Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Orders of the day. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

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

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. I wish you a safe trip. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My colleagues, I just wanted to make a statement regarding the lack of housing in our communities. For example, in my community in Clyde River, our bad housing situation is so obvious. Presently, the CBC had something on the air and also on the Northbeat, regarding the housing situation. What the program was showing, is based on the true facts about the housing problems. Last time when I was in my community in Clyde River, just recently, some families in their homes, for example, have 18 people in one household. If I were to visit one of my neighbours, I would see some families living in their house and the children would sleep on the floor because they are lacking rooms such as bedrooms. If we were to go to Clyde River to look at the little houses called matchboxes, they are still in existence. They were built in the early 1960s, when I was a child, and they are still in existence. They should not be in existence any more. Although they are very scarce in our area in Clyde River, they are still in existence. The problems with our housing, they cause numerous social, family problems and so on. There are numerous problems, and I would like to address some my concerns with our Minister for Housing a little later on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier in this House, I spoke about the continued reliance of this government on federal funds to operate our government. Approximately, 82 cents of every dollar spent by this government comes directly or indirectly from the federal government. On April 1, 1999, and beyond, the new government of Nunavut will be at about 98 cents of every dollar spent coming from the federal government. Mr. Speaker, this may seem at first to be pessimistic, but it need not be. The elected officials in Nunavut will have to explore new areas to bring new monies and new revenue generating possibilities. That is why I wrote several letters before Christmas to NTI, our MP Jack Anawak, and met with officials in Ottawa in November. I am pleased that three of my suggestions are now beginning to take off.

The Nunavut stamp idea has been brought forward to the Canada Post Corporation, the Nunavut coin has been forwarded on to the Honourable Diane Marlow in Ottawa, and the Premier of the Northwest Territories recently wrote to encourage and support the idea of declaring 1999 the year of Nunavut. This was followed by meetings I had with the heritage officials in Ottawa.

Mr. Speaker, these ideas are beginning to take fruit, and new revenue streams are about to come into Nunavut. In Iqaluit, over the past several months, we have been continuing to work on our cold weather testing facility and enhancing the airport's ability to be marketed, in order to generate jobs and revenue to benefit our residents. We have to be pro-active in our approaches to developing new markets for our renewable resources such as fish, caribou, and seal products. The opportunity for further exploration and mineral finds seems to be very positive. Fur prices have never been higher this decade, yet fewer people are trapping. We should be looking at ways to have hunters and trappers encouraged to expand this area. A tax could be introduced on gambling or games of chance winnings. I will be asking the Minister of Finance about these areas later.

Mr. Speaker, while today, and maybe tomorrow, we will be in the throes of deficit reduction and lay-offs, we have to look for alternatives to our current situation. We have to pay today, for the largesse of previous governments and expenditures. Mr. Speaker, we have to offer the people of the Northwest Territories more than just lay-offs and cut-backs. That is not the legacy the 13th Assembly wants to be remembered for. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also have concerns directed to social services. There are social service recipients who have not received any assistance since December. Arctic Bay has requested for social service recipients to be continued in their community, because it is continued in some Baffin communities. Later on today I will be asking a question to the Minister responsible for Social Services, regarding this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, across the NWT, there are a number of government boards in place. These boards help ensure that programs and services are operating as per the legislation approved act and guidelines. One of these is the NWT Liquor Licensing Board. In the past, this board has had up to nine members. I, myself, sat as a member of this board. Last year, in September, the Standing Committee on Resource Management suggested this board could be as effective with fewer members. The government agreed, and has taken the move to reduce the board to five members.

Mr. Speaker, I support the effort to be more efficient. However, I am concerned about how this action has taken place. I have expressed my concerns to Mr. Antoine and received some answers. Unfortunately, the answers I received did not relieve my misgiving about how the board was restructured. There was a commitment in the restructuring to ensure that one of the five seats was still held by a Yellowknife representative. While this representation is far less than the three out of the nine under the old board system, it gives some recognition of the large number of liquor establishments in this city.

In any organization, it is nice to have fresh ideas, however, it is always useful to have some continuity of service as well. I find it disturbing that the Minister decided to replace the entire board, even though he indicated that the three Yellowknife members on the board were highly qualified and motivated. It seems to be a case of taking the easy way out, rather than making the hard decision between some fairly qualified people who have worked hard to fulfil their duties. I find it particularly difficult to understand why the Minister did not give some consideration to at least keeping the chairman on until the end of his term, one year from now. After admitting that the chairman was a hard working efficient and dedicated individual, instead, the Minister swept this competent individual out in a way which mistakenly left the public impression that there was some problem with his chairmanship.

Mr. Henry, time is up.

Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do I have any nays? You have no nays. You have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The former chairman did a very good job during his term. He would have provided the Yellowknife representation that the Minister wants and would have brought continuity to the board. Mr. Speaker, I am sure that a new board will do a good job, however, if we want to be able to attract the best people to these types of positions, we need to be more considerate in how we treat them and deal with their re-appointment. Later on today, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for Mr. Antoine in this regard. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we often hear about the roads, the eye glasses, division, and many other such areas. This session I also hope to talk a bit about some of the people in my community who are making a difference. Today, I want to talk about a success story. The success story is about a small business which is providing a service in our community. It is about a young man who has achieved success despite personal challenges. Mr. Speaker, most Yellowknifers know Ronnie Hauck. He is the friendly operator of his own delivery business called Ron's Independent Courier Service. In fact, Ron delivers mail here every day. I understand the Minister of Finance helped Ron get his business started two years ago. Mr. Hauck is a mentally challenged gentleman who has had the support from many, including the Association for Community Living and his hard working mom.

Ron has achieved success because he is very serious about what he does. He provides good service to his customers, he is reliable, responsible and he is always friendly. In fact, he stops to talk to you and to see how you are doing. As a government, we talk about helping people to help themselves. Mr. Hauck is an example of what people can achieve with support systems, which allow them to maximize their potential.

I wish him continued success in this business. I also hope we can keep in place the types of support systems that helped Mr. Hauck to become a successful businessman.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been brought to my attention that 10 students at the Tsiigehtchic Hamlet in Gjoa Haven have been chosen to go on a student exchange this March to Oakville, Ontario. Then in April, 10 students of Oakville will have the occasion to visit Gjoa Haven. Students and staff involved with this exchange are very excited about the opportunity to travel to southern Canada to learn and share about each other, to teach them about the Inuit culture. The Gjoa Haven students plan to take

the visitors out on the land, as well as demonstrating cultural games and events throughout the week-long visit in Gjoa Haven. Although this exchange is made possible with generous sponsorship of Vision Canada, the students need to raise an additional $3,000. The students are asking for support for any contribution towards this enlightening exchange. It would be greatly appreciated, Mr. Speaker, if anyone or any organization would support this exchange and we look forward to receiving a contribution. I think the visit is beneficial to both, to learn about the two different cultures. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I received written confirmation from Mr. Ng that the community of Baker Lake has lost its status of being the regional office for Social Services for the Keewatin region. Mr. Speaker, five employees have been transferred to Rankin Inlet, which will become the new home of the regional office.

Mr. Speaker, no consultation took place with the community by the health board regarding these extreme measures. Mr. Speaker, how can this be justified in light of the fact that this community suffers from between 75 and 85 percent unemployment and the other community has an unemployment rate of 18 percent? Mr. Speaker, the point I am making is, when we talk about community empowerment, this flies directly in the face of the process that we are trying to put forth. Mr. Speaker, I have some very serious reservations about the process and how it is being delivered. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Dent.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Peter Ernerk who is a former Member of this Legislature, member of the Nunavut Implementation Commission and he is also a well-known commentator on Inuit affairs.

-- Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. George Porter from Gjoa Haven. Mr. Porter is a member of District Education Authority, a member of the Board of Governors from Arctic College, Nunavut Water Board, Nunavut Social Development Council and the Seniors' Society of the NWT. Thank you.

-- Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize members of the NWT Seniors' Advisory Council. Some of them have been recognized already, but in their capacity as members of this Council, we have Ms Esther Braden, President from Yellowknife, Mr. Peter Ernerk from Rankin Inlet, Mr. Lloyd Brunes from Hay River, Ms Elizabeth Colin from Fort McPherson, Mr. Don Brannigan from Fort Smith, Mr. Abe Okpik from Iqaluit, and of course Mr. George Porter from Gjoa Haven. We also have with the Advisory Council, their Executive Director, Ms Barb Bond. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Ng just said, in the gallery today is a well-know Iqaluit elder and it would take me all day to talk about the awards and the presentations made to this gentlemen. Mr. Abe Okpik is a well-known Inuk elder from Iqaluit. He has the Order of Canada, and is a very good friend of mine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my constituency assistant, Mr. Nick Arnalukjuak from Arviat. Also a former co-worker of mine, with whom I worked in Arviat, now residing in Iqaluit, Scot Marriot.

