Thank you, Madam Groenewegen. Good afternoon. On behalf of the Honourable Sam Gargan, the Speaker, I would like to welcome to the Legislative Assembly today three of the four surviving carvers who worked on the original mace, Lukta Qiatsuk, Kovianaktuliak Parr and Ashevak Ezekiel from Cape Dorset. Unfortunately, Oshawetuk Ipeelie is not with us today. I would also like to recognize and welcome Madelaine Canadien and Mary Agnes Matto-Bonnetrouge of Fort Providence who made the quillwork for the replica mace.

As you know the mace represents the legislative authority of the House and without it we would not be able to pass any laws. The original mace was made in 1955 by nine carvers from Cape Dorset. As many of you may know Mr. Gargan travelled to Cape Dorset last month with the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo to commemorate the excellent work that carvers from Cape Dorset did on the original mace. While there, Mr. Gargan discovered that the four surviving carvers had never seen the completed mace so he invited them to Yellowknife to see the fruits of their labour. As you can see, the original mace is on display here today in the Assembly for the first time in many years. It is indeed a work of art and reflects the talent that exists in many of our northern communities.

Equally important is the work of those northerners involved with the replica mace, the one that we use in the Legislative Assembly today. Madelaine Canadien and Mary Agnes Matto-Bonnetrouge were both part of that project.

Mr. Gargan has recommended that this mace should be retired in 1999 when division occurs and that a new mace be made for Nunavut and one for the western territory. If new maces are made for each territory I encourage all northerners to get involved in making maces that truly reflect their culture, people and region. Thank you.

-- Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the Constitutional Working Group publicly released the document, Partners in a New Beginning in October, 1996. The document includes ideas on how a western territory could govern itself following division in 1999. The Constitutional Working Group is a partnership including representatives from the Aboriginal Summit, and representatives of the Western Caucus of the NWT Legislative Assembly. The western MLA's on the working group represent all western NWT residents, both aboriginal and non-aboriginal. I co-chair the Constitutional Working Group with Mr. George Kurszewski of the Aboriginal Summit.

Since the release of the Partners document the Constitutional Working Group has consulted with the general public and federal government on the proposed models for a new government structure for the western NWT after division. At the most recent meeting of the working group, which was held on May 14th and 15th, Members reviewed and discussed the results of the initial round of formal public consultations. In direct response to comments and suggestions raised by the public, the Constitutional Working Group has made a number of decisions on the timing and process for constitutional change, including how the Constitutional Working Group operates.

Successfully carrying out many of these decisions will depend on securing long term federal and territorial financial support. The Constitutional Working Group will be seeking a meeting with the new Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs as soon as possible after the federal election to secure political and financial support from the federal government. More specifically, the Constitutional Working Group has agreed that:

- The October 1997 plebiscite on a western constitutional package will be rescheduled to a later date;

- April 1, 1999 should be set as a goal, not a deadline for sending a ratified constitutional package to the federal government. Residents must not be rushed into making decisions on the constitutional package before they are ready;

- A second formal round of consultations will take place in late fall and early winter of 1997 and 1998;

- Future consultations will involve both formal meetings and less formal workshops with individuals and organizations in the communities and regions;

- Constitutional Working Group members will play a more prominent role in the second round of consultations. Members will participate in more community meetings and assist the public in understanding the rationale behind the revised package;

- Information provided prior to the second round of consultations will include more options on a new western government;

- The options will continue to take into account concerns which have been expressed by the federal government;

- A constitutional conference will be planned for the spring of 1998 to allow western leaders and community representatives to review a revised Partners' document; and

- Future meetings of the Constitutional Working Group will be open to the public.

Decisions on the timing of a plebiscite to put the final constitutional package to the people will be made at a later date, in consultation with residents of the western NWT, the Aboriginal Summit and the federal government.

Mr. Speaker, the Constitutional Working Group has heard and responded to the various suggestions brought forward by residents during the initial round of public consultation. These suggestions relate to how the Constitutional Working Group operates and the constitutional proposals prepared for public consideration.

The working group meeting on May 14th and 15th also addressed the companion self-government agreement which is a key element of the western constitutional package. The Aboriginal Summit will continue to play the lead role in developing the companion agreement while the Constitutional Working Group remains responsible for developing a revised Northwest Territories Act which is the other key element of the package.

