Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, I am working with the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation to try to continue on with that program for this current fiscal year. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. Mr. Speaker, perhaps the Minister direct his official to now communicate with Gjoa Haven, to the people of Gjoa Haven, especially the hamlet council of Gjoa Haven, and see what type of facility the option will be for that community. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can commit, between my staff and the NWT Housing Corporation staff, to contact the community and update them on the status of that project. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions.

Item 9, replies to Opening Address. Mr. Picco.

Mr. Picco's Reply

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Commissioner opened the 13th Assembly by talking about change and challenges. The 13th and final Legislative Assembly has, over the past several months, tried to address these changes with an increasing deficit and division looming on the horizon. It hasn't been easy.

When I return to Iqaluit, people keep asking me, what's it like in Yellowknife; what have we been doing. Mr. Speaker, coming into the election last fall, I guess I was guilty of the misconception that affects the public at large. Mr. Speaker, that misconception was and is that MLAs receive big salaries, that MLAs talk a lot and accomplish little, that MLAs spend a few days a month sitting in the Legislature and the rest of the time attending a few meetings. Well, Mr. Speaker, this Member was in for a rude shock when I came here. I also believed those things. I have kept a day-to-day account of my activities in a diary since being elected. Reviewing my said diary on the way back to Yellowknife yesterday, on the long flight from Iqaluit, I realized that for the amount of work I have put in, the hours that were allotted and my remuneration for said work, I earn approximately $11 an hour.

--- Interjection

Mr. Speaker, it has been said that there is no higher honour than. serving the populace in public office. While this is true, there are also pitfalls: you lose your anonymity; you become a judge and jury, social worker and counsellor; you become an ombudsman and a sounding board; you have to allow people to vent their frustration and you take abuse and criticism that are out of your control.

Mr. Speaker, I used to wonder why so many MLAs seemed to have marital and other problems when they were elected. Now I know why. Mr. Speaker, during the period January 6th and up to yesterday, I had only spent about seven weeks in total time at home. The rest of the time was spent here in Yellowknife, commuting or attending meetings somewhere else. This puts tremendous pressure on the people we leave behind. Mr. Speaker, I married my wife to try and provide a better life for her and me. We were blessed with three small children and yet, when I return home after spending three weeks away, I have even less time to spend with them because people need your ear. They want to speak to you, give you advice, invite you to functions, et cetera. Mr. Speaker, it is the role of the MLA to fulfil these functions and, when you represent a large riding with diversity, it is almost impossible for one Member to do it.

Someone once told me that in the North you have to believe in reincarnation. Mr. Speaker, that story goes like this: One day you're a lonely Bay clerk and the next moment you're a successful entrepreneur or senior civil servant. I guess in some circles, I am one of those reincarnated individuals. I am proud to say that I apprenticed with the Hudson's Bay Company and became a manager. I then gravitated, becoming the first adult educator working for Arctic College in Hall Beach. After completing my diploma in adult education at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, I went on to manage the Baffin Business Development Corporation, where I lent over $1.2 million to Baffin small businesses; 80 per cent of which were Inuit-owned enterprises.

Now I am an MLA. Yes, I've had my detractors along the way but I don't believe anyone can say I was lazy or self-serving. I've always tried to be honest in my dealings with clients, customers and constituents. I am not a professional, a doctor or a lawyer. I am not rich or a successful businessman. But I am hardworking and, I believe, honest. My first job was at the age of 11, shovelling manure in a hen farm for $1.75 an hour. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth and I know the value of hard work. That is why I'm in the Legislative Assembly until 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. every evening and that is why usually only Kelvin Ng or Mike Miltenberger beat me into the office at 7:00 a.m. or 7:30 a.m. each morning. But again, here in Yellowknife, my family is in Iqaluit and I have an opportunity, unlike the Members from Yellowknife, to put this time in. I believe it makes the MLA more effective for their constituents.

The job of MLA may seem glorious and glamorous in some circles. Every time I'm at the airport in Iqaluit, my constituents come up and say, Ed, you're travelling again. What a great life. Well, long absences from home, hard work and continual pressure from various stakeholders begins to wear you down. I've tried to keep my sense of humour and I've tried to spread it around the House, although some people say I'm not very funny and that's fine. I have nothing but respect for anyone who puts their name forward for public office, and I have greater respect for the individuals who have served a long tenure like yourself, Mr. Speaker.

Our preoccupation with the deficit has made us, in my mind, make decisions like the regional personnel offices that Mr. Erasmus has raised as maybe being short-sighted. And as Mr. Steen said yesterday, pigs may fly before we balance the budget. But we have to try. We have to try, Mr. Speaker. Accountability and integrity must remain first and foremost in our dealings. I honestly believe this, Mr. Speaker, and will continue to push for transparency at all levels of the bogeyman government.

This weekend, while in Iqaluit, some of the media asked Mr. Todd about my performance. I think he was complimentary, although I didn't hear what he had to say. And at that meeting, it was advanced that maybe I was being ostracized by my colleagues here in the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Speaker, since I have been here in the Legislative Assembly, I've tried to represent the wishes of my constituents and not the wishes of Members. That is my higher power: my constituents. I do not feel I have been ostracized, although some Members may not agree with my ideas or suggestions. I do ask a lots of questions. Last night, sitting in my office until 11:00, 1 had a chance to review said questions from the Hansard and, in my opinion, they were neither flippant or solely Iqaluit based. If anything, the record will show an almost even split between constituency and NWT-wide questions. I make no apology for that.

