Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minster be kind enough to make a statement on the results and to table the results in the House please?

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Mr. Picco.

My written question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. It concerns community libraries. Can the Minister provide the House and this Member the following:

1. The funding allocated in 1997-98 budget for training and ongoing support services for libraries and library staff in the Baffin and Keewatin regions.

2. The number of training workshops provided by the headquarters staff, the headquarters staff in the Baffin and Keewatin, and the regional librarians in the Baffin and Keewatin.

3. Confirmation that the Baffin region is the only region where all library holdings are completely documented in the system.

4. Identification of the contract or contact position available to consult with community librarians in the Baffin about local issues such as relations with hamlet councils, education authorities and school principals.

5. Confirmation that community libraries in the Baffin and Keewatin will be able to recover all expenses from his department for additional long distance charges for telephone, fax or computer to headquarters or Yellowknife, rather than the regional centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. We will take a 15 minute break.

-- Break

Item 10, replies to budget address. Mr. O'Brien.

Reply 6-13(4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am taking the opportunity today to respond to the Minister of Finance's budget address. The focus of my statement will be on the youth of my constituency. Mr. Speaker, when we need examples of explosive population growth, Arviat comes to mind as one of the communities that rates in first place with a population growth of approximately six percent. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, when I look at this budget I will be very mindful of our youth. Are they better off now, or will they be better off in five years, or in ten years time? In that context, what I am looking for in this budget is the foundation for growth that will secure the future for our children. What are the foundations and what has this budget done to address them? I have identified four major areas which I believe constitute the basis for economic growth in the region. The first one being a sound fiscal environment, ie: a balanced budget; second, a motivated and well-educated work force; third, economic potential for long-term, sustainable jobs; and lastly, reasonable cost of doing business.

A sound fiscal environment. On this first point, Mr. Speaker, because of the government's success and efforts in balancing the budget, I will give the budget a B plus. This score would have been higher had there been more balance between growth and maintaining the existing social programs. The fact that more and more of our dollars are going into the non-discretionary social programs and to creating temporary jobs, means there is less going into building for growth through long-term employment. The desperately needed job strategy is long overdue. We must ensure that it will provide for the development of long-term, sustainable jobs, not just six week make work projects.

Second point is a well motivated and capable work force. In this area I will give the budget a C. There is nothing like the potential for jobs to motivate people to try and find work and to continue in their schooling. I understand there is major potential in developing mining reserves within my region. If so, are we preparing our children for jobs in the mining industry? We are spending lots of money, but are we putting it where it is most needed?

The next point I address, Mr. Speaker, is economic potential for creating sustainable jobs. In this area, I will give the budget a C. You do not have to be an economist to know that you can not create long-term growth by slashing government jobs. The government has done a good job through the BIP to maximize the impacts of government expenditures, but unfortunately the BIP does not create sustainable jobs, and we will also lose jobs when cutting the capital budget. The real growth for the future of the Keewatin must be from the mineral industry. The mining industry is excited by the mineral potential from the latest results of the geophysical surveys taken in the region. It takes a minimum of five to seven years to go into mine production after the basic economic tests have been completed. Can we shorten that time by building partnerships with mining companies by helping them go through the regulatory process by creating a positive investment climate and by eliminating uncertainty? After the amalgamation of Energy, Mines, and Resources, I sense that a lesser priority is being given to mining development. Mr. Speaker, I hope that I am wrong in this area. Mr. Speaker, I also believe that we have to do more to attract new money to the region through tourism. I recently had the opportunity to meet with a delegation from the province of Manitoba. Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Premier of Manitoba reminded me of this government's commitment to cooperate on the economic initiatives to benefit both Manitoba and the Keewatin. With the recently announced privatization of the rail line and the pending rejuvenation of the Churchill port, we can expect new export opportunities. We should aggressively pursue these initiatives.

In reducing cost of doing business, I give the budget a B plus. I am anticipating an announcement that this government will be implementing recommendations of the Keewatin resupply committee and the realignment of the petroleum products division to make it operate more on a businesslike basis. Both initiatives will reduce cost.

Mr. Speaker, in summary, I understand the difficulty that this government has faced in trying to build an economy with less money. However daunting the task, we must continue to lay down a foundation for a self sufficient society. A society in which northerners with access to productive, sustainable jobs will not have to depend on government for housing, income assistance, and other social programs. A society in which northerners, through wellness and early intervention programs, can live the healthy, productive lifestyles of their forefathers. With the budget presented last week, there are some worthwhile initiatives in this area.

