Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Just again to remind the Members, on your Member's statement, to restrict your statement to one subject. Member's statements. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on the January 10th to 15th, I had the opportunity to visit Taloyoak. During that visit I had a discussion with the mayor of Taloyoak, Mr. Dennis Lyall and Mr. Elwood Johnston, the senior administrative officer. There were many issues that we discussed, but one major issue that came out from that discussion was regarding the length of the runway in Taloyoak.

Mr. Antoine, the Minister of Transportation, will remember that I had brought this issue in this forum some time in spring. On January 15, 1996, Mr. Elwood Johnston had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Antoine and his official to talk about the same issue. Mr. Dennis Lyall, the mayor of Taloyoak, was not able to make it here because of the weather in the eastern arctic. According to the information that I relayed to you over in the spring session, Mr. Antoine, the Taloyoak runway has been reduced to 3,610 feet because of the new regulation of the Ministry of Transportation of the country. I also indicated to the minister that we need to increase the runway by about 3,390. At the meeting of January 15, 1996, according to information I got from the hamlet of Taloyoak, the same request was relayed to the Minister and his officials. It is very critical for the medevac. And, for one thing, in the event that one of the equipment in the community used for municipal services delivery, as for water truck, sewage truck, fuel truck, if one of those equipment should burn down in the winter time, there is no way that you could bring in new equipment to the community unless by air. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the appropriate Minister about the request. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last spring this House saw fit to pass legislation which I had introduced and which made it mandatory to have headlights on when people are driving on the NWT roads. Mr. Speaker, I have received many positive comments on this legislation, particularly from elderly people and from parents. Unfortunately, I recently drove to Fort Providence, Hay River, and to Fort Resolution, and I did not see any signs up yet instructing people that it was the law to have their headlights on. I also drove around town here and I have not seen any indication of that either, Mr. Speaker. I have received complaints from constituents, particularly those who live out on the Prelude Lake area, that there are a lot of people driving back and forth and many of them do not have their headlights on and it is dangerous, especially when it is snowing .

I do not know why it has taken so long to have these new signs put up, Mr. Speaker, but I know that when DPW used to put up the signs, make them, it seemed to be a pretty smooth process. They made the signs and they would go out fairly quickly. At least they did one summer a few years ago, when my son worked for DPW.

-- Laughter

Good sign maker.

But since Cabinet saw fit to do away with most of DPW and their workers, it has taken a year, almost, to make the signs and put them up. I hope this is not an indication of how privatization is going to work, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a few suggestions.

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, first, to welcome all my colleagues back from what I hope was a restful and happy holiday season. As you know, during this Session we will have many important issues to deal with, all of which will take a great deal of time and energy.

With that in mind, I would like to add another item to our busy table. That of course being the Highway No. 3 section between the Rae access intersection and Yellowknife. Over the past number of months, myself and other Members have lobbied to start construction at this section earlier than the target date of 1998. Today most of you heard our Grand Chief, Joe Rabesca, on the radio wanting to have the speed reduced because of the increased number of transport trucks that are now on this road as well as the ever growing number that will be starting to drive it with the opening of the winter roads north of Yellowknife. Some of you that drove to Yellowknife will understand what I am talking about.

In the last couple of months the traffic has steadily increased, which is making it very dangerous for our residents travelling this section. We must start the reconstruction this coming summer and, for the interim, must reduce the speed and enforce the rules of the road on these trucks. This road is dangerous and is going to get worse. We cannot sit and wait for someone to lose their life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, November 28, 1996, the Member for Nunakput asked me when the Department of Transportation terminated its Emergency Response Service at the Norman Wells airport and how many staff it laid off.

I am pleased to report that the Department of Transportation was able to terminate the Emergency Response Service at the Norman Wells airport without having to lay off any employees. When the department took over the airport from Transport Canada on July 1, 1995, it was reasonably certain that the forthcoming regulations respecting Emergency Response Services would not require them at Norman Wells. By not staffing vacancies and normal staff turnover, the department was able to close the service on July 1, 1996 without laying off any staff. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to welcome to the Assembly two well-known residents of Iqaluit, for their work and also for their volunteer efforts. Mr. Methusalah Kunuk is an in-law of mine and the brother of the MLA from the High Arctic, and also the Superintendent of Transportation in Iqaluit, and the lay preacher for the Anglican Church. Sitting next to him is Mr. John Graham. John is the airport manager in Iqaluit and a long-time dedicated volunteer with the air cadets in our home town. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two individuals in the Gallery. James Ragee is a constituent of mine from Cape Dorset and he is preparing for further studies in southern Canada. James is here with Lydia Bardak, Executive Director for the NWT Council for Disabled Persons.

-- Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to respectfully recognize two people from Taloyoak. His Worship the Mayor, Dennis Lyall, and his staff member Mr. Elwood Johnson, the Senior Administrative Officer. Welcome. Thank you.

-- Applause

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.