Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Good afternoon. Before we proceed today, I wish to inform the House that I have received a letter dated December 7, 1998, which is in accordance with section 76.05 of the Nunavut Act, from the Interim Commissioner of Nunavut. I would like to read the following letter received.

Dear Speaker:

Re: Nunavut Power Utilities Statutes Amendment Act

The formal creation of Nunavut is now less than four months away. As we continue our preparation for this historic event, it is necessary to amend certain statutes duplicated for Nunavut to render those statutes appropriate for Nunavut. This bill reflects the determination of all parties to ensure uninterrupted service for the people of Nunavut in the critical area of electrical power generation and delivery.

As required by Section 76.05 of the Nunavut Act, it is with pleasure that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of the bill entitled Nunavut Power Utilities Statutes Amendment Act, during the Sixth Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly.

Yours sincerely, Jack Anawak, Interim Commissioner.

--Applause

Order of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling two reports of the Municipal Legislation Review Committee, "Empowerment Through Community Government Legislation - Nunavut and the Western NWT".

Over the past three years, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been working in partnership with the NWT Association of Municipalities on a review of municipal legislation. This review was undertaken to improve the legislation so that community governments can better serve their residents.

Since the review began, this Assembly has passed three bills which brought about much needed changes to the legislation. In addition to the amendments that were made last year, the Municipal Legislation Review Committee has recommended substantial rewrites of the Charter Communities Act; the Cities, Towns and Villages Act; the Hamlets Act; and the Settlements Act. The committee has recommended further amendments to the Local Authorities Elections Act and the Property Assessment and Taxation Act. A legislative proposal based on these recommendations was considered by Cabinet and the Standing Committee on Infrastructure earlier this year.

With only a few months remaining until the creation of two new territories, this Assembly would not have had enough time to give full and proper consideration to such important and complex legislation. As a result, the government decided not to proceed with the drafting of a bill.

However, to ensure that the recommendations and proposals of the review committee are available to be considered by the governments of the two new territories, the committee has produced a record of its work in the form of this report entitled, "Empowerment Through Community Government Legislation". This report includes detailed drafting instructions that will assist the governments of the two new territories to undertake further consultation, or to quickly prepare bills to implement the recommendations as they see fit.

Mr. Speaker, communities across the north have asked for more flexible legislation. Modern legislation should recognize that communities are unique, and should allow for differences in how they set their priorities and tackle issues of concern. New legislation is needed to make it easier for communities to make the best use of their human and financial resources. At the same time, there is a need to build in safeguards to ensure the territorial government can still identify and assist communities in difficulty. Where possible, the legislation should be made easier to use and understand. The review committee's recommendations and proposals are addressing exactly these things.

I would like to congratulate the review committee on an excellent job, and thank them for their dedication and commitment to this ambitious project. I would like to especially recognize the contributions of NWTAM President, George Roach, and former NWTAM President, Dennis Bevington. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased with the accomplishments we have made so far. I strongly believe the recommendations and proposals in the review committee's report can provide a solid foundation for the future of communities and their residents in both new territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mr. Speaker, Members of the Assembly, I wish to take a moment to report that a member of our staff at the Department of Transportation, Mr. Curtis Mercredi, took the award for second place at the National Airfield Maintenance Technician "Rodeo" held recently in Winnipeg. Curtis came first at the Territorial "Rodeo" held earlier this summer in Hay River. This qualified him to compete in the Nationals.

Curtis has been with the department and the Yellowknife airport since 1987; first as a trainee and then as a permanent employee in 1988. A father of two children, he was born and raised in the Northwest Territories and is a long-term resident of Yellowknife. He has represented the Yellowknife airport in a number of regional rodeos and competed nationally before in 1992.

The "Rodeo" requires competitors to run equipment through an obstacle course designed to resemble situations they would encounter during regular airfield maintenance. Once all operators have completed the course, the technician with the highest combined total points is named the overall winner.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation is proud to have employees like Mr. Mercredi on its staff. His success proves the quality of training the department provides in making sure that our public transportation system gives northerners the best service possible. I know the Assembly will join with me in congratulating Curtis on his award and a job well done in representing the Department of Transportation and the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to bring to the attention of the Members of this House, the territorial government, and the many talented citizens of the Northwest Territories, information which I believe may prove to be of some use.

