Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Good afternoon. Before we start today, I would like to inform the House that I have appointed a new Sergeant-at-Arms to serve the Legislative Assembly. I would like to introduce to the Assembly, Mr. Joseph Ouellette.

--Applause

Mr. Ouellette takes over his duties officially today. I am sure Members will join me in welcoming Mr. Ouellette to his work as Sergeant-at-Arms.

At this time, I would like to acknowledge our current Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr. Tony Whitford.

--Applause

Mr. Whitford will be giving up his duties later this month and on behalf of all Members, I would like to express the Assembly's appreciation for the excellent way you have carried out your responsibilities. Mr. Whitford should be congratulated for the work he has done to enhance the stature of the position of Sergeant-at-Arms, not only with the hosting of the 1998 Canadian Sergeant-at-Arms Conference, but his contacts overseas. On your behalf, thank you, Tony, for your work with the Pages and wish you Godspeed in whatever your future holds.

--Applause

I would also like to mention the contribution Mr. Barry Bran brought to the position of Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms and I will be announcing the appointment of a Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms early next year.

Orders of the day. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Honourable Kelvin Ng and I participated in a conference call with provincial and territorial Premiers from across the country. It was the first time Premiers have met since Lucien Bouchard won last week's Quebec election. The meeting, chaired by Saskatchewan Premier Romanow, was called to discuss the upcoming federal budget and progress on social union negotiations. As Members may know, the social union became an important issue in the Quebec election campaign.

Canada's Premiers are calling upon the federal government to restore health care funding levels that have been cut over the last several years. We want to emphasize that the amount of money reinvested will need to be substantial. This confirms what all provincial and territorial leaders agreed to, as a first priority, in Saskatoon this past summer. We are asking that social union negotiations recommence after being suspended for the Quebec election. Premiers agreed that we need to step up the pace on these talks, bargain in good faith and come up with a workable solution as soon as is realistically possible.

Mr. Speaker, we are also calling upon the Prime Minister to convene a First Ministers' meeting early in the new year. We propose to use that opportunity to discuss with him the agreement that has been reached and sustained by all provincial and territorial jurisdictions across this country. We would like to meet with the Prime Minister so that we can describe our situation and to make our position as clear as possible. We need to tell him, face to face, about our need to sustain basic health care services. British Columbia's Premier, Glen Clark, said a good First Ministers' meeting could also help to smooth the way for successful social union discussions and thus make our country work better. Alberta's Premier, Ralph Klein, and British Columbia's Premier, Glen Clark, have each met with the Prime Minister in the last two days. Each of these Premiers has impressed upon the Prime Minister the importance of restoring health care funding to every jurisdiction in the country. We view the restoration of primary health care funding from Ottawa to the provinces and territories as the top priority, particularly given the serious stresses and strains on the health care system being experienced in each province and territory.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is worth noting that all provincial and territorial leaders have put aside other important issues in order to reaffirm that the proper focus and the proper emphasis should be placed on ensuring that all Canadians enjoy an adequately funded and sustainable health care system. The Government of the Northwest Territories has played an important role in these discussions. we have been successful in bringing the specific issue of aboriginal people's health and well-being to the table and we will remain vigilant in ensuring that this issue receives due attention at the national level. We will work in concert with our provincial and territorial partners to ensure that our priorities are recognized on the national scene. Mr. Romanow summed up by saying that our goal is to make Canada work better and to deliver health and social programs that work better for all Canadians. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister responsible for the NWT Workers' Compensation Board, it will be my pleasure to table, later today, the board's corporate plan for the years 1999 to 2001 in accordance with subsection 91(1) of the Financial Administration Act. The corporate plan, which will guide WCB operations over the next three years, is prepared annually as a result of joint planning sessions involving the WCB's board of directors and its management team. This corporate plan reaffirms many of the strategic issues identified in the board's previous plan. Improving workplace safety, in particular, remains an important objective for the WCB. Education and inspection activities will target those industries with high accident frequencies, and partnerships with workers and employers will be actively promoted in 1999. The WCB will provide ergonomic training and education to employers, and will develop initiatives aimed at small business, youth and the changing workplace.