On an administrative note, I wish to announce that Mr. Fred Koe, who has served as the executive director of the working group, has asked to step down to focus his attention on his duties as the chair of the Workers' Compensation Board. Understanding the importance of maintaining a dedicated focus on the constitutional initiative, the working group is pleased to announce that Mr. Steve Iveson will take over the Constitutional Working Group's executive director position. Mr. Iveson is on loan to the working group from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and brings tremendous experience and energy to the position. I wish to express the appreciation of the Constitutional Working Group to our former executive director, Mr. Fred Koe.

We have listened to the people and commit to involving interested residents of the Western Territory in the shaping of their new government after division. We must work together to shape a government which addresses the needs of all stakeholders in the North. The Constitutional Working Group is working to achieve this objective. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Ministers' statements. The honourable Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Miltenberger, your time is up.

Thank you. The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? None. Proceed, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Member for High Arctic, Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a Member's statement in regard to an individual who was a Member of the Legislative Assembly. (Translation ends) I would like to express my sincere condolences and prayers to the family of Mr. Harold Kalluk and also to my predecessor Mr. Ludy Pudluk on the passing of their mother, Lydia Kalluk, who had the maiden name of Inoogok. She passed away on May 24, 1997. She was born near Pond Inlet on August 1, 1923 and she arrived in Resolute Bay in 1958-59 with her husband Harold Kulluk with her eight children. Three more children were born in Resolute Bay after she arrived there. Altogether there are ten children who are adults today.

Mrs. Kalluk had a tremendous impact and respect in the community of Resolute, this being a midwife between 1958 and 1960 or until nurses arrived in Resolute. She has been a very influential and important lady to the community of Resolute. Mrs. Lydia Kalluk will be missed and remembered for her important role as a midwife, as a great mother and a great grandmother. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. On behalf of the Legislative Assembly, I would like to pass our condolences to the families. Member's statements, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is the time of year when many of our constituents go out on the land to harvest those resources that they believe are theirs to harvest and manage. Having said that, it has always been said that this is a very peaceful and serene land, especially for naive tourists and visitors from different parts of the world. But beneath the surface issues are always emerging. In recent decades a struggle has become evident. Having said that, I wish to read to you a letter that if I had been responsible for wildlife 44 years ago, I would have had the benefit of receiving first hand. This is a report to the Indian agent by Warden O. F. Eliason of Fort Good Hope in March, 1953. Mr. Eliason, reporting to the Indian agent in Ottawa, I believe, wrote at that time:

"Paul Voudrank, a local character wrote to the Prime Minister by registered mail complaining of having to trap beaver as opposed to being able to shoot them, complaining of persecution of the natives by the whites and requesting that the warden be removed and the game laws abolished as the natives could look after their country. Mr. Voudrank received an answer from head of Indian Affairs telling him to trap beaver, et cetera. I was shown this letter by the writer and would like to state that the writer summed up the situation very well with regards to the whys and hows of game branch policies and the necessity of trapping beaver. However, Mr. Voudrank did not receive a letter from whom he called "the Head Game Warden Man." Mr. Voudrank is now busy telling the rest of the population that he sure makes him ashamed. Not be outdone by Mr. Voudrank..." Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude please.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? Proceed, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. This is a great letter. "Not to be outdone by Mr. Voudrank, the chief and a few others wrote to the Bishop of France, asking him to ensure a shooting season on beaver. The Bishop referred the matter to Senator Blais who contacted Indian Affairs and finally word was received by the Chief from Senator Blais which pointed out once more why they should trap their beaver. It is felt that the idea is slowly dawning on the native that he must obey the game ordinance and, at present many are preparing to go forth and trap.

