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.

Thank you. Members' statements, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was just reminded by the honourable Member for Iqaluit that I would be remiss if I did not congratulate Richard Beck for winning the World Championship Dog Mushers Race in The Pas, Manitoba. He has won that title for the sixth time now and I would like to wish all the best to Mr. Beck. Thank you.

Thank you. Members' statements, Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to mention an event that will be taking place this March in Rae-Edzo. The event that I am referring to is the Parish Mission Spiritual Gathering, which will take place March 16 until March 30, 1997. This event will bring community members from across the region, as well as people from Yellowknife, Deline, Detah, to witness and participate in the celebration of the Easter season. This two week event will have a full schedule of activities for young and old. It will be a time of counselling, healing, and worship for anyone that wants to participate. Regular scheduled events will include: youth, ministry, health, at Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School, each morning during the first week, with a workshop and other gatherings taking place throughout the community for the rest of the day and evening of each day, along with home visits to every home in the community.

The second week is filled with spiritual celebration and counselling. On the close of the mission on Easter Sunday, there will be a feast, a drum dance, and festivities. Mr. Speaker, this gathering will be very special to many people. They will worship and heal as one community. For married couples that would like to renew their marriage vows, time has been set aside for couples to do so. This will, as with every gathering, bring people and families together for the common goal of worshipping our Lord on this special day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was thinking today of a topic I have raised twice during the past weeks. One which allowed Members to want to contemplate or one which may have a devastating effect on the fiscal health of this government. Mr. Speaker, the recent ruling by the courts on the pay issue dispute between the UNW and the territorial government has been ongoing since the mid- 80s. It has now culminated in both the GNWT's arguments on the bias and the jurisdiction of the case being ruled against. Mr.

Speaker, we can continue to duck and dive, appeal or whatever legal route we take to put this off, but is it not about time someone took the bull by the horns and dealt with this situation we find ourselves in.

Mr. Speaker, this government has refused to comment on the issue. In my mind, that is not good government. Why does the government not sit down with our partner, the UNW, and try and reach a compromise or find some other alternative? Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day when this is finally settled, the tax payers of the Northwest Territories may be on the hook for several million dollars. Money we do not have. Mr. Speaker, by saying nothing, by using legal delaying tactics, we seem to be putting off onerous eventuality. That is not acceptable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements, Mrs Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Members' statements. Item 4. Returns to oral questions, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral questions asked by Mr. Henry on January 22, 1997, on NWT infant mortality rates. Information on infant mortality is collected through vital statistics. The rates are compiled and analyzed on a yearly basis in the Northwest Territories before being provided at the national level. Infant mortality refers to all deaths under the age of one year. The denominator used to calculate the rate is a number of live births that occur in the year of reference. As registration of deaths have tended to be more accurate than birth registrations in the past, the under- reporting of births could account in part for the higher infant mortality rates.

Infant mortality has climbed sharply everywhere in Canada over the past three decades. NWT rates were three times that of the rest of Canada in 1971. By 1988, this gap had been narrowed to one and a half times. Since then, however, little progress has occurred in the NWT, while the rates continue to go down in the south. At 15.4 infant deaths per 1000 live births, the NWT infant mortality rate was two and a half times that of Canada as a whole at 6.3 per 1000 in 1994. The Childhood Fatalities Review Committee is mandated to review and report on all deaths of children age 16 and under. The review of 1996 deaths have already been initiated and a report from the committee is expected in April. Infant mortality is strongly linked to social economic status and poverty. High rates of infant deaths from infectious causes and from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome contribute to our poor statistics. The most important single contributor to high infant mortality in the Northwest Territories continues to be exposure to tobacco smoke during fetal growth and after birth. Other contributing factors include poor nutritional status of many mothers and overcrowding. Improving social economical conditions and ensuring a healthy living environment by providing better health education, developing parenting skills and early intervention programs are the means to improve infant mortality statistics. The Department of Health and Social Services has important roles to play in these areas. We have embarked on a reform of the health and social services system that aims to shift emphasis to prevention and early intervention. However, many necessary initiatives will have to originate from communities and individuals themselves if we want to improve outcomes in this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great honour and pleasure to recognize our MP for Nunatsiaq, Mr. Jack Anawak.

