Thank you, Ms. Thompson. Good morning. I would like to update all Members on how our colleague, Mr. Evaloarjuk, is doing in the hospital in Montreal. Mr. Evaloarjuk is doing well and able to walk independently with the help of a cane, although he has some pain in his wrist. He has an appointment on October 15th and he will be informed then when he will be discharged. It is a pity that he will not be home with his family for Thanksgiving. Mahsi cho.

--Applause

Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi will be absent from the House today to attend to a personal matter in Fort Good Hope. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report progress on efforts to establish a constitutional framework for the new Western Territory. In June, the Constitutional Working Group released a report following its first round of public consultation last winter. The Round One Summary Report provided an overview of the first round of community consultations including areas of agreement, areas of concern and a working group response to most issues.

It also provided the public with:

-a legal, historical and political context,

-the principles and objectives guiding the working group process,

-summaries of four possible models of government for the western Northwest Territories,

-the purpose and description of a possible companion self-government agreement, and

-answers to some commonly asked questions about western constitutional development.

Over the summer, working group members made presentations at the annual assemblies of each aboriginal organization, as well as, board meetings of the NWT Association of Municipalities and the NWT Chamber of Commerce. Generally speaking, people were satisfied the working group had responded to concerns expressed during the first round of public consultations. In particular, they were pleased that the working group has adjusted its work plan to ensure the public is kept well informed and involved in the development of a new constitution. The working group is preparing materials for its second round of public consultations, scheduled to begin in January, 1998. Members want to provide the public with new information and give them an opportunity to further explore and discuss options before making a firm recommendation on a single model next summer.

Progress on a constitution for the west is closely tied to progress in negotiating aboriginal self-government agreements. Working group members are very sensitive to this issue. The materials being developed for public release will include as much information as possible on the meaning and substance of aboriginal self-government, the linkages between self-government arrangements and a future territorial government for the west.

The working group has approved a work plan for the period of October 1997, to March 1999. It is the working group's objective to present a final constitutional package, ratified by northern residents, to the Government of Canada before April 1, 1999. I will table a document later this afternoon which describes the Constitutional Working Group's proposed schedule of activities. The successful completion of the working group's work plan is dependent on adequate, long-term financial support from the federal and territorial governments. It is also dependent on the continued commitment and participation of western MLA's, members of the Aboriginal Summit, federal officials, representatives of the NWT Association of Municipalities and women's organizations. The Government of the Northwest Territories has committed over $200,000 to the Constitutional Working Group for the remainder of this fiscal year. It is anticipated that a small delegation of Constitutional Working Group members will meet with the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of DIAND in early November to discuss continued federal support.

Constitution building is, by necessity, a slow, careful process. However, progress is being made, and with the continued support and involvement of the public, I am confident we can bring this project to a close in the near future. The people of the west will have a new constitution upon which to establish a system of government that can effectively carry the new territory into the next millennium. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The community of Broughton Island has been told that there is a program where they can apply for money to build docks. The community would like information on how to access this program. They have made requests for information on the program but have not had any replies. There is a Marine Infrastructure Program within the Department of Transportation that has funds for building docks. The community of Broughton Island has not been able to gain access to this program. For this reason, I will pursue this matter later. Thank you.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Geraldine Balzer, vice-principal of the high school in Kugluktuk and the secretary of the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Elizabeth Allakariallak Roberts. Elizabeth has retired after 19 years of Government of the Northwest Territories service and she presently is my constituency assistant in Resolute Bay. In the past, she performed a great deal of volunteer services with the Northwest Territories Status of Women, Sport North and as the president of Resolute Bay Co-op. Presently she is a member of Resolute Bay community land and administration committee, the chairperson for Baffin Treatment Centre Board, and the community women's working group in her community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to recognize our law clerk and her sister, Lisa in the gallery. Welcome to the Assembly.

--Applause

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, after our meetings last week it came as a shock to have heard that Ms. Ann Hanson had resigned as chair of the Baffin Regional Health Board. Mr. Speaker, I spoke to Ann almost daily on Baffin Regional Health Board issues and, as I stated earlier, I know how much time and energy she put into the position. Mr. Speaker, with the recent cursory review of the Baffin Regional Health Board and the Keewatin Health Board, there is much concern with the operations of these agencies. Can the Minister for Health clarify how board members are appointed and does the department have any discretionary responsibility with these appointments? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Health and Social Services. Two questions.