Trapper James Jackson who has the status of a white called at my office in a very angry and violent mood. It seems as if Mr. Jackson is not in agreement with the registration of Manitou Island. He also appears anxious to become the game warden in Fort Good Hope. This man is well known to me as an agitator and is constantly spieling off to the natives with anti-registration, anti-game, anti-anything government propaganda. Last summer, after a heated discussion with two sub Chiefs on registration in which I was told to "watch out or somebody may get shot," the natives left my office and stated that they were going to see Mr. Jackson to see what they should do now. It is felt that Jackson causes the department a great deal of trouble with his behind the back tactics. On his recent visit to my office, Mr. Jackson's language became so abusive that only the fact that I am an employee of the Canadian government prevented a large Jackson-shaped hole from appearing in the wall. I mention these things to give the heads of this department an idea of some of the problems a warden can come up against in attempting to educate the native and carry out normal duties."

Thank you.

-- Laughter

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. The honourable Member for Hay River, Madam Groenewegen.

Thank you, Madam Groenewegen. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the recent announcement that the federal government has negotiated a deal with the United States for about $100 million for DEW line clean ups is unacceptable. The federal government is abdicating its responsibility and in Nunavut, NTI has reached an impasse with the Department of National Defence on the plan to clean up these sites.

Mr. Speaker, the $100 million announced is a convoluted sum. It is my understanding as reported in the media, it has a caveat that the money is to be spent or used as a credit for military equipment. That is unacceptable. The Department of National Defence still has not decided what to do with PCB-laden materials from the north's abandoned DEW line sites. The majority of which are located in Nunavut.

I have articulated these concerns in this House before because the Department of National Defence requested an exception to federal environment rules on the disposal and burying of PCB materials, like paint, by burying them in the ground.

If painted materials such as wood are burned improperly, there is the potential that the PCBs may be leached into the environment. In my riding of Iqaluit, we have seen the cost and time it took to clean up the upper base site. Also, in the constituency of Iqaluit, the Resolution Island site is, from all reports one of the most contaminated in the north, is still being investigated. Where will the money come from to clean up and restore these sites? Surely the Nunavut or new western government will not be expected to cover the cost which could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that this government has been as forceful as we should have been on this issue. I also think that during the current federal election, it could have been raised to bring attention to it. I also understand that Environment Canada has officially now turned down the request by the Department of National Defence to bury PCB laden material at the sites, ruling that the material, Mr. Speaker, is too toxic. We have to get aggressive on the whole issue of environmental clean ups of these military sites. The abdication, Mr. Speaker, by the federal government on the recent agreement with the United States is unacceptable and it must be challenged. Mr. Speaker, later today I will ask our Minister for the Environment questions on these matters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Picco. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not wish to bear sad news, but it is a universal human thing that we feel sadness and compassion for others who have lost loved ones.

I would like to inform my colleagues that last week on May 19th, on my way to Yellowknife from Igloolik, there was a suicide. The man was Isaac Irngaut, who was 76 years old. I have known this man since my childhood, living in the same community with him. However, I do not know what his reasons were for his suicide. He was a very good man, a sober man all his life. Whenever he could, he would attend church and in the winter season, he would help the less fortunate, widowed women and the church by keeping their pathways clear of snow. He did this out of his own will and with no pay. Sometimes, though he would have difficulty walking as he had pain in his legs.

He will be greatly missed. He has many relatives, including his wife, his many daughters, sons and grandchildren. They will be in our prayers as we ask for their comfort and serenity. Mr. Speaker, I want to say to our younger generation that this should not be viewed as an acceptable option in life. In the old days among Inuit tradition, elders would commit suicide upon feeling or accepting that they could no longer contribute to their society and saw themselves as a burden to their people. I believe that Mr. Irngaut saw himself in that way. However, he still had much to give and I feel that this perception was not a true reflection of reality.

Mr. Speaker, we also feel compassion for Ludy Pudluk and his loved ones who have recently lost their mother. We will remember them in our prayers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. These people and their relatives will be in our prayers. Thank you. (Translation ends) Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the new Northern Employment Strategy that the Honourable Mr. Todd announced yesterday that will invest in our people. I feel that this will prove to be a very worthwhile program. It will bring the badly needed dollars into the right areas that we need it in. It is encouraging to see this government finally open its' purse strings and hopefully do some good in the important areas of training and job creation. My hope now is that our overworked staff can the time to promote and distribute the information to the communities and the private businesses so that they can access the components of this which will start us on the road to a better economy and healthier and more prosperous way of life for a good number of our residents. In this House, we have stressed over and over the need for job creation and training. We feel that the government has listened and responded with very good initiatives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is on hiring graduates. Mr. Speaker, many of us in this Assembly have talked about the need to hire northerners. Others have also talked about student employment. I would like to talk about the missing link. That is what we do as a government to encourage employment for recent graduates. Mr. Speaker, we spend $12 million a year on student financial assistance, but what do we do to encourage those same students to take jobs in the north? Do we have entry level positions in our government and businesses so they have somewhere to start? I have not heard of very many. Northern students have many other opportunities presented to them. Every fall recruiters descend on college and university campuses across the country. They search for the best and the brightest among the students in their final year. Of course, this includes our best and brightest as well. In contrast our students have to dig and scrape to make contacts in the north in most occupations.

