Thank you, Members. Good morning. Item 2: Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, as all Members know, is one day of the year that all people in love across the world recognize their love for their lifelong partners. Today, of course, being Valentine's Day, over the years my wife has been a strong supporter of all my endeavours and I feel the need to have the recognition of her hard work and dedication to our family. With this in mind, I would like to wish my loving wife, and all the women across this great country of ours, a very Happy Valentine's Day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, this morning since it is Valentine's Day, I also would like to wish my wife, Elisapee, and all of my kids, especially the two in Clyde River, my two daughters, Janet and Valerie, I wish them a very good and Happy Valentine's Day. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking, in Inuktitut. I am also very happy today because it is Valentine's Day. I would like to wish Happy Valentine's to my wife in Arctic Bay, as well as to my relatives who are in Baker Lake and to all of my relatives throughout the communities in the Northwest Territories. As well, I want to wish Happy Valentine's to my colleagues here. I would like to thank you, Mr. Speaker. Happy Valentine's. (Translation ends.)

---Applause

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did not celebrate Valentine's Day when I was a child, but today I know about Valentine's Day and I am happy it is Valentine's Day today. I want to wish Happy Valentine's to my relatives who are here, my wife and my son. I would like to wish Happy Valentine's Day to my relatives back home, and to all the people in Igloolik, particularly to people in Pond Inlet. I want to wish Happy Valentine's Day to other people in the communities as well.

Another sad issue that I would like to share with you. There has been a death in one of the communities. I would like to say that I feel for you. As well, I want to say Happy Valentine's Day to the Member for Hay River. I want to send my condolences to the Member of Hay River, in particular. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends.)

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

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since today is Valentine's Day, I would like to thank and recognize my greatest supporter, my husband Tom, for letting me do my job without ever feeling guilty for not coming home for weeks at a time. Thank you, Tom, for being there with the boys, cooking meals, doing laundry and keeping the house clean and also making sure the boys finish their homework. I am very proud to have a partner who is so willing to take on so many responsibilities. To me, Mr. Speaker, this is an example of equality, a partner who is willing to share responsibility.

Mr. Speaker, to do our jobs effectively, we all need this type of support. On this special day, I would like to thank all those who have taken on extra responsibility so that their partners can do their jobs. (Translation) I would like to talk to my boys in Inuktitut. They understand the Inuktitut language so Trevor, if you are listening, I love you. I would also like to show my love to my little boy, the younger boy. (Translation ends)

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Thompson. Members' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First I would like to say Happy Valentine's Day to Dorothy and my three little ones at home. Mr. Speaker, my statement today is on the ongoing work in Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, as the day when the territory of Nunavut will become a reality draws nearer, the enormity of the tasks before us grows larger. The gap between what is expected from the new government closer to home and what is actually achievable in the time allowed, will be a great challenge to say the least. This is especially due to the amount of social, economic and educational challenges before us, coupled with the fiscal problems that our government faces today.

Having said that, Mr. Speaker, I see no shortage of will and energy amongst the people of Nunavut in meeting the goals and obligations of this great dream of our own government, north of the treeline. I was only 12 years old, Mr. Speaker, when I first started hearing of this great plan to one day have a government situated in Inuit homelands and controlled by our own people. At the time and to this date, to some extent, the residents of Nunavut were promised a turning point when the new government came, bringing more jobs, fewer problems, better housing, less social problems and more control. Many of these important goals are still achievable and will be achieved, to some extent, with the onset of a government closer to home, speaking the language of the majority and more control of government programs by the people.

As I said, Mr. Speaker, it will be a good challenge. This will be for a variety of reasons, the amount of money available for start-up and for ongoing operations; and the need for skills of our people required initially to take government jobs; the social problems; and the fact that expectations may have been raised to unreasonable levels.

One area that I feel a sense of responsibility to speak out on today, Mr. Speaker, is a lack of unity amongst the main groups charged with the building of Nunavut. For various reasons, the leadership of Nunavut has become increasingly divided in the last few years. It was less than two years ago that I became an MLA with the greatest intentions of making things work. Like other Nunavut leaders, I have tried not to stray from that course, but too often individual concerns, priorities and agendas are threatening our focus on the plan for Nunavut. We cannot afford to be divided at this time.

