Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi will be absent from the House for the rest of the week to attend the Aboriginal Youth Conference and the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in Calgary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In his budget address last week, the Minister of Finance spoke of the urgent need to reform programs and services in the social envelope. As Mr. Todd noted, a rapidly increasing population is placing excessive demands on social envelope departments, threatening long term sustainability of these programs in the NWT.

We are not alone in our need for social policy reform. Recently implemented changes to social policy funding are having an impact across the country. Faced with declining federal funding and increasing demand, provinces and territories across Canada are feeling the need to reform their social programs. To help provide a coordinated response to increased pressures provincial and territorial Premiers established the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Council on Social Policy Renewal.

Last week, I was in Toronto to attend a meeting of this Council and discuss the current status of social policy reform efforts across Canada. We had a productive meeting. Among other topics, we discussed ongoing work on the following initiatives: a national child benefit; integrated income support for persons with disabilities; a national children's agenda; and options for working together with the federal government to find solutions to the challenges facing Canada's health system.

Mr. Speaker, our progress on a National Child Benefit is a significant achievement. Federal, provincial and territorial governments have all agreed to proceed with work on a child benefit that will aim to reduce child poverty across the country. The new benefit will reduce overlap and duplication in support to children and will work to reduce the number of families relying on income support programs. It will also give us greater flexibility to address children's needs. Money now used to provide income support to families with children will be freed up for use in other programs aimed at children, such as early intervention.

GNWT officials are analyzing the impact of implementing the National Child Benefit in the NWT Details of the National Child Benefit still have to be worked out, but it is clear that to be effective it will require a significant and permanent incremental investment from the federal government.

Mr. Speaker, the Council also discussed the provincial/territorial report from health Ministers on a renewed vision for Canada's health system. Health Ministers released the vision document on January 29. I have copies of the document for Members who are interested.

In view of decreasing federal investments in Canada's health system, provincial and territorial Ministers of health have put forward a vision of a reformed national health system which will meet the needs of Canadians well into the next century. There are changes ahead for the Northwest Territories and while some of the changes may seem difficult and be unpopular, change now will guarantee the future survival of our social programs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise before the House to applaud the signing of the significant cooperative agreement in my constituency of Nahendeh. On Monday, February 3, the Nahanni Butte Dene Band and the San Andreas Resource Corporation successfully completed negotiations with respect to the Prairie Creek Development Corporation Agreement. The agreement was negotiated by partners without direct government intervention.

Prairie Creek, formally known as the Cadillac Mine, is a high potential lead, zinc, and silver mining prospect located in a remote site 170 kilometres north of the Liard Highway. There is considerable infrastructure on site and annual exploration efforts have increased ore reserves to levels where the event of advancing the project to a feasibility stage.

Nahanni Butte's objective is to achieve economic self-sufficiency by developing natural resources within its traditionally territory in accordance with sound environmental practices. The company's objective is to bring the project into production in the most cost effective and environmentally responsible manner. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that the recent signed agreement is the vehicle which will facilitate the partners in reaching the complimentary objectives.

As the project proceeds, the First Nation's people of Nahanni Butte will share in profits, management contracts, jobs and training opportunities. As we all know residents across the Deh Cho region and the N.W.T. will benefit from responsible new development initiatives such as the Prairie Creek Project.

I invite the Members of the Legislative Assembly to join me in congratulating the Nahanni Butte Dene Band and the San Andreas Resource for signing this milestone development agreement. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Members' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I listen with interest to the comments made yesterday by the Member for Iqaluit on decorum and behaviour during question period. It is important to reflect from time to time on our duties to represent our constituents, and to carry out the business of government. Maybe I am old fashioned, Mr. Speaker, but I have made it my job to base decisions and opinions on the best facts that I could obtain, not on innuendo.

Perhaps Mr. Picco and I should compare whose skin is thicker now. The Member has been described by others recently as a lord of exaggeration, the king of crisis and the master of disaster.

I will have you know that I do not necessarily agree with these descriptions. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of this House, I am committed in working cooperatively with all my colleagues to do the job we are elected for. If a Member seeks information from me, I will continue to provide the facts. In this way I intend to avoid any future perceptions of crisis or exaggeration on my part, or anyone else. Thank you.

