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.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a rather lengthy return to oral questions, so I hope my colleagues will bear with me. It was asked by Mr. Roland on January 23rd, with respect to alcohol and drug prevention and I apologize for the length of it.

In addition to this $15 million in appropriate funds, the GNWT receives another $579,500 through an agreement with the federal government to deliver programs directly related to alcohol and drugs. I emphasize, however, that this $15 million only represents the money dedicated to direct program delivery in the area of prevention and treatment. The amount actually spent by this government on treatment and prevention of programs related to alcohol abuse is much greater.

We all know the enormous toll that alcohol abuse takes on our communities and the direct links that exist between alcohol and many of the social programs that we, as a government and the legislature, are concerned about.

In addition to the direct program delivery costs, the Department of Health and Social Services also budgets approximately $19 million for programs which indirectly support alcohol treatment prevention and related issues. A large part of the $10 million budget for children's group homes plus the care programs and placement programs for special needs children, will go to assist children from homes effected by alcohol abuse, including those with fetal alcohol syndrome or effect. Another $8 million allocated to community wellness initiatives, family violence programs, and family counselling, will also contribute to assisting families, communities, and individuals, to deal with the impacts of alcohol abuse.

The direct spending by this government on alcohol abuse prevention and treatment programs is approximately equal to the revenue generated by alcohol sales. Indirect spending on programs that help to address community wellness and social programs more than doubles that amount. If it were possible to calculate the indirect costs associated with drug and alcohol abuse of all our government spending, it would demonstrate that the government spends several times more on prevention and treatment than the revenue received for the sale of alcohol. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Sharon Ladd, NWT representative of Women in Trades and Technology and Ingrid Bron, the secretary administrative for Women in Trades and Technology National Network.

-- Applause.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the social envelope departments have prepared a draft report for outlining the programs that are provided currently to seniors. Our staff did do a presentation with the NWT Seniors Advisory Council, last week. The Ministers of the social envelope, myself, Mr. Arlooktoo, Mr. Dent, also met with the NWT

Seniors Advisory Council. We made a commitment to try to work with them and try to flesh out some of these programs and try to address some of their concerns and their issues relating to the programs that affect seniors here in the NWT, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is one of the goals of the exercise in trying to provide better coordination. To provide some consistencies between some of the programs and to deal with the issues of fairness and equity and accessibility of these programs to seniors throughout the NWT. There will be, as I indicated earlier, a work plan put together, in consultation with the Seniors' Advisory Council, to lay out some of the time lines on some of the issues that will be discussed over the next round, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, of course, we are waiting currently for our staff to put together a proposed work plan, which would also include the extent of involvement the NWT seniors would have in the process. My personal preference, as the lead Minister, was to have members of the Senior's Advisory Council actually sit on some of the working groups in this review. However, it is an issue that our social envelope committee, my colleagues, will have on the table for discussion before finalizing the work plan on this matter, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, yes, I do recognize the importance of it. I believe my honourable colleagues also recognize the importance of having some direct involvement, as early as possible, in proceeding with some of its work. So, it is a matter that will be discussed and clarified in the near future, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

The Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, seniors that own their own homes are eligible, as anyone else, to all the programs and services that the corporation has to offer. In addition, there is a special program geared towards repairing seniors' homes, that has been set aside for seniors only.

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

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I do not have the criteria in front of me. One of the qualifications is, in fact, age. Also, the state of repairs needed to the house and what other resources they have, whether they actually need the support or not.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I believe so.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I will arrange to have a package delivered to the Member today.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transportation. Two days ago, I asked the Minister about the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker service being reduced in the affected area. At that time, I was going to have a supplementary to that question, but we ran out of time, so I did not have the chance to further ask the Minister about the service.

Mr. Speaker, Pelly Bay, as you all know, is dependent solely on the icebreaker service, the Canadian Coast Guard and this government has made a substantial saving by using the icebreaker service to Pelly Bay, when they bring in the building materials, petroleum products, and other essentials for the community. The community has not had any substantial saving, but that is another point.

Mr. Speaker, because Pelly Bay is so dependent upon the icebreaker to bring in the yearly supply for that community, will the Minister assure this House, and the people of Pelly Bay, that service to Pelly Bay, provided by the icebreaker, will not be cut off in the next few years? Thank you.