---Laughter

... because of my fragile ego.

--- Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I have learned many lessons over the past several months, and I will continue to learn the role of MLA, as will my colleagues. Recent statements about Nunavut and decentralization have bothered me. As a Member of the Iqaluit for capital campaign, I can honestly say we promoted our community with the logistic, financial and administrative reasons why it was the best choice. Now the spectre of less decentralization has raised its ugly head. It appears Iqaluit bashing is becoming the in thing.

Mr. Speaker, for the record, this government is committed to the community empowerment model. This means that many of the regional jobs identified in the NIC report may not happen; not because of the lack of funds but because of the lack of regional jobs to transfer. For example, if the community of Hard Luck Bay takes over Social Services, Renewable Resources and EDO positions, then why do you need someone in the regional headquarters supervising these positions which will now be supervised by the hamlet?

Mr. Speaker, I did know some Members when I came here. I knew Tommy; Levi; and, Mark, of course; I knew of Goo; I had met Mani before; I knew Kelvin Ng; and, of course, John Todd. I spent an enjoyable week with those two gentlemen in Iqaluit. I did not know any of the western Members except Steve.

A former Member of this House used to do report cards on the Cabinet. I do not want to go back to my education role, so I cannot do that; but I would like to make some observations, starting with my friends, the ordinary Members.

Seamus Henry; a good pilot, confidante and friend. I would like to hear him speak more in the House. Roy Erasmus, the legal eagle; and, Jake Ootes, an honourable man. Mike Miltenberger, a mental giant...

--- Laughter

... quick wit and a tad conceited. Floyd Roland and James Rabesca. quiet and effective Members. David Krutko, nice haircut and an astute politician. Kevin O'Brien, not just any ordinary flash. Tommy Enuaraq, Levi Barnabas and Mark Evaloarjuk, the three musketeers. John Ningark; good sense of humour and an excellent chairman. Vince Steen reminds me of Mr. Hemmingway's classic, 'The Old Man in the Sea." Jane Groenewegen plays a mean accordion, laughs at my jokes and has a keen intellect.

On the Cabinet side of the House; Manitok Thompson is concerned and motivated. Jimmy Antoine is hardworking and honest. Kelvin Ng gets up earlier in the morning than me. Steve Kakfwi is an excellent speaker and dedicated. Charles Dent is articulate and informed. Goo Arlooktoo is sincere and has a great future in politics. Donnie Morin is an excellent pool player...

--- Laughter

... and a very intuitive man. John Todd is an older Ed Picco...

--- Laughter

... in some ways. He's hardworking and, of course, he has a good sense of humour.

Mr. Speaker, I have not forgotten the most dapper and fashion-shoe-conscious Member, yourself. Thank you.

--- Laughter

Thank you. Item 9, replies to Opening Address. Item 10, petitions. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Item 10, petitions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of funding for community wellness youth programs in the city of Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, Petition 50-13(3) contains 28 signatures and, Mr. Speaker, the petitions request that the Minister of Health and Social Services grant funding for community wellness programs to the city of Yellowknife in 1996; however, place a condition on the funding that 50 per cent of the allocated funds be designated for youth programs.

Thank you. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to table Tabled Document 59-13(3), the most excellent speech made by Stephen Kakfwi, MLA for Sahtu, in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, May 16, 1996: "Not a Name but a Geopolitical Description: The Northwest Territories." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Tabled Document 60-13(3), job creation charts referenced from the document "Choosing a Capital, A Supplementary Report of the Nunavut implementation Commission", pages 8 and 814.4.

Thank you. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like table Tabled Document 61-13(3), statistics concerning accidents and use of headlights in other areas.

Thank you. Item 13, tabling of documents.

In accordance with section 34(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I wish to table Tabled Document 62-13(3), a report on the amounts paid by way of indemnities, allowances or expenses to Members and former Members of the Legislative Assembly for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996.

Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions, Motion 12-13(3), with Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Your motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be brief in my comments on this issue, as there has been a number of ordinary Members who have spoken on the proposed elders' residential rent schedule.

Mr. Speaker, I stated in this Chamber last week that six of the seven residents in the Arviat elders' centre will be vacating the centre because of the increase in rent and their lack of funding. Mr. Speaker, these elders have worked and struggled on the land for the past 50 years. I do not want to compare East to West, and I will not do so, but I will refer to the eastern elders and their meagre existence during their life on the land. Mr. Speaker, we all know and are aware of the hardship and the extreme climate that our elders had to endure in the early days. Their work consisted of daily survival and the nomadic search for food and shelter. To compound the situation, they also had to raise a family.

Mr. Speaker, one has to only scan this year's budget to see the millions and millions of dollars being spent on various projects, some of which I question their merit.

Mr. Speaker, the Finance Minister has publicly stated on many occasions that the budget will not be balanced on the backs of the poor and less fortunate. Mr. Speaker, with this statement, I naturally understood it to include our precious elders; I surely hope so. Mr. Speaker, we recently heard my fellow MLA for Thebacha speak in the House regarding Mother's Day and the love and admiration that we hold for our parents.

Mr. Speaker, I need not say any more on this issue and further request the support of my fellow Members on this important motion, as it will illustrate that we are indeed practising what we preach and not just posturing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.