Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq.

First and foremost, I would like to welcome Members back to the continuation of the Fifth Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly. Of course, I also wish you a Happy New Year and much happiness in your future endeavours. The Legislative Assembly will be facing even more challenges than we have had to in the past. Demands on you, as MLAs, will continue to keep you away from your family, home and community. I ask that the people in your communities to please understand this absence and the urgency of the task at hand. It will be an interesting year and one that, if we all put the interests of all residents first, progress on the transition should be realized sooner, than later. This is all we can do as we move to the creation of two new territories within Canada. To that end, I wish you all the best. Orders of the day, Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that on Thursday, January 22, 1998, I will deliver the Budget Address. Thank you.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure today to inform Members about a meeting held earlier today between Members of Cabinet and the federal Minister of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Honourable Jane Stewart.

As you are aware, Minister Stewart is in Yellowknife as part of a cross-country tour to talk about the federal government's

followup and reaction to the recommendations by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. As part of the tour, Minister Stewart made time in her schedule to meet with all Members of Cabinet, with the exception of Premier Don Morin who is out of the country on the Team Canada Trade Mission.

Mr. Speaker, at that meeting, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Jim Antoine, expressed our overall support for the federal government's response to the RCAP report. In particular, he expressed support for the statement of reconciliation which is viewed as helpful and meaningful. We agreed that the needs and challenges in the north are unique, but as valuable as those of the aboriginal people in southern Canada. We also agreed on the importance of ensuring that the Government of the Northwest Territories has an active role in the development of the federal government's northern agenda. As well, we agreed that dialogue is necessary to clarify how programs and funding would affect the Northwest Territories and, more specifically, concerns raised by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Kelvin Ng, with respect to healing programs.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to our discussion on the Royal Commission, we also used the opportunity of the meeting with Minister Stewart to talk about two other issues of importance and interest to the people in the Northwest Territories. These include the current state of the mining industry and the ongoing discussion on the creation of two new territories.

Starting with an update on the current status of the mining industry, Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Stephen Kakfwi, acknowledged the cooperation of the federal government departments and in particular the DIAND regional office in addressing some social and economic issues related to recent layoffs that have resulted from the downturn of the gold market. He also sought Minister Stewart's continuing support and cooperation and encouraged her to continue to work as a priority to support the development of the northern minerals industry, both in the short term and in the long term.

On the creation of two new territories, it was my pleasure to once again tell Minister Stewart at how pleased we were with the positive outcome on the discussions at the Nunavut Leaders' Meeting in Iqaluit last week. While we continue to discuss the next steps, we all agree that followup is essential. We agreed that northern involvement continues to play a critical role in the planning process.

On issues relating to the Western Territory, the Minister Responsible for Western Transition, Charles Dent, advised the Minister of DIAND about an increased focus on western issues. Minister Stewart acknowledged that decisions made at the leaders' meeting will impact on the west, particularly with respect to the urgency on contracting back to the Western Territory to meet budget and business planning deadlines for 1999-2000.

Minister Dent also reinforced the GNWT's position that we need to see resolution of transition costs in both Nunavut and the Western Territory. He also informed Minister Stewart that the GNWT will be issuing a followup on our Transition Action Plan which will offer more details on western transition issues. Overall on issues relating to both Nunavut and the Western Territory, we agreed on the urgency to deal with these issues and to help ensure smooth transition between governments in 1999.

Mr. Speaker, we consider this morning's meeting to be yet another in the series of positive and encouraging meetings with Minister Stewart. We are very pleased with our growing relationship with Minister Stewart and most importantly her willingness to listen and to keep the channels of communications open. We truly value the spirit of cooperation and collaboration she brings to the table. Her personal integrity and her manner inspired confidence in all of us that the federal government is as committed as we are to ensuring the future of Canada's north is indeed a bright one.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update Members on the Nunavut Leaders Summit held in Iqaluit on January 13 and 14, 1998. The three parties working on the creation of Nunavut attended this important meeting along with the Interim Commissioner and the chairman and commissioners from the Nunavut Implementation Commission. The parties were represented by federal DIAND Minister, the Honourable Jane Stewart, NTI president Jose Kusugak and elected board members along with the Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Mr. Ed Picco and I representing the GNWT.

