Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Good morning. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 2, Ministers' Statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to provide Members with an update on federal community-based wellness funding for 1996-97.

The changes I am announcing today will result in more effective use of this federal funding, and the beneficiaries will be the people of the Northwest Territories. Health Canada provides funding for community wellness projects through a number of initiatives.

Although communities need this funding, the variety of different programs, delivery agents and reporting mechanisms have been confusing for people to understand and cumbersome to administer.

Two of the biggest initiatives are brighter futures and building healthy communities. These programs both provide funding for community-based wellness projects for First Nation and Inuit people.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce today that Health Canada has agreed to consolidate brighter futures and building healthy communities and has transferred administration of this consolidated funding to the Department of Health and Social Services.

For communities, this will mean fewer reporting and administrative requirements, In the past, there were two sets of criteria and a requirement for two sets of proposals and two sets of reports. Now only one will be necessary. Mr. Speaker, this initiative will provide over $5.3 million for the people of the Northwest Territories to carry out wellness projects in their own communities this year and the consolidation ensures that more of the funds will be used for direct benefits.

Health Canada has agreed to a three-year agreement. The full amount of the funds will be available to communities. They must choose to coordinate the work they do regionally or locally, but the GNWT will not absorb any of the funds transferred from Health Canada under this agreement.

This funding is an important resource for communities as they develop their own wellness plans. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my appreciation to my federal colleague, the Honourable David Dingwall, and to his staff, for their support and help in this process.

The Department of Health and Social Services will continue to work to eliminate overlap and duplication and to encourage partnership and collaboration between the federal and territorial governments, aboriginal groups and organizations and our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the Northwest Territories, we have one of the highest rates of imprisonment in the country. At any given time, we have about 300 inmates in our territorial corrections system for a total annual cost of over $12 million.

More than any other jurisdiction, we need to find innovative ways to make our justice system more effective and more efficient. One solution other jurisdictions have found to be effective is electronic monitoring; using an ankle bracelet equipped with a transmitter, people can be sentenced to a form of house arrest. If the convicted person is not where they are supposed to be at home or at work, the police or other appropriate authorities can be notified.

In British Columbia, electronic monitoring is used for about 17 per cent of the 2,000 inmates in the provincial correction system at any one time. Even with extensive monitoring and supervision, electronic monitoring costs BC less than half of what it would cost to keep an inmate in a provincial correctional facility.

Of course, the program is not used for inmates who are violent, uncooperative, dangerous or for sexual offenders. If we were to implement such a program for inmates who do not pose a danger to society, we could reduce the costs associated with corrections. Even if only 15 per cent of our inmates used the program and even if our costs to implement the program were 20 to 30 per cent higher than BC's, due to our higher telephone costs, we could still save over $1 million every year.

Mr. Speaker, with the many cuts to government spending that are being introduced in this session, we have a duty to find and implement creative and innovative solutions wherever possible. I hope the Minister of Justice shares this view and I hope we can see electronic monitoring introduced as part of the Northwest Territories correctional system in the very near future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Happy Friday. Mr. Speaker, in front of me, I have the Northwest Territories 1996-97 Budget Address, which was announced yesterday. I also have Building a Foundation for the Future: The Northwest Territories Agenda for Change, which was announced on Wednesday by the Premier, Donnie Morin.

Mr. Speaker, once again it is happy Friday. Almost everyone I talked to in my constituency seems to be worried about the future. People on welfare are worried about cutbacks. People in social housing are struggling with the rent increases and housing shortages. Public servants are afraid of big cuts coming to their wages and benefits. Teachers and nurses are worried about cuts to all social programs. However, Mr. Speaker, listening to the honourable Premier and the Minister of Finance this week, I realize that everything is going to be okay.

--- Applause

Our Premier's address this week, titled: "Building a Foundation for the Future: The Northwest Territories Agenda for Change" is full of good words. He talked of a secure financial future. He talked of improving social conditions. He talked of improving economic conditions. He talked of empowering communities and about giving community leaders the tools they need. Our communities will become well. Our government will become more effective and efficient.

Nunavut will become a reality. We will take control of our future. Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, our Minister of Finance was equally positive; even though some would say the budget is bad news, Mr. Todd talked to us mostly about opportunities. Mr. Speaker...

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. About creating new jobs, spending wiser and about a better life for all the people of the Northwest Territories. It sounds like everything is going to be okay, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wonder why my constituents are worried. According to Mr. Todd and Mr. Morin, everything is going to be okay. Or is it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I begin my Member's statement today on Kivalliq dog mushing results, I would like to say happy birthday to my son, Randy, at home.

--- Applause

There was a Kivalliq dog mushing race in Rankin Inlet, April 25th to 26th. The mushers raced 35 miles a day for three days. There were participants from all over the Keewatin with one person from Yellowknife, Richard Beck. I am just going to tell you what the results were.

