Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Good afternoon. I have here a letter from the Commissioner, and it says, "I wish to inform the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, the passage of the Forgiveness of Debts Act, 1996-97; Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1996-97; and Loan Authorization Act, 1997-98. during the fourth session of the 13th Legislative Assembly."

It is signed, yours truly, Helen Maksagak, Commissioner. I also have here a Speaker's ruling regarding Mr. O'Brien, January 31, 1997.

Speaker's Ruling

I would like to provide some comments to the House concerning a matter that occurred during oral question period on Friday, January 31, 1997. The matter relates to an oral question that was being asked by the Member for Kivallivik, Mr. O'Brien. The question is contained on pages 546 and 547 of the unedited Hansard. The Member, Mr. O'Brien, was asking his first supplementary question and I quote:

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell the House exactly what revisions and I use that word, that the Minister is looking at regarding these departments".

I listened to Mr. O'Brien's comments and I thought I heard the word "visions" which in my opinion, made his supplementary question hypothetical so, I reminded the Member of that. The Member then indicated that and I quote:

"Mr. Speaker, I think my question is fairly straightforward."

I would like to point out to the Members that this wording indicated to me that he was challenging my ruling. This of course, is not permitted. I did, after the Minister's response, remind the Members to be a bit clearer when directing questions as what I heard was visions, not revisions. That is why, I made the ruling on the supplementary question being hypothetical. On checking the unedited Hansard, Mr. O'Brien did indeed use the word "revisions". I apologize for the misunderstanding, but at the time, I did hear the word "visions" so I had to base my comments to the Member on that. So, in the future, if Members will assist the chair and Ministers in clearly pronouncing your words, I will listen intently to your every word as I always do. Based on the words and actions that occurred at the time, it was my ruling that Mr. O'Brien challenged the chair. As all Members know, you cannot challenge the chair, so based on the facts at that time, I would ask Mr. O'Brien to withdraw his comments whereby he challenged the chair. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with respect to your ruling and your subsequent apology, Mr. Speaker, when I made this statement in the House, it was in the heat of the moment, and also amongst some heckling and catcalls from across the floor. Mr. Speaker, I may have inadvertently challenged the chair. This was not my intention. I have the greatest respect for the chair. Mr. Speaker, if this is the case, I do apologize and withdraw my questionable comments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien, this matter is now closed. I have another ruling here regarding Mr. Miltenberger.

Speaker's Ruling

On Monday, February 3, 1997, the Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger, rose on a point of privilege. In his statement, the Member said, and I quote:

"I rise on a point of privilege to clarify, at the first available opportunity, a concern about conflict of interest on my part."

Mr. Miltenberger then went on to state that it is difficult to know when we (referring to Members) can speak. He said, and I quote from page 566 of unedited Hansard:

"If a Member has a wife who owns a business, can he participate in discussions on BIP, which could benefit her financially? If a Member's wife works for a women's shelter, is it alright for him to question the cuts to funding in women's shelters?"

In response to the Member's point of privilege, the Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Picco, rose on his point of privilege, stating, and I quote from page 567 of unedited Hansard:

"The Member mentioned, in a veiled way, my earlier response last year on a question to another Minister concerning spousal shelter homes. Mr. Speaker, he has infringed upon my rights as a Member, the Member from Thebacha, in his statement, and I would ask the Speaker to rule that he would strike anything from the record infringing on my privilege as a Member."

The acting Speaker, Mr. Ningark, and thank you for yesterday, sought debate on the point of privilege raised by the Member for Iqaluit. In the course of debate, the Member for Hay River, Mrs. Groenewegen, rose on her point of privilege, stating at page 567 of the unedited Hansard:

"If Mr. Miltenberger feels that he said something on Friday that he should not have said, he has every opportunity to stand up and retract those and apologize for them. He does not need to try and implicate everyone else or other Members of this House in his mistake. I do take exception to him referring to the Business Incentive Policy and people who may have a spouse that owns a business. I not only have a spouse that owns a business, I also own a business, and I believe that he is misleading the House, by suggesting that all business deals need to take place in an arm's length fashion."

After citing from the conflict of interest provisions of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, Mrs. Groenewegen went on to state at page 568 of the unedited Hansard:

"I would like to suggest that Mr. Miltenberger, by his comments, not on a territorial basis, but in reference to Fort Smith specifically, and community libraries specifically on Friday, was probably over the line and he can stand up and speak about that and he can retract that, but he does not need to implicate the rest of us..."

