Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have an emergency statement.

Mr. Speaker, by now, most Members of the Assembly will have heard about the fire that destroyed four portable classrooms in Fort McPherson over the weekend. I would like to take this opportunity to bring Members up to date on the situation.

The fire started yesterday in the media resource centre, which was being used as temporary classroom space for students in Grades 7 to 9. I am happy to report that there were no injuries in the fire. However, the entire structure and all contents were lost. The Department of Finance will be sending an adjuster from the Risk Management Division into Fort McPherson to gather information.

Grade 7 to 9 students will not be attending class today. A representative of the Beaufort-Delta Divisional Education Council is travelling to the community today and a meeting will be held this afternoon to decide how to accommodate the students in the short term. The new school should be ready in about six weeks. The cause of the fire is unknown. The Department of Public Works and Services will issue a tender to remove the debris. The department anticipates the site will be cleaned up over the weekend.

I would like to express my regret that the students, school staff and people of Fort McPherson must deal with the loss of another school building, just a year after the Chief Julius School burned down. The members and staff of the Beaufort-Delta Divisional Education Council have handled the loss of the previous school, and the building of the new school, in a coordinated and professional manner. I have great confidence in the Council's ability to handle the current situation, in a way that causes the least possible disruption to the students and their teachers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last weekend in Fort Smith, the leaders of the South Slave gathered for the first time in a number of years, to discuss what type of working relationship we should have, if any, as communities and as leaders and to try to focus on economic issues. Mr. Speaker, I would like to indicate to this House that the meetings were quite positive and some issues came out that are, I think, of interest to everybody. Totally unsolicited, as it was not part of the agenda, were the comments by the leaders around the table in regards to constitutional development. Mr. Speaker, the message was very clear to me as I sat in a chair listening to the comments. The direction was that the government should be focusing on: taking care of division, taking care of economic issues, working with the Metis and the First Nations people to resolve land claim issues and outstanding self-government issues and to put all our attention and energy into that area in the coming years, prior to division. So, when we go to do community consultation, we have a very clear indication in the South Slave, from the leadership, as to what they are thinking on this issue. The Mayor of Hay River indicated, in fact, that he would be going to his council to seek a motion indicating that very direction.

As well, Mr. Speaker, the other issue of critical importance, for the whole western Arctic, was the issue of the rivers and waters and how we are being impacted by other jurisdictions, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon, and the fact that there are some major jurisdictions that have not signed the Mackenzie River Basin Agreement, specifically Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Yukon which, coincidentally, are all NDP governments and normally in the forefront on environmental issues. In this particular case, they are definitely at the back of the bus.

I will be asking the Minister for RWED, how we can further pursue trying to get these other parties to the table to sign this critical agreement, so we can protect the waterways that are so vital and fundamental for the people of the western Territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I returned to my home of Inuvik and held a public meeting. It was good that the Minister of Health and Social Services could accompany me to hear, first-hand from the people of Inuvik, of their displeasure with the announcement of Delta House being closed.

Mr. Speaker, for approximately three hours or a little longer -- three and a half hours as we heard the Minister mumble -- we faced questions and heard the concerns with the decision to close Delta House. I heard from the people of Inuvik of their concern with the way the information was flowing, the lack of consultation with the community itself and the concern with where people were going to get their help. Where do they go from here and what is the next step? On a number of occasions, members of the community asked the Minister if he would reconsider the decision to close the facility. Although he would not change the decision made, he did commit to giving the board and the staff a little extra time to look at alternatives. The community is thankful for that but there is still a lot of concern as to where these alternatives will come from. I would hope that as this budget goes through that there will be avenues opened up to the place we know as Delta House, to continue to help and serve the people of the Delta, as they have done for 20 years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to take a few minutes to thank the

Members of the Legislature and yourself for providing me with the opportunity to, I believe, in the latter part of last week, to attend the Aboriginal Achievement Awards in Calgary. I thank the Premier and the Cabinet for supporting me, as well as yourself, in being able to attend that event. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to draw the Members' attention to something that I found to be of great significance while attending it, not only in receiving the award this year, which I am very grateful for, but also to draw attention to a very important fact, which is this National Achievement Award is the only forum in this country that gives recognition to achievements to aboriginal people across all sectors of our lives, and it is done by a national jury of aboriginal people. So it is a national jury of aboriginal people that make the selection every year and it is aboriginal people that make the nominations.