As in the past, when faced with major challenges or threats, we can survive and prosper only if we set aside differences and work together. I am appealing to all for us to sit back, reflect on our actions and choose a path that reflects cooperation, not competition, solidarity, not division and, most importantly, achieve our dream for Nunavut. All the leaders, including myself, need to reflect on our actions and positions today and how that will have an effect on the ongoing work required to reach our goals.

It is also my view, Mr. Speaker, that the largest print media in Nunavut, the Nunatsiaq News, also needs to reflect on the role it has played in constantly highlighting and fuelling the fires of disagreements between Nunavut leaders over the last few years. Also, once again Mr. Speaker, I call upon the GNWT, all MLAs, NTI and the federal government, to rise above their differences to ensure that the progress made to date is not jeopardized. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I also call upon the NIC to assist us in making a smooth transition from planning for implementation to actual implementation along with an interim commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Arlooktoo. I do not know if you went over the two and a half minutes. It was not timed, but I want to apologize to the rest of the Members who might have thought you went beyond the time. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know it is Valentine's Day and I wish I could report good news but, unfortunately, it is regrettable that I must inform this House of another tragic death in the Hamlet of Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, a young man by the name of Joshua Amitnak perished in a blizzard yesterday while on the land. Mr. Amitnak leaves behind a young family. Mr. Speaker, I am sure yourself and other Members of this House, will join me in offering their sincere condolences to Joshua's family in their time of most need. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, everyone has rules they follow. Some are laws of the land, others are personal rules. Governments also have rules. These rules come in different forms, laws, policies and guidelines. When something is important to a government, they will create a policy. Policies are supposed to give direction and purpose. They make sure everyone in government is paddling in the same direction, as the Premier has said. This government has many policies covering many different areas, such as protection of the environment, affirmative action, economic development, the Business Incentive Policy and privatization. They publish these policies for all to read.

Over the past few days, I have asked questions on the privatization policy. The answers have disturbed me. It seems we only follow the policies when we want to. It was suggested that some of the policies on the books are outdated. If they are outdated, they should be removed from the public record or revised. We are dealing with people's lives, their futures. We need some clear policy direction to guide government staff in some of these very important initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, as I have said before, a goal without a strategy is just a slogan, and policies without direction are lost within that void known as the policy book. On this Valentine's Day, let us follow the policy of love for family and friends, and for love's sake, get some good policies on the books.

(Translation) I would like to wish my wife and my children a Happy Valentine's Day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

---Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to wish a Happy Valentine's Day to everyone in the Northwest Territories and to my family, especially my wife, my sons and my mother, who was kind enough to forgive me for being late for my birthday cake the other evening.

Mr. Speaker, I would never hope to match that silver-tongued framer of phrases, Mr. Miltenberger, but we do know that Mr. Dent has caused discontent. But a new budget is a chance for a new start. I implore Mr. Dent to have a heart and to rise on Valentine's Day and say okay to the seniors' fuel subsidy.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Thomas Weshack from Pelly Bay. Thank you.

---Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize today an old friend. Members who have served a few terms in this Assembly know his face well and new Members will get to know him quite well. Mr. Graham White.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my earlier statement, I have a question for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, the government polishes and publishes and maintains a list of policies. These policies are available in electronic and written form. Some of these policies have been in place for a long time. This is not the problem. Policies give overall direction, and like laws, they should be written to stand the test of time. My question to the Premier is, can the Premier confirm that all the policies currently listed under the GNWT policy listing are valid. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All policies that are on the books of the Government of the Northwest Territories, that have not been struck by Cabinet direction off the books, are valid. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on that answer, has this government reviewed the policies to ensure that they are actually consistent with the directions and priorities set by this Assembly?. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Members are aware, and we have talked about it previously in this Legislative Assembly as well as to Members at other committee meetings, we have committed already to review existing policies of Government of the Northwest Territories as well as regulations. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question then would be why as a government have we proceeded with major initiatives without establishing clearer policies first to provide the framework for actions? My question leads into the, for example the privatization policy, that the only one I can find in the books, the only one anyone can show me, is from 1985. Why are we continuing with these policies if we are using policies from 1985 that, in the House we say are redundant, but then we quote from them? Why is this?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member is fully aware, we, as a government, have moved ahead on privatization initiatives with the support of the majority of Members of the Legislative Assembly of this House, and their initiatives of this government. It is very clear to the framework set out within that initiative to see what the end product will be. As far as my understanding goes, it is very clear that we have not went against any policy of this government by doing that. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have not said that we have gone against any policy. I am not trying to imply that. All I am saying is no, I am going to be very statesmen-like, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all I am asking is when will the Cabinet, when will the Executive Council, when will the Premier come up with a policy to guide the current privatization initiatives of this government, so that we can look at it and see which way we are going. When is he going to do

that?. When is he going to come up with a policy for privatization for 1997 and beyond, and not go back to 1985 which some of the Ministers said was 12 years old? When are we going to come up with a new policy?. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have already made a commitment in this House that we will be reviewing policies and regulations of this government starting in April of this year and that work will be ongoing. This specific policy, we will take a look at it and we will review and amend it, whatever it takes to make it better reflect 1997. We will do that by June. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions, Mr. Miltenberger.

The Minister of Education Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you. In order to address a question to a Minister, you have to direct your question to that Minister. The Minister cannot step outside his role to respond to a responsibility that he holds. I can not rule the question in order. Could you rephrase your question please?

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Again, to remind the Members in regard to questions, the question must not repeat an earlier question which was answered, taken as notice, or to which an answer was refused at that siting. To remind the Members. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. The Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker. There are a couple ways that the government disposes of assets. One is through the sale of assets, which is an area that the department is looking at all over the NWT, what assets we may have available for possible sale, and the other is when a department declares assets, like a building surplus, in which case the Department of Public Works and Services is asked to dispose of it, either through a sale or in some cases we have random claim contributions. I received the letter yesterday that the Member refers to. I have not had a the chance to look at it with the department, but I will do that.

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

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I have asked the department for a briefing on the matter. As the Member knows, some of us will be gone over the weekend to Cambridge Bay. I would be willing to share the briefing information with the Member in the middle of next week.

Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As far as a policy goes on negotiated contracts, the Department of Transportation does have a policy on negotiated contracts. Cabinet does have negotiated contract guidelines. In order to negotiate a contract in a community, you have to have the support of the people of that community, you have to have 100 percent northern involvement, and it has to benefit local people. Those are the guidelines in negotiating a contract in the communities. There are ones as well that come in on budget and on time. A negotiated contract is where the government sits down and facilitates it with the community people or the development corporations. The majority of them are development corporations. If you sub-tender any part of that negotiated contract, for example, if you have three trucking companies in a community to haul gravel, then you have to get prices from all three trucking companies. That is how negotiated contracts are done. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From what I understand of existing claims that are in place, the Nunavut Agreement, the Sahtu Comprehensive Claim, the Gwich'in claim, as well as the Inuvialuit claim, is that, in no place in those claims do they say that this government has to negotiate contracts with those groups. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Mr. Ng. Last year, in 1996, we opened a nursing station in Clyde River and I appreciate this very much. The old nursing station that is in Clyde River is not being used right now. It is vacant. The question I have to the Minister of Health and Social Services is, I would like to know what is going to happen to that old nursing station that is vacant? Thank you. (Translation ends)

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that a local group wants to obtain possession of the building for a community resource centre, a support centre for families in the community. We have been trying to work with them in trying to put together a proposal to facilitate obtaining the old health centre, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary question. The buildings, when they are vacant for a long period of time, start to deteriorate. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services to answer that question. (Translation ends)

Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I did not catch the full question from the translation.