Mr. Speaker, the parties were very aware of the limited time left before April 1, 1999, and we were able to reach agreement on a number of key issues. We agreed to focus on ensuring that Nunavut would have the basic machinery of government in place on April 1, 1999 and gradually staffing other headquarters' positions over time.

The Interim Commissioner presented an implementation plan that provided the parties with a refined model of the Nunavut government design based on Footprints 2, a staffing plan and the major implementation activities necessary to achieve a functioning government by April 1, 1999.

I am pleased to report that the parties were able to give the Interim Commissioner direction on how to begin the process of implementing a practical public government. Agreement in

principle was reached on the Nunavut government design, with the following particulars:

- The existing health and education boards will be retained, with the respective Nunavut deputy ministers examining the issue of merging these boards into single boards for education and health. In this way, Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut government will be able to consider whether it wants single boards. The existing service and program delivery mechanisms will be maintained until the Nunavut government has an opportunity to consider this question fully.

- Agreement-in-principle to the Interim Commissioner's recommendation for a total of 675.5 headquarters' positions.

- Agreement-in-principle that Nunavut should have a single level trial court system.

- All parties reaffirmed that a seamless transfer of GNWT employees in Nunavut to the government of Nunavut is necessary and will occur through the early conclusion of transfer arrangements.

- I am pleased to report to this Assembly that the GNWT, along with the other parties, continues to support the decentralized model for the Nunavut government so long as adequate federal financing is made available to put this model in place.

- The parties agreed that, to ensure the smooth transition and continuation of the delivery of essential services, the establishment of core headquarters capacity for the Nunavut government is essential. Priority must be given to establishing critical functions of government such as: the Legislative Assembly, Department of Executive Council, finance, justice and human resources. A phased in approach to the build up of the headquarters' capacity will best achieve the decentralization of the model. Moving jobs out to the communities is central to the successful implementation of the new government.

The electoral boundaries for Nunavut were also discussed at the meeting and the parties have agreed to 19 seats for the Nunavut government. It is hoped that a legislative package will soon be introduced to Parliament that will:

- provide for an earlier first election in Nunavut;

- allow the enactment of laws applicable to Nunavut before April 1, 1999; and

- confirm the duplication of NWT laws in Nunavut.

In order to keep this momentum, the three parties will assist the Interim Commissioner in finalizing the details of the implementation plan for approval by the leaders by March 15, 1998. Officials from the GNWT will be actively involved in this process.

Mr. Speaker, the process of establishing Nunavut is well underway. With the active involvement of the three parties and the Interim Commissioner's Office, I am confident that the conclusions reached in Iqaluit will lead to a better and more coordinated effort to make Nunavut a reality.

Thank you, Mr. Arlooktoo. Ministers' statements.

I wish to advise the Members that the Honourable Don Morin will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to participate in the Team Canada Mission in South America. Thank you.

Thank you. Before we go to Members' statements, I would like to read a message from Her Honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.

"Dear Mr. Speaker,

I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, the passage of:

Appropriation Act, 1998-99

Loan Authorization Act, 1998-99

During the Fifth Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly.

Yours truly,

Helen Maksagak, Commissioner."

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends) I would like to give the House an update on the Nunavut Leaders Meeting held in Iqaluit last week. With division quickly approaching, the meeting took on an air of more importance. The Interim Commissioner released his plan for the development of Nunavut and the steps involved. I think that my colleagues from Nunavut Caucus, Mr. Picco and Minister Thompson and Minister Arlooktoo would agree with me that the meeting was successful and productive: the issue on infrastructure and realization that all positions cannot be filled and in place by April 1, 1999; as discussed as well, the decentralization plan and the continued commitments of the same.