What I found to be incredibly enriching is while attending it I have now become aware, where I was not before, of achievements that we have made as aboriginal people in other fields. For instance, we have met doctors, aboriginal doctors, judges, lawyers, and film makers, actresses, and actors, authors, and poets, as well as business people and artists and members of the clergy. These people are world class, nationally renowned, internationally acclaimed people in some cases. This forum provided to me, for the very first time, an opportunity where I could meet people from these other fields and to celebrate with them the achievements that they have attained and this has not been available, so it provides me with the opportunity, as well, to advance their achievements to young leaders that we have here in the north, in forums that will be available to me. Thank you very much.

-- Applause.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are not proposing that all of the staff be eliminated in the Language Bureau. There would be some staff kept on who would be responsible for ensuring that the job was still being done adequately. It would be our intention to ensure that interpreters and translators were properly certified. This government would continue to develop and institute standards and certificate programs to ensure that interpreter/translators were certified. We would need to have some core staff who would work with the language communities, and cultural communities, to ensure that work was still being done on the development and promotion of aboriginal languages. Mr. Speaker, if I can, just one point that the Member made in his Members' statement, he talked about medical interpreters in the Language Bureau. Medical interpreters are not tied to the Language Bureau. Medical interpreters are directly hired by hospitals and health boards and there would be no impact from this change on medical interpreters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been some initial work started. There was an internal discussion paper regarding the restructuring of library services, which I believe the Member for Iqaluit has asked some questions about previously. So the answer to the question is: yes, there has been some work started at examining the possibility of restructuring library services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the document that the Member refers to is not before this House, and is not intended to be a public document. I am not sure that it would necessarily serve the public interest to talk about something which was an initial kick-at-the-can, as I said earlier, in which we were taking a look at how to restructure library services. I think, Mr. Speaker, the intention is to recognize that there is a problem with the way libraries are handled right now. There are 40 communities in the Northwest Territories that do not receive any funding for libraries. So, while the Members' communities of Baker Lake and Arviat do get funding for libraries, in the same region, Chesterfield, Repulse and Coral Harbour get nothing for libraries.

