Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Good morning. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to report the progress achieved to date on the Review of Seniors' Programs and Services in the Northwest Territories.

The government began a review last spring, in partnership with the NWT Seniors' Advisory Council, to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of existing programs. The Seniors' Advisory Council was contracted by the Departments of Health and Social Services; Housing Corporation and Education, Culture and Employment to carry out the review. The Council has submitted a report to the government providing recommendations on program delivery to better meet the needs of our northern seniors.

Mr. Speaker, the social envelope committee, in reviewing the report, has identified three key recommendations to be acted upon.

First, Mr. Speaker, the report recommends that seniors be made more aware of government programs and services. In response, we have developed a brochure titled Programs and Services for Seniors which has been distributed to seniors across the territories in both English and Inuktitut. A second document is also being prepared to supplement this brochure, and this guide will provide some detail on eligibility criteria for programs. This guide will also be distributed in both English and Inuktitut.

A second recommendation is to standardize the age of eligibility for seniors accessing programs. The social envelope committee is currently reviewing the implications and feasibility of standardizing the eligibility to those 60 years of age or older.

The third recommendation suggests developing a simplified and coordinated process of accessing programs and services for all seniors. The social envelope committee is reviewing the process to develop a common assessment form to simplify the process of applying for benefits.

My colleagues, Honourable Charles Dent and Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, and I will continue consulting with the seniors' advisory committee to further discuss the recommendations and to seek advice on the proposed action plans. Thank you, Mr. Speaker

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I tabled three documents concerning housing problems for our staff in the Baffin region and one document from the FAS/FAE volunteer group in Iqaluit. Over this past week when raising concerns, it would seem the fall back position of the government is to say show us the proof that your concerns are legitimate. Mr. Speaker, for example, one of the documents tabled had been sent to all MLAs and Cabinet concerning problems with staff housing and yet the government said they were not aware of the concern. Mr. Speaker, I will later today, again, raise these questions and address the tabled documents for some clarity and now awareness of the issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make an observation. My Member's statement today is about how we work together in a consensus style government to make things better for the people in our constituencies. Our Legislative Assembly is unique in Canada and, indeed, the world. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, just because we have a consensus government does not mean that we always agree. There is room for debates and arguments in this House, but that is not my concern. My concern is how we are handling conflicts and how the media is reacting to them. We all know some leaders are taking advantage of these conflicts and using them to gain recognition through the newspaper, radio and television. Mr. Speaker, is it more important to get your face in the paper and on television than to prove your leadership professionally? This problem will only become worse as we draw near to the next election.

Recently we have been hearing a lot about the Keewatin. The Keewatin has been portrayed as a region in chaos and has even been referred to as having third world conditions.

Shame, shame.

I am very concerned that some of the statements that have been made in this House and in the media have been unfair to the residents of the Keewatin. Mr. Speaker, this humiliating label is unfair and insulting to the Keewatin residents and especially each and every one of the health board members of the communities. They deserve an apology. Our region has always been well

known for being pro-active and productive. I will challenge any one of the Members who have criticized the efforts of these community members to go and see them and repeat what they have been saying face to face. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Aivilik is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Do we have any nays?

Nay.

You do not have unanimous consent. Members' statements. Order, please. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to reply to an oral question which was asked by Mrs. Groenewegen on January 29th to the Premier, but it has to do with my portfolio and so I have the information on the Lahm Ridge Tower lease agreement.

Mr. Speaker, when an agreement was reached on the extension provisions on the Lahm Ridge lease, the Department of Public Works and Services was aware that the owner was attempting to negotiate a sale to 974102 NWT Limited. The department was aware of the names of the owners of the new company.

With regard to the assignment of the lease, it is important to emphasize that the assignment is an instrument which permits the sellers of the building to transfer the existing lease to the buyer. The role of the GNWT at that point is to approve the assignment if the buyer complies with the terms and conditions of the assigned lease. In the case of the Lahm Ridge Tower, the department assessed the assignment, determined that the document did not violate the existing provisions of the lease and, therefore, agreed to it. Although the assignment was agreed to by the department prior to the date of the sale, it took effect on the date the new owner took possession of the building. In this case the effective date was November 1, 1997. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to introduce some young constituents from my home community of Arviat. They are from the Pathfinders and they are Michelle Illnik, Heather Main, Leah Muckpah, Sharon Owlijoot, Fiona Main, Bernice Niakrok, Karen Panegoniak and Nancy Gibbons. Also their leaders are present, Martha Main and Belinda Carter. Thank you.

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Roland.

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.