-- Applause

Are there any further recognition of visitors in the gallery? Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I spoke earlier in my Member's statement in regards to Clyde River housing conditions. I would like to direct this question to the Minister of the Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo. What is the most recent policy on matchbox social housing of the territorial government? What is the policy on that type of housing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

The Minister of Housing, Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, in answer to the honourable Member for Baffin Central, I will look up the exact policy on the matchboxes, and I will take this question as notice and return to him at a later time. (Translation ends)

Thank you. The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

The Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs. Ms Thompson. Welcome back.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was having a difficult time moving into the storm in Rankin, cooking hamburger soup. I will be getting a briefing with my department on the water sewage problems. Actually, I am having a meeting with the MLA, David Krutko, tomorrow morning at 8:00, and some of his community's members, on these issues. As soon as I get updated on the water sewage program in my department, I will know more about this issue. I am also concerned about that, so we will work with these communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Ms Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will get updated on the water sewage program with those communities from my department and I will be able to meet with the Member on these issues as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Steen.

The Minister of Finance. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that, on average, we generate somewhere around $1.3 million on a monthly basis from revenues on the sale of tobacco products. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Steen.

Mr. Todd.

That is on a monthly basis, I am told, approximately $1.3 million in total revenues, depending on the seasonal adjustments. So it is on a monthly basis. Thank you.

Oral questions. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Steen.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, all revenues, whether it be from liquor, whether it be, since we are talking about the sin taxes, from tobacco, go back into the general fund and monies are allocated through the budgetary

process that is determined through this House to the departments who look after whether it is in health care, or whether it is in drug and alcohol centres. Thank you.

Oral questions. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to Mr. Antoine. In making changes to the Liquor Licensing Board prior to Christmas, Mr. Antoine decided to end the term of the chairman with one year still remaining. Can the Minister explain when he made the decision to replace the chairman? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Safety and Public Services. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would gladly answer this question. However, for the information of this House, the responsibility of the Liquor Licensing Board has been devolved to the Department of Finance. However, in response to the honourable Member, Mr. Williams' position, and any positions on the board, is at the pleasure of the Minister. With the advice from the Department of Safety and Public Services before Christmas, we looked at the different options that we had before us, so it was in the plans for sometime, and the decision was made in December, I believe. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry. Perhaps, you were not aware which Minister was responsible for the position, but if you wish to redirect your question to the appropriate Minister, you may do so.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Antoine has answered the first part. I would suggest that these decisions relate to his time, so he may be better able to answer the questions. If I may, the Minister mentioned that the appointments are at the pleasure of the Minister. Can Mr. Antoine tell me what that means? Does that mean just at a whim, you are here today, gone tomorrow? Would it be standard that, at pleasure, if you are not living up to the expectations of the position that you would be at pleasure and be removed accordingly. Could the Minister answer that for me, please?

The Member cannot direct a question to a former Minister that is no longer responsible for that department. So, I will redirect it to the Minister of Finance as a new question. The Minister of Finance. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if my honourable colleague could repeat the question so I may be able to answer it in an appropriate manner. Thank you.

Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Antoine made it very clear when he responded to my first question, that these appointments are at the pleasure of the Minister, and what I wish to know, if Mr. Todd could answer it for Mr. Antoine, what the definition of pleasure is? Does that mean that when I have just woken up one morning and feel a little funny I dispose of a person? Or does it mean if the person is fulfilling their responsibilities, they would probably continue on? What does at pleasure mean? Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Convention is in the House, or precedents have been established in most cases where we are appointing board members or chairpersons to boards of this government that we would seek MLA involvement as well as public interest groups, that we may ask, from time to time for appointments, Mr. Speaker. Based on that, these appointments are made or recommended by the appropriate Minister, and in some cases can be appointed directly by the Minister, in other cases, require Cabinet approval.

The process, historically, has been to seek both MLA and the public's interest in board appointments. There are occasions when it would go to Cabinet for approval and there are other occasions where it is the Minister's sole jurisdiction, and these appointments are made. My understanding is that, if my notes serve me correctly, the previous Minister did correspond with the MLAs with respect to seeking their advice as he sought others on appointments to the Liquor Board.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Todd is accurate in his statement and may be of the understanding that the previous Minister did request solicitation of names who would be appropriate as appointments to the board. I, for one, did not get that request from the Minister. I do have a copy of a letter that was sent to me over a year ago, asking for nominations for boards members, but that is a year ago, and I believe, it is standard practice to have those sent out in a much more timely basis. The question I would have of Minister Todd is, did Mr. Antoine ask him for input for a new chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board?

Again, just to remind the Members that the Minister responsible for the Liquor Board is Mr. Todd. I would like the Members to direct their questions without making reference to what the previous Minister did. Mr. Todd.

