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.

The Member for Nunakput is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? Mr. Steen, you have unanimous consent.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon colleagues. In a short time, this Assembly will take its recess for the summer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues, and especially the government employees in this building. I would also like to thank the residents of Pangnirtung, Clyde River, Broughton Island, and my wife and my kids. Have a good summer.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement is geared towards the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. Over the last weekend during the heavy rains that we had in Rae-Edzo, the Edzo residents woke up Saturday morning to find that a power outage was taking place. This outage lasted from approximately 4:30 a.m. to 12 noon. As you can see, this is an extremely long period and although it is not winter, it was very cool and did create an uncomfortable situation.

Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time this type of thing has happened this year. However, most are not as long as this particular outage, but they do happen. This spring, we had a number of power outages.

Mr. Speaker, it almost seems like these lines are not waterproof or something, as most outages do happen when it is raining out. I realize the Power Corporation does have accidents from time to time on the lines, but there must be something that can prevent or reduce this from occurring often.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the responsible Minister a question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will be using my first language so I think you need to wear your earpiece here. Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the people in the Northwest Territories get government employment and employment from private sectors in each community. But we all know, Mr. Speaker, that all of our people cannot obtain government jobs and jobs from the private sectors because there is a high unemployment rate in the communities. Whenever there is a job coming to smaller communities, the people that obtain these jobs try to keep them as long as they can, which is understandable. Madam Groenewegen mentioned people who commercial fish that can obtain some money when they have a short term employment and some people do trapping and carving to make money to live.

We all know, today, that the government, during their fiscal restraint do not have any money to provide for the people. We have to try to look for other ways of getting some money. As well, there are hunters and trappers and fishermen that are trying to get income by doing their traditional way of life. We have to try to help those people.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage my fellow Members that we should try to help out people who are trying to make money by their traditional way of life, because they have a need as well. We have to help them out because the government does not provide for them and they are trying to provide for themselves. We have to support them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about HMCS Yellowknife, which will be officially launched tomorrow on June 5, 1997.

Mr. Speaker, in the late 1980s, Canada's navy recognized the need for an effective coastal defence platform that would complement Canada's combat capable, general purpose maritime forces. The navy decided to build 12 maritime coastal defence vessels, MCDVs, to meet this requirement. The first of the new kingston class, HMCS Kingston, was launched in August 1995. Kingston class vessels are now joining the fleet about every four months, but the project is scheduled for completion in 1999.

The primary role of the kingston class MCDVs is coastal surveillance and patrol. This involves a wide variety of missions, including general naval operations and exercises, search and rescue, and support to other government departments for various activities such as law enforcement, resource protection and pollution control.

Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, in preparing for the launch, a ship slipped into the water on her own. Fortunately, no damage was done and HMCS Yellowknife is now ready for her official launch. I believe this is a good sign. HMCS Yellowknife is already acting like a true northerner, getting on with things and not waiting to stand on ceremony. I am sure this House joins me in wishing good luck to HMCS Yellowknife and that she has a long and distinguished career in the Canadian navy. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak a little about the accomplishments of residents from Iqaluit. Too many times we raise issues of concerns, complaints, et cetera. Today, I would like to end this sitting on a most positive note.

Last week one of the Pages here in the Assembly from Iqaluit was Sean Doherty. Sean is a grade seven student at Inuksuk High School and was one of three students who represented the NWT at the Great Canadian Geography Quiz in Ottawa. Sean did very well.

Three Iqaluit high school students were selected to participate in the architecture, engineering, and computer program. Erin Levy, Jean Simpson, and Denis Plaza will travel here to Yellowknife in July for orientation. Congratulations.

Donna Kenneally, Jimmy Arlooktoo, Ineak Ipeelie, Edward Flowers, and Jason Carpenter, all students of Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit, flew to Latvia to learn about the history, culture and language of the country and then to New York where they represented the country Latvia at the model United Nations conference. They were excellent ambassadors of the north and thanks go out to David Willman, Lin Moss, Derek Cutler, and Ramon Deluca, who were the staff accompanying the students.