Northern Encounters 1999, is a circumpolar fine arts festival that is to be held in Toronto, during July of 1999. This festival, which is held every two years, celebrates the arts and culture achievements of eight circumpolar nations. This festival helps to present and promote the Canadian public and the world. A group of geographically and culturally diverse Canadians, northerners whose talents and accomplishments in a number of disciplines have brought recognition and admiration from around the world.

As 1999 is the year of Nunavut, and the 50th anniversary of the first sale of modern Inuit art, Northern Encounters provides a tremendous opportunity to promote the Northwest Territories, its people and its artistic achievements, along with the Nunavut celebrations and the Inuit art anniversary. I would like to encourage the Government of the Northwest Territories, the people in positions to assist the selected artists and those interested in exploring and supporting Northern Encounters 1999, as fully as possible. Thank you.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services released a document summary, Suicide in the Northwest Territories, a Descriptive Review. This document is a plain language summary and technical report entitled, Suicide in the Northwest Territories, a Descriptive Review. It was a joint project between Sandy Isaacs and Janie Hawkin of Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, or LCDC, in Wellington, Duff and Guelph Health Unit. Susan Keil, the Department of Health and Social Services, and Kathy Menard, office of the Chief Coroner, both of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The Department of Health and Social Services invited the LCDC to work together on reviewing data and identifying subgroups of the population who are at most risk of suicide and describing the circumstances surrounding the suicides. The study defines suicide as follows: when a person

takes his or her own life with the intent to do so. The report was submitted on March 31, 1998, to Health and Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, suicide has touched many of our families. I found the document to be quite thorough. It dispels some of myths around suicide, for example, that drugs or alcohol used prior to the suicide was not a major factor as some have felt. Mr. Speaker, I suggest that Members, and the public, review the report. I would like to thank Minister Ng and his department, for commissioning the review and, indeed, it is a good starting point to help us address this very serious concern. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to introduce in this Assembly, students from my riding who are acting as Pages, Ryan Netser, Trevor Thompson, Darrin Bruce and Kenny Saviakjuk. They are probably the last student Pages before we divide the territories from my riding. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share an incident that happened in Arctic Bay regarding a child who was saved by a brave constituent. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, July 14, 1998, a foster child of Leah and Joseph Okdalak was playing on the ice patches in Arctic Bay. Ililuaq Pudlat, age 11 years old, fell into the freezing water approximately 7:40 p.m. and could not get back on the patch of ice. When Ikiluaq yelled for help, my wife and her brother, Jayko Tatatuapik, heard him and immediately tried to help him out, but they had a very difficult time so they yelled for help.

Mr. Matthew Taqtu was working beside his house and noticed the incident. He took a rope and went to assist them. Mr. Taqtu threw the rope to the child. Because of the freezing cold water, the child lost his strength and was unable to reach the rope, which was thrown to him by Mr. Taqtu. Mr. Taqtu could not reach the child, so he tied the rope around his waist and jumped into the water and saved the child. Mr. Speaker, if had not been for Mr. Taqtu's quick actions, the child would not be alive today. Because of this act of courage and bravery, I would like to nominate Mr. Taqtu to receive the Commissioner's Award and I would like to thank him personally. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Members' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report on the hockey weekend that took place in Cambridge Bay. With the sponsorship of First Air and members of the Oilers Alumni Association, whom we happen to have in the gallery with us today, Mr. Brian Baltimore, Mr. Al Hamilton, Mr. Doug Hicks and Mr. Dave Lumley, they arrived Friday afternoon in the community of Cambridge Bay. There was a feast with music and culture activities that evening at the community hall to welcome them. On Saturday they held some hockey clinics and skating clinics spread out over three different venues over the course of the day.