With respect to the economic initiatives, these include commitments to foster trade and investment, as well as the proposed development of a labour force strategy. For the social envelope, these include funds to implement community wellness activities and early intervention programs. But, Mr. Speaker, can we do more?

For example, enhancing education and training programs to enable individuals to acquire the skills needed for jobs in the mining, construction, and service industries. One easy way of doing this could be to expand the current training programs, such as the building learning strategy, to include training for mining related jobs. Also, more accessible business programs, targeted to provide the necessary one stop assistance to small businesses, such has been carried out in the Keewatin region. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am confident in the ability of my constituents and the residents all across the north to respond to the economic opportunities that are facilitated by this government.

Mr. Speaker, as an example, Jeannie Alikut is now the proud owner of a small bakery in Arviat. George Kuksuk is the owner and operator of a small construction business. Martha Aupaluktuq, of Baker Lake, currently runs her own electrical business. In the short term, such initiatives may add to the expenditures and reduce the small surplus that this government is projecting. However, I believe that these are worthwhile investments that will ultimately reduce the need for government expenditures in the future.

Mr. Speaker, when the deficit is discussed we often hear the line that we should be compassionate and we should be careful as to what debt we leave for the children of future generations. Mr. Speaker, with that in mind, we also have to be careful that we do not compromise our children's future by not providing them with the tools for these individuals to lead a more healthy and productive life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Replies to budget address. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Reply 7-13(4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is the first time that I have responded to a budget or opening address and I understand that there is a record that has been previously set of three and a half hours, and I am wondering today if I can beat that. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make my reply to the budget address. I would like to focus on one area that pervades and threatens our ability to meet the needs of our constituents both now and in the future. That, Mr. Speaker, is the issue of how we as a government are going to address our social problems, the contingent issue of forced growth and expenditure of the monetary resources of this government in the social envelope.

I was out for dinner last week and the topic of the government came up. One individual, a Yellowknife businessman enquired of me: where do you see yourself making a difference and having input in this government? Where do your interests lie?, he asked me. Without hesitation I stated, as I always have right from the first interview that I did on election night, that I want to apply my energy and experience in the area of social problems. That does not mean that I do not have interest or do not want to contribute in other areas. Unless effectively addressed, these issues while drive the agenda this government in an ever increasing way, to the exclusion of other important issues.

If people are upset about the reductions to capital dollars for community infrastructure now, the future can not get any better if we do not get a handle on our social problems. Every one of us came to this House wanting to make a difference, and for quite a number of us there has been a quick learning curve to manoeuvre. Rules of the House, oral questions, written questions, points of order, points of privilege, and of course, never challenge the Speaker. And we are still learning. This is a beautiful building, but the setting in the House was a little intimidating as we stood to make our first presentations. I asked myself, am I talking to the Speaker, am I talking to other Members? I think I am, but they are too far away and I can not see their eyes. And some of them, Mr. Picco, were obviously speaking to the TV camera.

At first, I felt like my words were just going about 50 feet in the air to the top of the dome up there, but Hansard brought them back down again for everyone to carefully scrutinize. If it were not for the understanding, supportive, and encouraging expressions of the Speaker, I would have surely wondered if anyone was listening at all. I am going to expound on what I truly believe should be the bench mark by which we should judge ourselves and be judged as a government.

I have heard said, over and over in the House, our youth are our most valuable resource. Your children and my children. Our children are our future. We want to create a hopeful and promising future for our children. Mr. Speaker, it is time to stop talking about our children being our most valuable resource and put action to our words. This is the youngest group ever elected to this Legislature and every Member around this table has children. So what I am talking about is going to be easy for them to relate to.

A sure way to stir compassion for our youth is for us to think of them as if they were our own. We have heard some very disturbing news over the past two weeks, of tragedy in at least two families involving young people. As a mother, my heart goes out to the Rabesca and the Murphy family. I am sure, when Rufus Rabesca's mother held him as a baby, she, like every mother, wondered what the future would hold. From a little baby to a little boy going off to school, to a young man leaving to further his education.

And then, one night everything changed. The protective parent in us would like to run out to that snow bank beside that trail and do something, anything, to prevent or reverse such a needless loss, but it is too late. How many more youth will be snatched away with us never knowing what they should or could have been? Since then there has been controversy over the decision to remove four other students from the home boarding program. I am all for accountability and consequences because bearing the consequences of our behaviour is a reality in life, whether we like it or not. If I personally lived in Fort Smith and I had the opportunity, I would be inclined to take those four students in to my home. I realize, Mr. Speaker, this would not be a task for everyone.

