Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform this Assembly that the Northern Employment Strategy has made a significant contribution to the creation of jobs for northerners and to the development of the Northwest Territories economy.

This two-year program was established in 1997/98. It was designed to support northern businesses and communities in employing summer students, youth, social assistance recipients and unemployed northerners. The NES also assists communities and regions to lead their own economic development initiatives and provides support to the private sector, which is the primary vehicle for economic development.

The $8.5 million provided to Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development in 1998/99 was used to increase the budgets of four existing programs to $15.3 million. These programs are the Business Development Fund (BDF), the Grants to Small Business Program, the Community Initiatives Program and the Community Futures Program. For the first quarter of 1998-1999, program funding, along with client equity and other sources of financing, totalled $9 million.

Of the four programs just mentioned, the BDF is the principle source of job creation. As a result of the NES enhancement, BDF contributions during the first quarter of 1998/1999 totalled $1,364,000, resulting in 57 full-time and 157 part-time jobs. During the same quarter, $397,000 from the Grants to Small Business Program created 18 full-time and 85 part-time jobs in our NWT communities.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take a few moments to acknowledge two key groups:

-First and foremost, all individuals in the private sector that have partnered with us to create jobs for northerners.

-Secondly, all employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories who have provided assistance and support with the NES and job creation in the north.

Mahsi Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know why there is there such disparity between the mining industry and the oil and gas industry in the Northwest Territories? Mr. Speaker, the oil and gas industry for the region I represent was a lucrative business for some thirty years until the downturn of the oil and gas industry. In the three years that we have been here, a lot of attention and resources have been spent in one particular sector. The diamond sector, and the amount of resources that have been spent in that sector in regards to developing programs and services, building infrastructure and trying to offset the costs for the gold mines around Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know why it is that there is such a disparity between the mining sector and the oil and gas sector when it comes to distributing resources and developing infrastructure in these industries?

Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of regions in the Northwest Territories, besides the North Slave, that have potential. We have to strive for all the areas of the Northwest Territories to develop that potential. Especially when we are importing oil and gas from southern Canada to heat our homes. It is not a way to develop our economy.

Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of potential happening in the Northwest Territories, but we also have to show the oil and gas industry that we do support it and that we will put resources, people and infrastructure into that industry. In the region I represent, there is talk about the gas pipeline from Parsons Lake to Inuvik to run the generating facility there. There is also talk in the Deh Cho region of oil and gas development around Fort Liard. There is the Norman Wells pipeline, there is a lot of land that has been opened up for development, yet this government does not seem to show its support for that industry. It is time that this government ensured that it was equitable in the way it distributed wealth in all industries. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by sending greetings to my wife and children.

--Applause

Following up on my statement from yesterday, as a side event to the Beaufort Delta Leaders Conference I enlisted the help of the Inuvik Minor Hockey Association, as well as the Inuvik Old-timers League, to host a charity hockey game with proceeds going to Inuvik Minor Hockey. Mr. Speaker, this was the second time this has been done. This year the MLA Sharks were supported by players Merrick Arey and Ben Wright from the Minor Hockey League, as well as Darryl English, Peter Clarkson, Robert Lamb and our mystery goal tender.

The Members of this Assembly that donned the blades this year included Minister Kelvin Ng, who was in the face of our opponents. Well, at least in the shoulder pads. Needless to say, he broke up many of the plays of the Inuvik Old-timers. This year, Mr. Speaker, a new addition to the MLA team was Minister Charles Dent. It has been said that it has been thirty years since he last wore hockey equipment, so he had to be re-educated on what piece of equipment went where. Once on the ice it did not take him long to want to come off the ice. I must say that he did a remarkable job for someone who had not played the game in thirty years. He even had the opportunity to put the puck in the net on a couple of occasions, he just could not get the puck to stay on his stick long enough to get a shot off.