I was told recently about a student who graduated in occupational therapy. Her letters to northern employers were not even acknowledged. So, she is staying in the south where she had four job offers. Mr. Speaker, travelling to every campus is expensive and I am not suggesting that we do that. However, there has to be a way to let students know about what opportunities are available here at home. At the same time, we need a system to help employers promote themselves to northern students. As a government, we also need to look at our organization. Is it only open to those with experience or do we have entry level positions for new graduates? We also need to encourage other northern employers to create opportunities for new graduates. There are lots of creative things that can be done so that as a territory we can get some return for the dollars spent on student financial assistance.

We have to see our post-secondary students as a valuable resource. We need to reach out to them, actively encourage them to come home. Help them get over that no win situation of no job/no experience, no experience/no job. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a return to a question asked by Mr. Rabesca and Mr. Enuaraq on February 28, 1997. It is in regard to questions about the General Hunting Licence applications.

General Hunting Licence Applications

In the Northwest Territories (NWT) for the purposes of hunting, there is a General Hunting Licence called a GHL and a resident hunting licence.

To qualify for a resident hunting licence an applicant must have lived in the NWT for two years prior to the date of application. This licence is subject to seasons, limits or quotas and is issued along with the associated tags for a nominal fee.

To be a successful applicant for a GHL the applicant must meet the eligibility and residency requirements of subsection 15(1) of the Wildlife Act. Subsection 15(1) reads as follows:

"A general hunting licence be issued only to a person who:

(a) immediately before July 1, 1979, held, was eligible to hold or was eligible except only for being underage to hold a general hunting licence under Item 1 of Column II of Schedule A to the Game Ordinance, R.S.N.W.T. 1974, c. G-1.

(b) is a resident, has at no time lived outside the Territories for a continuous period of five years or more, and at least one of whose parents:

(i) is a resident and eligible under this paragraph or paragraph (a) to hold a general hunting licence, or

(ii) immediately before death was a resident and then held or was then eligible to hold a general hunting licence other than one issued under paragraph (c), or Item 1 or 3 of Column II of Schedule A to the Game Ordinance, R.S.N.W.T. 1974, c. G-1, or

(c) has lived in the Territories continuously for the five years immediately preceding his or her application for the licence, and is a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, and whose application is recommended by a Hunters' and Trappers' Association and is accepted by the Superintendent.

With regards to residency requirements there are exceptions for people who have lived outside the NWT for any period as students or to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces or the RCMP if he or she lived in the NWT immediately before the commencement of that period.

For GHLs issued under paragraph (c) annual renewal is subject to continued support by the local Hunters' and Trappers' Association.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a short reply for David Krutko when he asked regarding funding for constitutional development. For the 1996/97 fiscal year, $284,000 in contribution funding and in-kind support has been provided to the Constitutional Working Group. The in-kind service included some salaries and travel costs for ministry staff and some Constitutional Working Group expenses. The Legislative Assembly and Department of Justice have also provided in-kind support to the Constitutional Working Group.

In response to the question regarding the amount of funding provided directly to aboriginal groups for self-government negotiations, the Government of the Northwest Territories has not provided any funding. The funding of the aboriginal group's participation in self-government negotiations is a federal responsibility. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was asked by Mr. Steen on January 30th with respect to the government participation in the aboriginal self-government negotiations. Mr. Steen asked, on January 30th, about the status of the $1 million in additional funding for government participation in aboriginal self-government negotiations that have been approved by the FMB.

