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.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back my fellow MLAs to our

capital city and hope that you are refreshed and ready for a long budget session. Mr. Speaker, when we examined the government's budget in this House., the talk always seems to turn to the economy of the Northwest Territories. Yellowknife's economy has been hit especially hard in the last few months with layoffs at both mines plus two years of deficit reduction by this government. My heart goes out to the families affected, and I pledge to do as much as I can to help. I am also encouraged by this government's willingness to work with the employees who have been laid off and also with Miramar and Royal Oak to find ways in which we can help ride out the current low gold prices.

Mr. Speaker, thirty years ago similar sized layoffs at the mines would have devastated this city. There were no other opportunities for the laid-off workers. They would have had to leave town in order to have any chance of supporting their families. Now, Mr. Speaker, there are other opportunities to make a living in this city. The economy has diversified. Yellowknife is no longer a one industry town. There is no doubt that the economy of Yellowknife is going through a rough time. There will be further adjustments to the GNWT workforce as a result of the creation of Nunavut, and the low price of gold will continue to impact negatively on our economic security.

--Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow Mr. Todd will introduce the last budget of this government before division. Over the past two budget cycles, because of the deficit reduction strategies, many areas of government have been reduced, eliminated or asked to hold the line on forced growth. The Department of Education falls into the latter category. Over the past several weeks, I have met with many teachers, parents and the Iqaluit Education Council. The theme that continues to be brought forward is the adage that our teachers have to do more with less. Some of the areas that need to be addressed include: lack of funding at

the board level to hire extra staff to help alleviate the increased student enrolments and larger class size, the state of the curricula used and the lack of financial resources for the boards of education to implement new programs or to continue the programs now in place. Although the government has involvement with the western Canada protocol allowing teachers access to resources, in many cases the funding allocated to the school boards impedes our teachers' access to those materials.

Mr. Speaker, funding shortfalls severely impact the quality of education programs. The current level of funding given to the boards of education by the Department of Education for both staffing and critical programs is not adequate and must be increased significantly to meet current needs. Fiscal restraint is the reality at this time. However, I feel that it should not be to the detriment of our children's education. Mr. Speaker, later today I will be asking the Minister of Education for more information on this area. Thank you.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome all my fellow MLAs and other people who accompanied them back to Yellowknife.

--Applause

Also the federal government has a large responsibility in this area. When the fisheries failed, they put hundreds of millions of dollars into it. When farming fails, they do the same thing. Mining industry should be no different. The federal government needs to find ways to help miners and the mines to survive financially and otherwise until gold prices go back up, but Mr. Speaker, all is not doom and gloom.

There are a lot of things to look forward to and I would like to mention just a few. The last time we were here the Finance Minister mentioned public/private partnerships which would help us to build facilities that we may not otherwise be able to build and there could be a lot of opportunities here for businesses. One of those opportunities is to complete the road to resources that I questioned the Premier about, the last time we were here. This would open things up for exploration. Also, we know that a diamond mine is going to open soon here and that another one is likely to open in a few years. This means not only jobs at the mine but a diamond sorting and valuation facility in one of our communities is still a possibility and I am talking sorting for market not just for valuation. Additionally, we know 80 percent of money generated in a diamond industry occurs after diamonds come out of the ground. We need a guaranteed supply of rough diamonds to help establish a diamond secondary industry in the north. With a little help from our governments, a diamond cutting and polishing factory...