In debate on the point of privilege, the Premier, the Honourable Don Morin, rose and asked the Speaker to review the comments of the Member for Hay River when rendering a decision on the points of privilege, pointing out that there is a process available through the Conflict of Interest Commissioner's office for the general public and Members to address the issue of conflict of interest.

Mr. Ningark indicated to the House that he would provide the House with a ruling, following a review of Hansard and the appropriate authorities. I would like to now provide the House with my ruling on the points of privilege raised, as well as to provide the House with some guidance in addressing issues relating to conflict of interest and decorum of Members generally.

The Member for Thebacha, in rising on Monday to comment on the questions asked by him last Friday, was not raising a traditional or normal point of privilege. Rather, his statement was one of clarification or explanation of his conflict and was in accordance with the conflict of interest provisions of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. Rule 20(1) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly permits a Member to, with the leave of the Speaker, to "explain a matter, although not a contempt or breach of privilege, which concerns the Member in his or her capacity as a Member of the Legislative Assembly". Mr. Miltenberger's statement explaining his questioning, and his conflict, was a statement properly brought under that rule.

For the assistance of Members, both our Rules and the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act contain provisions to guide Members in addressing issues in which they may be in conflict. Rule 13 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly provides:

No Member is entitled to vote upon any question in which he or she has a direct or indirect financial interest, and the vote of any Member so interested shall be disallowed.

As well, this Legislature passed laws in the 11th Assembly, defining conflict of interest and setting forth the obligations of Members addressing conflicts. These provisions are contained with Part Three of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. For the assistance of Members, a Member has a conflict where:

The Member, or the spouse or dependent child of the Member, has significant private interests that afford the Member, the spouse or dependent child of the Member, the opportunity to directly or indirectly benefit from the performance of any of the duties of office of the Member.

The above definition is found in section 66(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. Many Members have, and will continue to have, conflicts in certain matters. We all have personal lives, whether before we were elected or presently, which will, on occasion, result in us being in a conflict in addressing certain issues. What is most important is how a Member resolves a conflict of interest, not necessarily the fact that a conflict exists.

The Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act places serious obligations on Members to resolve their conflicts in accordance with the public interest. Section 67(A) provides that:

Each Member shall perform his or her duties of office and arrange his or her private affairs in such a manner as to maintain public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of the Member.

Section 67(C) and 67(D) places an obligation on a Member to:

Arrange his or her private affairs in conformity with the provisions of this part and act generally to prevent any conflict of interest from arising and make all reasonable efforts to resolve any conflict of interest that may arise in favour of the public interest.

If a Member has a conflict of interest in any matter that is before a committee of this Legislature or before the House, the Member must, pursuant to s.69(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, disclose the general nature of the conflict and withdraw from the meeting without voting or participating in the consideration of the matter. This is an obligation that must be followed by all Members of this House.

If a Member has a question about whether they are in a conflict, they are able to seek advice from the Clerk's office or from the Conflict of Interest Commissioner. Indeed, the Legislation specifically authorizes the Conflict of Interest Commissioner to give advice to a Member which will prevent any conflict of interest prosecution against the Member if the Member has disclosed all material facts and followed the advice of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner. While it may appear to some that conflicts are a "grey" area, there are very clear procedures to follow in determining what is or what is not a conflict.

A Member may rise, as did the Member for Thebacha, to explain to the House a line of questioning which may have been perceived as a conflict. As long as the statement is limited to providing an explanation of the Member's behaviour, it is acceptable. However, as Speaker, I am not comfortable with the idea that this forum is the appropriate forum for debating and ruling on whether a Member has contravened the conflict of interest provisions of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. There are clear mechanisms for invoking a complaint procedure under our legislation. Any Member who feels that another Member has "crossed the line" is free to file a complaint under the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. The complaint will then be dealt with by the Conflict of Interest Commissioner and her decisions, including recommendations for a sanction, if any, will be tabled in this House for decision by this Legislature. Sanctions for violating the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act can range from reprimand, fine to expulsion of the Member as a Member. These sanctions are serious and should not be trivialized in political debate. Given that ultimately this Legislature plays a significant decision-making role in addressing complaints of conflict, I am not comfortable in pre-empting that role and politicizing the issue of conflict of interest. For that reason, I will not entertain an allegation that another Member is in conflict.