The infrastructure, for example, states that the office buildings for decentralization will not be in place by 2000, in some cases, the year 2001. Then decentralization will occur more gradually. My colleague, Mr. Picco and I stated again that we, as Nunavut leaders, have to be clear on this point. I think that it now has general acceptance. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the next meeting after the official staff have a chance to review the Interim Commissioner's plan more carefully, so that we can get down to the task at hand. I would like to thank Minister Stewart, the Nunavut representatives from this House, as well as the other participants and staff who made it a very successful and positive meeting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and welcome back. Mr. Speaker, on Friday past I had the opportunity to attend a health-related meeting in Rankin Inlet that was arranged by

the Rankin Inlet Hamlet Council and also the Keewatin Inuit Association. Also present, Mr. Speaker, were Minister Ng; Minister Thompson; my very good friend, Mr. Todd. Mr. Speaker, approximately six months ago, I called on the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories to conduct a full independent inquiry into the activities and operations of the Keewatin Health Board. Mr. Speaker, this request was refused, hence here we are today with a crisis in our health care industry. Mr. Speaker, the region is full of fear and a health care system that has failed the very people in the Keewatin it was to serve and protect. Mr. Speaker, recently the Northwest Territories Nursing Association conducted a survey regarding the feelings and concerns of Keewatin nurses. Here are some of the points that were brought up by the nursing staff.

- There is no incentive to stay in the Keewatin in the nursing field.

- There is a lack of honesty and integrity amongst the Keewatin Regional Health Board's senior management.

- There is lack of a recruitment plan, lack of training and opportunities for growth.

- There is basically no support for nurses from the Keewatin Regional Health Board.

- There is a shortage of medical supplies.

The last point of many that were registered is that the KRHB is a dysfunctional and terrifying organization which creates fear, panic and emotional fear in most of its employees.

Mr. Speaker, out of the total number of nursing positions in the Keewatin, today there are approximately 40 percent that are vacant. I am sure, Mr. Speaker, there are good reasons and logical reasons for some of these vacancies. None the less, this is not acceptable. Mr. Speaker, there is another issue that is not visible or not as visible, but equally as important and that being the shortage of social services practitioners. Mr. Speaker, again the number of practitioners. Mr. Speaker, I seek to conclude my statement.

The Member for Kivallivik is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? Mr. O'Brien, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was saying, there is another issue that may not be as visible as the nursing shortage, that being the shortage of social service professionals in the Keewatin. The number of vacancies also stands at an alarming 40 percent. Mr. Speaker, another example of the situation in the Keewatin and the seriousness of it is in my own home community of Arviat. Over Christmas the situation was so bad that there was only one nurse on duty in the community of Arviat to service and provide a service for approximately 1,650 residents, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In my other constituency of Baker Lake, things were a little better. They had two nurses available to service 1,400 residents. Mr. Speaker, this is not reasonable nor safe and certainly not acceptable.

Mr. Speaker, how do we as elected leaders in this Assembly guarantee and provide the level of comfort and care that our

constituents need and deserve. This unfortunate situation would not exist nor be tolerated by our southern neighbours elsewhere in Canada. Where do we go from here, Mr. Speaker. I would suggest that before we can correct or diagnose the problem, we must know what caused it. To ensure that once corrected, it does not occur again. We need an independent public inquiry in order to accomplish this. In the meantime, we must address what we can, such as, the shortage of nursing staff, a plan that once the nurses are hired to retain them, keep them in place. We must review their benefits package to see if it is fair and reasonable. We must take steps immediately to replace the chairperson and the CEO with qualified professionals with input from the KIA, MLAs and hamlet councils, and further, Mr. Speaker, we must re-enter negotiations with the Northern Medical Unit to establish an interim contract with the University of Manitoba to provide these services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Can I remind the Members that all Members are entitled to a Member's statement for two and a half minutes. Also, to remind the Members that when you receive unanimous consent, it is to conclude those statements and that going beyond the allotted time and continuing is not using the Member's statement for the purpose it is meant for. Just a reminder. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

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