Time is up.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Yellowknife North is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Erasmus, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was saying, with a little help from our governments, a diamond cutting and polishing factory can be a reality in the north. Additionally, last year the Standing Committee of Government Operations recommended several investment initiatives. One of those initiatives was the Aurora Fund and that fund now loans millions of dollars to businesses, large loans up to half a million and over. There was also another investment scheme that we had recommended, something called NORTHTIIP and which I have been bugging the Finance Minister about which is an RRSP tax investment, incentive-based investment, for investments in smaller businesses. Hopefully, the Finance Minister will make an announcement soon. In the area of the federal government, we know that the federal government will be starting a National Child Benefit Program which will invest $500 million into the economy starting in July 1998, which will help poorest people getting over $300 a child per month. The money that the GNWT saves on income support will go to programs for children in poor families. We have also had a response to the Royal Commission which is something like $400 million for compensation and programs for those abused in residential schools and programs to assist aboriginal people in taking their rightful place in society. Hopefully, there will be more announcements coming. Mr. Speaker, as I said not all is doom and gloom, and I look forward to the budget speech tomorrow as the Finance Minister has assured us that there will be initiatives and good news. Thank you.

--Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome my colleagues back to continue working on many issues we have in front of us. As you may recall, on December 2, 1997, I brought forward a concern about the housing situation in the Wha Ti. I would like to thank Mr. Arlooktoo for responding to this concern in such a timely matter. On December 16th I flew to Wha Ti with the staff members of the NWT Housing Corporation. We had scheduled with the council to start a process of communication to determine all concerns. This turned into a very good meeting and I feel the objectives were met. All members left feeling a sense of accomplishment and looking forward to solving the major problems that exist. Again, I would like to thank Mr. Arlooktoo and his staff for this very important initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Miltenberger.

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

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker and good afternoon to all my honourable colleagues and welcome back to the Legislative Assembly.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister Dent for his presentation on the western transition and fielding questions on the NWT Power Corporation and the education, culture and employment issues. Also, the active participation of representatives from the departments of Health and Social Services, RWED, MACA and the NWT Housing Corporation provided attending leaders with timely updates of the GNWT initiatives. The meetings were in an excellent forum to advise government on a variety of important Deh Cho issues.

I am pleased to report that the Deh Cho First Nation Leadership have expressed an interest in working with a proposed ministerial envoy from DIAND Minister Jane Stewart to explore the opportunities to advance the Deh Cho in talks with the federal government on governance and land issues.

On January 13th, the Deh Cho leaders received representatives from the Yellowknife Dene First Nations and on January 15th, the meeting was attended by a delegation from the Dogrib Nation. It is very encouraging to see a spirit of cooperation building among leaders and to witness frank discussions between First Nations in their own territories.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Members' statements. At this time I would like to recognize some distinguished visitors seated in the Speaker's gallery.

With us today are the Honourable Mr. Justice Ralph Hudson and Mrs. Jan Hudson. Mr. Justice Hudson is a judge of the Supreme Court of the Yukon Territory and a judge of the Court of Appeal of the Northwest Territories. Welcome to the Assembly.

--Applause

Also here today is Mr. Merrill Wiggington, the Chief Electoral Officer for the province of Prince Edward Island. Mr. Wiggington is in Yellowknife to meet with our Northwest Territories elections' officials. Welcome to the Assembly. Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

The Member for Sahtu is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Kakfwi, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize some long-term northerners in the gallery with us today, Melody McLeod, Mary Broussard and Ben Macdonald. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I brought up some education concerns. I have received many letters, phone calls, E-mails over the past few months on this matter and I have spoken about them in this House before. Mr. Speaker, I know the Minister is working diligently to try to address some of these issues - and I am not criticizing the Minister here - I am trying to give some constructive criticism and to articulate some of the concerns I have heard. Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister is concerning the Department of Education. The department had allocated $350,000 which comes out to be $26.18 per student for textbooks, materials and in-servicing for the new math program. However, at the end of the day when you add up those students and the amount of money given, it comes out to $22 per text which is $4.18 for the other areas. Mr. Speaker, there is also instances where the teachers do not have a curriculum. In one case a teacher has been teaching

