Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Don Morin will be absent from the House as required for the duration of this sitting to attend Conflict of Interest Inquiry.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to advise Members that the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi will be absent from the House for the remainder of this week to attend a meeting of the National Round Table on the Environment and Economy, on behalf of the Premier, in Ottawa. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Ministers statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Members are aware, the Formula Financing Agreement for the Northwest Territories was signed on October 23, 1998 in a colourful ceremony in the Great Hall of this Legislative Assembly. The agreement covers the period April 1, 1999 to March 31, 2004. On the same day, the Nunavut Formula Financing Agreement was signed in a similar ceremony in Iqaluit.

As Members know, the Honourable Paul Martin, federal Minister of Finance was on hand in both Iqaluit and Yellowknife to sign the Agreements on behalf of the federal government. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Martin for his support in concluding these agreements. Mr. Martin has shown a great willingness to listen to northern concerns and for this, Mr. Speaker, our government is very grateful.

Mr. Speaker, the signing of this agreement marks an important milestone in the evolution of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, the new arrangements will provide the Northwest Territories and Nunavut with the means to operate their governments in a climate of fiscal stability for the next five years.

Mr. Speaker, the signing of these agreements represent the conclusion of a great deal of effort and cooperation on behalf of all the parties involved: the GNWT, Finance Canada, DIAND, the Western Coalition, the Nunavut Interim Commissioner's Office, Nunavut Tunngavik. I would like to

thank all of the parties involved for all the hard work put forward into this process. Mr. Speaker, later today at the appropriate time, I will be tabling the NWT Formula Financing Agreement in this House. Thank you.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, no child should go hungry or be without proper clothes or other needs simply because he or she is caught in the middle of a family break-up. Every child deserves to receive proper parental support, including financial support. As the saying goes, Mr. Speaker, "it should not hurt to be a child." I rise today to speak on the topic of child support, and the enforcement of agreements and court ordered maintenance payments.

Once a parent has a court order or a written agreement requiring a payment of either child or spousal support, they can ask Maintenance Enforcement to collect and monitor the payments by completing a registration package and sending it to the Maintenance Enforcement Office. Last year, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice collected over $2.7 million dollars for people registered with the program.

While many people voluntarily make their payments through Maintenance Enforcement, some go to great lengths to avoid making payments. This saddens me because the only ones who suffer are the children when this happens.

If a person is not making voluntary payments, the Maintenance Enforcement Administrator has the discretion to take whatever steps she feels are reasonable to enforce the order. This includes seizing wages, assets, Employment Insurance payments and income tax refunds. In extreme cases, the administrator can go to court and ask that the individual be imprisoned for up to 90 days.

The workload in the Maintenance Enforcement Office continues to grow. We are in the process of installing systems that will make the office more efficient and easier to use. The Department of Justice is also using federal funds to increase awareness of maintenance obligations and enforcement across the territories. Part of this awareness campaign will be aimed at young people. It will inform them not only of their rights, but also of their obligations to support their children.

I will provide my colleagues with some promotional material that has been produced for general distribution, and some registration packages for the Maintenance Enforcement Program. Please feel free to distribute these to your constituents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent

Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Mr. Speaker, last spring, I advised this House that there was a real need for change in the area of community fire protection. Unfortunately, this has been confirmed once again by major losses of the school in Cambridge Bay and the swimming pool building in Fort Good Hope.

Mr. Speaker, our fire loss statistics continue to be three times the national average. These high rates jeopardize the availability of reasonable insurance coverage, not to mention the risk to human life.

In only two years, eight major fires have led to losses in excess of $23 million dollars. Since May of this year, three more fires have resulted in a further loss of approximately $10 million dollars in damages.

Mr. Speaker, it is more critical than ever that significant changes to the current fire protection system be introduced. In its 1999/2000 Business Plan, the Department of Municipal and the Community Affairs is planning a number of strategic changes to improve conditions. We are well aware that communities play a critical role. Community fire departments must have the resources to effectively respond to fires.