Mr. Speaker, the WCB remains committed to excellence in the areas of program and service delivery. This commitment is reflected in a number of initiatives designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations, including an evaluation of on-line-access reporting for employers, enhanced return-to-work incentives and a case management model which will provide better and more timely service to injured workers.

Mr. Speaker, as recognized in the board's previous corporate plan, an effective board governance structure is crucial in ensuring that the financial, legislative and program challenges facing the WCB are dealt with in a responsible manner. Effective stakeholder-board interaction is a top priority, as it is every year. Mr. Speaker, the WCB is also proud to be hosting the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada's 1999 Congress here in Yellowknife.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the board is committed to protecting the interests of all WCB stakeholders during the division process and post-division. By acting as a resource during the negotiation of an intergovernmental transition agreement, the board is well positioned to support whatever decisions are made at the political level with respect to its structure after division.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude by congratulating, as I have many times, the board of directors, staff and management of the WCB in their efforts to continually improve workers' compensation in the north. These are uncertain times and the WCB has responded to the challenge. Thank you.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In our political lives all of us depend on our spouses, our families and our friends for their love, their guidance, their honesty, their understanding and their support. In particular, our wives or husbands have a special role, making sure that we have as normal a life as possible and that our children receive the care and attention they need when we are away doing our jobs. This morning we learned of the sudden and tragic death in Arviat of Mr. Jon Lindell.

Jon, who was in his early forties, was the husband of Nunavut Member of Parliament, Nancy Karetak-Lindell and father to their four children who range in age from eight to 19. Jon, who was active as a volunteer in Arviat, operated an Arviat-based expediting business. He and his four sons had a special love of playing hockey, even including mother Nancy in the odd game.

Nunavut has lost a great man. A real man, who has demonstrated a genuine vision for Nunavut, a vision of reality and strength. Jon Lindell was a key supporter of the Canadian miner and a highly valued friend of many northerners. For this, the people of Nunavut will celebrate his life and visions and carry them through with the pride, sincerity and honesty that Jon was famous for. On behalf of all Members of this Assembly and Northwest Territories residents, I extend our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to Nancy, their four children and family members. Our thoughts are also with the people of Arviat who have suffered a deep loss. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it also gives me great sorrow to share with Members of this House the sad news of Nancy Karetak-Lindell's husband Jon who passed away last night. I really feel a deep hurt for the Lindell family and my prayers including those of Cabinet are with them. I lead a prayer this morning with the government Ministers when we learned of Ms. Karetak-Lindell's lose. We prayed as leaders, to our Heavenly Father that He will answer and comfort the family.

Mr. Speaker, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, like myself, has been a mother, a wife and a political leader for the Keewatin. Excuse me, Mr. Speaker. She is my colleague, my close relative, her loss is very close to home for me. I am returning to Rankin this Friday to be with my husband and my boys. I need a hug from my husband. Mr. Speaker, I encourage everyone in the territories to pray for Nancy Lindell and her family at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Thompson. Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Also, my condolences go to the Lindell family. Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum recognizes and understands the actual work being done provided by volunteer fire departments throughout the north and throughout the Nunavut area. Mr. Speaker, I think we all recognize and acknowledge the importance of volunteer fire departments across the north. We will continue to rely on their services and their expertise, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum also recognizes the Kitikmeot communities are continuing to grow in both population and infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, we recognize that these developments require specialized training and planning, but are beyond the capabilities of volunteer fire departments. We need to seriously look and support the provision of funding for full-time fire chiefs in the region. I think that every Member of this House who represents small communities understands and recognizes that you need a full-time fire chief in small communities, remote communities, regardless of the size, where you have major infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I was at home, I was told by my representatives in Arctic Bay, the dock in Arctic Bay that was built in the 1990s is too short for the community. When most of the hunters are using the dock, especially in the fall, they extend the dock in Arctic Bay, but up till now it is still too short for the number of boats in Arctic Bay. They had to go elsewhere to dock their boats in the community. I would like to inform the House that I will be asking questions regarding this issue to the Minister later on today. (Translation ends.)