With respect to Mr. Picco's and Mrs. Groenewegen's point of privilege, some comments on the nature and function of parliamentary privilege might be of assistance to Members. Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and Forms, 6th edition, citation 24, states:

Parliamentary privilege is the sum of the peculiar rights enjoyed by each House collectively as a constituent part of the High Court of Parliament, and by Members of each House individually, without which they could not discharge their functions and which exceed those possessed by other bodies or individuals.

Within the same citation, Beauchesne's goes on to further state:

...The distinctive mark of a privilege is its ancillary character. The privileges of Parliament are those rights which are "absolutely necessary for the due execution of it's powers".

Traditionally, individual privileges accorded to Members have been limited to issues relating to freedom of speech, freedom from arrest in civil actions, exemption from jury duty and exemption from attendance as a witness. Given that these privileges represent an extraordinary exception to the ordinary laws, it is generally accepted that the category of privileges is closed and cannot be added to without express statutory or constitutional amendment.

Notwithstanding the relatively narrow category of privileges that are protected, Beauchesne's does note, in citation 64, that the House has occasionally taken notice of attacks on individual Members as constituting a breach of the privileges of the House. Beauchesne's, citation 67, indicates that it is always the responsibility of the House to decide if the reflections on Members are sufficiently serious to justify action.

I am also aided by Beauchesne's citation 69, which quotes a Speaker's ruling from 1987:

The Speaker has reminded the House, "it is very important...to indicate that something can be inflammatory, can be disagreeable, can even be offensive, but it may not be a question of privilege unless the comment actually impinges upon the ability of Members of Parliament to do their job properly.

Mr. Picco and Mrs. Groenewegen, in their respective points of privilege, appear to be indicating that Mr. Miltenberger's use of examples in his statement go too far. They suggest that Mr. Miltenberger, in clarifying his questioning in the House, was acting improperly, in that he seemed to be citing examples relating to other Members' lines of questioning in the House and using those examples to illustrate how "grey" the area of appropriate questioning is, so as to avoid a conflict of interest allegation. Indeed, Mrs. Groenewegen used the word "implicate us all" in her point of privilege. Given that both points of privilege address the same issue, I will deal with them as a single matter.

As stated above, questions of privilege are, and should be, narrow in scope and limited to only those powers which are strictly necessary to permit a Member to carry out his or her functions as a Member. Mr. Miltenberger's citing of examples of questioning which may or may not constitute a conflict of interest is not so offensive as to impair a Member's ability to carry on as a Member. To paraphrase acting Speaker Paproski, the citing of examples may be inflammatory, disagreeable or even offensive, however, I cannot say that the comments are so clearly directed to one Member or Members as to prevent those Members and the House from carrying on its business.

So I note that although Mr. Miltenberger's comments went beyond his declaration of his conflict, and beyond what he is required to do under the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I rule that neither the Member for Iqaluit or the Member for Hay River has a point of privilege.

However, before I leave this topic, I would ask all Members to be conscious of the need to avoid the provocative use of examples which, by their very nature, inspire disagreements within this Legislature. As the Premier very properly pointed out, this Legislature has enacted a process for identifying and resolving conflicts of interest. Raising these issues on the floor of the House ignores the legislative process that this very Legislature has adopted and serves to undermine that process, while trivializing the role of debate in this House. Thank you.

Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank you for your ruling. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify some recent statements in this House. First of all, I did not create a housing crisis. Having people still living in matchboxes without running water or indoor plumbing in 1997 is not only atrocious, but it is a crisis. Mr. Speaker, I did not start a library crisis by laying off regional librarians and not providing that service to small communities. It may be perceived as a crisis by the over 700 people who had signed the petition presented yesterday. Mr. Speaker, I did not start a fuel crisis. The only crisis seemed to be in the minds of those answering my question.

Shame.

Mr. Speaker, I did not start an amalgamation crisis. From the unedited Hansard of Friday, January 31, in response to a question from ...

-- Noise

Mr. O'Brien, the Minister said on page 546, that "the amalgamation proposal as presented is not going ahead". Mr. Speaker, from that, I was trying to ascertain from the Minister if there was a new proposal on amalgamation. Mr. Speaker, I was not starting a crisis. I was asking a question. The proposed amalgamation might have been crisis for the affected employees who were going to be laid off as a result. That should not be belittled.