Of course, on Saturday afternoon my colleagues and I arrived in Cambridge Bay to complement them and make up the MLA Oilers in getting ready for hockey night in Cambridge Bay. We took on a local oldtimers team, Mr. Speaker. We had with us of Members of this House, we had Jiving Jim Antoine who was dancing in and out amongst the opposition players as he scored on a few occasions. He was the leading scorer of the MLA representatives there. We had Mighty Mike Miltenberger who was a dependable stay-at-home type of defence man. Although I think he probably had to do that by default because his partner was Al Hamilton, who every time he got the puck he was up the ice, and Mr. Miltenberger was standing there pondering on what to do in those situations. We also had Fluid Floyd Roland, who was the other rushing defence man of our defence core. I think he must have been watching Al Hamilton because every time Mr. Roland got the puck he would try and take the puck and go up the ice in a rush on every occasion. It led Mr. Lumley to ask me the question, does Mr. Roland know what a pass is? Of course, Mr. Speaker, there was yourself, Stomping Sam Gargan.

--Applause

Mr. Gargan, as Members who were there know, made a valiant attempt to stop the opposition from coming out of their end by trying to stand in front of the forward and of course Mr. Gargan got flattened right on his, I do not know if I can say this is this parliamentary language - got flattened right on his ass. As he lay there on the ice, I was quite concerned about the possibility of a medevac for our speaker, but he did not require that. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Yes, just with regard to the comment there, it is only when you say your rear-end that it is unparliamentary.

--Laughter

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and honourable colleagues. I will amend the record to say the speaker's rear-end in this case. Mr. Speaker, and then there was myself, I was wondering, Mr. Speaker, why I was the only Member of our team that was constantly being covered while in front of the opposition net. I knew it was not due to my scoring prowess and I quickly learned at the intermission that the main goal of the local oldtimers was to keep me off the scoreboard. I ended up being double- teamed and hooked and held and tripped. I did manage to draw one penalty, Mr. Speaker, and I did manage to get a couple of opportunities on goal, and it was only through great saves I might add, that I was kept off the scoreboard? Our team, Mr. Speaker, was rounded out by Joel Otokiak and Thomas Sugassak, a couple of local oldtimers and we had goalie Troy Oakoak for two periods and Walter Haniliak for the final period. I can say also one of the highlights of the day for me was when I was coming on to the bench panting and huffing, a ten year-old sitting at the bench said to me, boy you are a slow skater, I should be playing instead of you. Mr. Speaker, the bleachers were full. There was standing room only, we estimated that there were probably close to 400 individuals that have come out in support of the evening. There were door prizes, autographed jerseys, autographed sticks, a 50/50 draw, t-shirts and all sorts of things that were given away. The grand prize of the evening was two First Air tickets along with two Edmonton Oilers tickets and accommodations at Edmonton House that was won by ten year old Kevin Kanayuk. There was also an unexpected auction of a Team Canada sweater and I would like to advise Members that our honourable speaker got into the heat of the bidding with a local individual, Bobby Maghagak, and the speaker ended up prevailing at $180, but I would like to commend him because the next day he turned that jersey over to the individual who he was bidding against so thank you for that, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

On Sunday, there was a minor hockey pancake breakfast that again, was well attended by over 100 people in the time that we were there. The Oilers were taken on a snowmobile trip, dog team rides and a tour of the Kitikmeot Foods facility in Cambridge Bay. In closing, I would like to say that the proceeds of the fundraising activities went towards the May Hakungak Library Restoration Fund and to minor hockey. I would like to thank Mayor Wilfred Wilcox and the hamlet staff, Bill Lyall, the master of ceremonies that evening, all the local businesses that provided sponsorship, the over 100 individuals who volunteered in cooking and cleaning and helping out, the community, of course, for their great support, my MLA colleagues for taking up the invitation to participate, the Cambridge Bay oldtimers, of course, who were a part of the whole process and finally last but not least, First Air and Julia Mott, who was the main coordinator and the Oilers Alumni which I will recognize at the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I raise on a very sad note. I would like to acknowledge and I know this may come as a shock to you and some of the Members here, acknowledge the death of Mayor David Tagoona of Baker Lake. Mayor Tagoona was in town this weekend on meetings and while here passed away. Mayor Tagoona was a well respected community leader who gave much of himself to the community and his family. He will be greatly missed. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you join with me to offer your condolences and prayers for the family. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of our civil service. Mr. Speaker, recently there has been a lot of discussion in this House, a lot of questions and answers, concern about former senior employees being possibly in conflict by getting contracts through confidential information that was gained through their jobs.