First, I would get their attention. Then I would lay down the ground rules which would include imposing strict boundaries until such time as they felt self-esteem and respected themselves enough to impose their own boundaries. Then I would make a commitment to consistently hold my end of our relationship by telling them that nothing short of world catastrophe is going to pre-empt my commitment to them, and what they did to uphold their end of the relationship was entirely up to them. We perpetuate and compound the effect of failed relationships when we discard people and write them off. Mr. Ng announced last week that the Adolescent Solvent Abuse Treatment Program is going to be expanded, and that is good. But programs are not enough. We need to, as we always say, lead by example. Part of leadership is also to motivate.

Here in the House, we work together everyday. Our interaction as colleagues becomes common place. But to the public out there, specifically children and youth, they are looking to us as leaders. It is easy to become disconnected from the perceptions that we portray to the electorate. But they know who we are and they are watching us. One day I was driving up the driveway to the Legislature and I had my seven-year-old with me. She saw a man walking along the driveway up ahead and she said, "Mom, is that John Todd?" I said, "No, but how do you know John Todd?" "Oh, I have seen him on TV," she said. Little kids really like John Todd for some reason. I am not sure if it is because he has an easy last name, or he is just around their height, eye-level.

-- Laughter and applause

Even little kids are watching us and looking for leadership, substance and example. As a side note, I have noticed in some of the previous replies to budget address that there have been some shots taken at our Finance Minister. Contrary to what is portrayed in the media, no one person bears responsibility for the budget reductions. The lucky 13th Assembly inherited the fiscal challenge we are struggling with. Listening to some, you would think that John Todd derived some sinister, personal pleasure for making cuts to the budget. On the contrary, he should be applauded for taking on such a daunting task and putting forward a responsible budget.

-- Applause

The truth is, it is a budget that any reasonable caring steward of the public purse would have brought down. We have better things to do with our federal transfers and revenues than allowing them to be consumed by interest in what could have been an ever compounding burden of debt. Returning to the focus of my remarks.

In my opinion, it is more than population growth that is causing 40 percent forced growth in the social program costs. In some areas I believe the problems are getting worse, not diminishing. It is not the job, the mandate or even within the ability of this government to solve all of the problems. It is possible to live in a community like Hay River or Yellowknife and be relatively unaffected by, or immune to the social problems afflicting our people. For many years I went my happy way quite oblivious to another side of my community until one day I got the bright idea to manage the Hay River group home. That brought me right up close to the affects of dysfunctional relationships, alcoholism, abuse, neglect and so on. Incidentally, those were the happiest and hardest two years of my working life.

Ironically the fiscal restrictions might present opportunities for people to return to the kind of community that had to address social issues before there was a government program and resources to address every problem. Maybe it will necessitate the renewal of community and individual empowerment, the kind of sharing that was required for basic survival. Although lives may not be threatened by starvation today, the threat to survival from suicide and substance abuse is just as real. There are unlimited opportunities to participate individually or collectively in an effort to meet the needs in our communities. Meals on wheels, classroom assistants, service clubs, sponsorship or coaching minor recreation leagues, block parents and the list goes on and on.

My colleague for Yellowknife North tirelessly makes it his duty to participate in fund raising causes which require our participation by sponsoring him with our pledges. These things are all good, but I dare say we could all do more. By example and encouragement, perhaps we could tap as yet an untapped resource out there who could help us address our social problems. Helping others is a great cure for boredom, loneliness and lack of purpose. We need to take a look at how we treat and perceive people in our society who are on the front lines. Do we say that is the teacher's job, that's the social worker's job, that is the women's shelters worker's job?

Addressing all the needs in our communities is not the sole responsibility of our women's shelters, foster parents, social workers, drug and alcohol counsellors and teachers. Do we offer support and encouragement or do we just load them up with cases, work them hard, burn them out and throw them away? How many people have experienced opening their homes or extending their families, like my honourable colleague from Yellowknife South, to have people look at them like they have taken leave of their senses? We should be putting them on a pedestal, holding them up as examples of leadership. It would behoove this government to recognize the ones who are in the trenches so to speak a little more than what we do.