Mr. Speaker, question period is to provide answers, not to prompt debate, argue or ridicule a Member, or marginalize his or her statements. The decorum in this House has slipped to an all time low, and I will not be party to the baiting of Members for the sake of a sound bite in the media. Mr. Speaker, it would seem that any question on the direction, policies, financial plans, reductions and layoffs are not to be raised by the Members without upsetting the Executive Council.

I ask a lot of questions. I make no apology for that, and by marginalizing my questions or attacking me as a fear monger only demonstrates to the people of the Northwest Territories the pettiness and contempt some of you have for an individual trying to represent his or her constituency. In consensus government the Ordinary Members are here to try to provide the checks and balances to the Executive Council. Mr. Speaker, I will continue that role to the best of my ability. Crisis or no crisis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good evening, fellow colleagues. Just recently, we spoke on Clyde River housing conditions, as well as what Mr. Picco referred to matchboxes still be used in Clyde River. Today, I will be thanking, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Housing Corporation, Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, who was able to answer our question. The seven units will be replaced within two years in Clyde River. For that reason, I would like to thank the Minister of Housing Corporation. Thank you. (Translation ends)

-- Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker (Translation ends) I would like to speak out a concern of my constituency of Arctic Bay. The constituents have been complaining about the high dust level and the contaminant spillage for a number of years now. In the spring of 1995, there was an oil flow into Strathcona Sound and this has been a concern for many years. As of this result, I have learned Qitirmiut Association filed a formal complaint about the situation. I know that in my constituency of Arctic Bay, we are benefitting from this mine, but this needs to be addressed. Later today, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking question to the appropriate Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk today about a wonderful new program developed and being introduced by the St. Patrick's High School here in Yellowknife. The program I am referring to, Mr. Speaker, is appropriately called Bridges. The developmental work and study program is aimed at assisting students in the transition phase from school into the labour market. The new program will be made available to all students, but is primarily aimed at aboriginal youth, young women, disabled students, minorities, and those most at risk of leaving school. Students in the program will attend regular classes in the mornings and will participate in on the job training work experiences in the afternoon.

Mr. Speaker, I feel this is a wonderful, practical program. All too often, we educate our youth on an academic level, but forget about providing those who do not choose an academic career a vehicle to move into the work force. This program provides that vehicle. It provides a bridge and makes it easier for our students to move from school curriculum into the real world. Not all of our students in our schools have the ability or desire to pursue academic activities.

I for one, Mr. Speaker, would like to applaud St. Patrick's School for undertaking this initiative and addressing such an important part of our educational system. I feel that this type of initiative will help maximize benefits for our northern students. Later today I will be asking the Minister of Education some questions on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

The Member for Yellowknife Centre is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do I have any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent, Mr. Ootes.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge and commend the Minister of Housing Corporation for his swift action for addressing the very real concern of families being evicted during the dead of winter. It would be valuable for the Members to hear the response from the letter that he recently sent out to the local housing associations as to what options and modifications they will be making to their policies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Social Programs Committee recently had lunch with the NWT Seniors Advisory Council, and I just wanted to read a brief note that they sent us following that meeting.

The NWT Seniors Advisory Council would like to thank you for the luncheon and the opportunity to meet you and the committee. We appreciated the open and candid discussions. As promised, I am enclosing a copy of a letter the Advisory Council addressed to Minister Dent, regarding the fossil fuel program. The Advisory Council agree that the fuel program is very valuable and still much needed and wanted. We passed a motion to recommend to Minister Dent that no further reductions be made to the 1997/98 fuel program. The Advisory Council also passed a motion supporting Minister Ng to have the social envelope review all programs available to seniors and elders. The Advisory Council would want to have representation in this process from the beginning, and not consulted after the draft. The Advisory Council also recommended to Minister Ng to look at the feasibility of having one department responsible for all seniors programs and benefits. We hope that you will support us with your recommendations.

This is dated February 3, 1997, and it came from the NWT Seniors Advisory Council. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mrs. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Picco on January 28, 1997, on ability contingencies community empowerment.

As our major partner, it is essential that the NWTAM's concerns be heard by MACA, and this government. I have directed my staff to investigate the liability issue raised by the Member from Iqaluit, and further detailed in correspondence from Mr. Bevington. If our review indicates that any liabilities have been inappropriately transferred to communities, I will ensure that steps are taken to rectify the situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Krutko on January 27, 1997. He asked for a list of the deputy ministers. Mr. Krutko asked for the number of deputy ministers and how many of those deputy ministers were hired from southern Canada.