For the second time, Mr. Miltenberger strapped the blades on. I must say that he once again proved himself a valuable asset to the Sharks. This year he played the role of a stay-at-home defence. I think he did this just so he would not have to skate too much. I must say that he did a good job as a defensive defence man and I might add that he even scored a goal for us. It was not quite the sizzling shot we would expect from as brawny a defence man as himself, but it did have enough momentum to roll over the goal line.

Once again this year, I strapped on the blades for the MLA Sharks. This year, Mr. Speaker, I was determined to remove any of the doubt that I was not playing up to standard. I am sure both Mr. Ng and Mr. Miltenberger were questioning my commitment.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues. I am sure both Mr. Ng and Mr. Miltenberger were questioning my commitment to the MLA Sharks when I coughed up the puck in the first minute of the game and the Inuvik Old-timers scored as a result. However, I did recover to score a couple

of goals later in the game.

I must say that if it was not for our goaltender we would surely have lost. As the game went on some were questioning out loud, who is this guy, as save after save kept us in the game. I think I overheard someone ask, is that the dominator? Well, as the final buzzer sounded he removed his mask to reveal that it was none other than Pete Smith, long time resident of Inuvik, who on short notice came out of retirement to once again don the pads.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the Inuvik Old-timers, especially Louis Bryant and Denis Savoie, for making this an enjoyable event and the Inuvik Minor Hockey Association for organizing and for supplying the much needed youthful energy that helped us to victory. I would also like to thank the town recreation staff and the Town of Inuvik's mayor and council. As well, I would like to thank Northern Stores, Eskimo Inn and Originals on Mackenzie for supplying the prizes for the draws that took place. This year, Mr. Speaker, I am told that the charity game raised $280 for minor hockey in Inuvik. Once again, I would like to thank the organizers and the players for making this an enjoyable event.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when we first gathered as the 13th Assembly we spent the first few days together and out of that gathering came the document, Agenda for Change, which was the basic framework and foundation that we moved forward with as an Assembly. With division upon us, and both east and west caucuses going their separate ways in the very near future, we will be setting our own path.

Mr. Speaker, the Western Caucus will be putting out a document called, 1999 and Beyond, which will, in fact, reflect and look back on the Agenda for Change, what we were able to accomplish, what we were not, issues still to be dealt with and basically, what direction we are going to recommend that the ship of state be left pointing in. That document has been many months in the works. There has been a lot of input from all the western MLAs and we hope that the people of new Western Territory will take it as a clear sign that planning for division and the new Western Territory is at hand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is good to be making a statement again today. My colleagues have just shared that they were missing me. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak on the importance of religious education. When the new Education Act was introduced in 1995, the section on spirituality and religion was one of the most controversial sections under the former act, there was a provision for religious instruction as part of the school program. This provision was removed in response to concerns that it violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

There was an overwhelming response from communities all across the north. They felt the new act would take away the opportunity to provide doctrine-based religious instruction through the schools. The legality of the issue prevailed and references to religion were removed and references to instruction in spiritual values and beliefs was put in place.

Concerned residents across the north addressed the Standing Committee on Legislation during the public hearings on the development of the new Education Act. The presentation by Reverend Robertson, the representative of the Anglican/Roman Catholic Christian Assemblies, Community Baptist and Lutheran churches in Inuvik, May 8, 1995, discussed the importance of religious education. The concern of the church members was not so much with what is included in the new act, but what has been left out. I quote:

"From the beginning, the Government of the NWT has always been concerned with the developing of the whole person; the mind, the body and the soul. This is evident in three ways: the rising academic standards; the inclusion of cultural programs; and the written provision for religious instruction in all schools, not just denominational schools. It is our concern that the written provision for religious instruction is not provided for in the new act and could lead to elimination of religious instruction in public schools."

Mr. Speaker, my constituency in Hay River is particularly concerned about the elimination of religious instruction in the public schools, specifically the Princess Alexandra and Harry Camsell schools. There is unwavering support from the Town of Hay River, the Hay River District Education Authority, the Hay River Ministerial Association and the parents of Hay River for the continuance of spiritual classes.