We have to find some way to deal with that. We have started the work with an internal discussion paper to look at various ways that we can address the situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, it is too early to say. We are expecting that we would go out for consultation with Divisional Education Councils, MLAs, with other groups that are interested in library services across the Northwest Territories before coming forward with a proposal to assess how funding will be handled. But, we have to recognize funds are limited. What we have started doing is looking for some way, within the existing funds, to be able to provide assistance to all communities in the north to have a library. For instance, is it fair that Pond Inlet with a population similar to Tuk receives about $20,000 for a library when Tuk receives nothing? We have to find some way, across the Northwest Territories, to balance out what we are giving to communities for libraries. So, I cannot answer the Member's question as to what would happen if population changes. Population was the major factor in the first internal draft that we looked at. That does not mean that it will necessarily be the major factor in the final draft. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we started taking a look at this issue because the feeling was that as the digital communications network comes into place across the north, that may make it easier for communities to access library services. Therefore, what we are looking at is trying to restructure the library services at the same time that that network comes into place. So, we are not talking about fiscal 97-98. We are talking about trying to have something in effect, probably for fiscal 98-99, in terms of restructuring. Once the department has the initial discussion paper somewhat refined after internal discussions, we will be going out, as I said earlier, to talk to hamlets, to the MLAs, to Education Councils and get some public feedback from across the north. We have the course of the next 10 or 12 months to do that, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for RWED and it is in regards to the unsigned Mackenzie River Basin Agreement, that is unsigned by British Columbia, Saskatchewan and the Yukon. Mr. Speaker, it is very clear the people of the Northwest Territories are the end recipients of any pollution, of any dumping, pulp mills, lumbering, dams that are built in other jurisdictions. Can the Minister indicate to this House any ideas that he has in terms of pressuring these other jurisdictions to, in fact, honour their obligations and sign that agreement?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I understand it, as of today, the Government of British Columbia has just about completed their review of the transboundary water agreement and will be submitting recommendations to the Cabinet in the very near future. Premier Don Morin has indicated that he will be requesting a meeting with the Premier, Glen Clarke, also in the next few weeks to encourage the government to sign, and to give favourable consideration to the transboundary agreement which is before that government at this time. So, that is the present status as I know it, of that initiative, at this time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This issue was the source of considerable discussion in Fort Smith on the weekend and people are very, very concerned. The federal government while it is a signatory to this transboundary agreement has not been very demonstratably active in furthering the signing of this transboundary agreement. Would the Minister also be willing to contact federal officials to get them to use their influence with these other jurisdictions to in fact come to the table and sign this very important agreement, or the Premier, when he is meeting with officials in Ottawa? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, this government is also making some initial contacts with the Yukon government. We have now a tentative agreement to meet perhaps as soon as this session is over in order to deal with several items of mutual concern that we have. In the meantime, we are encouraging the Yukon government, as well, to expedite their review of this transboundary water agreement in order for them to sign it at the earliest opportunity. Every occasion that we have to encourage members to honour their draft agreement and to formally sign, we take it up as well to suggest that if it is, in our view, appropriate and politically acceptable and inducive to a positive relationship, we would encourage the federal government to use, as you would say, their good offices, to expedite parties to sign proposed agreements. However, Members know that in some instances the federal government is not seen always as a positive influence by certain governments. Certainly, there is occasion when governments resent federal intrusion into those jurisdictions where they are not welcome. So, we have the good interest of the people at heart, and we would take whatever action we think would assist in the positive developments of those initiatives that we support. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the BC Hydro people came to Fort Smith a few weeks back, some of the officials said they were very surprised and did not realize the impact of their decisions in jurisdictions downstream from them, especially the distance of the Northwest Territories. There seems to be a significant lack of awareness in other jurisdictions of the significant, not only significant, incredible impact of the decisions made in other jurisdictions on our waterways. Would the Minister also consider possibly hosting a meeting on this kind of issue just to impress upon these folks that this is an issue that is very, very vital and that what they do has a long term impact from the 60th parallel right to the Mackenzie Delta? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the suggestion by the Member is well taken and I would be quite willing to take it under advisement to see where I could use the suggestion in a positive way in the work that I do with other jurisdictions, in regards to the land and water issues that our government deals with, in regards to the federal government and other jurisdictions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment with regard to the statement that he made in the House earlier in regards to the loss of the duplexes in Fort McPherson. With that I would also like to send my regrets out to the students and teachers and people of Fort McPherson. One of the things that we do not realize is that, a lot of the questions I was asking with regard to insurance and policies, such as (inaudible), was leading up to exactly what has happened here again this weekend and the whole thing about coverage that is in place for teachers, students and also the infrastructure itself.