for a long time without a curriculum or textbooks, where we have teachers buying the materials themselves out of their own pocket. This is not acceptable. So, I am wondering what the Minister is going to do to address these most serious concerns. Thank you.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not know why this happened over the past few years in the Department of Education when it comes to curriculum or text books and I do not pretend to know. Mr. Speaker, I have seen letters that have gone to the Minister and to the department. I have been copied on some of them. In one case, Mr. Speaker, I have a teacher who has been teaching for a long time without a curriculum, without a textbook, has not the resources in place. Although we have the protocol with the western provinces, with the divisional board of education, they do not have the adequate funding to put the resources in place. That is not acceptable, Mr. Speaker, in 1998, to have teachers in the classroom having to go out and buy sets of textbooks. So, I would ask the Minister what he is going to do about this. I know that he agreed that there is problem with in-servicing. There has been problems with the math curriculum, but, my God, Mr. Speaker, it cannot be possible to be in the classroom without a textbook, without the proper resources available. That is my question. What is he going to do about it?

Thank you. Okay again, just to remind the Members about the language that you are using in this Chamber. You heard, my God. Some people might take offence to it. It is unparliamentary, but I would like to remind the Members that people might take offence to using it in that context. Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I apologize for my earlier remark. Mr. Speaker, it is very frustrating as a Member to attend a meeting, to have teachers or any other individuals working for this government to come to me with legitimate complaints and the minute it involves schooling or education, we keep saying that that is the most important priority that we have to make sure that our people are educated. If they do not have the resources in place, if they do not have curriculum that seems to be place, if you do not have the textbooks; how can they do their job? If you are asking people to do more with less, you are going to get less done. Mr. Speaker, my followup question is, the Minister talked about the partnership, if the partnership has not made available the monies to have the resources or the ratio, maybe we should review this formula. Will the Minister look at reviewing the formula that is in place that gives the resources or the monetary amounts to the individual boards of education? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that the teachers' association, individual teachers, the college, parents have written to the department about these concerns. Mr. Speaker, I am not getting a level of comfort that something should be done and can be done. So I wonder if the Minister would look at these individual cases. I know that I have written him on two of them. I wonder if we can get a response back into this House on the issue of class sizes and also on the issue of the resources available, so that the curriculum can be in place because this is not acceptable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Two questions. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been a very long time since residents of Pangnirtung have been asking to have their airport runway to be relocated because of the safety concerns. Towards the end of November of 1997 the Minister, the territorial Minister of Transportation, had an opportunity to visit Pangnirtung along with federal officials and which I did not have the opportunity to attend. Can the Minister of Transportation update me with what is going on with the planning of relocating the runway in Pangnirtung. Thank you.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we did visit Pangnirtung in November and we were able to travel with a couple of Transport Canada officials from Winnipeg just to look at the situation in a number of communities along with Pangnirtung. Looking at the situation there, they have decided, yes, it is worth looking into the Pangnirtung airport. However, at this point in time there is no real solid commitment in terms of financial resources. This is what the stumbling block here is, in this case. We do not have the money to do the type of work that needs to be done in Pangnirtung to relocate their airport. That is quite a large sum of money we are talking about. However, as a result of the trip with the federal officials, there is ongoing talks between my department and their officials to see what the possibilities are there to look at the airport relocation in Pangnirtung and that is all I can report at this point in time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every time I ask a question about relocating the runway in Pangnirtung, I get the

same answers. We are looking into it, we are looking into it. How long would it be, can the Minister tell me, when the actual construction will begin? Thank you.

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes the answer is always we are looking into it because that is exactly what we are doing. The price that we are looking at is about $13 million. This department does not have that kind of dollars at this point in time, and we are looking for other places like the federal government, like the honourable Member had asked me in the previous Assemblies to approach the federal government and that is what we are doing. I do not know when we are going to start, but it looks positive and we are pursuing it as far as we could take it at this point in time. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services. Following my comments earlier today regarding my Member's statement, I indicated a number of recommendations and issues I thought should be addressed in order to assist with the critical situation regarding the Keewatin Health Board. Mr. Speaker, a number of these comments and recommendations were also echoed and contained in the presentation made by the president of NTI and the president of KIA. My question to the Minister, given the fact that the meeting seemed to end somewhat abruptly and there did not seem to be a lot of closure to it; the recommendations that were made; can the Minister tell us as to what is the status as of today regarding the recommendations and how he plans to proceed? Thank you.