The first person to finish the race was Robert Tatti; second, Remi Nokkitok, Rankin Inlet; third, Eric Tatty, Rankin Inlet; fourth, Harry Towtongie, Rankin Inlet; fifth, Larry Ussak, Rankin Inlet; sixth, Jimmy Makpah, Arviat; seventh, Michael lvu, Arviat; eighth, David Oolooyuk, Rankin Inlet; ninth, John Avaala, Baker Lake; tenth, Jack Kabvitok, Rankin Inlet. I would like to thank the volunteers who made this possible; it was a lot of work. On behalf of the Rankin Mushing Committee, they did a very good job of raising the money and the coordination of this was very much appreciated by the community and by the Keewatin. Thank you.

--- Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The people of the Northwest Territories have been asked to contribute to our financial predicament. Employees are going to receive less in their pay packages, some have paid the ultimate sacrifice by being laid off; 150 in this round. Other areas and individuals will be hurt within the NWT. With this in mind, I am proposing that all residents of the NWT receive a benefit at no cost to the government. This can be achieved by making available, upon request to all residents of the NWT, a card similar to the NWT health card which is issued to present employees for identification. The bearer of this card would be entitled to reduced rates; in other words, reduced rates at hotels and car rental agencies when travelling. At present, our government has standing orders with hotels and car rental agencies, so it should be relatively straightforward to advise these businesses to accept the cards at their establishments.

car rentals because of increased volumes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from January I 5th to February 2nd of this year, the Pehdzeh Ki Dene Band of Wrigley held a very successful guide training course on their traditional territory. Mr. Speaker, the reason this course was successful is because it was community driven from the very beginning. The community made the

selections and supported the people who were selected.

The NWT tourism training group, in conjunction with the instructor, Clayton Burke of Aurora College, provided the necessary support service to host this course. Mr. Speaker, during the on-the-land portion of the course which was held in the Mackenzie Mountains on Fish Lake, the temperature was about minus 38 degrees to minus 48 degrees Celsius. This did not freeze the enthusiasm of the students who took the course.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the following people for successfully completing the course: Stanley Sanguez of Jean Marie River; Archie Williams of Wrigley; and, Leo Moses of Wrigley.

Mr. Speaker, the Pehdzeh Ki Dene Band's recommendation for the future is to hold more courses of this design; for example, a cross-cultural big game course.

In closing, I strongly support future recommendations since it is indigenous to the community. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

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

Hear! Hear!

--- Applause

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

HON, GOO ARLOOKTOO: Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to recognize a distinguished leader from the Nunavut region, our Member of Parliament for Nunatsiaq, Jack Anawak.

Hear! Hear!

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Alex Granovsky and Eddie Sandy, who are the coaches of the indoor soccer team, along with the indoor soccer team from Keewatin and, of course, the future voters of Nunavut. Thank you.

---Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Last month, around Easter, there was a child who died during a dental visit. There was going to be an inquiry done on the death. I would like to get an update as to what's been happening with the inquiry. Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with respect to this unfortunate incident, the child's body has been sent out for an autopsy. The results of that autopsy haven't come back yet. The regional dental officer for the Baffin Regional Board of Health has been undertaking a review of the case. As well, the Medical Advisory

Committee of the Baffin Regional Health Board has done a cursory review of the case and is seeking some additional information on some of the medications that were used during the process. The Childhood Fatality Review Committee is also reviewing the case and is awaiting the autopsy findings. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr.

Miltenberger.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Just to remind Members, when you are asking questions, you have your preamble and then you can ask the question. Members continue to have long preambles, even after they have asked three of their supplementaries. Try to limit your preamble to your first question.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Personnel. I understand the Personnel Secretariat is no longer responsible for hiring government staff. Individual departments will be doing their own hiring. What is left of Personnel will be absorbed into FMBS; the Financial Management Board Secretariat. How is this new policy being implemented in the regional offices?

The Minister responsible for Personnel, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the regional level, the hiring of personnel for the departments will be carried out by those departments that are responsible for hiring those people. They will carry out that responsibility. While the transition is going on, the Department of Personnel will be working with the departments to get them up to speed and provide them with the proper training, so that hiring can be done properly. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to this issue, who will now be responsible for receiving job applications? Will there be one central agency to receive applications or will each individual department have that responsibility?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Each department will have that responsibility. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister have plans to inform the public of these changes so potential applicants are aware of the new procedures?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding that the public is being informed already of the process. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Renewable Resources. It has been some time since our discussion regarding the Snare Lake freezer. Could he please give me an update on this very important issue? Thank you.

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Roland.

