Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to update my honourable colleagues and the public on the reform initiatives underway in the Department of Health and Social Services. As you know, the department wishes to create a sustainable health and social services system -- one that provides the care people need in the most effective way. Change is necessary to achieve this. Together with our partners, we have committed to reform based on sound principles. The first step in this process has been to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the current system, with an assessment of the challenges and options facing us.

Earlier this year, the department contracted with a multi-disciplinary group of health and social service professionals, Med-Emerg International, to carry out this analysis and prepare a strategic directions document. The Med-Emerg consultants met with department staff, health boards, and community leaders in each region. They reviewed the wealth of information that has been gathered over the years. In their final report, the Med-Emerg consultants have raised points which form a useful base for further discussions on the strategic plan.

Some of the areas covered in the Med-Emerg report include:

- a proposed organizational framework for Health and Social Services;

- a description of the demographics of the NWT, a profile of the diseases and social conditions affecting northerners and their health;

- recommended strategies for development of the social services and the health system;

- a review of the human resource issues facing health and social services, with strategies for recruiting, developing and retaining staff;

- a formula funding approach based on the population and needs of regions and communities; and

- recommendations for improving the governance of the health and social services system.

Public discussion of the strategic planning process will be coordinated by regional health boards, with the assistance of the department. The boards will be meeting with people in their regions until mid-October. Department staff will work with them, listen to the public comments, and analyze the information gathered in those meetings with a view to having a final strategic plan ready early in the New Year. In the meantime, the department is able to continue to progress in areas that are consistent with our overall goals for improving the system. For example - the decentralization of Mackenzie Regional Health Services is substantially completed. Seven new governing bodies in the south Mackenzie will bring greater control of health and social services to the regional and community level. Public hearings on the new Child and Family Services Act are in progress and work to significantly improve the delivery of child welfare services is well underway.

Other reforms continue to be implemented in the fields of addiction services, long term care, repatriation of northern patients from southern institutions and the development of an integrated information system for the department.

A discussion paper on formula funding has been distributed to health boards. Work on the formula is expected to be completed by August. Boards and the department are working together to develop a memorandum of understanding which will clearly describe their respective roles now and into the future. The department is making organizational changes to support strategic reform and to prepare for division.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we are heading in the right direction. My staff and I look forward to working with the public and our other partners to develop a strategic plan which will set clear direction for the development of effective, responsive health and social services in both new territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Speaker, later this afternoon I will be tabling the first of a series of reports on the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's 1996 Housing Needs Survey. This first report contains initial findings and analysis of housing needs in the Northwest Territories. I am releasing this report on the overall results for the Northwest Territories to emphasize that we still face a serious housing challenge.

Almost 25 percent of all households in the Northwest Territories have a housing need which they cannot resolve without some form of government intervention. This is two times higher than the rate for any other area in Canada. Housing need in the north has risen to 4,350 households from 3,500 in 1992. this has occurred despite this government's investment of $160 million in 1,435 homes since 1992.

Since the last Housing Needs Survey in 1992, the environment in which the corporation has worked has changed dramatically. Most important is the fact that our funding from the federal government has been significantly reduced. As you will recall, Mr. Speaker, the federal government began eliminating funding for new social housing back in 1993. Since then, the provinces and territories have not received funding for the construction of new social housing units from the federal government. Recently in Ottawa, I signed an agreement with the Honourable Diane Marleau, Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, to protect the funding we presently receive to operate the 6,000 social housing units currently in existence across the territories. However, the serious housing situation in the north remains and I will be bringing this issue to the attention of the new federal Minister at the earliest opportunity.

The next survey report will be published and sent to all Members in July and this report will outline individual community profiles. However, it will not just contain the number of households in need. The report will also outline possible solutions to address this need. I look forward to working with each member of this Legislative Assembly on the situation in each of their communities.

The Corporation will now be able to use the 1996 Housing Needs Survey to help each community to develop plans to help solve their specific housing needs. This will be done in close cooperation with local housing organizations and municipal governments. The Corporation will develop unique solutions to each community's problems.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my deepest thanks to all of the employees of the community housing organizations who went door-to-door doing interviews for this survey. Without their co-operation this survey would not have been possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly. Today I would like to give an update on the Small Boat Safety Awareness Program. This will be the third year the Department of Transportation has delivered the program in the Northwest Territories on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard.

The Small Boat Safety Awareness Program is a national public education initiative to promote small boat safety. The Department of Transportation takes a special interest in getting the program out to the communities because, year after year, the Northwest Territories has had the highest number of drowning fatalities per capita in Canada.

