Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the last sitting of the session, the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation said he was going to table the 1996 Housing Needs Survey in this sitting of the Fourth Session. I would like to know if the honourable Minister still plans to table the report. Thank you.

Thank you. The honourable Minister for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, the needs survey was completed late this winter. The first of three reports has been completed, and I will be sharing the results of that report with Cabinet this week. I will table it in the House in the middle of next week at the latest.

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

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, a provisional return to Written Question 16-13(4), asked by Mr. Erasmus, to the Chairman of the Financial Management Board, concerning staff training participation levels.

Staff Training Participation Levels

Further to the return to Written Question given on March 5, 1997, this is to advise that additional time is required to compile a full response to Mr. Erasmus' question.

Information must be gathered from all departments of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The return will be completed by June 3, 1997.

Return to Written Question 18-13(4), asked by Mr. Picco to the Minister of Justice concerning bringing into force of the Locksmiths, Security Guards and Other Security Occupations Act.

Bringing into Force of the Locksmiths, Security Guards and Other Security Occupations Act

The Act has not yet been brought into force because of concerns about the potential financial and administrative burden the Act would place on small businesses in the NWT. This Act is currently under review as part of the government's Regulatory Reform Initiative and recommendations on whether or not the Act should be brought into force will be made to Cabinet when this review is complete. There are no amendments required to bring the Act into force.

Return to Written Question 19-13(4) asked by Mr. Picco to the Minister of Justice concerning updating the Arbitration Act.

Updating the Arbitration Act

On February 20, 1997 Mr. Picco asked what efforts have been made by the Department of Justice to identify the necessary revisions to the Arbitration Act and when those revisions would be brought before the Legislative Assembly. Revisions to the Arbitration Act are on the list of legislative projects within the Department of Justice. The department intends to review the Uniform Arbitration Act developed by the Uniform Law Conference, and the recent legislation which has been passed in other jurisdictions. The review will begin in the summer of 1997, with the expectation that legislation will be introduced within a year.

Return to Written Question 20-13(4), asked by Mr. Picco to the Minister of Finance concerning revenues generated from Iqaluit airport.

Revenues Generated from Iqaluit Airport

It should be noted that Iqaluit Airport was transferred to the GNWT on July 1, 1995. Revenue for 1995-96 received prior to this date (i.e. April - June 1995) was received by Transport Canada. This amount totalled $60,221 and was received by the GNWT as a post-closing adjustment at year-end.

Therefore, the figures are those recorded by the GNWT for the period July 1, 1995 to March 31, 1996.

To answer the specific parts of the question in the order in which they were asked:

1. Revenue generated from Iqaluit fuel sales - total dollar amount for 1995/96 was $7,166;

2. Revenue generated by landings and other revenue generated by foreign and intra-Canadian flights was $155,255;

3. Total surtax, if any, on fuel sales in Iqaluit was none (The concession revenue from fuel sales is received from Uqsuq Corporation who collect GST);

4. Revenue generated by leases, equipment and facilities at Iqaluit airport was $1,051,785. (The lease/rental included a throughout fee of $819,325 from Shell Canada based on the amount of fuel stored at the tank farm. This came to an end in August 1996 and Shell received a refund of $164,737 based on the amount of fuel left in the tanks.

Other concession and miscellaneous revenue (gift shop, advertising, etc.) was $75,191.

5. With respect to the "time frame and description of any privatization initiatives under-way or anticipated in the Iqaluit airport", the Department of Transportation has not been approached regarding any privatization initiatives at this airport.

Return to Written Question 21-13(4), asked by Mrs. Groenewegen to the Minister of Health and Social Services concerning the Trailcross privatization information.

Trailcross Privatization Information

The original request for proposals (RFP) was to operate both Trailcross and the Group Home facility. All bids received for the operation of the group home were over the allocated budget and this section was pulled from the tender. A contract in the amount of $2,159,170 was signed with Integrated Human Resources on September 30, 1996 for the operation of Trailcross from October 1, 1996 to March 31, 1999. The contract breaks down to the following: $425,000 for the period of October 2, 1996 to March 31, 1997; $858,500 for the 1997/98 fiscal year; and $875,670 for the 1998/99 fiscal year.

A subsequent RFP was issued to operate the group home facility for the period January 15 to March 31, 1997. The successful bidder was Aurora Child Care (Ralph and Pat Shelton) with an accepted bid of $29,845. Another RFP closed April 25, 1997 to operate the group home for the 1997/98 fiscal year. No details have yet been released.

Return to Written Question 22, asked by Mr. Barnabas to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment concerning terms of employment for principal.

Terms of Employment for Principal

The Member for the High Arctic asked a number of questions concerning the termination of principals.

1. Does the change of term of employment also include the termination of the principal?

The Minister's directive does not affect the ability of a District Education Authority to terminate a principal's employment. As stated in the previous response to written question dated February 26, 1997, District Education Authorities may use section 63(6) if they wish to terminate a principal's term prior to the expiration of five years.