Mr. Ng. I heard two questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member was at the meeting, as well. I think maybe there is a difference in understanding what took place. I think I made some commitments publicly. It was aired locally in Rankin Inlet in respect to some of the issues. First of all, I had appointed the deputy chair as an interim chair, Percy Kabloona, up until April 15th. I committed then to opening up the process for the nomination of a permanent chair and that process would be open to all groups and individuals wanting to nominate a potential candidate. I said that we would provide interim management from headquarters' staff here in Yellowknife, during a transition period until such a time as the process for hiring and filling a new CEO's position took place and was completed. Also in respect to the issue of recruitment and retention of nursing staff, I committed to working with the NWT Registered Nurses' Association, NWT Health Care Association and with the department in trying to formulate a recruitment retention plan with some specific resources attached to it that the Finance Minister and myself could possibly put forward for our Cabinet colleagues for consideration by February 15th at the latest. With respect to some of the issues around the northern medical unit, the physician's and specialist's contracts, I said in the interim I had spoken with the acting chair and he was quite receptive with our staff coming over to reopen some of the negotiations to see what services could be provided in a transition period to provide the services while the Keewatin Health Board continued on in their plans in trying to provide those services in the region, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise me as to what is the timeframe that he has allocated to have in place a permanent CEO and chairperson. I know he indicated that the deputy chair is taking over until April. Has he allocated a timeframe as to when he expects full-time permanent replacement for those two critical positions? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in respect to the chairperson first of all, I said that the deputy chair, that is the acting chair now, would be up until at the latest April 15th, and I am in the process of preparing the call letters. I mean, for all intentional purposes it is out now because publicly I have stated that. That it is the process. I will formalize it with letters to the hamlet councils, the trustees and the interested organizations. My intent would be to have that done within a relatively short time period, say four to six weeks maximum, to have a transition period between the new chair and the current interim chair and to have that individual up to speed as soon as possible, the sooner the better obviously. In respect to the CEO position, I mean obviously it would be up to the chairperson and the trustees on the process for the recruitment of that individual. Our staff will provide assistance in that we want to get things up and running as far as the intent and putting out the notices for recruitment so we can have hopefully, some suitable candidates identified for potential interview within the next four to eight weeks. Mr. Speaker, thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister indicate whether or not negotiations with the Northern Medical Unit are taking place as we speak? If not, when will they be taking place and concluded?

Thank you. Two questions. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not know if negotiations or discussions have taken place as of today. I know it is an intent to do that in a fairly short timeframe. The acting CEO has just got on the ground into Rankin Inlet this past Monday. I have not received the report yet through the department on exactly what actions have taken place. I know first of all, there had to be a human resource review of the staffing situation as that was of a highly critical nature to see what was there and what was required. Subsequent to that, of course, a review of some of the programs and some of the plans that are contemplated and that are in place to see what the needs were before taking further action, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

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

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of any high profile or major problems in the Mackenzie Delta. If the honourable Member has some specifics, I will certainly be willing to speak to the chair of the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Service Board who

happened to be in town yesterday and quite frankly, I believe things overall, in the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board area is running quite well. Like I said, if there are issues out there that I am not aware of, I am certainly prepared to sit down with the Member and discuss them and try to deal with those issues, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe when the honourable Member brought forward issues that I have tried to address them. I know that sometimes the results have not been to his satisfaction in respect to some of the funding initiatives that we cannot fund all programs or quite frankly that the board itself feels that it is doing the right job in putting the dollars where they feel are the most effective. I cannot recall any public inquiry demands from the Mackenzie Delta that the honourable Member speaks of, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Final supplementary.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess it would take having the necessary reasons for me to call one. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Roland.