Mr. Speaker, our civil service is the backbone of this government. We rely on them to do our research, to provide us with that information, to give us advice and to deliver our programs and services. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I wish to reassure our civil service that the discussion in this House is not meant to infer that they are all crooks. The discussion in this House is meant to try to ensure that there is a fair process in awarding GNWT contracts so that private industry of all our former employees have a fair chance of getting every contract we put out. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would ask all our Members here to join me in showing our appreciation for our civil service. Thank you.

--Applause

Members' statements. Item 5, recognition of

visitors in the gallery. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors from the Gallery. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize, today, Mr. Johnnie Manning, who is the member of the board of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and also the Member of the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee. This week he is, until Thursday, my acting executive assistant alleviated from his usual duties as my constituency assistant. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors from the gallery. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again it gives me great pleasure to recognize Julia Mott, Manager of Sales and Marketing for First Air, members of the Edmonton Oils Alumni, Brian Baltimore, Al Hamilton, Doug Hicks and Dave Lumley. Welcome to the Assembly.

--Applause

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors to the gallery, Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Pasha Bruce in the pink sweater up there, from Coral Harbour, and also my son, my buddy, Randy, in his jacket over there, he cannot wait to get out of this place. Thank you.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ootes.

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and welcome, two residents of Yellowknife South, Mr. Ed Jeske, who is retired but been a public servant for the GNWT for a number of years, and Mr. Joe Ouellette. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the Oilers, again and Julia. It was a pleasure meeting and playing hockey with you in Cambridge Bay and I hope we can do it again in January in Fort Simpson. I also would like to recognize Cheeko Desjarlais and her son, Cree. Cheeko is a long-term northerner with extensive experience in the media. She was up there, and if she is up there, I would like to recognize her. Thank you.

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Bill Powless, long-time northerner and also Rocky Parsons, a well known northern aviator and also a long-time northerner.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. For the rest of the people who have not been recognized, welcome to the Assembly.

--Applause

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health. It is my understanding that new residents of the Northwest Territories receive health benefits on their health cards from their own jurisdiction for the first three months of residency in the Northwest Territories. I am wondering if that is correct. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Mr. Speaker, I am not exactly sure of what the time period of coverage is. I will get that information and advise the Member. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the Minister is getting that information, I wonder if he could follow up, indeed, on the same area. I have had some calls from constituents who have been informed, if they are living in Nunavut on a temporary basis, let us say on a contract from September to June, for nine months, they are not eligible for the NWT Health Care card. That seems to me, to be a conflict with the inter-jurisdictional agreements and arrangements we have with other jurisdictions, provinces and territories. Could the Minister speak to that or at least, follow up with the other information that he has? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe, but I have to confirm it, that the inter-jurisdictional agreements allow for a one-year transition, but I did not want to give him the wrong information. That is why I said I would find out exactly what the time period was and advise him on that. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

The Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated earlier last week, the new program is designed to be more open and flexible than other previous programs, however, I am not certain whether or not Members of the Legislative Assembly would be eligible or not. I know there are very strict guidelines about Members and Ministers entering into contracts with the government. This is an issue that was raised with me earlier this morning and I have asked my principal secretary to check into the issue. Once I have that information, I will provide it to the Member. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, as I indicated last week to a similar question, there are two parts to the budget of the new Minimum Down Payment Assistance Program. One is a little over $1 million from within existing resources that the Housing Corporation has been able to allocate for the start-up of this program and an additional amount of $1.6995 million, I believe, that the Financial Management Board will bring forward to this House in the form of a supplementary appropriation request. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I will have to check on that, but I believe so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation)Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am raising an issue of the question that has been raised to me. I have been talking with the hamlets in my constituency and I would like some clarification regarding the sewage system. I would like to know if the Minister of MACA.....GNWT has been taking off so much percentage and 25 percent have been taken off in some of these, so I would like some clarification from the Minister of MACA, regarding these issues. Thank you. (Translation ends.)