The 11 departments and the NWT Housing Corporation are managed by 12 deputy ministers. With one exception, all the incumbents have been staffed through northern appointments. The one incumbent hired from southern Canada was a former resident of the Northwest Territories recruited for his extensive experience in the area of aboriginal education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ng.

The Yellowknife and Thebacha campuses of Aurora College, in conjunction with Northern Addiction Services, is conducting the first in a series of joint training programs for drug and alcohol workers in the Northwest Territories. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome these people to Yellowknife and to the Assembly, who are involved with the training programs: Joe Beaverho, Lac La Martre; Irene Betsidea, Deline; Fred Kuptana, Tuktoyaktuk; Eileen Liske, Dettah; Tootsie Lugt, Tuktoyaktuk; Anna May McLeod, Tsiigehtchich; Tony Rabesca, Fort Rae; Charlie Soupay, Aklavik; John Wannecke, Yellowknife and, last but not least, two of my constituents from Kugluktuk, Judy Hayohok and Julia Topilak. Welcome to the Assembly.

-- Applause

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is not very often that I get to recognize anybody up in the gallery, but today, Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize my wife, Elisapee, my daughter, Janet and my boy, Andrew. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize some members from my constituency in the gallery. Mr. Tony Rabesca, a well-respected member of our family, and also respected by youth organizations within our region, along with his friend Joe Beaverho from Lac La Martre. Welcome to the Assembly.

-- Applause

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question to the Government Leader, Honourable Don Morin. We were aware, in the past few months, that the GNWT staff housing was for sale. I would like to ask the Government Leader, were the communities informed when the GNWT staff housing was for sale? That is my question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been public knowledge that the Government of the Northwest Territories has been attempting to sell all staff housing that we own throughout the Northwest Territories, for the past number of years. It has been in the papers, as well as through news reports, as well as through direct letters to all employees, that we do offer staff housing for sale. So, it should be general, or public knowledge. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to ask the Premier, I was informed by some of the members in our community that they were not informed when the units were for sale. The people that approached me regarding this, obviously were not written to. Could he tell me if all the members had received letters, members of the public? (Translation ends)

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I defer that question to the Minister of Finance, Mr. John Todd. He is in charge of selling staff housing. Thank you.

Thank you. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker. First of all, I will just step back a little bit, each individual house owner or, I should say tenant, was advised and given, as I said on a number of occasions in 1996, the first option to purchase their house. They were given a significant period of time to decide on that. We also indicated, at that time, that if they were not prepared to purchase the house, we were prepared to put them out to the communities at first, and give the communities an option to purchase. Then after that, we would go into the regions. I am pleased to say, in Mr. Enuaraq's riding for example, in Clyde River, a development corporation owned and operated by aboriginal people has purchased the homes in that community, and other aboriginal organizations in Pangnirtung and Broughton Island are doing the same. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

The Minister of Transportation. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the winter roads, the roads hopefully will be open by February 10, about a week or so. The reason for the late opening is the section between the community of Pedzeh Ki, or Wrigley, up to Tulita, the Fort Norman section. There is a lack of snow and we need snow to build the ice

crossings on the numerous creek and small river crossings in that section of the highway, winter road. As a result, we waited as long as we could, and there is still very little snow in that area, but we are going ahead. We are using all precautions to try to accommodate the Department of Oceans and Fisheries in respect to the way we build these ice roads. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation officials have been meeting with the officials from the federal Department of Oceans and Fisheries, and are trying to come to a resolution in regards to the Act that we are trying to abide by. Yes, we are trying to meet with the federal Minister responsible for that department, Mr. Mifflin. At this point in time, I have not been able to meet with him personally but the intention here, in the future, is to try and arrange some sort of a meeting so that we can sit down and go over some of these problem areas. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the winter road system north from Wrigley to the communities of Tulita, Norman Wells, Good Hope and Deline, is a very vital link to all of us here. As we know, we have to resupply these communities with the fuel so that they have enough fuel to run throughout the year - those communities that are not reached by the tugboats. At the same time, we try to use these roads to provide resupply of building supplies, dry goods and so forth, to these communities. Yes, it is a substantially lower cost if we were able to truck all these goods in on the winter roads. As we wait for these winter roads to open, the costs are very high for bringing in the supplies otherwise. The department has not really sat down and analyzed the cost break-down of what the honourable Member is seeking but we understand that, generally, the cost would go down if the winter roads were open and we were able to resupply these communities. Thank you.

