Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Before we get into the orders of the day, I would like to recognize in the gallery, Vital Manuel. Vital Manuel was born in Inuvik on December 17, 1973, to Denise and Thomas Manuel. They are his parents and now live in Fort Good Hope. Vital was raised in Fort Good Hope but attended school in Inuvik and Yellowknife, as well as his home town. He has been in a wheelchair all his life, but it hasn't slowed him down one bit.

Vital is very musical and often uses spoons to keep up with the music played on the fiddle by his father, Thomas. Vital now makes his home here in Yellowknife attending the Abe Miller Centre where he works with ceramics. As a courier and xeroxing important documents, he lives independently with a friend in his own apartment. Many of you have seen Vital in a wheelchair on the streets of Yellowknife riding up and down, greeting his friends and running errands.

During the winter months, he is often seen in 40 below weather riding his wheelchair to the Legislative Assembly, where he works for the MLAs three days a week. Vital has asked that Steven Kakfwi be recognized for the support and guidance and for the job he has provided to Vital.

He also wants to acknowledge his parents and family for their assistance and love throughout his long climb to independence. Vital has made a special cross for the Legislative Assembly. One day while visiting the Legislative Assembly, he asked the security guard if he could look into the House, when he noticed that there was no cross to guide the MLAs on behalf of the communities, so he promptly set to work to make this special gift. Vital is here with us today. Mahsi cho, Vital.

--- Applause

I would also like to thank Mr. Kakfwi. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank Vital for that very special gift and I will think of him when we see that hanging on the wall. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable John Todd will be absent from the House today and part of Monday to attend meetings with NTI, NIC and the Baffin and Iqaluit chambers of commerce in Iqaluit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank Vital for recognizing that there is a bigger power than the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, the government's Agenda for Change names the community empowerment initiative as one of its priorities. This initiative is a turning point in the history of the Northwest Territories. Never before, have we had the opportunity to make such a difference in programs and services to people.

Mr. Speaker, I know that Members of this Assembly are interested in the opportunities which will become available for communities across the NWT, once we get community empowerment up and running; and, I know that community leaders and members of the general public have expressed an interest, as well, in finding out more about community empowerment.

I would like to follow up on the recent statistics made in this Assembly on community empowerment, by the Premier and the Minister of Finance, and provide Members with an update regarding this important initiative.

Communities used to look after their own affairs but, as programs and services became more complex, government made more and more decisions for the people. Communities have told us they want to take their rightful place; to make decisions for themselves. From the strengths of their past, they can truly build their futures.

Mr. Speaker, as there are no new resources to add to the government's budget, community empowerment, like all the government's priorities in the Agenda for Change, will use existing program resources.

Communities, however, will have the flexibility, through community empowerment, to direct money and other resources where they can do most good. We are trying to preserve as many dollars as possible but, when tough decisions have to be made, communities should make those decisions in partnership with the government.

Mr. Speaker, communities must expect more accountability and responsibility for community-based programs, services and infrastructure; but, all this cannot happen in every community overnight. We need to take the time to work with communities and jointly plan for success.

Mr. Speaker, community empowerment involves all GNWT departments. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been designated as the department to facilitate and coordinate the initiative between communities and all government departments, in all regions of the NWT. By the fall of this year, we will have in place a community empowerment action plan for communities to begin taking on greater responsibilities and authority over community infrastructure and the programs and services delivered locally. The action plan will outline two key areas of empowerment: the GNWT programs and services available for communities to assume control of; and, a community development approach which will ensure support to communities to identify and work on their own needs and priorities.

Using locally-based planning initiatives, the community development approach will assist communities to identify those areas where they need to develop expertise, skills and capacities to carry out a wide range and mandate of program delivery. A community development team in every region will support communities to undertake assessments and to determine their needs based on local strengths and conditions.

Mr. Speaker, some communities, however, are at a stage now and are ready to take on additional responsibility and authority. Communities like Fort Liard and Aklavik are already looking to take steps to develop new opportunities and approaches through community empowerment. Other communities, like Pangnirtung and Baker Lake, are looking at the transfer of government positions and functions. We have to work in partnership with these and all communities to make sure they can be successful. Through community development, we will support communities as they identify their priorities, the resources they already have, and the resources that are available from government.

This government will make sure communities receive the training and support they require to manage their affairs.

Mr. Speaker, community empowerment is about creating opportunities for communities to take control of community based programs. Communities will have an opportunity to manage their own buildings and lands. They will have an opportunity to manage social assistance to make it work for their residents. Community empowerment means that communities can develop and manage their own community wellness programs.