This funding was not included in 1997/98 main estimates, as the need for additional resources was not identified until last fall. The analysis of the social crime was not completed until January of this year. The $1,096,000 in incremental funding is included in the 1997/98 Supplementary Appropriations No. 1, which is scheduled for third reading today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly Ms. Thomas. Mr. Antoine, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Betty and Percy Hardisty, members of my constituency. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, I believe that my special guests have just left the gallery, but for the record I would like to recognize Lutka Qiatsuk, Kovianaktuliak Parr, Ashevak Ezekiel, and Johnny Manning who are here for the mace recognition. They are the original builders of the mace. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome Eliza Kingham, who is the chaperon for the Iqaluit Pages this week and image consultant in Iqaluit. Thank you.

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Madam Groenewegen.

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Madam Groenewegen.

Thank you. The Minister for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Member for Hay River, Madam Groenewegen. Second supplementary.

Thank you. The honourable Minister, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Madam Groenewegen.

Thank you. The honourable Minister, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Chairman of the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question by my honourable colleague. It is important to say right from the very beginning that the government, previous governments, do in fact support the principle of pay equity. However, in our opinion, and with our two issues that are under dispute. The Canadian Human Rights Commission feels that it has jurisdictional pursuant to the federal legislation. The GNWT's position is that the Canadian Human Rights Commission does not have jurisdiction over the GNWT public servants.

Our public servants have protection under the NWT legislation, namely, the NWT Fair Practice Act. The NWT Fair Practice Act applies to all residents. Everybody, not just civil servants. It would be unconscionable to have the NWT public servants fall under federal legislation and all other residents fall under territorial legislation. That is our position. The GNWT feels that the NWT Fair Practice Act applies to all NWT employees, including employees in the public service. That is the first fundamental issue and disagreement we have.

The matter of jurisdiction is of significant importance. No only to the people in the NWT, but also to the future government of Nunavut and the future government in the west. We believe it is significant enough that it warrants an application to the Supreme Court of Canada for a leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. It has been sought, and at this time, it is probably inappropriate for me to comment further on that, except to say that this is a question of law, as the chief commissioner suggested. However, the law in this case, in our opinion, is being misinterpreted by the Canadian Human Rights Commission and we certainly hope to have that clarified very soon in the Supreme Court of Canada.

The second issue under dispute is the pay equity complaint itself. The government's objectives, this one and previous ones, has and continues to be to resolve any pay equity problem in a reasonable and responsible manner and we have taken action as such.

One, we have developed and implemented a gender neutral job evaluation system and we will be sitting down with the union soon to negotiate rates of pay, supported by an objective of a gender neutral job evaluation system. We are going to sit down with the union and see what we can do there. I will say, Mr. Speaker, given the controversy attached to this, given the fact that it has been in the public eye for a long period of time, we are hoping we can move quickly to resolve that. Over the next few months, as we move towards implementation through negotiations, I will keep this House and my honourable colleague up to date on the results. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Mr. Todd.

Well frankly, I was disappointed to hear the comments made this morning by the commission and I do not think it is appropriate that we should be negotiating this in the media. There is an orderly process underway. There is a dispute, there is no doubt about that, the two parties see life differently, but there is a desire to resolve the issue in a negotiated manner. As I said, we are going to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada and we hope they will clarify it in the coming weeks and then we can move on with orderly negotiations with our colleagues in the union to seek some final result to this issue that is both equitable and affordable. Thank you.

Thank you. Second supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Mr. Todd.

It is in my nature, if I can talk as the Finance Minister, to try to seek resolve to an issue. My personality does not lend itself well to delaying, and my desire is to negotiate an arrangement with our brothers in the union. The problem is, frankly Mr. Speaker, that we are now into a legal, I do not know if battle is the appropriate word, situation and that has to move forward in an orderly way. I would suggest to you that this could be a long, drawn out issue. It is certainly not my desire, but that is where we have ended up. It will be an expensive exercise for all parties and, at the end of the day, what do we accomplish? There was, I thought, in the previous government some arrangement, but for whatever reason, it did not come to fruition. It certainly would be my desire to see an agreement reached, but it has to be equitable and I repeat again, affordable. There is an affordability issue out there. So when we move forward in relationship to the leave to appeal, this will be, if it is granted, a long drawn out costly process for everybody.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Mr. Todd.

