Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng. Yesterday, the Minister told us about the problems of tobacco smoke. He also informed us that it was the single most contributing factor to the high infant mortality rate in the Northwest Territories. I can see the prevalence has decreased significantly across Canada over the past three decades but it has continued to remain in the north. A recent publication by the Department of Health and Social Services noted that in 1993, 69 percent of the Inuit youth, 60 percent of Dene youth and 30 percent of non-aboriginal youth became smokers by 19. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, if we have laws in place prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors under the age of 18, is there any legislation that could be enacted to prevent them from consuming tobacco products in public places? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe a question was asked. I replied I was not aware of any territorial legislation. I was going to check into it to see if there was, not what measures could be taken to deal with the issue of minors smoking. I know that the sale is prohibited under federal laws, Mr. Speaker. I will check into the issue about legislative requirements that are in place, or could be put in place in respect to consumption of tobacco products for minors. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister of Health is also responsible for Justice, I would ask the Minister if he would make a strong stance to federal bodies that enact these laws, if they would give some consideration to putting in place something to back up what is already there, where minors cannot purchase tobacco. My understanding is that they can have it in their possession and smoke it. I would ask the Minister, as he is the Minister of Justice also, if he would lobby his counterpart in the federal bureaucracy strongly to see if something further cannot be done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Henry. To remind the Members again, when you are addressing a Minister within the responsibility, you start out by asking a question, ask the Minister of Health and Social Services. Then you went to the Minister of Justice with your supplementary. I will ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if he wishes to respond.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health will advise the Minister of Justice.

-- Laughter

Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the present time, to my knowledge, there is only one territorial judge living in Nunavut. I also understand there is a vacancy on the territorial court for a judge. My question is to the Minister of Justice. Will the Minister be appointing the judge in the near future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is an issue I am looking at recently with the retirement of Judge Davis. Because of the need to establish a judicial system for Nunavut, and the fact that almost all the judges currently reside in the western territory, I am looking at the possibility of a term appointment of a judge to fill Judge Davis' position until March 31st, 1999. Until we can determine a plan within the Department of Justice on how we are going to address the judicial needs in the two new territories, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is a concern that there is only one Judge that resides in Nunavut. The other two regions of Nunavut, Kitikmeot and the Keewatin region, do not have a judge. My question to the Minister; on this appointment, if the judge is to be based in Nunavut, would a judge be based in one of the other regions where there is no judge? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak to that today, because of the fact that there would be some additional financial requirements required if we were to position a judge outside of Yellowknife, where there are no support facilities. Or outside of Iqaluit, for that matter, where the other territorial court judge resides. The first thing that would have to be worked out is whether or not the territorial judge appointee could be appointed on an interim basis until March 31st, 1999. I understand that is an issue that is not clear right now. We are having research done to make sure that it is allowable and acceptable by the judges. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a lot of us are not really familiar with the process for appointing judges. My supplementary question to the Minister will be; is he going to look at the legal people that we have in place right now? For example, on the ground in Nunavut that are culturally aware of the situation in Nunavut and the communities and the settlements? Will he be looking at someone like that to fill that position of judge for this absence on the bar? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe the process is a request call for anybody that would be interested would go forward from the judicial recommendation council. They would make a recommendation to me on who they would see as a suitable candidate to fill the judicial position. At that time I would decide whether or not that candidate was acceptable, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of any changes to that accessibility. I will check into it and get back to the honourable Member. Thank you.