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize my wife, Louise, and my son, Lionel Evaloarjuk. Thank you.(Translation ends)

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize Mr. George Kuksuk from Arviat. George is a contractor in the community. He is also a very busy constituent. He serves on the hamlet council, also a member of the Workers' Compensation Board, and a member

of the Caribou Management Board. Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Evano Aggark, a well respected constituent and also the Government Liaison Officer for Arviat. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me pleasure today to recognize a person. Behind every successful politician, there is a capable executive assistant, and sitting next to Mr. Jack Anawak is Miss Catherine Parker from Ottawa, his executive assistant, and a great tour guide of Ottawa when you get a chance to go down. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions, Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi. It is regarding the general hunting licences that are issued to residents in the north. When you try to get a hunting licence, you have to wait awhile to get your licence in the communities. My question to the Minister is, what kind of regulations do you have in regards to the issuing of those licences? Thank you. (Translation ends)

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, while in Cambridge Bay this past weekend for the Nunavut Leaders' Summit, a statement was made about a GNWT senior managers meeting with Inuit employees and that they were not being treated very well in these discussions at that meeting. Mr. Speaker, if this allegation is correct, it is not acceptable. My question is for the Minister for DPW, whose department arranged the meeting, has he heard about these allegations and could he update the House on actually what happened? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Public Works and Services. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to clarify to the House what actually happened in Iqaluit. I did hear the comments made by Jose Kusugak at that meeting in Cambridge Bay. In the interest of staying on the subject that we were discussing, I elected not to respond, on the good advice of my friend, Mr. Todd. The meeting in Iqaluit was for Inuit employees of the Department of Public Works and Services. It is part of the overall implementation of our Inuit employment plans which we are obligated to under the land claims agreement. This year, we brought together 14 Inuit employees of DPW from the three regions of Nunavut and discussed with them their concerns about the direction that the department is going, training opportunities and what they can expect the department to look like in the future. We also had presentations by Arctic College, EC&E, the NIC and MACA. One of the more interesting things to come out of that meeting was a summary of concerns by the Inuit employees that was sent to me and of which I am (inaudible). Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is good to hear the clarification from the Minister. Will the Minister commit to contacting the employees who participated in these discussions, to assure them of the intent of the meeting personally, so that there will be no permanent breakdown in actually what occurred and this type of innuendo will not go on? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the Member that the employees who did go to that meeting know exactly what the meeting was for. I believe they all appreciate the information they received and the opportunity to give input. I think where the problem lies is with the interpretation by the person I was speaking to in Cambridge Bay and the lack of understanding. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the Nunavut training issue that is specific to Nunavut, because of the agreement they have with the federal government, they are getting approximately $39.8 million. As far as other training initiatives in general, I did not have an opportunity to speak with Mr. Irwin on that issue. He was there to deal with Nunavut issues. He flew in and flew out fairly quickly. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We agree fully with the Member of the Legislative Assembly and we have talked about that in the Legislative Assembly before. Mr. Dent is doing work on that. We have to capitalize on the jobs that are going to be spun off from the mining industry and we should be prepared. Mr. Dent is working with a group of people on northern employment strategies, so that we can benefit as northerners from that development. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Dent is handling the file on training and he has been dealing with the federal Ministers on trying to get as many dollars out of the federal government as possible to get northern people trained to take advantage of jobs that will be created from the mining industry, as well as any other industries in the north that are starting to be developed, like forestry, as well as oil and gas in the Liard area. We have to try to capitalize on any dollars possible from the federal government. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take that question as notice and Mr. Dent can return the question. Thank you.

Thank you. Question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a petition with 260 signatures from Cambridge Bay, Petition No. 13-13(4), showing their support for the libraries. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters. Bill 8, Committee Report 2-13(4), Committee Report 3-13(4), Committee Report 4-13(4). Mr. Steen in the chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee decided concurrently with Bill 8, Appropriation Act '97/98, Committee Report 2-13, Committee Report 3-13, and Committee Report 4-13. We will proceed with Department of Transportation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes.

Agreed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I have Bob Doherty. He is the deputy minister of the Department of Transportation. He is on my right and on my left, Raj Downe. She is the director for finance and administration for Department of Transportation. Thank you.

Agreed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. What I was concerned about was the Fort Smith region regarding the overlay runway for $2 million. The reason why is because I was wondering if the Minister is considering any of the fundings that might be available to my particular region

regarding the airport. If you could spend that kind of money just to have an existing decent airport in Fort Smith, and there is no capital plan for an airport within my region in sight, I think that there are a lot of activities that might be going on in the future regarding the mining activities and a lot of transportation that might be needed between my region. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the department has been asked numerous times by the honourable Member and his predecessors in previous governments, but mainly from the honourable Member for North Slave, regarding monies for an airport to be built in the Rae-Edzo area. At this time what the department is doing, because of the cutbacks, is that we are renovating existing facilities only. This budget year, we are not going to be building any new infrastructure at all because of the budget cutbacks. As a result, there is nothing in this year's plan to do any work or set aside any money for what the honourable Member is requesting. However, just for your information, in 1995 the department provided the Hamlet of Rae-Edzo with $30,000 to conduct a consultant's study of the socio-economic impacts of an airport. The department had received a final draft of the study report and has communicated several concerns regarding the report and the benefit cost analysis to the mayor. We were advised last November 95, that a response from the hamlet would be forthcoming. As of yet, we have not received a formal response. We did put money into a study and because of the cutbacks we have not been able to allocate any funding for the honourable Member's request. Thank you.