Minister responsible for Personnel, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The responsibility lies with the departments, but also the Department of Executive will still field any questions that come from the general public or those people who do have a problem with how the hiring is carried out. We will also work with anyone who has concerns on how hiring is done or on appeals and try to put those issues to bed. The Department of Personnel, through the transition period, will continue to do that.

Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You mean hiring their friends and relatives? It isn't allowed in the Government of the Northwest Territories. If anyone is aware of this happening, then they should raise it. We will continue to have the responsibility of conducting audits of the department. At the beginning, audits will have to be done more frequently until the departments are up and running. Slowly, that will be phased out to a yearly audit. If there are any complaints, the secretariat will also be available to investigate the specific staffing complaints when necessary. Hopefully, that will take care of that issue. It is very clear that you do not give people jobs just because they are your friends and relatives. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the reasons that we have done away with the Department of

Personnel and given our managers the responsibility and accountability to hire people within their own departments is so that we can increase and meet our government policies better. We can hold people accountable. If managers are breaking government policies, they will not be managers too long in this government because their job is to follow government policy. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What I can affirm with this House is those responsible for hiring will not only be responsible but they will be held accountable. They will follow government policies that exist today and they will implement those policies when they hire people to do any jobs in this government. Finally, we do have a process where we can not only hold managers responsible, but we will hold Ministers responsible as well. Ministers are responsible for their departments, the same as the managers are. We assess how they carry out the responsibility and policies of this government and we will hold them accountable. We have to give them the flexibility to manage and they have to do it properly within the policies of this government. Thank you.

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

Mr. Ootes, that is a hypothetical question. The Minister wouldn't know the level of morale. Would you like to rephrase your question?

Thank you. Minister of Personnel, Mr. Morin. That was two questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Whenever you have a change, no matter how slight or how large the change is, it does affect how your employees react. We are going through some major changes as a government today and we will continue to go through them. Hopefully, some of the knowledge that wasn't in the hands of the employees in the past is in their hands today, after we tabled the budget yesterday. This should ensure that employees know what direction this government is going. Our morale among our employees is no different than clear across this country right now. All governments are going through change. All governments are downsizing. That does create a morale problem.

Myself, as the Premier, have set up meetings with the deputy ministers already to speak to them about the direction this government is going and also to encourage them. I am fully aware that we, as politicians, make the directions and then we need our employees to carry that out. 1, for one, have great faith in our employees. 1, for one, completely depend on our employees to carry out the direction that we set as a government and as Members of this Assembly. I fully understand that we will not get the job done without our employees' assistance. I appreciate the hard work they put in and I appreciate the 16-hour days that our senior managers put in seven days a week to try to carry out our direction. I let them know that. What more I can do as Premier, I do not know. For those who are left in this government, we appreciate their services and we will work closely with all the people in the Northwest Territories to carry on, even in this time of restraint and cutbacks.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Morin.

Could I please have the Member repeat the question? He didn't have my full attention on that.

Thank you. Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I acknowledge the concern the Member raised and we will try our best to address that concern. We meet from time to time with our deputy ministers. I will make sure that the deputy ministers understand that concern. We do have what we call an employee assistance program, where employees can tap into counselling or whatever they need to adapt to the changing ways the government is doing business today. I understand also that they have in all levels of government, except for management, union representatives who work with employees and bring their concerns up to management. So those communication lines could be opened a bit more, so we do address that concern. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have taken the move, as a government, and given to the departments the ability to hire, fire and deal with their employees. No, I am not going to look at recreating a central organization for employees to solve their morale problems, if that is what the Member is asking for. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Stanton board of health has representation from throughout their service area, including a member from the Member's area. I am not sure who that member is. So when these proposals were put forward through the department for their review, we assumed that they had input from the board representation in endorsing the reduction plans that came forward. Thank you.

Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Members of the Assembly have an opportunity during the review of the departmental main estimates to provide input, to criticize or to support any initiatives that the department has approved for boards during their reduction options or within the department themselves. I believe that would be the opportune time for the Member to raise any issues that he may have. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, Mr. Speaker, because the Stanton board of directors of the hospital have brought forward reduction options which fall in line with some of the guidelines that the department has given them to look at; reduction options to meet the targets that we have given them. We feel that the level of service that is being provided is still adequate within those options, and they will be undertaken. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member's statement this morning, my question is to the honourable Minister responsible for FMBS, Mr. Todd. Will the Minister have his officials look into and report back to this House on the pros and cons of making available to all residents of the NWT, upon request, documentation which would entitle them to already-negotiated savings with hotel and car rental agencies, both in the North and the South?

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be discussing this matter with my department. If it is at all feasible, we will take a look at this suggestion by my honourable colleague in an effort to aid northerners across the wide expanse of the NWT, and report back to the House at a later date. Thank you.

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

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.