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

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cannot commit to the honourable Member to extend that time of March 19th, the honourable Member mentioned for closure of the road. The intention of the department is to try to contact all the communities and all the different truckers that intend to resupply these communities. As soon as the road is open and the weight is allowable, then whatever resupply regarding these communities, should be ready to roll. We intend to pursue that and make sure that the five communities get resupplied in the time space that we have available to us. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the scope of the strategic planning process that the consultants are undergoing is very broad. It would take into account some of the problems that we are facing in respect to the exact same issues the honourable Member has identified in respect to our population growth, which is higher than the normal standards throughout the country. Our poorer health status indicators, and all those factors that contribute to some of the problems that we are facing in the Health and Social Services system throughout the Territories, Mr. Speaker. I would like to reiterate that there was a written question for tabling the terms of reference of the strategic planning process with the consultants, and I will be providing that as soon as possible to provide as much detail and information as Members want on this particular issue, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

The Minister responsible for Northern Constitutional Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the western constitutional process is still under way. The Constitutional Working Group has had a series of meetings. In fact, we had a meeting last night and we intend to have another meeting again tonight. I would like to report that this government has committed to put some funding into a consultation process, as well the federal government has also made a commitment to fund this process. Jointly, we should have some funding to go ahead and start a consultation process into the communities. In fact, the Constitutional Working Group has been working on a work plan, and we still have to sort some of that out, but the intention and the direction is to go ahead and begin consultation between now and the end of March, and hopefully into April, May and June. Like I said, we still have to sort out some of the work plans and the scheduling, timing and so forth still has to be agreed upon. Generally the direction is to go ahead.

There is concern by the federal government in regards to the Partners document that we tabled in the House in October. Their concern was with the content of it which was a model that we put forward. Throughout the last couple of months, since we tabled that document, the officials of the Aboriginal Affairs have been meeting with the federal officials trying to see what kind of commitment the federal government would have towards this document. I would like to say officially that there is support for the principles of the document from the federal officials which is a good sign.

They are concerned about the model. We said all along that this package was for public consultation and once it was out people would have opportunity to comment on it. We have heard a lot of comments on it and now with the funding that is in place, we intend to go ahead and go into the communities and explain the document and get feedback from people. The intention here is to revise this document as we get the feedback from people. That was the intention all along. Thank you.

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

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the ideal situation would be for the MLAs of the particular constituency to be involved in the communities that they represent. However, as we know, we will be in session until February and by the way we are going maybe we will be going until March. That does not allow us much time for MLAs to go into our communities. We are still formulating a plan. The plan is to try to get a page of different individuals, facilitators to go into the communities, some of the staff that has been working with us all along, to go into the communities and explain the package to the people in the communities. If time allows, any MLA who could make themselves available should do so, once the teams are in to the communities. Certainly, if I have the time, I personally would like to do that for the areas that I represent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like I said, we are still sorting out some of the work plan, the timing and so forth. Ideally, we would like to get the consultation done as soon as we can in the next two months or so. If not, then we will have to maybe extend that. We know realistically that it is impossible to do it by March, so we are going to have look at maybe as far as June, or even into the fall. We are still having meetings with the Constitutional Working Group. We are looking at the times, and ideally we would like to try to get the consultations done as quickly and as thoroughly as we can, so that as the feedback comes in, we will revise the document. Hopefully we will have a revised document by some time late summer or even early fall. Thank you.

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

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the document was first tabled in this House and went to the public, there was no opportunity for myself or Members of the Constitutional Working Group or team, to properly put a package together and present it in a way where all elements that were put into this document were explained in a very acceptable way by all the participants. To this point in time, the staff have been able to put a package together that will incorporate all the different input that was put into the document. As you know, we are in partners with the aboriginal leaders in putting this package together as elected MLAs. It is a partnership kind of arrangement. To put the package forward we need to have input by different people that participated. I think we have a fairly good package together that incorporates the history of constitutional development in the North, along with the different elements that are there already in the Canadian constitution, the different sections that cover the different rights of everybody in Canada as well as in the north. Once the package is presented in that way, I think people will see it in a different light even though it was received quite negatively by a few people with very strong opinions in Yellowknife.