Agreed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I note that there was $3 million spent in prior years. Can the Minister tell us what that was spent on? Could he give us a little more background about the relocation of this airport, as to when was it built and why relocation is necessary? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am referring to the Deline airport relocation.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, in Deline in 1984, there was a fatal crash of an airplane. There has been considerable community concern over the safety of the Deline airport. The airport at the time was very close to the community. Based on discussion with the community, it was very apparent that the proposed improvement to the existing airport would not resolve these concerns, because of the proximity of the community to the airport. Therefore, a study recommended construction of a new airport with a 3,000 foot runway, two kilometres from the community rather than doing the renovation of the existing airport. This one here was a cost-shared arrangement negotiated with Transport Canada. The 1991 Airport Construction Contribution Agreement and the 1993 Strategic Transportation Improvement Agreement provided funding for this airport. As a result, we were able to begin work on the Deline airport in 1993-94 and we are still finishing off the airport today. This main estimate would be the final amount for finishing off this airport. Thank you.

Agreed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, when I look at the 1996 and '97 main estimates, which was approved last year under Transportation, buildings and works, Baffin region, there was $1,330,000 allocated for Clyde River airport terminal building. Mr. Chairman, when I look at 1997/98 main estimates under Department of Transportation, buildings and works, Baffin region, I do not see that $1,330,000. I would like to ask the Minister where that money went and why it is gone? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the honourable Member is referring to an air terminal building. Mr. Chairman, before the ATB can be built in Clyde River, a new gravel pad must be built across from its current location. In Clyde River, the people have to cross the airport to get to the air terminal building. This is a problem. In order to resolve that, we need to build a gravel pad on the town side of the airport and that has to get done first. The access to the current airport terminal building crosses the runway. During review of the capital planning, the community of Clyde River was identified as having too much earthworks scheduled for 1997/98 fiscal year. Therefore, the department deferred the project start date in order to accommodate completion of other projects, which require the earthworks equipment. Just for some background, the community has the following equipment; they have one loader, two trucks, and one dozer. The short building season also contributed to the decision on a number of projects that could be started in the community. As a result of the fiscal restraint and the cutbacks that we have to undertake in this department, we move to defer the planning of the airport terminal building to '98/99, and completion in '99/2000. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for pronouncing my last name correctly. Mr. Chairman, I do appreciate that the

Minister of Transportation just told me that there will be some part-time jobs for spring and summer in Clyde River. I appreciate that. The money I am talking about, in the amount of $1,330,000, is the same amount of that money going to the main estimates in '98/99? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this project, like I said, has been deferred to start the planning in '98/99 and to do the completion in the year '99/2000. The total project has been reduced by $150,000. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Why was the money reduced by $150,000? Did the building shrink before the design even took place?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we have to comply to future budget targets. For planning purposes, we have reduced the total scope of this project by the said amount. As we get into the planning, we will then take a closer look at the scope of the work that is required. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and good afternoon. Mr. Chairman, over the past few days, I have been trying to bring up the situation with the ERS, which is the emergency response service in Iqaluit. Mr. Chairman, we are going to lose our ERS on April 1st, 1997, although there have been several dangerous and life-threatening incidents at our airport. Mr. Chairman, because of federal regulations and changes in those regulations that say and state that we do not need the ERS in Iqaluit and, coming on the heels of the Avery Cooper report commissioned by the government, it was decided that ERS was no longer needed.

Mr. Chairman, I have had some good communication with the Honourable Jim Antoine, the Minister for Transportation. He has been very supportive and the department has been very supportive in this area, but it still leaves a void in my community for fire fighting capabilities. At the present time, all we have in Iqaluit is a volunteer fire department. They do not have the specialized training to fight fires at the airport. They do not have the equipment. My question to the Minister of Transportation is; on April 1st, 1999, who is going to fight those fires at the airport and who is going to be able to do emergency response in the transportation hub for the Baffin region, serving 13 communities and 14,000 people? Mr. Chairman, my question to the Minister would be, will this government commit to providing the proper training for our volunteer town fire department and also the equipment, so that we can tackle any incident that occurs after April 1st, 1997 at the Iqaluit airport? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.