We all need to become activists in our community, visiting our schools, correctional facilities, and hospitals more frequently. We need to recognize the profound impact that we could have on the lives of future leaders. It does not take much to show that we care about our youth. Let us find little ways of showing our frontline workers as well that we as a government appreciate what they are doing.

Call me an idealist, but I believe there is a bright future for the north. We are a small group by any standard. We as political leaders must do our part. But what we make of our lives, our communities, our schools, our work place, our home is not up to the government. It is up to each one of us. Everyone can contribute in their own way.

If you are a teacher or an inmate in a correctional facility, you can make a choice to make a difference where you are. It is a matter of choices. When it comes to our social problems, you are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem. Our budget this fiscal year, and in years to come, cannot continue to cope with our social challenges unless changes are made. But if we, as leaders, can lead by example and motivate others to do the same, I do believe there is hope. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Replies to the budget address. Mr. Rabesca.

Reply 8-13(4)

Over the next number of weeks, we will be discussing and lobbying to get more for our communities as well as interest groups. We will work hard to ensure our communities will not feel the brunt of the cutbacks that my honourable colleague, Mr. Todd, has presented to us. It is our responsibility to fight for every dollar we can but still show this government that we do believe and are intent on bringing our House in order.

In reviewing the budget address, I must congratulate the Honourable Minister for his efforts to ensure this House will have a balanced budget within the next year and possibly realize a slight surplus. I know he has taken the brunt of criticism for the action that this government has implemented over the last year, and I am sure he along with the rest of the Cabinet will be criticized further. However, we must get our finances in order to meet the ever changing climate that we are operating in and still provide the necessary services our people require.

With the possibility of a surplus we are now seeing Members of this House lobbying for their fair share. This, as we all know, is only a budget. We will not know if we have an actual surplus until later in the year. We should not spend what we do not have today and hope we have it tomorrow. We must continue to be aware of our commitment to our constituents. It is our children and grandchildren that will feel the effects of our decisions in this House.

Mr. Speaker, during my review I found many areas that are encouraging. For example, the Community Action Fund which will provide badly needed dollars to communities for family wellness programs with the goal of providing early intervention support services to children and families in need. I feel this one initiative alone will have a major role in the lives of our future generations. By providing this service it will assist families to work towards a better life for all and thus reduce dependencies on this government. Other initiatives dealing with social programs in communities will assist the communities to look after their own, will also be helpful for this government. For years communities have expressed interest in dealing with offenders of the law through local communities instead of sending these offenders to an institution that in most cases is far from home and quite often too harsh an environment to provide any substantial assistance. For it is the communities know these people and know how to deal with them. I would also say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this government seems to be attempting to provide that prevention.

Mr. Speaker, it is also important to note that this government is showing a commitment to our business sector, by providing support and assistance to our local small businesses in order that they can expand and employ local residents. The need for our smaller communities to develop a stable economic base is what will also assist in reduction of dependencies on this government and make these communities prosper. There is a need in all communities for the local businesses to know that the availability of funding sources is there and that investors are out there ready and willing to support our local people.

The Community Futures Program is another example of how this government is supporting local business. It has long been recognized that most small communities do not have the necessary resources or expertise to assist their residents in establishing businesses. Through this program I would hope we can see societies grow and provide services and support to many interested parties.

Mr. Speaker, I believe this budget is heading in the right direction and hopefully it can stay on track. It will take all our efforts to ensure we can provide our people with the best possible services and support program that we can. It is also our responsibility as Ordinary Members of this House to ensure that this government is as fair and equitable in all cuts that come forward as they possibly can be. As well as provide the best possible action to our constituents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Replies to budget address. Item 11, petitions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you. Petitions, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would like to present a petition, Petition No. 7-13(4) dealing with the proposed reductions to Nunavut library services. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 377 signatures from residents of Igloolik, and Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that all Members should look to preserve the public library services which currently exists, and to cancel the layoff notices which have been issued.

Mr. Speaker, the other petition I would like to present, Petition No. 8-13(4), is dealing with the matter of proposed reductions to Nunavut library services. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 102 signatures from residents of Pond Inlet, and Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that all Members should work together to preserve the public library services which currently exists, and to cancel the layoff notices which have been issued. (Translation ends)

Petitions, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to present a petition, Petition No. 9-13(4), dealing with the matter of proposed reductions to Nunavut library services. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 27 signatures from residents of Nanisivik, and Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that all Members should work to preserve the public library services which currently exist, and to cancel the layoff notices which have been issued. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Mr. Todd.