Mr. Speaker, to respond to this need, MACA is reviewing its municipal funding criteria to make sure communities can properly finance their fire departments. MACA is also reviewing its fire equipment standards. MACA's officials are working with the NWT Fire Chiefs Association to develop fire fighter training programs for community volunteers and professional fire fighters.

A workshop for Regional Assistant Fire Marshals and Community Fire Chiefs was held in Yellowknife on September 11-17, 1998. I am pleased to report that approximately 50 people from communities across the territories were able to participate in this training. Community fire protection has been strengthened through their participation. Mr. Speaker, since most fires can be prevented, we will continue to work with the Fire Chiefs' Association to develop public education strategies to reduce the number of fires.

I am pleased to report that in addition to our "Learn Not to Burn" Program, the Juvenile Fire Setters Intervention Program has also launched to work with youth who may start fires.

Mr. Speaker, effective programs to deal with troubled youth must be more than just a priority of this government. It must also be a priority for communities, parents and families.

When lives and property are at risk, it is everyone's responsibility to help find solutions. MACA will continue to work with community governments, the Department of Health and Social Services, the RCMP and the NWT Fire Chiefs Association to address this growing concern. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the many important issues facing northerners is the lack of knowledge about the justice system. This is an issue across Canada, and especially here, where many people do not have immediate access to the courts or a lawyer. This is particularly worrying when it affects the well being of children who are denied adequate support from one of their parents. Therefore, I am very pleased to announce that the Department of Justice is launching a new initiative aimed at making it easier for people to understand and access the legal system. This new initiative is being supported financially by the federal government.

Earlier this month, we opened a Family Law Information Office on the first floor of the Yellowknife Courthouse. This office will serve as the first point of contact for people coming into the courthouse looking for help; whether they are witnesses in a trial, a potential juror, want to file documents in court or just find out information on the justice system. In addition to helping people who come into the building, the department will produce material to explain legal procedures. This material will focus on child support. It will include television and newspaper ads, videos, pamphlets and material aimed at youth and children. The information office will also distribute material and information on the new Children's Law Act which came into force on November 1, 1998.

I should make it clear that the Information Office will not be providing legal advice. Its staff will give people general information to help them understand the legal process and what their rights are and what processes are used to enforce them. There is a toll free line to request material or information. This number is 1-888-298-7880. I will provide some material on child support for each of the Members to review or pass on to their constituents. This is an example of the information the office will provide. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure and opportunity of attending the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum from October 13 to October 15, in Cambridge Bay. I thank the Kitikmeot Leader's Forum for allowing me to participate fully in this forum. Mr. Speaker, many issues and concerns were discussed adopted and passed. I should say, Mr. Speaker, that there were about 20 resolutions passed in that meeting. One resolution that stands out in my mind is in regard to health, human resources recruitment and the retention plan in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, here are some of the more serious issues facing the NWT that were brought up at Kitikmeot Leader's Forum. One, inadequate staffing levels in some communities include Pelly Bay. The second, highest staff turnover rates. Number three, compensation and benefits that are no longer competitive. Number four, lack of training and development opportunities for staff. Number five, health board often having to rely on inexperienced staff et cetera. Mr. Speaker, there are many more concerns that were brought up at the Kitikmeot Leader's Forum, but this what I mentioned are few and Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking

the Minister, will this government as a priority develop a training and retention plan designed for northerners in all health and social services professions. Thank you.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Welcome back Members of the Legislative Assembly. One of the few remaining respected elder from Grise Fiord passed away on October 29, 1998 from cancer. Mr. Tookilkee Elijah Kigutaq was born in Cape Dorset on January 15, 1930. When Mr. Kigutaq got older he moved to Arctic Bay and was married to Martha Late Kigutaq and started a family. In 1996, when Gamalie Akeeagok's family was moving to Grise Fiord, Mr. Akeeagok asked Mr. Kigutaq's family to come with them to support their family in Grise Fiord. Mr. Kigutaq resided in Grise Fiord since then. Mr. Kigutaq worked for the Hamlet of Grise Fiord until he retired in 1997 after 26 years of service. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kigutaq was also involved with various organizations such as (translation ends) chairperson for the Housing Association and other organizations.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kigutaq taught me about my family tree and supported me to do my job during my visits to my constituency in Grise Fiord. Mr. Speaker, I share my thoughts and prayers to Mr. Kigutaq's family and people of Grise Fiord at this critical time of their loss of their respected elder in the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Good afternoon Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends) Community of Broughton Island, is a coastal community protected by a break-water on one side. However, the existing break-water does not protect all the homes on Broughton Island. The beach near the unprotected homes is eroding at an ever-increasing rate. One day, these same homes may be washed into the ocean. In the fall, their windows and outside walls are facing the ocean and are covered in thick sheets of ice from the ocean spray. Mr. Speaker, that is how close the ocean is to these threatened homes. There should be another break-water added to protect that side of the community or the homes should be removed back to safer ground. A break-water would be an ideal solution. Sooner or later, we may have to move these homes again. Mr. Speaker, I propose that the government do an immediate evaluation of the area. The sooner the government deals with this issue, the better. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to speak with and visit many of our health care professionals in Iqaluit. I also had a family member stay over night at the Baffin Regional Hospital. First-hand, Mr. Speaker, I have seen the effects of the severe shortage of nurses is having on our medical facilities. This is not unique to Iqaluit or the Baffin. Indeed, at the end of September, as Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, when we met in Tuktoyaktuk, it was also a major issue there. In Iqaluit, the elective children's dental surgery had to be cancelled last week, and I understand that surgeries the Baffin hospital has that were set up to be performed will have to be carried out at a more expensive monetary and human cost in Ottawa because of the nursing shortage. Mr. Speaker, the chair of the Baffin Health Board stated that as a result of the nursing shortage, short-term actions had to be put in place which will result in reductions in current services offered.

Mr. Speaker, why is there a nursing shortage? Did we anticipate this coming? Could we have done something about this before it happened? The answer to all these questions, Mr. Speaker, is a resounding yes. The government saw this coming. We could have done something and yes, the problem is occurring in other jurisdictions. Simply put, Mr. Speaker, it is not cost-effective or conducive for a nurse to work in the Northwest Territories. There is no financial incentive to move north. Remember, Mr. Speaker, the last increase in pay for any of our public employees was during the 1992 round of negotiations. I remember that because I was a part of that team. At that time, the increase was roughly two percent per year. In 1995-1996, this government as part of the deficit reductions reduced all salaries by a little more than six percent and eliminated VTAs. Thus, a nurse or other medical professional, or for that matter civil servant, in realistic terms have suffered six years of reductions, roll backs and not keeping up with the CPI, the rate of inflation or rates of pay for other jurisdictions.

Simply put, Mr. Speaker, we are not competitive in the current marketplace. The current offer on the table for medical professionals, including nurses and CNAs, lab technicians, et cetera, does not address those inequities. Mr. Speaker, in the long-term, the key to keep, retain and attract medical and other professionals will be competitive salaries, housing and travel benefits. Mr. Speaker, we also have to develop and support and expand northern nursing programs. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

Thank you, the Member for Iqaluit is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Mr. Picco, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you colleagues. Mr. Speaker, we also have to develop, support and expand northern nursing programs and other professional training for northerners. The collapse of the Nunavut nursing

program was an embarrassment and the government's Department of Health and the new Nunavut government, should make it a priority to get that program up and running. Mr. Speaker, I make this statement because of personal knowledge of the health care situation in the Baffin, Iqaluit and the Northwest Territories. I do not make it lightly. I think that the work of our health care professionals, doctors, nurses, the CNAs, et cetera, is excellent. To try and say that the problem is a result of external pressures in marginalizing a serious issue that has taken several years of inactivity in salaries, benefits and decisions made by this government to get to where we are today. That is a fact. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.