-- Applause

I was not too sure whether or not Mr. Arlooktoo was speaking as a Minister or as a Member, or maybe he is speaking on behalf of all the Ministers or all the Members, but I just thought I would bring that point up. Members' statements, Mr. Miltenberger.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you may recall, previously I had commented on the Department of MACA and the Hamlet of Rae-Edzo coming to agreement regarding the take over of the water and sewer system. This is going to take place possibly April 1, 1997. However, we do have concerns. These talks have been in the process for approximately 10 years and over the period, MACA and Public Works and Services have investigated the system of both Rae and Edzo many times, all coming to the same conclusion, that both systems need repairs. Over the same period, these departments have hired two different consultant groups that each have produced reports showing there are deficiencies in the system and what suggested solutions could be made, and all associated costs.

What we have in Edzo is the system that was installed when the community was built back in the late 60s and the early 70s. This system is all underground and is now getting close to the end of its lifespan. The system in Rae is a combination of underground pipe and truck delivery. This system is also getting fairly old and needs major repairs annually. The problem that keeps coming back, is what is classified O and M versus what is capital.

According to the hamlet water and sewer policy, all O and M charges are billed to Public Works and Services to be recovered from the hamlet. This has been the practice since 1987 when this policy came into effect. In most cases, the NWT is not a problem in those communities where lines are in surplus from their sewage and water sections. However, in Rae-Edzo due to the high cost of repairs associated with the system, all charges go back to the hamlet.

The hamlet is not getting ahead of the game. The system needs some major repairs and will cost thousands of dollars. It has now been identified that the Rae-Edzo system is too small to adequately supply the growing community. To date, all expenditures have been through O and M, which, of course, adds more financial burden to the hamlet. There is still no move by the department to have these major repairs recognized as capital. What must be done to convince this department that these are capital requirements, not O and M. All work is presently being done as emergency solutions to the problem, not to plan to see what areas need work, and those have as capital lines to ensure it is not too overwhelming a burden to the hamlet, as it is at the present time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with the unfortunate and embarrassing financial situation that we find this government in, it has been necessary to take some drastic, cost cutting measures. These measures have effected all employees of this government and many others.

Mr. Speaker, as most Members know, I have not been one of the staunch supporters or defenders of all of these reductions. However, Mr. Speaker, I do agree that cuts were required in certain areas and in some cases we had absolutely no choice.

Mr. Speaker, having said that, I feel that far too often, with all the concentration on the reductions, we lose sight of the human factor. Mr. Speaker, far too often we forget about the excellent work that our teachers, nurses, and all of the governments workers carry out in the midst of this turmoil and uncertainty.

Mr. Speaker, we would have to be without understanding not to realize that employee morale is at its lowest point. Every effort must be made to assure employees as to where they stand. To do otherwise would be cynical and irresponsible.

Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that our government employees are placed in this desolate situation through no fault of their own. If it were solely up to myself, Mr. Speaker, there would be no further cuts and our deserving employees could breath easier and enjoy life with their families. Mr. Speaker, hats off to all our government employees for all their excellent work. Thank you.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, volunteers take in all sizes and shapes in all walks of life. In 1987, the Secretary of State carried a national survey on volunteering and giving. The survey showed that 27 percent of Canadians are involved in formal volunteering, and almost half contribute to their neighbourhood, their family, or their community by volunteering in informal ways. While no national study has been carried out since that time, a 1995 study by Gol-Farb and Associates put the percentage of Canadians who volunteer at 42 percent. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to speak about some of the efforts of our volunteers and volunteer organizations.

Volunteers build stronger communities. They help out with minor hockey, softball, and other organized sports. They are found in service clubs like Rotary, Elks, Lions Club, the Legion, boy scouts, air cadets, and girl scouts, to name a few. They participate by serving on boards like day care, community action, wellness and inter-agency groups.

Mr. Speaker, the community of Iqaluit is blessed with many such dedicated individuals. Too many to mention by name. These are the people who make a community better for all who live there. This year, volunteer Canada is sending out a special invitation to elected officials all over Canada to help celebrate National Volunteer Week through an initiative called, the elected hour of service. They are asking every federal, provincial, and territorial elected representative to pledge one hour of volunteer work during National Volunteer Week.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to challenge my colleagues in this House to take up this offer and to volunteer during the week of April 13th to 19th. Mr. Speaker, I plan to volunteer each day during Volunteer Week and ask the various groups in Iqaluit to contact me immediately for any work or service I can perform on their behalf.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Mr. Arlooktoo's earlier statement and I would be happy to help volunteer at his House too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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