Mr. Speaker, I also would like to give my condolences to our Member of Parliament, Nancy Karetak-Lindell and her family. I would also like to send my condolences to the past mayor of Baker Lake, David Kagoona. I would like to say what David Kagoona told me when I got elected. When I first met him he told me never to fear to ask questions. He told me, if you do not ask questions, you will never get the answers. That, I will remember. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not know if I can add much more to comments that were spoken by Mr. Arlooktoo, Ms. Thompson and Mr. Barnabas, regarding the death of a very good friend of mine, a trusted confidante, an advisor, Jon Lindell, who passed away late last night. Mr. Speaker, Jon will be missed greatly by all people in the community, all the people of the region. He gave a lot of himself to his wife, to his family, and I think to the residents of Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, this only adds to the sadness when earlier this week, I announced the death of Mayor David Tagoona, another good friend of mine. Mr. Speaker, for the record, we realize that the media coverage of Mr. Tagoona's death was somewhat contorted, even misleading. As of this morning, the medical directors acknowledged and announced that Mr. Tagoona died from a massive heart attack on Sunday. Mr. Speaker, I will ask my fellow colleagues to join me in offering our sincere condolences and our prayers to Nancy, sister Charlotte, all the family members and the children at their time of need. Thank you.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to raise a concern that affects all of our smaller communities. Currently, in all our smaller communities, we have volunteer fire departments and fire chiefs. They do a very good job when called upon. Their work is often very difficult considering fire does not wait for anyone. It could happen in the cold of winter, at night or during the day. These volunteers drop whatever they are doing to try and save the house, school or any other building.

However, these departments need to have updated equipment and up-to-date knowledge on the science of fire. In order for the departments to operate efficiently, they need to have professional guidance. That is the reason I support the idea of having full-time, qualified professional fire chiefs in all the communities. Most people do not recognize the importance and knowledge a full-time fire chief can bring to a community. He can increase prevention and awareness of fire in the community. It would be his position to also train the volunteer department, as well as other interested individuals, wishing to volunteer.

In closing, I would hope the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs would consider this very important issue that affects all our communities and residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest, great interest, to the statements made by the

honourable Member for Thebacha over the past couple of days about NorthwesTel. NorthwesTel is a monopoly. NorthwesTel delivers a service in a protected market. NorthwesTel is a subsidiary of the multinational Bell Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, residents will happily accept to subsidize a high-cost telecommunications system, including the higher-cost communities, only when they know for certain what the detailed cost structure is. Let me put it another way. No subsidization without detailed disclosure on costs, lists of salaries of executives, list of contracts, and failing these, you can be sure, Mr. Speaker, that our resident consumers in any kind of a market will want to drop the use of dead dog, inefficient suppliers at the first opportunity.

How? By moving to alternate suppliers such as AT&T, Sprint, London Telecommunications or Westcom. Why are not these alternate suppliers allowed to operate here, Mr. Speaker? Residents will no longer accept the compulsive anti-market interference in our marketplace. Why do we not have market phone services here, Mr. Speaker? If we are going to have a subsidization system working in the territories, then we must simply have full accountability for the monies that are spent. For instance, what is the return that NorthwesTel makes on its Northwest Territories operations? Have they shared those numbers with us? Perhaps the honourable Member who gave such an impassioned speech over the last couple of days could provide those to the House.