The first all women's expedition to the north pole was completed successfully. Members of the women's polar relay expedition were led by Iqaluit's own Matty McNair. Congratulations, Matty.

Moosa and Pitsula Akavak of Iqaluit completed a walk with their children from Lake Harbour to Iqaluit. Mr. Speaker, Moosa and Pitsula were walking to raise awareness of family issues. They are excellent role models for all northerners.

Nunatsiaq news, based in Iqaluit, recently won two awards for best editorial and second best for colour on a tabloid page. Over 145 community newspapers competed in that competition. Congratulations.

Finally, I know that all Members of this House know long time northerner, and my good friend, Mr. Gordon Rennie. Gordon celebrated his 50th year of employment with the Northwest Company, formerly the Hudson Bay Company, last month.

Mr. Speaker, Gordon is still working every day at the northern convenience store in Iqaluit and I know Members of this House will join me in congratulating Gordon and wishing him and his family good health and hopefully soon, a happy and quiet retirement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you. Members' statements. Item 4, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two returns. One was asked by Mr. Krutko on May 30, 1997 on land development policy. The western land claims that were settled allowed for the land claim groups, Inuvialuit, Gwich'in, Sahtu, to select lands within municipal boundaries for their ownership and use. These were called municipal lands in the claims. These are not lands owned by the municipalities. Lands within municipalities that were not selected by the claimants have remained under the administration and control of the commissioner or the federal crown.

In Nunavut, TFN was allowed to select land within municipal boundaries as part of settling the land claim. The Nunavut Claim was unique in that it designated the municipality as the owner and administrator of titled land within its boundary. As a result of this, each Nunavut community has had to develop a bylaw regulating how land is to be administered and developed. The fact that most Nunavut hamlets now have land administration bylaws in place has made the GNWT Land Development Capital Program redundant. It is expected that communities administering their own land will also access their own resources through collected lease revenues or borrowing funds to do land development.

In the Inuvik region, the GNWT still administers land on behalf of the communities and the Land Development Capital Program is still in place. There is, however, interest from communities to acquire and administer their own land particularly in Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk. Should this interest remain, it will be possible for these hamlets to obtain ownership and control over lands and draft and implement land administration bylaws. This would also make the Land Development Capital Program obsolete in these communities just as in Nunavut, and the western communities would then access funds either from collected fees or through long term borrowing to maintain a supply of land in their community.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have another return, asked by Mr. Steen on June 2, 1997 regarding land development and pricing policies. When the hamlet owns the land within its community boundaries, it can charge whatever it wants for lease fees on existing lots. The less it charges, the less revenue it has. However, in Tuktoyaktuk, the hamlet does not yet own the land. It is Commissioner's land and MACA administers it on behalf of the hamlet. The Land Pricing Policy applies and the minimum lease rental is generally $600 per year. There are some exceptions, such as for seniors and non profit organizations, where the rental is reduced.

Each community that wishes to take over ownership and control over the land must develop its own pricing rules, which are set out in a land administration bylaw. This process is currently underway in Tuktoyaktuk. Until ownership is transferred however, the land will remain under the administration of the GNWT and the $600 minimum lease rental will apply. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Enuaraq on May 28th regarding the Clyde River Adult Education Centre. A Clyde River contractor known as Qanait Construction Ltd., requested a negotiated contract for the construction of the Adult Education Centre in Clyde River. In January, 1997, after following a normal practice for negotiated contracts, Cabinet directed Public Works and Services to negotiate the contract subject to Article 24 of the Nunavut Final Agreement.