My question to the Minister is in regards to the fire that just occurred, does he know, in regards to the policy, why are teachers not covered under the policy when they lose goods in fires, yet students are?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can only assume that this government insures those articles which it owns and insurance companies typically expect the owner of an article to insure them. I suppose it comes back to the same situation as a tenant. As I understand the situation now, a landlord insures the basic structure of a house and whoever is renting that house, is responsible for obtaining insurance for any of the contents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regards to the policy and the insurance itself and also regards to the students, you can lose a home, or a loved one, or a dog. There is some feeling of loss there which people ... you cannot replace that. I think that, in the case of the teachers to whom I have spoken, said they have spent a lot of years getting into the teaching profession, where they get a lot of reports and also studies that they have put together so that they can present these in classes to the students. A lot of this loss that they have is that you cannot replace that. I would like to ask the Minister if he could seriously look at the policy to ensure there is protection there for the teachers and their goods and services that they do leave within those classrooms. So, when there is an instance like this weekend, there is coverage there for them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can suggest that the Department of Finance take a look at whether or not that sort of coverage would be expensive and we can examine it. As I said, I know that, for instance, in my personal home owner's insurance, if I lose my camera, no matter the circumstances, I have insured my personal property to be covered, whether it is in my house, in my car, in a hotel or in some other location. I believe that it is up to an individual to ensure that they have adequate insurance coverage for their own personal property. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not think it is practical for the teachers to take all their books home every night when they go home, just to ensure that they are not destroyed in a fire, in the case of a school, or whatever burns down. I think the point I am trying to make is that, presently, there is no coverage for that and, in the case of Fort McPherson, we have had two fires in the last year in which these teachers have gone through one loss and now have to go through another one. You talk about your camera having to be insured, I think that is a different matter, it is a personal item. I think when you are talking about materials that are used on a day to day basis by teachers to teach the class, that should be covered by that department. I would like to tell the Minister again, if he can give me a copy and go through the policy to ensure that is there and, if it is not, then make an attempt to ensure that coverage is there for the teachers. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I previously indicated to the Member, I will be happy to pass that suggestion on to the Department of Finance and ask that they have a look at it. I cannot commit that they will necessarily confirm it. I do know, Mr. Speaker that, for instance, in our insurance policy, there has to be a total of $1 million in losses before any claim can be submitted. So, what was lost in this fire most recently in Fort McPherson, because it will probably not be over $400,000, we will not be able to submit a claim for it. So, it will be a total loss to this government and to the department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regards to the comments by the Minister, it seemed like there is possibly nothing that he can do from the department's perspective but I believe that if he would like to carry out an initiative to put a call out there to other teachers or other professional institutions to see if there is a possibility of compensating these individuals for their loss, by donations or whatever, in regards to this system because I think it is not a fair system having to go through this twice in one year. I would like to ask the Minister if he would put out a call for donations to those teachers and their students for the losses they have had in the fire over the weekend. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe, in the past, there have been a number of public donations to assist the community of Fort McPherson because of the loss of the Chief Julius School and I expect that northerners will respond as necessary to ensure that classes can continue in the Grade 7 to 9 facilities that burned down over the weekend. I understand that the Education Council will be coordinating what is needed and, once we hear from them, I would be happy to respond with a public call, if that is what is needed. However, I suspect that we will hear directly from the Beaufort-Delta Education Council regarding what they see as necessary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is in regards to privatization. Mr. Speaker, over the past week, there have been many questions raised by Members in the House as to this government's privatization initiative, including POL services and property management. Mr. Speaker, the Premier has responded by stating that Mr. Kakfwi, Minister of Economic Development, is responsible for coordinating privatization initiatives. Therefore, I would like to ask Mr. Kakfwi, Minister responsible for Economic Development if, indeed, he has an established privatization policy that would apply to POL services and property management? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, as the Premier indicated, there is a need for overall government coordination of the privatization initiatives that we have decided to advance. Petroleum products, to look at privatization of that particular division; to look at privatization in the area of computer services, maintenance and also to look at housing, government properties, buildings. Because they were initiatives that were the responsibility of different departments, the Cabinet felt that perhaps this ministry, because our expertise in looking at business initiatives and the capacity to provide an analysis on a business basis, we would be in the best position to look at the viability of these initiatives that would come forward from the individual departments. Cabinet set out certain criteria that they wanted to look at in regard to these different initiatives and we have tried to make sure that we work with the different departments to ensure that these were met. So, there is no specific policy in place but we did have a general basis on which to look at the merits and viability of privatizing these different initiatives. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since there is no policy in place, I wonder if the Minister could give me an indication of when they may be through considering whether or not they are going to privatize POL and when the public may expect to see a decision in this regard? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my intention, along with Mr. Arlooktoo, to submit a paper to Cabinet in the very near future for Cabinet to consider in regard to a proposed initiative to privatize petroleum products. Thank you.

My question is for the Minister of Education, the Honourable Mr. Dent. I have received a letter from a student who is attending the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, SAIT, in Calgary and she informs me by her letter that she was granted financial assistance to attend school and now that has been cut off. Yvette Schreder is her name. She quit her job with the City of Yellowknife after Christmas to enrol in a transitions program at SAIT. In the previous November, Miss Schreder was informed by the GNWT that she would be approved and that she had been approved for a basic grant and a primary loan. Then, in December she was granted a needs assessed loan. When she got to Calgary on January 16, she was informed by the territorial government that the territorial government does not support students in the transitions programs because it is considered an upgrading program which is not funded by the GNWT, and her funding was pulled as a result. She has been able to get some money together and has remained in the transition program at SAIT, but her tuition costs which she has raised herself with difficulty has been $1,400. My question to the Minister, could he confirm that apparently there are other students who have been informed of the same funding cut. I wonder if the Minister could tell us if he is aware of this and if this is correct this student and other students have been cut off of this funding.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cannot answer the Member's question. The letter arrived in my office this morning from Ms. Schreder, and it will take some time for my officials to give me some information on it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services. As I stated in my Member's statement, there was a public meeting held in Inuvik on Friday evening. The Minister attended and did make a commitment to the chairman at Delta House at the end of the evening. I would like to know if the Minister would inform us what is entailed in that commitment. Thank you.