Another instance, Mr. Speaker, why is it that NorthwesTel has a fleet of late model trucks in their yard on the old airport road here in Yellowknife when many citizens of this territory are driving vehicles that are ten years old if they have one. All the while, these same citizens struggle to pay the phone long distance rates, Mr. Speaker, that are sometimes between four and six times higher than in the mainstream. There is something very wrong here, Mr. Speaker. Does all of this sound familiar, Mr. Speaker? It should because this is the same theme that we have been talking about in this House for some days and years now. When NorthwesTel finally releases and makes public the aforementioned, then and only then can or should we look at a subsidy or other government help. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are elections happening all over the north all the time and there are people at the community level who make commitments to help their own people in their communities by putting their name to stand for different positions.

Mr. Speaker, in the case of some of the communities I represent in the Nahendeh constituency, I want to go over some of the communities and chiefs who were elected recently. Going back to July 6th, in Nahanni Butte, I would like to congratulate Peter Marcellais who became chief there along with councillors Jane Konisenta, Lena Marcellais, Isadore Ekotla, William Konisenta and Raymond Vital with elders Jonas and Elsie Marcellais. Jean Marie River, September 12th, election for the band council, Chief Yvonne Norwegian was re-elected there along with councillors Margaret Ireland, Jonas Sanguez, Isadore Simon, Melvin Sake, Earnest Hardisty and elder Sarah Hardisty. On November 10th, Trout Lake had an election for chief and Tom Kotchea, I would like to congratulate him as the new elected chief in Trout Lake along with councillors Maggie Jumbo, Dolphus Jumbo, Violet Sanguez, Bertha Deneron and Phoebe Punch.

On December 4th, Mr. Speaker, in the community of Wrigley there was an election for the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation, I would like you to congratulate Mary-Alise Christopher as the elected chief there along with Michael Neyelle, Elsie Hardisty, Raymond Pellissey, Ruby Ekenole-Watt, Archie Williams and Adele Hardisty. Finally, Mr. Speaker, yesterday there was an election in Fort Liard for the Acho Dene First Nation Chief. I would like to congratulate the re-election of Chief Harry Deneron to the position for two years, along with councillors Stephen Kotchea and Stanley Bertrand. New councillors are Dan Lomen, Floyd Diamond C and Judy Kotchea. I would like to congratulate all of these people in the communities for letting their names stand for representing the people in the community. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a couple of very significant and noteworthy events took place in the Great Hall this past Sunday. The first was a rally to commemorate the memory of the 14 women who died in Montreal, commonly known as the Montreal massacre. The second was the Fifth Annual night of Christmas music at the Legislature. Both events, Mr. Speaker were very well attended, especially when one considers the number of events that happen in my community on any day or evening. The public rally to commemorate the Montreal massacre should continue to keep the individual and collective disgust of the act of violence against women forefront in the minds of all in our homes, our community and our territory.

On a brighter note, Mr. Speaker, many people gathered in the evening for the Night of Christmas music at the Legislature and were entertained by many fine voices in the following groups: Koinonia Christian School Choir, Dave and Sherry, St. Patrick's High School Choral Society, Ceilidh and Friends, Zion and Harmony. It was followed by refreshments which were provided compliments of Javaroma. There were food donations collected at the door and that was donated to the Yellowknife Women's Centre. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I made a statement indicating that perhaps there should be a public inquiry into the residential schools and the people who had gone to them. I wanted to indicate today some of the research that I have had done indicates some of the abuses which occurred include sexual assault; performing private inspections of genitals of girls and boys; arranging or inducing abortions in female children impregnated by men in authority; burning, scalding and beating children into unconsciousness; using electric shock devices on physically restrained children. Mr. Speaker, those are just a few. There are about 20 other items people indicated that were done to them and you can imagine the repercussions to a child's brain and how that would effect them for the rest of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I have also received from members of the Grollier Hall Residential School a couple of other ideas. Perhaps other than an inquiry, there could be a special commission on residential schools which could include a whole panel of people and they could go around and hold hearings or interviews for people who did not want to be in a hearing or they could have one special commissioner going around doing this. Another thing they have indicated is that perhaps there could be a residential schools aftermath advisor to the Premier who would provide the Premier with support and advice on a wide range of residential school issues as well as government policies, legislation, programs and activities relating to residential schools.