Well, my understanding is the process is now underway. I do not know whether it can be turned back, but it is underway to seek leave to appeal from the Supreme Court of Canada based upon our belief that human rights has no jurisdiction in our area. I am not sure if that can be turned back or not, I would have to check with the people who are the legal experts in the arrangement. I can tell you this, that it is our desire, so everybody hears it, to make an arrangement and to negotiate an appropriate arrangement that is equitable and is affordable. I fundamentally believe in the previous regimes they were close to that, for whatever reason it did not take place and we are certainly not close to it now, based upon what the expectation is out there and what I hear from the UNW. So if there is a desire to come together and reach a reasonable, affordable deal, we would make that effort, absolutely.

Thank you. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik, Mr. Roland.

Thank you. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe it was the last steering committee meeting we had in which the chair of the Inuvik board and the chair of the Baffin board were in attendance. We made a conscious decision that the strategic planning process was near completion and I am happy to report that it is at the end of the initial stage right now with the report, that the capital planning initiatives for both Inuvik and Iqaluit could be accelerated to a great degree. What we agreed upon was that the deputy Minister and the two CEOs from both Inuvik and Baffin would get together to identify and work out a work plan with some time lines on some of the things that would be required to facilitate getting the projects back on track.

It is my understanding, particularly with the Inuvik hospital replacement project that the Inuvik board has now gone to the stage of awarding a contract for the operational and functional programming review of that facility. I cannot say definitively at what stage that group is working. It is my understanding that the contract has been awarded. There is a plan to put together, as I indicated earlier, the work plan for both the projects. I have not had a chance to speak directly about that issue with my deputy minister yet and I know there was some difficulty between the two CEOs of the boards and the deputy minister setting aside a time to get that process under way, but I will check into that and I expect that it will happen shortly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just for clarification purposes, I should say that Mr. Todd mentioned brothers in the union, we all know there are brothers and sisters in the union, regarding the pay equity question earlier. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of the Environment, Mr. Kakfwi. Can the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development update this House on the recent agreement of $100 million to clean up the DEW line sites that was negotiated between the federal government and the United States government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The honourable Minister, Minister Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, there was an agreement made a couple of months ago between the federal government and the Government of the United States for a sum of $1 million in U.S. dollars that would constitute a contribution that the Americans would make over a period of years to a certain account that is set aside for payments of sale of military equipment, in return for being absolved, I suppose, by the federal government of Canada for any responsibility in regard to the clean up of the military sites established by the Americans in the Arctic in the early '50s. It is my understanding that the agreement is signed, it is final and there is little recourse for us to try to seek change at this time. That does not prevent the Government of the Northwest Territories from holding the federal government responsible, as it is still responsible for these military sites, for the clean up of these military sites and we will continue to engage in whatever discussions are necessary to ensure they are cleaned up in an orderly and an acceptable manner. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is indeed very disappointing. I do not use my words loosely by saying shocking that the federal government and the United States government came to this agreement a couple of months ago and it has absolved, basically, any type of monetary retribution from the American government in this clean up that could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. My question now, I guess, to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development for the Government of the Northwest Territories is that most of these sites are in the jurisdiction of the Northwest Territories. Was this government involved in the negotiations between the federal government and the American government on the monies for the clean up? Were we consulted in any way, was the Minister privy to this type of discussion? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The honourable Minister, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, the military sites were spread out across the country, 21 of those military sites are located in the Northwest Territories, mostly as part of what they call the DEW line sites, the Distance Early Warning system. There was no notification to this government of the discussions that were taking place. There was no consultation about the position that should be taken, no request for this government to provide its views or its position in regards to how this issue should be handled. We received it the same as everybody else across the country as a news broadcast on CBC television and an article in The Globe and Mail. Thank you.