(Translation) When can I get a direct answer to the question that I asked? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question that I asked the Minister concerned the old health centre. It may just deteriorate when it is not being used. I am asking the Minister, can you let me know when we can take over that old health centre? Thank you. (Translation ends)

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the honourable Member clarifying it for me. What we are doing, Mr. Speaker, there is a Financial Management

Board submission that was just recently signed off by myself, that will be going to the Financial Management Board to deal with this matter in order to have the facility turnover facilitated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the course of this week I have had a couple of my constituents bring concerns to me regarding the applications for general hunting licenses. These individuals were members of Treaty 11 and have supplied all the necessary requirements to ensure speedy processing. These applications were submitted in December, 1996 or the first part of January, 1997. It has been at least a month since the applications were submitted. After calling to find out what is taking so long to get their general hunting licenses, the residents were told that it would take at least eight months to process. It seems to be an extra long period of time for something of this nature, considering one can pay the nominal fee for a regular hunting license and get it the same day. The same goes for your driver's license and most other permits that a person can get. My question to the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development is, why does this process take so long? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not aware of that section of the agreement, word for word. But I know that, on certain parts of those agreements, our government does have some slight disagreements with aboriginal groups on the legal text and what that legal text means. At this time, what I would say is that, in Mr. Krutko's riding, we have negotiated quite a number of contracts. It was to the betterment of this government that we did do that. We got the job done and we got it done on time. We got the job done on budget. The Gwich'in people did excellent work on those contracts. They hired north and they fulfilled their part. So, we will continue to work with those Gwich'in people in that area on negotiated contracts as well. Thank you.

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

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is one of the main reasons that this government does negotiate contracts and a fundamental principle is that we believe it is good government. If you are going to spend $100,000, $200,000, a million dollars, in a constituency or in a small community, the majority of that money, as much as possible, should stay there. The best way of doing that is to negotiate the contracts with those organizations in the community or businesses that live in that community. They can get the best use out of their dollar in that community. We have started doing that two terms ago and, possibly up to three terms ago, the government started doing that. From that, we have seen people start to take better control of their lives, a lot more self pride. When you walk into those communities, you see the pride in the faces of workers. I was in your riding in Fort McPherson when I was the Minister of DPW, and you see it in the people. You see it as plain as day. They are building that building, their company is running the show, their foremen are from Fort McPherson. They are the ones that are benefitting from that government spending and I know, from travelling throughout the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker, that in many, many of our small communities, people wait. They wait

all winter to get that job the next summer and they depend on their people to negotiate the contract so that they do get that work. We do not have an influx from the big regional centres or from southern Canada, workers coming in and taking jobs from local people. As far as I am concerned, we are doing the right thing. It is good government to negotiate contracts in the communities and we will continue to do so. Thank you.

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

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the previous Assembly, I was the Minister of DPW, as well as the Housing Corporation, and was in charge of the majority of the contracts for this government. Let me assure Members of this Legislative Assembly and the general public, when this government negotiates a contract, whether it be with the Gwich'in Development Corporation or Fort Good Hope or any other community, a negotiated contract is scrutinized more than any other contract in this government. We make sure that when you negotiate a contract with this government, you follow the principles that we lay out and you will hire north, you will hire local people. If you cannot find them at the local level, contractors or workers, you go to the regional level. Then you go to the territorial level. If you want to bring anybody in from southern Canada, it comes to my level, as a Minister. I was a Minister responsible for DPW and I remember making it very clear to a small community when they say, "We cannot find a foreman, we have to bring one in from the south." "Tough luck, then we go to public tender. You find your foremen in the north, you find your people in the north." Northerners will work with northerners on the negotiated contracts. They benefit everyone, especially the local people. So, they are scrutinized to the greatest extent and they are pure benefits that are real benefits to local people. That is what negotiated contracts do, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the greatest respect to the Member, I believe that he is asking me for legal opinion. We, as a government, are working and will be at the table in self-government negotiations with his people as well other people throughout the Northwest Territories that have settled claims. The Minister responsible will look into that issue. But just as a fundamental principle, it is good government to negotiate contracts. We do not feel, as a government, that it is a legal obligation to claims. It is good government that we leave as much dollars as possible at the community level. We get the community to benefit from contracts that are at the communities. Thank you.

---Applause