The Minister of Transportation. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in reply to the honourable Member in regards to icebreaker service to the municipality of Pelly Bay, the information that I have is that the Pelly Bay relief icebreakers will not be affected, as far as I am concerned, at this point in time. Further, that the Department of Transportation is trying to get an extension to the federal commitment to the Pelly Bay marine resupply for a number of years. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, in the House, I made a statement on a new program developed by the Yellowknife Catholic schools, entitled "Bridges", which was a program designed to help young people assume a role in the workforce from school participation. My question is to the Minister of Education. Has he had an opportunity to look at this program, as of today? Thank you.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. I was wondering when the Minister has had an opportunity to take a look at that program, if he will ensure that other educational districts in the Territories will have an opportunity to review it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, prior to Christmas, I was advised by one of my constituents that they were forced to give up their access home, simply because they could not afford it. As a result, they attempted to secure housing through the local housing association but, unfortunately, they were refused. The reason given was that, if they were at one point the owner of an access unit and gave it up, that they could not then obtain social housing. I would like to know if the Minister could confirm that is the policy. Thank you.

The Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I can provide the Member with the exact policy guideline, but I do believe that one of the criteria for getting into social housing is the fact that you do not have arrears towards the local housing authority or the Housing Corporation, which may have been the case, with this example.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister confirm whether or not the policy, as it is stated, if a person does not have arrears. If they simply gave up the house because they could not afford to make the payments, they found them too strenuous, if they would be refused by the LHOs?

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, each individual case is different. I would imagine that the LHO would look at the severity of the need of the family. If the family did meet all the requirements for being able to get into social housing, they would certainly have to go on the list. As everybody probably knows, these housing authorities do have fairly long waiting lists. If they do meet all the requirements, then they would be on the list.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister saying that if the family gives up the unit because it simply just cannot afford it, they have no arrears, that they should be given the opportunity to gain local housing? There should be no reason why they would not be accepted or put on the list for local housing. Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I will have to look at the actual policy and agreements that these new home owners sign. Whether or not, at the time they accepted assistance for home ownership through the Housing Corporation, whether they are giving up the ability to use social housing again, I will check into that.

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

The Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the Member was making his Members' statement, I thought he meant the municipal government should not be competing with the private sector. The question seems to be different. We are looking at municipal financing of all local governments in the communities. This is one of the items that

has been discussed in the NWTTA meetings, and also with my department staff. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is one of the issues that we are discussing in the municipal financing review. I will get back to the Member after I have talked to my advisors from the department as to how that is going. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the initiatives that we have that is a priority of this government is community empowerment. If a community wants to do planning ambitioning for their community, how their community wants to operate the functions within their boundaries, then that is an option that they have. This is one of the issues that we are discussing in our department under our municipal operations review. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the things the communities can do, and I have said this before, is that the communities can be block-funded for a single program or a capital project. Block funds can be for a number of programs or projects, and the big key in this is that block funding to that community would mean flexibility with their funds to do what they want to do with their money. The block funding agreement would allow the communities to identify local issues and plan and allocate resources to solve them and take responsibility for the design and delivery of local programs and services, and have more independence in administration, spending choices, and revenue generation. Also take control of GNWT resources and use them more effectively and flexibility. Also to accept a more comfortable degree of funding certainty over a term of the agreement, and become accountable to local residents instead of GNWT. This is one of the things that communities should be looking into, so they could have more flexibility in allocating the funding to other resources in their communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health, Mr. Ng. Mr. Speaker, the Minister announced a health review to be carried out by a company called Med-Emerg. My question for the Minister is, will this study be used to support the construction of the Nunavut and Inuvik hospitals? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my statement, the strategic plan is to make recommendations as to how the health care and social service systems could be established for both Nunavut and the western territory. What I could see coming out of it that could impact on the Iqaluit hospital and the Inuvik hospital, is depending on what recommendations come forward, and whether those recommendations are acceptable, what program and scope of those programs would be available to those two facilities. That would impact on the size of the

facilities and the dollars that would be spent to meet those needs, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the construction of the Nunavut and Inuvik hospitals are very important, as has been expressed in this House. I wonder, what is the time frame for the completion of the report, and when it will be able to be viewed by members of the public and the Members of this House? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The anticipation is to have a draft strategic plan ready by the latter part of April, and for some extensive further consultation over the course of the summer, with the goal of trying to finalize the strategic plan for us by late fall, in order to carry forward and try to implement some of the structural changes that will be required as a result of this strategic planning process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess the Minister is talking metaphorically when he says structural changes. What are the structural changes that the Minister is referring? Is he referring to the mandate of the department, the different aspects of the direction of the department, or actual facilities?

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I refer structurally to program changes that would be necessitated as a result of some of the recommendations that would be coming forward in the draft strategic plan. Of course, if those strategic recommendations for changes were palatable for us as politicians representing constituents throughout the territories, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.