To gain the widest participation, the program enlists the help of federal, territorial and volunteer staff in the communities. The program's partners include the Departments of Municipal and Community Affairs; Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development; National Defence; local detachments of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as its Federal Enforcement Section; the Canadian Red Cross; Sports North; the NWT Canoeing Association and the City of Yellowknife Fire Department.

A training seminar is held each spring to teach the program's many partners in the proper use of boating safety equipment, safe loading limits for passengers and cargo and the use of a boat's power rating to match boat and motor properly. Over the boating season, the instructors take the boating safety message to public schools, hunters and trappers associations, boating clubs and many other interested community groups.

Once again, the target audience in 1997 will be school age children; teaching the next generation about boating safety as they grow up. This year's program will emphasize that most of our boating fatalities occur to young men between 18 and 35 years of age and, all too often, involve the use of alcohol.

In its first two years of operation, the Small Boat Safety Awareness Program has visited close to 50 communities and reached almost half of the population of the Northwest Territories. The success of the program can be seen in community interest for greater involvement and, more and more, we will see communities taking the lead in promoting water safety.

This year, the Small Boat Safety Awareness Program introduces its mascot, Pukta, the Water Safety Bear. I am proud to say that the idea of incorporating a northern mascot in the program was developed by our Department of Transportation. Pukta has since been adopted by the Canadian Coast Guard in its water safety programs across Canada. I would like to congratulate Sarah Ittinuar of Rankin Inlet for naming Pukta and winning the "Name the Mascot" contest. Pukta means "to float" in Inuktitut.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the Members are with me in hoping for an accident free boating season this year. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In memory of Jim Bourque, P.C., a scholarship fund is being established through the Arctic Institute of North America. The fund will provide annual scholarships to Canadian aboriginal students who intend to take post secondary training in education, environmental studies, traditional knowledge or telecommunications.

The fund was endowed with a contribution of $10,000 from the Government of the Northwest Territories through the Department of Resource, Wildlife and Economic Development to recognize Mr. Bourque's public service to the people and environment of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Bourque's primary goals in life were:

-to promote the wise use of resources;

-to further the involvement of aboriginal people and traditional knowledge in resource management; and

-to ensure that our children inherit a healthy environment and economy.

In pursuit of these goals, Mr. Bourque shared his knowledge and wisdom with everyone he met and we hope you will help make this fund as big as Jim's heart and soul were. Mr. Bourque worked very hard on behalf of all of the people of the Northwest Territories. He was honest, well liked and highly respected. Everyone knew him as a fair man who believed in the rights of all people; he treated everyone, from trappers to world leaders, with respect. He was also blessed with a deep love of his family.

From 1982 to 1991, he served as deputy minister of Renewable Resources and played an instrumental role in promoting the fur industry. His reputation and love of the north led to a role in constitutional development and unity efforts in the north by heading the Bourque Commission in 1993.

Among his other accomplishments, Mr. Bourque served as co-director of policy for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in 1994 and as President of the Metis Nation from 1980 to 1982. In recognition of his long service to his people and his country, Mr. Bourque was appointed to the Privy Council by the Governor General at the recommendation of the Prime Minister in July, 1992.

Contributions are tax deductible and may be made payable to the:

Jim Bourque Scholarship Fund

c/o Mr. Mike Robertson, Director, Arctic Institute of North America

2500 University Drive N.W.

Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4

The first scholarships will be awarded in 1998. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Ministers statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to announce the recipient of the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Service Award for 1997. Mr. Alan Falconer is being recognized for the contributions he has made to improving the lives of so many seniors in the NWT.

Mr. Falconer's commitment to volunteerism is as long as his 32 year residency in the north.

Mr. Falconer believes strongly in creating a community that supports seniors and is often heard saying that the pioneers of the north should be able to remain here in their old age rather than being forced out of their community in later years. The work of Al Falconer is a model of how we may become empowered to improve our lives without being dependent on government.

The presentation ceremony for Mr. Falconer will be held July 25 at the Aven Manor. In recognizing his accomplishments:

-Al's name has been inscribed on the department's NWT Outstanding Volunteer Service Award recognition plaque;

-He will receive a personal plaque;

-He will also receive a carving, which Fort Smith artist Mr. Sonny MacDonald, donates to the award recipient.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to join me in congratulating Mr. Alan Falconer for his many years of dedicated service to our elders.

-- Applause

Thank you, Ms. Thompson. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 2, Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

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

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

The Member for Hay River is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mrs. Groenewegen, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Members' statements. Mr. Steen.