Mr. Speaker, some communities, like Holman, Cape Dorset and Fort Good Hope, have already started to manage social assistance. Others have started training community people to deal with wellness issues. We need to celebrate these successes, and to encourage all communities to share in this empowered future.

A key part of community empowerment is information and monitoring. Some small communities may wish to work together, to pool their resources to make the best use of the dollars and people they have. We must support them in this. Other communities will face social challenges which may seem impossible. We must support them to meet these situations and conditions. The government is committed to partnership with the communities and people of the Northwest Territories. As part of the community development approach, government will disclose fully all resources now dedicated to local programs and services. In addition, all information which will assist communities to identify their needs and priorities will be shared. These planning tools are being developed now and will be available to communities in the fall. MACA will be working with communities to support and coordinate regional leadership meetings and to provide the information communities will need to plan for empowerment.

Another key part of community empowerment is legislation to give communities accountability and responsibility for local programs and services. This government will develop legislation to support community empowerment. As well, changes to income support regulations to enable communities to take on income support programs are due this summer.

The new Education Act will come into force this summer and it will enable communities to assume greater control over local education programs. In the area of legislation, the government is prepared to move quickly to provide communities the room they need to manage their own affairs.

Mr. Speaker, though we are in the early stages and days of planning for community empowerment, I will be writing very soon to every community leader in the NWT to outline the opportunities available to them under community empowerment. I look forward to our future. This government is committed to working with communities to make their own decisions, set their own priorities and answer to their own residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is Friday and I will try English and say "thank you, Mr. Speaker." Mr. Speaker, I wish to report that, as the chair of the Baffin Leaders' Summit, I have just sent out invitations to our next meeting in Kimmirut on June 21 to 23, 1996. The Baffin MLAs have agreed that this meeting will focus on developing a common Baffin economic strategy for the Baffin region. The Baffin meeting will be attended by the Baffin MLAs and 13 Baffin mayors, the president and the executive of the Baffin Region Inuit Association, the president of ... (inaudible) ... corporation and the president of the Baffin Chamber of Commerce. Also, Mr. Jose Kusugak, president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, has been invited to attend.

We will also receive a presentation from the Honourable Manitok Thompson and we will have a discussion on community empowerment. I would like to thank the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, for allowing his regional staff to prepare a presentation on the Baffin economy. I do believe this will greatly assist us to guide the discussion towards a common Baffin economic strategy.

We are also grateful to the community of Kimmirut and Mayor Kowisa Arlooktoo and his council for agreeing to host this important meeting. Mr. Speaker, I will be pleased to report the results of this important meeting to the Assembly at the next opportunity, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. Mr. Krutko.

The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Krutko.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends) Last night, I was watching hockey and I thought I would tell all the Members what it was like. It is Friday, so I am going to tell a joke.

Last night, I was watching a hockey game between the Western Caucus and Nunavut Caucus. In the third period, it was getting interesting. Jake "the Snake" Ootes had a hat trick; Vince "Macho Man' Steen was defending very well. Those policing our team: John 'Charles Bronson" Ningark was policing very well on our team. In the Western Caucus, Mr. "Sunshine' Henry was policing as well.

Mr. "Mark Twain" Evaloarjuk was the head referee with his two assistants: Mr. "Pink Floyd' Roland on the right side and "the Curley" David Krutko on the left side.

--- Laughter

There were also arguments between Ed "Forrest Gump" Picco...

--- Laughter

... and John "the Axe" Todd. They were arguing so Mr. "Mark Twain" Evaloarjuk was able to break the fight and put them in the penalty box for two minutes.

Mr. "Cheese Burger" Miltenberger was checked by Tommy "T. Hall" Enuaraq at the corner and he had to be carried out to the lockerroom. Sam G. also had two minutes for checking. Mr. "Oh" Donnie Morin was coaching the West and Mr. Goo "Pilook" Arlooktoo was coaching the East. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

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

Uqaqtii, at 2:00 p.m., the Council for Disabled Persons will be making a presentation in the great hall. This will be a demonstration of Kids on the Block, not to be confused with New Kids on the Block, performed by two students from St. Patrick High School in Yellowknife. I would urge all Members to take some time at 2:00 to come to the great hall and see these students perform.

The purpose of the program, Mr. Speaker, is an awareness program that models positive attitudes and behaviours towards people with disabilities. The goal of the program is to have the audience see people not disabilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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