There are other people than those in Yellowknife throughout the north. I think even the reactions that I have heard personally are quite favourable now as people understand the package more. Hopefully the people that had very negative reactions at first, if they see a package that is well presented, will see it under a different light. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement, I stated that there was concern in my community of Arctic Bay. I would like to ask the Minister, Mr. Kakfwi. (Translation ends) ... practices at Nanasivik mine, have prompted Qitirmiut Association to ask for a full review of its operation. Is the Minister aware of this situation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Renewable Resources and the Environment, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Speaker, there has been much concern regarding the recent tender issue for the sale of 11 DEW Line sites by the Department of National Defence. Recent environmental studies show that many of the buildings on these sites contain paint with high levels of PCBs. Canada's chloride biphenyl regulations prohibit the sale of material containing these substances. However, the Department of National Defence are asking to be allowed for exemptions for these sales. My question to the Minister is, has his department been following this issue and what is being done to address this situation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for Resource, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister is correct when he says that it is not acceptable for PCBs from these DEW Line sites to be buried in the Northwest Territories. My supplementary question to the Minister is, will he write the Minister of Department of National Defence, Mr. Sergio Marchi, the federal Minister for the Environment, to let them about the concerns we have in the Northwest Territories regarding the sale of the 11 DEW Line sites? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the concern, here of course, is that it is a public tender. If Ed Picco, for example, buys a DEW Line site, it would not be, probably, cost efficient for me to bundle the site up and ship it out to Calgary, ship it out to Montreal, wherever. What they would like to do, the person who would buy this, is take off whatever they want in the buildings and then get rid of the rest, and that I guess, is why DIAND is asking for an exemption so that they could actually bury this in the Northwest Territories. My concern here would be, and the concern that has been raised is that they not be allowed to do that, and my question was to the Minister, would he write DND explaining our situation here in the Northwest Territories? Under no circumstances, no circumstances should these DEW Line sites, these buildings, this refuse, the paint, the PCBs be buried here in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister will be following this very closely. Will the Minister commit to this House, and the people of the Northwest Territories, that as this situation develops, he will address it here in the House, so that the people of the Northwest Territories can be updated on what is happening with the sale, and the possible burying or not burying of these contaminated DEW Line sites. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment. This government provides a monthly supplementary benefit to seniors in need in the amount of $135 per month. I understand that a number of seniors in my riding still have not received their cheques, which normally they would get by the end of January. Can the Minister please tell me why these cheques have not been issued as of yet? Thank you.

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

Thank you. Oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is unfortunate that this has taken place, but I do appreciate the Minister's explanation. I would hope that seniors in Hay River would be understanding, Mr. Speaker. This $135 per month payment is very important to many senior citizens who do not earn high income and have recently experienced reductions in support. Can the Minister tell me when the seniors in Hay River will be getting their cheques exactly? Thank you.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Steen.

The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to develop a constitution for the west in the NWT here, we still have a long way to go. We are only now looking at going into the communities. We finally secured some funding from this government and the feds to put teams together and go into the communities and explain the package, and get some feedback. Hopefully, have a revision of the package by the spring, perhaps this summer. The idea here is to have the package for ratification in the fall sometime.

In the meantime, the Constitutional Working Group has been working with the federal officials, because we need them to be involved if ever we are to put changes to the NWT Act into the federal legislation. They have to be involved from the very beginning. They are involved now, and they are willing to participate as we look at revising the package. That it will be acceptable first to people in the North and it has to also be acceptable to the federal government before they agreed to go ahead and develop the legislation that will go through their Parliament.

As we all know, the federal government is going to be going into a federal election fairly soon. Maybe, as early as this spring, maybe in the fall we are told. We have to take that into consideration. If we say that there is a federal election by the fall, let us say October, I am not saying that is going to happen, I am just saying that it could happen. If we have documentation, that will have to be ready by then, and then once a new government gets in, we will be able to hopefully work with the new government that is in place to move ahead with legislation.

It is going to be sometime before, it will take about a year or so before we get through that process. We do not know. I have to tell the honourable Member that at this point and time, although we have discussed it quite thoroughly, it is still very much an unknown at this point in time. But we can only speculate that we look at some timeframes and we try to aim for that. Hopefully, we will have something in place by the time division happens. That window of opportunity is very narrow, and it is closing very rapidly. There are so many different players involved that it is going to be very hard to say right now that we are going to have a legislation ready to go for acceptance by division time. Thank you.

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