Thank you. Second supplementary. Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, I would urge that this government and the Minister in the strongest diplomatic language that is

available to him make it known to the federal government this jurisdiction of the Northwest Territories, our disgust with these arrangements having been made without our consultation. I would ask now in my supplementary question to the Minister. Has his department, his officials and himself contacted our federal officials to discuss these developments and will there be a meeting to look at the developments that have occurred over the past two months? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The honourable Minister, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Department of Defence had applied to the Department of Environment asking to be exempt from an agreement that was negotiated, we believe very much on political terms earlier, that said any materials that contain PCBs more than 50 parts per million shall not be disposed of specifically in landfill sites. The PCBs as we know them contained in some of the materials and structures of the DEW line sites contain at least 45,000 parts per million. After the Department of Defence and the Department of Environment had forced and hardlined this need for a very stringent standard to be accepted by all provinces and territories, it found itself being lobbied by one of its own departments for exemption. Without speaking to the merits of it, that alone brought a lot of credibility problems to the way it was resolved, particularly because now we find that our scientific evidence that says in fact irregardless of the level PCBs contained in these materials, these materials are in fact locked into the paints and the materials that contain them. So for scientific purposes there is no merit in suggesting that they would be endangering the environment by being disposed of in landfill sites. But there seems to be a need at least to review these agreements that were made which we objected to at the time in order to deal adequately with the options that are available to us on how to clean up these military sites. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Mr. Picco...Mr. Speaker,

-- Applause/Laughter

If I could continue, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, we need order here so the Honourable Mr. Picco could continue.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if this was Three Mile Island or any other place, you would have a tremendous outcry. The 27 sites that Mr. Kakfwi talked about earlier, one of the issues was, for example, taking the sites down and shipping out the wood and boards and DND wanted to be able to bury it. That is only one instance in this environmental clean up. For example, in Iqaluit in upper base we had to remove barrels and barrels of contaminated soil from the site itself. Resolution Island is one of the most infected site in the Northwest Territories. So my supplementary question again and it has not been answered yet is to the Minister, has the Minister scheduled meetings with the federal environmental people, with the federal Minister to find out exactly what is going to happen here to try to get some money? Are we going to use strong diplomatic language to the federal department to say that the deal signed with the federal government and the American government is unacceptable, Mr. Speaker, unacceptable that a territory like ourselves has not been consulted when 27 of these sites are located here for the sake of military credits for the American government so we can buy military hardware? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Mr. Kakfwi.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I was trying to suggest that one of the options we have is to suggest to the federal government that perhaps a review of the agreement that was signed earlier between the federal government, the provinces and the territories should be reviewed in order to create an opportunity, one option for the Inuit claimant organizations, the people of Nunavut and the Government of the Northwest Territories to expedient some way to resolve this issue in partnership with the federal government. It is my view that once the federal election is over and we know who the new Ministers are that we should and we will be requesting meetings to deal with issues of environment and other issues that are related that are of some urgency. Issues that demand immediate attention of the federal government so that we can resolve some of these things in a timely manner. This would be one of them. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you. The honourable Minister responsible for the environment, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, in response to the question, no, I am not aware that this had taken place. The federal government maintains total jurisdiction over inland waters and jurisdiction offshore. In spite of that, we do expect the courtesy of being informed and in a timely way of their activities up here that affect the future and well being of the

residents of the Northwest Territories for which we, unlike them, are totally and directly accountable to. I will be requesting my department to inquire immediately to get information on this, the rationale for the action that was taken and to see if there is any way that something more satisfactory could be done in regard to the action that the Member referred to. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. We will ensure that this is communicated in clearest and strongest terms possible in requesting a meeting with the next Minister of Environment, I believe, since all the current Ministers are fighting for their lives, so to speak, until Monday, once the smoke clears, we will see who is still standing and see who walks into these hallowed halls of power and we shall request meetings with them to put our shopping list in order and brief them properly of the issues that require immediate attention here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent. It is in relation to the statement that he made earlier today on the Nunavut Unified Human Resource Development Strategy in which he indicated that the federal government is investing almost $40 million in incremental training programs over four years in Nunavut and that there are 40 training positions being created with the GNWT as well as 17 courses involving more than 150 Inuit. This, of course, is in addition to what is already been put on by the college and the rest of the public education system. I would like to know if there is a similar plan in the works for the western aboriginal people over here?

Thank you. The honourable Minister for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. The Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, that training goes on in both east and the west, not only the west. What I would like to know is, has the Minister or any other Minister approached the federal government for similar funding for training in the west? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Dent.