Mr. Speaker, I am only talking about one-half hour to forty-five minutes a week of spiritual education. No child would be required to attend or would have their beliefs offended in any way. The instruction will be in either the Catholic or Protestant faith, depending on what the parents want.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The spiritual education program in Hay River has been a very successful program and is well accepted and desired by the

majority of the parents of the children in these two schools.

The old act was clear that religious education was allowed, but that no student would be forced to learn a religion contrary to his or her own beliefs. This intent remains clear in the new act, unfortunately the specific direction is lost and the decision for each community is left up to the Minister instead.

Mr. Speaker, the Hay River community is extremely concerned. The community needs to know, if indeed the spiritual education classes will be reinstated and if not, what recourse the community has. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last night we had the opportunity to debate and make decisions on the Boundaries Commission and I thought it worthwhile today to just review what transpired for those who did not have the opportunity to be here in the House last night. Like most

people, they watch it on television. I think it is important for me to just go through the process.

First, Members had the opportunity to make general statements. In following that, I introduced a motion to add two Members to this House for Yellowknife, as recommended in the Boundaries Commission Report. That motion was narrowly defeated, Mr. Speaker. Following that, Mr. Dent introduced a motion to add one Member to this House for Yellowknife and it was a compromise we felt could be accepted by Members. However, that motion was also narrowly defeated. To me it was a dark moment for the democracy of this House, Mr. Speaker. The logic and justification was there to proceed with the recommendations of the Boundaries Commission, I think that will prove to be true down the road.

For one Member it was a case of knocking Yellowknife. Knocking Yellowknife seems to be a sport. I think it has to stop. We do not knock other areas, we do not knock other constituencies. We have to stop that. We cannot relate a $1 million grant to Giant Mine as a contribution to Yellowknife. That is not a contribution to Yellowknife, it is to save our economy because it contributes $19 million to our economy if it continues, whereas we lose that through taxation and so forth if we do not have that particular mining operation.

Upon defeat of that motion, Mr. Miltenberger introduced a motion to change the boundaries in the City of Yellowknife. Again, a very unwarranted move in my opinion. I was disappointed by this jury rigging approach. I said what I meant yesterday and I meant what I said. I am saying again today, a group of Yellowknife citizens are going to launch a court action and they will be proceeding with this to challenge what happened yesterday, Mr. Speaker. There will be a meeting for Yellowknife citizens who are interested next Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m., the location is yet to be announced. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the Boundaries Commission as well.

Mr. Speaker, we had the opportunity yesterday to amend the existing electoral boundaries. We did not do it. Mr. Speaker, we were advised, I believe very adequately, that the existing boundaries are not consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I think many times I have heard in this House how we like to do things as northerners. We do not need anybody telling us what to do any more. I am a little disappointed that now we are going to be told, not advised, by the Supreme Court to amend the boundaries. This, I feel, is almost a reflection of the fact that we have been under colonial rule so long that we cannot do anything here without having to be told to do it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Pat Thomas with NWTTA. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize your earlier recognition of former Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, John Parker. He is a former Mayor of Yellowknife, a geologist, a person who is very well respected around the north. I do not know who is there with him, I cannot see from this side. I believe it is his wife, Helen. She also has had a very distinguished service in the north and I would like to thank them both for being here. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is concerning the elimination of religious classes in both Princess Alexandra and the Harry Camsell schools in Hay River. During the review of committee report 11-12(7) and report on the review of Bill 25, Education Act, in June 1995, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment stated as an Ordinary Member referring to the Yellowknife Catholic School. Just for the record, I want to say that I strongly support their right to offer Catholic based education.

