Thank you. To the motion, as amended. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we can use all the smoke and mirrors we want, hide behind the process, the bureaucracy and so on, but the issue; it's real and it's real in my community and in my region. This new schedule of events is having a negative impact on the elders in my community, and I make no apologies for bringing this forth. I was called last week, and I was told that six of the seven members in the Arviat Elders' Centre were going to vacate the building and move back with their families because of the rent increase.

Again, the situation in the East is different than in the West. The elders have spent the majority of their life living on the land. they have no pension aside from the Canada pension and no savings, so the money they would get would be approximately $800 a month. Then we're asking them to live on $200 a month, as far as their extras for tobacco, bingo and whatever, clothes. I think that's unreasonable. I think we should be ashamed of ourselves.

If we look at the budget, the dollars that we're planning to expend over the next year, we're looking at a $1 billion budget. I don't see why we can't take some of this money and move it toward the benefit of our elders.

Mr. Speaker, I take exception to comments made by my fellow MLAs that we're pushing elders out of their residence and so on. That's not what we're saying. They're making the choice to leave but it's because they feel the rates are too high. I realize that it was discussed in the Social Programs committee, and that's fine; it doesn't mean that it's cut in stone. That has been the process and what we've been hearing for the last few months here. We have to do it because it was put in the budget last year, it was put in the program or put in the business plans. I think we have to start dealing with real people here and stop hiding behind the processes and the bureaucracy. I think it's time we put our money where our mouth is and stop inferring that we're going to make these commitments and look after elders and the less fortunate and get down to business.

Mr. Speaker, I would also ask for a recorded vote on this motion. Thank you.

Thank you. There is a request for a recorded vote. All those in favour, please stand.

Recorded Vote

Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Steen, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Mr. Barnabas, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Picco.

Thank you. All those opposed to the motion as amended, please stand.

Mr. Roland, Mr. Miltenberger, Mrs. Groenewegen.

All those abstaining from the motion, please stand.

Mr. Ng, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Morin, Mr. Todd, Mr. Arlooktoo, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. We have 11 for, three against and six abstentions. Motion 12-13(3) is carried, as amended.

--- Carried

--- Applause

Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that Bill 17, Business Corporations Act, be read for the first time. Thank you.

Thank you. Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

--- Carried

Bill 17 has had first reading. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act; Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Education Act, S.N.W.T., 1995, c.28; Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act; Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act; Bill 11, Appropriation Act, 1996-97; Bill 12, Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 2; Bill 13, Loan Authorization Act, 1996-97; Bill 14, Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 3; Bill 15, Statute Revision Act; Committee Report 1-13(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 1996-97 Main Estimates; Committee Report 2-13(3), Standing Committee on Infrastructure Report on the Review of the 1996-97 Main Estimates; Committee Report 3-13(3), Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development Report on the Review of the 1996-97 Main Estimates; Committee Report 4-13(3), Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on the Review of the 1996-97 Main Estimates; and, Tabled Document 1-13(3), Report of the Commission on MLA Compensation, with Mrs. Groenewegen in the Chair.

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Department Of Finance

Agreed.

--Agreed

Agreed.

-Agreed

Department Of Safety And Public Services