The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do

not have all the details in front of me so I will take that question as notice. Thank you.

The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Acting Premier, Mr. Arlooktoo, and it is to do with the question around contracting back the services from Nunavut and that potential. There has been much discussion and, I believe there was a list circulated of services which the Nunavut government would require the Government of the Northwest Territories or other jurisdictions to perform. My question is, who will be responsible for the employees if such services are contracted by the GNWT to Nunavut, after April 1, 1999? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Acting Premier, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is correct, there is quite a number of services that are being looked at for possible contracting back with the GNWT from the Government of Nunavut. I believe the number is somewhere in the neighbourhood of 40 different types of services. The final arrangements or negotiations, are being concluded as we speak. My understanding of how it will work, is that the GNWT here in Yellowknife, once given the proper advanced notice for what services will be required, will make the necessary arrangements to make sure that the human resources are available to be here in the western Arctic to clear up the services, working for the GNWT. The final bill will be paid for by the Government of Nunavut for those services on a contractual basis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Acting Premier has noted that there will be approximately 40 services that Nunavut will require some GNWT services on. That will, Mr. Speaker, require sufficient, or a larger, number of employees excesses to what the GNWT needs. Has it been worked out, Mr. Speaker, who will be financially responsible for any particular layoff costs that may be incurred by the GNWT, subject to the services not being required by Nunavut after a year, or whatever time period? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With your permission, I would like to refer that question to Mr. Todd, the Minister responsible for the overall division. Thank you.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All costs associated with any necessary layoffs or anything else that is associated with the downsizing of the western government, as the eastern government moves forward, will be negotiated with our federal counterparts. As I have said on a number of occasions, we will continue to document that cost. I think there is an acceptance that some of these costs will be negotiated, of course, because some of these costs are valid and that would be, then, the responsibility of the federal government to provide us with compensation for same. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

The Acting Premier, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is a fairly complex question that would require some research, but I think the basic answer would be that Cabinet, as long as it follows the necessary rules under the Financial Administration Act, and the other laws that govern its conduct, has some areas of flexibility. On whether or not this is one area it has flexibility on, I would need to do some more research. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not certain if there is precedent or not. Perhaps if the Member would be more definitive in a specific area, I will be able to answer it. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Groenewegen.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, unfortunately, do not have a copy of that particular directive or guideline on hand. Again, as a general rule is that the Cabinet is bound by directives and guidelines and goals that are there for us today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Ms. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Perhaps the Acting Premier would know what goes to his executives, but to the Ordinary Members, I am not sure. Do you wish to answer, Mr. Arlooktoo?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can only say that I will find out that information and pass it on to the Member as I do not have it in front of me. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will be directed to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. What is the requirement for a person to be compensated if injured? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If an employee is injured while on the job, they go to the nursing station, there is a form that each nursing station has that indicates the extent of their injury, how long they are going to be off, et cetera. It is a workers' compensation form, I believe, is then sent into the Workers' Compensation Board. They determine if this injury was done during a working environment and assess whatever compensation is then necessary by the staff of the WCB.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, does the person have to work several weeks in order to be compensated? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe there is a criteria and I apologize to my colleague, I cannot remember exactly what it is, but I am sure there is a criteria set and one of it will be extent of injury, how long they have worked, what level of salary they get. There will be a series of them. I will look into the matter, I think you asked me earlier. I have already asked the Workers' Compensation Board to provide me with a full briefing on it. Off the top of my head, I apologize, I do not know.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the person who goes to work for a day and got seriously injured, would he be compensated? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I guess the answer would be probably. As I said to my colleague I will have to look into the matter and I know there is a criteria set, I just cannot remember what it is at the top of my head. I will provide him with a complete briefing on the conditions under which an injured worker would be compensated which will encompass so many days they have to work, et cetera. Thank you.

Oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Petitions. Okay, I know there are going to be some bills coming up, but whether or not they are available to the Members, I am not certain so, we will take a 15 minute break.

--Break

The House will come back to order. We are on Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Ningark.