Given the Minister's previous support for the right to offer spiritual education, will he consider allowing Hay River to reinstate a spiritual education program in the Princess Alexandra and Harry Camsell schools? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Education Act sets out a clear method whereby spiritual education may be offered in the schools. That is why there is establishment in a community of a public denominational school district or the district education authority. Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes, but it would have to follow the rules that are set out in the Education Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, under section 77 of the Education Act, subparagraph two reads, a district education authority may, in accordance with the directions of the Minister, provide for instruction and discussion in spiritual values or beliefs in a manner that is respectful of the spiritual values or beliefs of all the students. It is clear that the intent of the new Education Act that no student would be forced to learn a religion contrary to his or her own beliefs. However, can the Minister clarify who would be defined as all the students? Does this mean all the students in that particular class? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I understand it, Mr. Speaker, an interpretation of that section would mean that the definition might actually go beyond the members of that classroom, and would mean that any course included in the hours of instruction, but it would have to be respectful of all students. That means not just in that classroom but all the students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Hay River District Education Authority passed a motion in support for the position of the Hay River Ministerial Association to continue spiritual instruction. Will the Minister consider this request and reinstate optional spiritual instruction in our elementary schools as soon as possible?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am bound to uphold the laws of this jurisdiction. I can only approve courses of instruction that fit within the definition of the Education Act. I do not have the authority to bend the rules. I think it is worth pointing out, Mr. Speaker, it is my opinion that religious instruction can be provided in the school, however, it cannot be considered as part of the course of instruction.

Our Education Act sets a minimum number of hours that students must attend school and for those hours there are certain requirements for programs that meet the course of instruction. There are ways in which religious matters can be discussed during those courses of instruction, but not how it has been done in the past in Hay River. That does not stop them from using school facilities outside the hours of instruction to provide the courses they have been, if that is the wish of the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is an area of much concern in Hay River and I understand that the Minister of Education will be in Hay River on Monday to discuss other issues. I would like to ask him if he would commit today to meet with the members of the ministerial association and with parents of students who are concerned about this issue. Could he set apart some time while he is in Hay River on Monday to meet face to face with these individuals and discuss this matter? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My office has already agreed to a meeting with Reverend Wallington. I believe that has, in fact, already been set up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi, in regard to my Member's statement about the disparity between the oil and gas industry, the mining industry, especially in relation to diamonds. A lot of potential we have in the north, especially the region where I come from in regard to the Parsons Lake pipeline project which hopefully will have a go this winter. Also, there is talk about the oil companies from Calgary, such as Shell Oil, have shown an interest in the Beaufort Sea again, and also the activity happening in the Mackenzie Valley, especially in the area of Sahtu and also the Deh Cho.

Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is what is his department doing to ensure that the oil and gas industry receives a similar treatment as they are in regard to the diamond industries when it comes to meeting with the oil and gas companies, and, also, developing infrastructure and joint venture and also trying to entice oil and gas industries back into the north? What his department doing to ensure that there is a fair distribution amongst industries? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the area of diamonds I think our government, from the onset, had felt it had not only territorial obligation, but a national obligation, as well, to make the federal government aware of the enormous potential that it had bypassed by giving a licence prematurely to BHP. We have done a lot of work to make sure that some of the jobs, some of the economic opportunities that seem to have almost bypassed us were in fact realized. We take that approach, as well, in the oil and gas business.

We have been working for the past couple of years with the federal government, for instance, to reduce the tariff from the Norman Wells pipeline, so that all companies will find it more economical to explore for oil and gas further up the Mackenzie Valley because it becomes economical for them to transport their product down that line. We have been working with the Sahtu communities and communities in the Deh Cho because the federal government has issued licences and oil companies have bid on those licences to make sure that they come to agreements: access agreements, benefit agreements. Those have been signed in Fort Liard, Fort Good Hope, Tulita and Norman Wells. We have been working very hard with those communities. The focus has not been just on diamonds, we have a division that is created in the department strictly to deal with oil and gas.

We have worked with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation recently in their bid to try to find the strongest economic means of initiating work in the Darnley Bay area. I was in Europe, I cut the trip short by a day to return in order to get organized and do a Senate presentation in support of the Inuvialuit initiative. As a government we are taking a very balanced approach to making sure that everything is done to get into the diamond business, and to approach in a balanced way that benefits everybody, that all the economic opportunities are seized at the onset and that development proceeds as it should.

