Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Manitok Thompson will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend the Ministers responsible for Consumer Affairs meeting in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Health and Social Services Child and Family Services Act and the Adoption Act were proclaimed on October 30 and November 1, 1998, respectively. The new Child and Family Services Act promotes a focus on prevention rather than intervention. It provides the opportunity for families to voluntarily receive help before a child protection concern arises. It takes into consideration aboriginal cultures and ensures that the best interests of the child always come first.

Mr. Speaker, the Child and Family Services Act provides an alternative to the court process through the use of what the legislation calls "Plan of Care Committees". These committees can be created for each family in need and can include family and community members. The new act encourages people and communities to become more responsible for their children and introduces the opportunity for communities to establish a child and family services committee. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services has devoted significant resources in preparing for the proclamation of the new act. Over 100 supervisors and child welfare workers have received statutory training. In addition to the statutory training, other training sessions, workshops and presentation packages have been developed to provide information and resources to various other groups that do not require statutory training, but need some background on the new act.

Mr. Speaker, there has been wide distribution of information about the Child and Family Services Act to regional health boards, directors of social programs, RCMP, aboriginal organizations, hamlets, band offices and libraries. A child and family services standards and procedures manual based on the new act has been distributed to child protection workers.

Mr. Speaker, the Adoption Act also promotes consideration of the best interests of the child and the child's cultural heritage when making decisions. The Adoption Act introduces a shift towards open adoptions. When a child reaches the age of majority (19 years), the child, the birth parents and other significant people in the child's life can request full access to the adoption records. This act legislates the establishment of an adoption registry which will collect personal information about the adopted child when possible. Adopted children will be able to access information about their family history, including medical, social, cultural and other information. Measures have been taken to ensure that information in the adoption registry will be secure.

The first training session for adoption workers will take place in Yellowknife, November 17-18, 1998. I am confident that the Child and Family Services Act and the Adoption Act will have a positive impact on the health and safety of children in the Northwest Territories. I would like to thank my colleagues in this House for their support and input in the development of this important legislation. I would also like to express my appreciation to the front line social workers and board staff who will be responsible for implementing the new act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform Members that the Northwest Territories once again has an active association of social workers. In January of this year, a group of social workers, with support from the Department of Health and Social Services, met and developed an action plan to reactivate their association. The association is now in operation with a membership of 90 northern professionals including social workers from the Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, the association held its first meeting in Inuvik from September 22 to 24. The national president of the Canadian Association of Social Workers, Mr. John Mould, was able to attend these meetings to share his knowledge and experience with northern members. Board elections were held during the Inuvik meetings, and Ms. Nuelle Novik was elected president.

The association will be a strong voice and an advocate for social services professionals. It will embark on an educational campaign to inform the public and their colleagues about social work and the role social workers play in our communities. The association has identified three major initiatives that will be explored over the next year. These initiatives involve:

- Creating a joint territorial association, including the NWT, Yukon and Nunavut;

- Establishing membership in the Canadian Association of Social Workers; and

- Investigating the processes required to establish regulation and licensing of social workers in the north.

--Applause

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

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon.

Mr. Speaker, I was to take a moment of the Legislative Assembly's time to give praise to some very important people in the northern communities. The individuals I am talking about are teachers. Teachers fill many roles. They are guidance counsellors, coaches, surrogate parents and friends to the students. This is in addition to the role they play in teaching our children. Our northern teachers continue to do their magic despite having to face cutbacks in funding to education. They have lost their vacation travel assistance and their private accommodation allowance. In some communities, reasonable housing is unavailable. In the schools, teachers have had to deal with larger classes, occasional violence and in some instances, parental harassment. Mr. Speaker, most of the teachers I know work long and hard. I wish to thank the teachers of the north for their work and dedication. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Members' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday on November 11th, I joined many Canadians and others around the world in remembrance and appreciation of the millions of individuals that fell in the many wars of human history. Inuit understand, although very disapproving of wars, the importance of defending democracy. That, despite day-to-day struggles, Canada is a much better place to live than other countries, partly because freedom and democracy have been successfully defended in the past. The solemn events of Remembrance Day inevitably bring to mind others that have passed on - relatives, friends and acquaintances.

During this time of reflection, I thought of a particular group of people who much deserve to be remembered as well. In the world of the Inuit people, my people, are providers. The brave and dedicated hunters are greatly valued on a daily basis throughout the year. Hundreds of hunters venture out on the land or out to sea to provide food for their families and communities. This is not done as a past-time, hobby or enjoyment, but is necessary for survival. Even today, food from the land is far more important and used than store-bought or manufactured foods.

Mr. Speaker, even with the most experienced hunter, this is a dangerous occupation, one that has and continues to take lives. In the past four years alone, more than a dozen hunters that I personally know have perished while out on the land and sea while carrying out their duties. Fortunately, far more possible tragedies are averted than those that actually occur and for this we are thankful. However, history has shown that as we head into another long winter, we will likely have our share of lost and missing hunters, accidents, and quite possibly some will turn out tragically. (Translation ends) I would like unanimous consent to conclude. Thank you.

The Member for Baffin South is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? Mr. Arlooktoo, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was going to say finally that with this remembrance, I hope I have not taken away from the seriousness and importance of Remembrance Day, but added to it by also remembering those among us who risk their lives on a daily basis, while in service for their community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to inform this House of the project the community of Wha Ti has been working on for the last two years. Over the past two years, the community has contributed approximately $142,000 with the Department of Transportation also contributing to the construction of the 30 kilometre road that goes from Wha Ti to Lac La Martre Falls. This road will provide a number of opportunities to the community and its residents. To date all the work has been done by the residents, which has created badly needed employment in a very high unemployed area.

This road will allow residents easier access to firewood for their homes where currently, it is very difficult to get at.

There are also a number of areas along this road that have been identified for picnic areas which will develop in due course. There will also be access to Lac La Martre Falls, an area with great tourism potential, a historical and traditional site that has been used for generations as a transportation route to Rae-Edzo. Other developments will also take place along this road, one example would be a developed boat-launching area at the Falls. By developing this road, it will continue to be used and developed into a more permanent area for all other surrounding residents to use and enjoy. I fully support this initiative and it is good to see communities taking forefront on their own developments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

The Member for Mackenzie Delta seeks unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do I have any nays? Mr. Krutko, you have unanimous consent.