I believe the Minister did send out letters to all MLAs seeking input to the board appointments. I do not recollect one way or the other, at this stage of the game because it was before Christmas whether or not there was a specific reference to the chairperson or not. I know that there was correspondence sent out to MLAs on the appointment of the board in general, but I cannot at this time recollect whether I was asked, or others were asked, about chairpersons. It is not uncommon for us to seek requests from everybody on board appointments, and within these new board appointments, appoint a chairperson. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board, the previous one has been dismissed from his position. As of yesterday, the individual, Mr. Williams has not received any notification, other than a telephone call, that he was no longer chairman of the board. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Liquor Licensing Board, Mr. Todd, if that is an acceptable standard to deal with residents of the Northwest Territories who offer their services to this government, in such areas as the Liquor Licensing Board? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, it is not an acceptable standard, and it is not one that we try to accomplish. I would suggest to my honourable colleague, that if there has been no correspondence between Mr. Williams and the ministry, than I apologize for that. If it was done, it was done in error, rather than any malice. I will look into the matter, and if such has happened, I will write a letter to Mr. Williams and apologize on behalf of the ministry. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is difficult to ask this question without referring to what the previous Minister's has actions he has taken. But, if we call it the board, if that is acceptable to yourself, the complete board was replaced by the previous Minister. Mr. Speaker, I was told that it was a tough decision to do, so rather than make the tough decision, the entire board was replaced, now, including the chairman. Mr. Williams was not replaced to the new board. One of the old board members was replaced, and my question to the Minister is, why would this have taken place? Why would the chairman, if it was committed that the chairman was an excellent motivated hard working individual, why would another board member who was the old board, get re-appointed, but the chairman, who had still had time left, not get re-appointed? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Most people that we appoint to boards, say it would be the exception rather than the rule, are appointed based upon their abilities and of course their continuing, their performance, et cetera. It is not uncommon for people to be changed on boards, even though they have done an excellent job. We do it all the time. It is just common practice. I do not know why one board member got appointed over another one. I understand that the old board member who is the new board member on the existing board was Mr. Reni from Iqaluit, and perhaps, it was felt that there is a greater degree of participation by western people on the board because there is a great deal of more action within the liquor commission. So, I suspect that there was a requirement to have a solid, stable, sound, individual from the eastern Arctic, considerably one lone voice, and who better than somebody of Mr. Reni's character, and, of course, the tenure he has put in the country and the commitment he has made to the liquor. So, I think it just boils down to that, nothing else. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the highway between Rae and Yellowknife, I drive it quite often myself, my constituency being in Fort Simpson. I know that the road has got a lot of curves in it, and I know the safety concern is there, but if you drive according to the speed limit, you should not have any problem. The condition of the road, that the workers keep it in, and they are doing the best that they can, is excellent. The only problem that I see is the northern section of the road. It is narrower and has more curves in it as you indicated.

Mr. Speaker, the department has approached all the industries that are involved in using the road, the trucking firms, within the last month, and have made it clear to them the concern that we have as a department in regards to the safety. We also have talked to the different law enforcement officers, the RCMP, our own bylaw officers in the communities, and the highway patrol. So, everyone is on alert that we are very concerned about the amount of traffic that we anticipate this winter on the highway between Rae and Yellowknife.

The department has been making these initiatives. I think these are very good initiatives to take. In regards to lowering the speed limit, we could do that. In fact, as an example, we have done it in other parts of the North. As you know, or perhaps you do not know, in my constituency around Fort Simpson this year, there is some logging activity going on. There are logging trucks that are going close to Fort Simpson down to the BC border. As a result of that, the department has lowered the speed limit from 90 to 80. Because of the similar types of conditions on the Liard Highway, where it is a little bit narrower and there are more curves in the road, when these big trucks are barrelling down on you, you want to go into the ditch sometimes. Because of that we have lowered the speed limit, and we could consider that similar type of decision as well. We will look at that. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our concern this winter mainly is on the Ingraham Trail because of the amount of traffic that we anticipate will be using that part of our highway system. Yes, our concern is safety. Our highway patrol officers have been notified already. We will re-emphasize that to see if we could see ways on how to beef up or increase the highway patrols.

We will also be instructing on the headlights issue as well since you mentioned it. There are headlights, lights on, it is law boards that are going up, signs that have gone up. That is the law now to have your headlights on at all times. Therefore, the RCMP who patrol the communities as well as the highways, our highway patrol, and the bylaw officers of the communities have been notified that it is law now. That will be enforced as well. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ootes, supplementary.

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the restructuring of the highway between Rae and Yellowknife, is in the five-year capital plan. It is probably going to be subject to change before that, but we anticipate that in the next three years, hopefully, we would initiate the actual restructuring of that section of the highway according to the five-year capital plan. You know that the five-year capital plan is a planning tool, it is not really realized until the year of the construction itself. We have a couple of years before we actually move ahead with that. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.