We are also taking the view that we have to go periodically to Calgary. I have done that on a number of occasions over the past year and a half. I have gone to Fort Liard once in the spring on the request of the community to help them seize opportunities. They have been seizing opportunities. The MLA asked yesterday if I would return to Fort Liard. We have agreed to a community visit next Friday. Where communities request it and at every possible occasion, we are working as a government to do everything we can to make sure oil and gas companies return to the north, and to find an environment that is receptive and conducive for them to operate and explore economically. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will try to keep this question as simple as I can. Can the Minister give me an idea how much money this government has spent on studies and funds that have been allocated to the different sectors between the oil and gas sector and the mining sector?

Mr. Speaker, we had full intention of doing that. Over a year and a half ago we presented to the Legislature an economic framework. That framework was intended to show, as transparently as possible, what type of resources this government provides for the different sectors of the economy how much money we put into hunting and trapping, into tourism, into the lumber industry, into oil and gas, into diamonds and mining. I would be prepared to present such a document to the Members. It would take some work but that was the intent, so I will ask the department to provide it to the Members. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to address my questions to the Minister of Finance. It is in regard to his two part Minister's statement of collective bargaining mediation. Mr. Speaker, this issue is of significant concern to many people in my constituency, and I am sure across the Northwest Territories, to the extent that, as you will recall, I tabled a petition in this House recently. Could the Minister elaborate on the issue of a gender-neutral evaluation system being the only issue left that is holding up the collective bargaining process?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this issue, it would appear to me anyway, and I would like the Minister to clarify, is not as straightforward as it would seem. The pay equity is off the table, but that whole issue of pay equity is that there is no gender-neutral job evaluation system. If in fact there is an agreement in the collective agreement and they accept the Hay Plan Job Evaluation System as being gender-neutral, will that not have a direct effect on the pay equity issue?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we talked about this issue a number of weeks ago, there was a certain amount of optimism that there would be money in the hands of the employees by Christmas. Looking at these dates chosen of December 12th and 13th when mediation will continue, can the Minister elaborate if there any hope, no matter how faint, that in fact there may be some money in the hands of employees by Christmas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister also indicated that the government will not oppose terms and conditions. My question to the Minister is, if in fact this carries on past division on April 1, 1999, will the two new Legislatures, in fact, be able to legally address the issue of retroactivity going back to April, 1998, under what would have been a separate government?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question would be directed to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, following the Member for Hay River on the issue of religious education in schools, this issue has been brought up a number of times in my constituency as well, and recently at the Beaufort Delta Leaders Conference it was brought up again in the area of having religious education in the classroom.

Now we have heard the Minister say that outside of normal hours they can do that, but I want to refer back to when the committee went around regarding the education bill amendments. When this issue was brought up, a number of clergies came forward to me saying that they were told that they would still be provided the opportunity to continue under local programming which is spelled out in the Education Act. Now in fact it is being said that, fine you can do it, but after hours. Could the Minister confirm the fact that local programming is all outside of school hours or is it part of the school hour programs or functions? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I have said previously to the Member for Hay River, religious education of a denominational nature must be provided outside of the hours of instruction within the school. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Could the Minister inform us that at the time the public hearings were held, were there commitments made

to those that were concerned raising the issue of religious instruction in school, if they were at that time told that they would still be able to continue if the DEA, or at the time it would be a board of education, agreed to it? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister inform us, if the district education council or district education authority of any region or community put forward and agreed with the notion of religious instructions once again being held in classrooms during the school hour and if time was available, would he support that initiative? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have stated, the Education Act is quite fair. As I understand, it was drawn up the way it was because of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Religious instruction can be offered in the schools, if that is the wish of the local community, but must be outside the hours of instruction. The hours of instruction are stipulated within section 126 of the Education Act. National instruction in a religion or religious instruction must be provided outside of those hours of instruction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under the issue of the Education Act and district education authorities and local programming, the Minister informed that under the act as he interpreted it, it could not be done, but if a district education or authority were to receive a different interpretation would the Minister then review his decision? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In this case I would rely on the Department of Justice to provide the department with an interpretation as the final arbiter in this regard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.