The Member for Baffin South is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Arlooktoo, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In conclusion, it is my intention to move a motion in committee of the whole tomorrow when we are discussing these issues requesting that changes be made to the recommended Model C to give Sanikiluaq its own seat in Nunavut Legislature. Also, today I will table the letter sent to me by the mayor of Sanikiluaq, Peter Kattuk, outlining his concerns over the proposed electoral boundary for Sanikiluaq. I look forward to debating this issue tomorrow and elaborating on my concerns for the Members of the Session. Thank you.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in July the north and labour lost a strong leader when Mr. Jimmy Evoy, president of the NWT Federation of Labour passed away from a heart attack. Mr. Evoy was only 54 years old, which is quite young today. Mr. Evoy was a strong advocate of working peoples' rights and community well being in the north. In addition to his position with the NWT Federation of Labour, Mr. Evoy also served as vice-president of the Canadian Labour of Congress. Mr. Speaker, I knew Jim since 1984 when I was working on an overall pipeline and he came to visit the project as a labour leader. He was always a strong supporter of people who were less fortunate than him. In fact, he lived and breathed it. He also had a good sense of humour, which he often used to make a point as he did with the clothing drive for the MLAs a couple of days before his heart attack. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Morin, the Premier of the Northwest Territories, indicated that while we did not always see eye to eye on things, I did recognize and respect his opinion and his passion for the rights of northern workers. Mr. Speaker, the north has lost a strong voice, and advocate for the rights of the common people. While we did not always agree with him, as the Premier said, we did recognize and respect his opinion. I am sure that I speak for all the MLAs when I say that we will miss his wit, his commitment and his dedication not only to labour issues but for most causes that required a strong voice. Thank you.

--Applause

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

Thank you, Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This morning Lydia Bardak, the executive director of the Northwest Territories Council for Disabled Persons, was on the radio discussing the issue she is being confronted with regarding children within our education system who have difficulties and disabilities. Ms. Bardak indicated she has had significant increase in calls from both families and educators desperately looking for help for their children. These children have a right to an education under the current Education Act.

However, Mr. Speaker, this system, which we call mainstreaming, is not working. It is not working for various reasons, the main one is the student's inability to learn within the way and environment they are being taught in. Schools cannot provide for every student's specific need who walks in their doors. The term mainstreaming or inclusive schooling sounds like a wonderful term where all students with various differences can learn together. However, schools cannot provide the learning environment for these various needs even though they are mandated to do so by the Education Act. We have children who are blind, who are deaf, who have physical disabilities, who are mentally challenged, who have fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects in epidemic proportions. We have dyslexic children and autistic children. These children are placed within the regular school alongside the rest of the school population and have a right to receive an education to their level and ability to understand like everyone else. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, this does not and cannot happen.

I also received a letter from Mrs. Bardak who asked and I quote, "Why do we not have adequately trained professionals? What is the point of inclusive education? It is nothing more than babysitting." I submit that Mrs. Bardak is very close to the truth for many students. Let us be honest. How can we possibly expect teachers to educate students within one class with these various needs without the proper training and support? I commend our teachers, but as hard as they may try they cannot succeed under these circumstances. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? Mr. Henry, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you colleagues. The new Education Act has increased the student/teacher ratio in classroom and this, the Minister of Education advises, will continue. The Education Act has provisions for funding for students with special needs. Sounds great for those who need it. However, schools are forced to then prioritize how they will use that funding within the school system having to choose one child's needs over another. Mr. Speaker, how can the school tell the parent of a child with special needs that their child cannot receive special programming because the resources were used for another. Educational institutions are being forced to make these tough decisions. We have all heard the term, education is the key to the future of the north. Mr. Speaker, I suggest that we will have to do more to provide that key. Later today, I will be asking the Minister of Education on this particular topic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During this time of cutbacks and community empowerment, it is my concern that we are not downloading our programs just for the sake of downloading. As we are all aware, the more we devolve to the communities and the more responsibility these communities are taking on, means the risk of more financial ruin. My concern is, are we as government providing all the necessary information that is required to ensure we do not have any form of backlash? Do all programs that are being administered by the communities have the required resources? I do not want my community in the north to suffer simply because of lack of resources. If there are other problems, then the community must adjust accordingly. We cannot be seen as the group that caused all these problems. We are moving at a tremendous pace as well as our communities and I hope that all is well. It is good that our community people are taking advantage of community empowerment. I hope more people jump in and

start taking advantage of the opportunities that can be realized for community operation and programs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

I also have another return, Mr. Speaker, asked by Mr. Picco on June 3, 1997, Penalty for Contravening the Financial Administration Act. On June 3, 1996 Mr. Picco asked if there was a penalty for circumventing the Financial Administration Act. Offences and punishment are addressed in sections 105 and 106 of the Act. Section 106 specifies that:

"Every public officer or other person who wilfully contravenes this Act or the regulations is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both." Thank you.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a former MLA of this House who is now living in Fort Resolution, Pete Fraser. Pete is very involved, in working with the elders. He also sits in the Elders Justice Committee and helped organize the trip for the elders to Lac St. Anne this summer from Fort Resolution.

--Applause

Thank you, welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I do not often get an opportunity to do this, but I would like to recognize this afternoon Mr. and Mrs. John Davenport. John gives me advice frequently even when I do not want it on the budget. John is currently employed with the NWT Power Corporation and my understanding is that he is currently on assignment as resident lecturer with Arctic College. I would like everyone to give them a welcome. Thank you.

--Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two visiting members of our management team of the Housing Corporation from the Baffin Region, Mr. Peter Scott is the district director and with him is Hunter Tootoo who is on senior management assignment with the Housing Corporation.

--Applause

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Roland.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.