Thank you. Good afternoon. Mr. Ng. Point of privilege.

Point of Privilege

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise on a point of privilege. The February 13, 1997 edition of the Inuvik Drum, in reporting on a public meeting that I attended on February 7th in Inuvik, incorrectly implied that I said, and I quote:

"The Department of Health and Social Services hopes to reduce the number of treatment centres to just one in each of the western and eastern territories by 1999."

My comments were intended as an assurance that there would be at least two facilities, rather than a threat or an announcement of further reductions in funding. The elimination of funding for another treatment facility is not currently part of the department's plan for alcohol and drug treatment facilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Point of order. Mr. O'Brien.

Point of Order

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order concerning a matter that occurred in the committee of the whole Friday, February 14. Mr. Speaker, this is my first opportunity to raise this point. I refer to Rule 23(h) which states that in debate a Member will be called to order by the Speaker if the Member makes allegations against another Member, a House Officer or a witness. Mr. Speaker, the Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Morin, made the statement that I should not have the word honourable in front of my name. At the time, the comment was made I asked the Honourable Premier to apologize for his comment. I note that on page 1103 of the unedited Hansard that Mr. Morin withdrew the remark but did not apologize for it. Mr. Speaker, using Rule 23(h) I request that you rule that I have a point of order and request the Premier, the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, apologize. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Although the discussion was in committee of the whole, a Member is entitled at the first opportune time to rise on a point of order if he has one. In this case, Mr. O'Brien has done that. Having found that the honourable Mr. Morin used offensive words, I will now ask that Mr. Morin apologize for the use of his words. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to this House if they found my remarks offensive. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Morin. I would like to take a moment to ponder about an event that happened 60 years ago. Today in an area known as the North Ooglit Islands, about 30 kilometres north of Hall Beach, that was the day our colleague from Amittuq, Mr. Evaloarjuk, was born.

---Applause

As most Members know, Mr. Evaloarjuk was a Member of the Assembly from 1975 to 1984 before being re-elected in 1995. On behalf of all the Members, I would like to wish Mr. Evaloarjuk a happy 60th birthday.

Hear! Hear!

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Charles Dent will be absent from the House today to attend the Council of Ministers of Education in Toronto. Thank you.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. I would also like to let Members know that we have been advised by

Mr. Krutko that, due to a serious illness in his family, he will not be in attendance in this House for the next few days. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Krutko. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today in the House I would like to speak on the issue of the libraries. The people are concerned about shutting down the libraries. (Translation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk a little about the library in Clyde River. We have a small library, but it is a busy place. The community librarian makes sure that people can get the books and magazines they want. The library provides programs for the children and adults. We have books both in English and Inuktitut, so it encourages everyone to read and learn more. The community library is an important place in Clyde River. It is a meeting place, a place for learning. Mr. Speaker, all the talk about cuts to libraries is a concern for the people of Clyde River. Their library is very important to them. I hope that when the government looks at the possible changes to library funding, the Minister remembers the importance of Clyde River library. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank all of you for congratulating me on my birthday. That is my first statement, to thank you. Also, I would like to state, Mr. Speaker, since I have been here in 1995, in my riding of Igloolik and Pond Inlet, there have been a number of deaths that have happened. Mr. Speaker, I would like to state one of my cousins I just heard last night, Isaaci Anaviapik, passed away yesterday. I would just like to send my condolences to his relatives and friends. We will remember them in our prayers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

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

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to speak briefly about some of the activities and events that took place over the past three days in Cambridge Bay. As we all know, many of us had an opportunity to attend the Nunavut Leaders' Summit. I will not get into the details of some of those discussions because they will be in the media over the next couple of days. I would like to comment on some of the other activities that did take place. I would also like to thank all the participants that did attend, whether they were elected officials, appointed officials, or the staff that were there. Some of the other events, Mr. Speaker, that took place: there was a Kitikmeot Chamber of Commerce meeting at the same time as the Nunavut Leaders' meeting.

I would like to extend appreciation to the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo for speaking to the Chamber of Commerce, along with myself. There was also an arena re-opening ceremony and the Honourable Manitok Thompson and the Honourable Don Morin both participated. I would like to extend my appreciation to them for their participation in that. As well, thanks to Commissioner Helen Maksagak, who also was a part of those ceremonies and activities. I would like to also mention there was a hockey game. A local team, of which I was fortunate to be a member, was chosen to play the out of town summit participants. We were gracious hosts by losing two to one to the out of town team.

I would like to thank Doug Crossley of Cambridge Bay, who organized that event. Finally there were a couple of other community square dances held both on Saturday and on Sunday. They were very well attended by the community and by guests from outside of the community. I would like to thank David Evalik and Elik Tologanak for organizing those two events. There was also, Mr. Speaker, a presentation made to the Honourable Ron Irwin from the community by the mayor. They presented him with a drum. I would like to thank Attima Hadlari for giving drum lessons to the federal Minister at that time. I, Mr. Speaker, would also like to seek unanimous consent to complete my statement. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank and acknowledge the Mayor, Mr. Wilfred Wilcox, and his staff, Henry Brown, the SAO; Stephane Labonne, the recreation director; Pat File, the community wellness director for all their contributions and making sure all the events were successful and all the other staff that were involved. There are too many to name. Finally, I think Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all the participants and the guests from out of town, I would like to thank the community residents of Cambridge Bay for their warmth and the hospitality that they extended to everyone. I think it offset some of the 40 below weather and the wind conditions that we had to persevere with over the weekend. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.