited for that very important job in the new territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday we reviewed the main estimates for 1996-97 for the Department of Health. Mr. Speaker, there was some good debate and clarification concerning the funding for the hospitals for the Baffin and Inuvik regions. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Roland, from Inuvik, articulated very well our position that the MOU signed in 1987 before the advent of division talks has to be honoured. The commitment yesterday, by motion and the allocation of funds for this year, by the 13th Assembly sends a strong signal that the hospitals are a priority.

Mr. Speaker, in the Baffin case, the catchment area is almost 85 per cent Inuk; thus, the funding for said new hospital as outlined in the aforesaid MOU will be funded 85 per cent by the federal government. In these times of fiscal restraint, we have to applaud the people who negotiated that initial agreement in 1987.

The chairperson of the Baffin Regional Health Board and myself were scheduled earlier this month to meet with the federal Health Minister, Mr. Dingwall, in Ottawa, to discuss the new hospital construction. However, two days before that meeting, the Minister had to cancel because he was called out of town. We are now trying to reschedule another meeting, but with the commitment as shown by this government over the past 24 hours and the ever-resource esteemed Health Minister, Mr. Kelvin Ng, the meeting may not be needed.

Hear! Hear!

I would like to thank my Delta colleagues, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Roland and Mr. Steen, for supporting the motion put forward yesterday supporting the hospital construction in Inuvik and Baffin. The motion was moved by my friend, the MLA for High Arctic, Levi Barnabas. Qujannamiik, thank you, Uqaqtii.

--- Applause

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

Qujannamiik, Uqaqtii. I rise today to express my concern about a shortage of one unit of staff housing in Grise Fiord, which may jeopardize the community grade extension in that community unless the problem can be quickly solved. I also wish to comment on this situation to show how complex our government has become today and to give this as a very good example of why I think the GNWT needs a regional director on the scene in the Baffin region to solve exactly these kinds of problems on the spot in the region without me having to bring this issue up on the floor of this Assembly.

Here is the story, Mr. Speaker: School grades have been extended in Grise Fiord. Grade 10 is now in place and the community is looking forward to grade 11 being put in place next year. These grade extensions have put real pressure on the school for additional classroom space, but especially on the requirements for staff housing. Three years ago, the Baffin Divisional Board of Education was granted what was described as emergency lease funding by Public Works and Services, to house their new school principal. A house was leased from the Grise Fiord co-op for that purpose. Now the board has been told that the emergency lease funding has run out. The divisional board then requested the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to provide what is called "build-to-lease' funding in order to get an additional house, since teachers had to live in the nursing station because nothing else was available. Although the board was promised that funding, the lease was never tendered. Now the board is told that to replace the emergency lease funding, which has run out, they can use the "build-to-lease" funds. That leaves Grise Fiord one unit short for their school staff requirements next year. I understand that the Grise Fiord Co-op has sent a proposal to the Housing Corporation to build a small, new unit for lease, but they have been told there is no money available.

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

The Member for High Arctic is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Barnabas.

Mr. Speaker, the Grise Fiord Education Council are very concerned about this series of events. It seems like their hopes are raised and then they are disappointed. Mainly they are disappointed that even though grades have been added in the community and extra

teachers can be hired, the government cannot seem to provide housing for the new staff.

Continuing to borrow space in the nursing station, which is needed for visiting health personnel, is not acceptable.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the interest of your request to economize our Member's statement, I will forgo my long dissertation. I will cut to the quick. Mr. Speaker, last weekend, I attended the high school graduation in Baker Lake. It was the first time the Baker Lake high school held a graduation and I would like to acknowledge the students who did graduate. They were Jeremy Ford; Janice Hilu-Scottie; Craig Simailak; Jamie Misheralak; Quentin Lahure; Christopher Iglookyouak; Abraham Iglookyouak; and, Paul Cook, junior.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the students who will graduate this weekend in Arviat. They are Elaine Owlijoot; Elizabeth Issakaik; Ronald Suluk; Jimmy Main; and, Barney Kalluak.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that my honourable colleagues with join me in congratulating these students and wish them only the best in the future, as they are the future leaders in Nunavut. Thank you. Matna.

--- Applause

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

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Barnabas on May 21st regarding a GNWT representative on Nanisivik Mines Monitoring Committee. Mr. Barnabas asked who will be representing the Government of the Northwest Territories on the Nanisivik Mines Monitoring Committee once the Baffin regional director's office is closed.

The deputy minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has served as a member of the Nanisivik Mines Monitoring Committee and will continue to serve as this government's representative on that committee.

The Baffin regional superintendent for Education, Culture and Employment will also be attending meetings of the monitoring committee scheduled for Arctic Bay this June. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Arlooktoo.