The intent to negotiate was advertised and two other firms expressed an interest in the construction of the building. As for our deadlines on negotiated contracts in Nunavut, the negotiations were then stopped and the three firms were then invited to submit bids. The tender closed on May 16, 1997, and the bids are still being analyzed, so the contract has not yet been awarded. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Arlooktoo. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for DPW and is in reference to a letter that I received from Mayor William Noah in Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, the people of Baker Lake have been waiting for years for the extension to their school. Mr. Speaker, I believe it is incumbent upon us as leaders to ensure that the children and the staff from the various schools have adequate facilities. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, what is the status of the tender for the Baker Lake school extension? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member asked the question about the status of the Baker Lake school expansion. I am pleased to confirm that, after several days of the Department of Public Works analyzing a proposal with the assistance of the Department of Education, the contract will be awarded today to the local firm in Baker Lake.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for his understanding and support in regards to this contract. I am sure the people of Baker Lake will be very thankful. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Public Works and Services. Can the Minister confirm that the GNWT only offers contracts to companies which are in good standing? (Translation ends)

The Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, in summary my response would be for companies that are incorporated and in good standing, we offer contracts. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Supplementary, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) I would be interested to find out how "in good standing" is defined. Mr. Speaker, does the government only review the company's credit history as it relates to government organizations or do they look beyond this and review a company's entire history of repaying bills? (Translation ends)

Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Public Works with the Workers Compensation Board, the Business Incentive office and other organizations to see if there are any outstanding debts or if there are any complaints about companies. (Translation ends)

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) I am aware of some contractors that have not paid their bills for things such as accommodation and rental of heavy equipment vehicles in the communities. Does the department take this into consideration and will the Minister commit to reviewing this particular concern which has been brought to my attention? (Translation ends)

Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the department is asked by the contractors of outstanding bills, we can look into this. If the Member knows about a particular incident, I can look into this. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are many assemblies throughout the Northwest Territories during the summer. All the regions have assemblies. As well, we have the Dene National Assembly and the Metis Nation Assembly. We will be looking at all the assemblies and then we will make sure Ministers or some government representative is present at each assembly. Thank you.

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

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated earlier in my response, once I have the opportunity, I will look at the meeting schedule of all the assemblies. Last year Mr. Antoine and Mr. Kakfwi had the honour of attending the Gwich'in Assembly. This year, we will try to pick a Minister to go to the Gwich'in Assembly. It has to balance with the Ministers' time schedules, other assemblies, as well as Ministers' personal commitments to their families. Thank you.

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

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will instruct the Minister of Social Services to make sure that we have someone from his department at the Gwich'in Annual Assembly in July. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary. Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The social workers are front line workers of this government, we value their service very much. We understand how hard of a job they have. I would never say just a social worker. But let me reassure the Member that they will send someone to the Gwich'in Annual Assembly in July from the Department of Health. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, during my Member's statement, I mentioned my concern about a power outage that had occurred in Rae-Edzo last weekend, as well as on various other occasions. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Dent, I would like to know why there was this extremely long outage on Saturday, May 31, 1997.

The Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. Mr. Dent.

Oral question. Supplementary. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Why has there been a number of outages, particularly when it is raining, even though there does not seem to be any lightning activity within that region?

Perhaps the Minister would like to respond to the Member as to why there are so many power outages in the Member's area. Mr. Dent.

Oral question. Supplementary. Mr. Rabesca.

What is the Power Corporation doing to prevent/reduce the number of outages that keep occurring within our region? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary. Mr. Rabesca.

In the future, can the Minister try to consult myself or the community? There has to be more information regarding the cause of the re-occurring power outages. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

The Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Today, the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation advised the House about the provisions of homes for northerners. This government, a number of times, has acknowledged that with the continuation of the high birth rate in communities, it will not be able to continue to provide accommodation and services at the present levels. My question to the Premier is what standards or actions is the government taking to advise and educate residents of the NWT of this fact? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Four or five years ago, when I was the Minister of the Housing Corporation, there was a needs survey done. At that time, we were approximately 3,500 units short. We were predicting that these numbers would climb unless there was action taken. Now today, we find out that we are 4,350 units short. This is driven by the population growth, this is one of the reasons. But, we must also fully understand that the federal government never did live up to its fiduciary responsibility to the aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories. This is also driven directly from when people were relocated off the land into communities. There was never adequate housing for our people in the Northwest Territories. The federal government always fell short on funding of adequate housing for the people of the Northwest Territories. It has fallen so short that it is non-existent now. There is no federal money available for housing of aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories and that is the main reason that we are short 4,350 units of housing today. But let me assure you that the birth rate also has an effect. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.