2. Why does the District Education Authority have the responsibility for terminating principals in their own communities?

In consultation with education bodies and other interested parties during the preparation and drafting of the Education Act, it was made clear that community input and community responsibility was desired by the local education bodies concerning hiring and staffing decisions for positions in their communities. This was incorporated in the final draft of the Act.

3. Does not this legislation render communities powerless when it comes to terminating principals?

District Education Authorities are elected bodies that are responsible to the communities which have elected them. Through this representation communities have direct input concerning decisions such as a termination of a principal. Communities are in fact empowered through the legislation. They have greater and more specific power under the new legislation.

4. How does the legislation empower communities when it is the GNWT that is dictating the terms and conditions of employment for the principals?

As outlined in the previous written response, the Minister's directive was designed to assist District Education Authorities by designating a fair and reasonable notice period for principals whose positions were changing from an indeterminate status to a term status. Such a fair and consistent approach will alleviate potential liability for these education bodies. After consultation with Labour Relations it was a recommended course of action. It was a directive which outlined one of the terms of employment. It does not prevent an education body from including other terms or conditions as that body sees fit.

Provisional return to Written Question 23-13(4), asked by Mr. Krutko to the Minister of Health and Social Services concerning funding for alcohol and drug treatment programs.

Funding for Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs

This is to advise that more time is required for a full response to Mr. Krutko's question. Information must be compiled from different databases. The return will be compiled by June 2, 1997.

Return to Written Question 24-13(4), asked by Mr. Picco to the Premier concerning negotiated contracts and sole source contract policies.

Negotiated Contracts and Sole-Source Contract Policies

Negotiated contracts are addressed through various instruments including established guidelines, the Negotiated Transportation Contracts Policy and measures for the implementation of Article 24 of the Nunavut Final Agreement. A new policy for negotiated contracts is being developed and it will be forwarded to the Standing Committee when it is complete. A copy of the Negotiated Transportation Contracts Policy is being provided to all Members by cover of a letter.

There is no sole-source contracts policy. Sole-source contracts are governed by the Government Contracting Regulations of the Financial Administration Act.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bill 13, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, and wishes to report that Bill 13 is now ready for committee of the whole, as amended and reprinted. Mr. Speaker, I would seek unanimous consent to waive rule 17(5) and to have this bill ordered into committee of the whole for today. Thank you.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to wave rule 17(5) to put this in committee of the whole. Are there any nays? There are no nays. It is on the agenda in the committee of the whole. Thank you. Reports of Committees on the review of bills. Item 13, Tabling of documents. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Tabling of documents. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the unofficial results of the Nunavut public vote on guaranteed equal representation provided by the office of the chief polling officer, Tabled Document 71-13(4). Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Arlooktoo. Tabling of documents. In accordance with the provisions of section 30(2) of the Northwest Territories Act, I wish to table the Auditor General's Report on Other Matters on the Government of the Northwest Territories for the Year Ended March 31, 1996, Tabled Document 72-13(4).

In accordance with the provision of section 34.1 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I wish to table the Annual Report of Payments by way of Indemnities, Allowances and Expenses Paid to Members of the Legislative Assembly for the Fiscal Ended March 31, 1997, Tabled Document 73-13(4).

In accordance with the provisions of section 21.1(a) of the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act, I wish to table the Actual Valuation as at April 1, 1996, Tabled Document 74-13(4).

In accordance with the provision of section 194(6) of the Elections Act, I wish to table the judgement and reasons for judgement of the honourable Justice J.Z. Vertes in the trial of a petition to declare election in the Thebacha riding void, Tabled Document 75-13(4).

In accordance with Rule 42(10) I wish to table responses to the following petitions, Tabled Document 76-13(4):

Petition 1 presented by Mr. Antoine and responded to by the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Petition 2 presented by Mr. Roland and responded to by the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Petition 3 presented by Mr. Roland and responded to by the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Petition 4 presented by Mr. Miltenberger and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 5 presented by Mr. Picco and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 6 presented by Mr. Enuaraq and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 7 presented by Mr. Evaloarjuk and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 8 presented by Mr. Evaloarjuk and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 9 presented by Mr. Barnabas and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 10 presented by Mr. Ningark and responded to by the Minister of the Executive.

Petition 11 presented by Mr. Roland and responded to by the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Petition 12 presented by Mr. Evaloarjuk and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 13 presented by Mr. Ng and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 14 presented by Mr. Picco and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 15 presented by Mr. Barnabas and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 16 presented by Mr. Arlooktoo and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 17 presented by Mr. Picco and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 18 presented by Mr. Barnabas and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Petition 19 presented by Mr. Krutko and responded to by the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

Petition 20 presented by Mr. Evaloarjuk and responded to by the Minister of Justice.

Petition 21 presented by Mr. Picco and responded to by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.