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this is to indicate that perhaps an inquiry may not be the answer, but we have to do something. Mr. Speaker, we have to do something to help people to heal and take advantage of the federal healing fund that the federal government has made available. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent of Cambridge Bay, Mr. Tom Brown. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of MACA, my honourable friend, Ms. Thompson. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I recognized the excellent work the volunteer fire department in small and large communities across the board have done in the past years. I am sure every Member of this House recognizes their unique help in a community. I indicated in my Member's statement when I attended the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum, we have indicated that they wanted to see the funding of the full-time fire fighters in the Kitikmeot region in every community, that is recognized and have major infrastructure in that community, like school, health centres and so on.

My question to the honourable Minister, Mr. Speaker, is will the Minister look seriously at the possibility of funding the full-time Fire Chief Program in communities in the Kitikmeot region? I think we have about six communities in that region. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will seriously look at the request by the Member for the Kitikmeot leaders. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Having learned from the past that having a time frame for requesting funding and so on, will the Minister respond to the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum by January 1, 1999? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will answer as quickly as possible to the Kitikmeot leadership in which forum, I do not know. I will be communicating with them. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same honourable Minister. How soon is as soon as possible, by January 1, 1999? Thank you.

Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It might be January 2nd. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the honourable Minister. Will it be by January 15, 1999? Thank you.

Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member can pick a date and I will answer on that date. It can be on the 15th of January. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Does the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation feel comfortable to answer it?

Oral questions, Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Mr. Dent. Two questions.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to Mr. Ng, the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, regarding the closure of the Vital Statistics Office in Yellowknife. The Minister of Health and Social Services recently confirmed his knowledge of the closure of the Vital Statistics Office in Yellowknife, the duties and responsibilities of the officers being transferred to Inuvik and Rankin Inlet. My question to the Minister is, could the Minister of Health and Social Services advise this House when the decision was made to close the Yellowknife office and transfer the functions to Inuvik and Rankin Inlet and when the employees were advised? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, two questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding it was part of the reorganization plan with the health services administration being headquarters, with the department being moved out, with division coming on April 1st. I do not know the actual dates of when the decision was made or when the employees would have been advised, but I will get that information and provide it to the Member.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if the Minister could advise me as to what options are being provided to the employees in Yellowknife for being affected by this closure and reallocation of responsibilities to Inuvik and Rankin Inlet?

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not have the details of what options are provided. We made a commitment to this government that nobody would be laid-off, so there would be other alternate positions that would be provided to them. Again, I do not have the specifics with me and I will

provide that information and all of the other questions he has asked. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister, Mr. Speaker, provide a thumbnail sketch of the responsibilities of the office of Vital Statistics, as to whether the roles and responsibilities they have are more to the general public or is it internal to the government, itself?

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will try to provide that information along with the rest of the response to him. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During my Member's statement, I made a statement and I would like to add further, in a question to the Minister of Transportation. I am wondering if there can be some additional funding for the Arctic Bay docking facility? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during this division time, any capital projects the department on the western side here, it is a different process now. So, any new requests we are hearing, we are making recommendations to the new government in Nunavut, particularly if there is a new department being formed in Nunavut starting April 1, 1999. There is transportation, housing and community government. They have a deputy minister acting now who is Mike Ferris. What we are doing is, we ensure that any requests we hear in regard to infrastructure such as a docking facility, we are making recommendations to them that this is a very important issue and we are passing that information over to them. Thank you.

Oral question. Mrs. Groenewegen.

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

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

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

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to Mr. Dent, Minister responsible for the Power Corporation. I think it is fair to say that we have experienced recent power outages at the City of Yellowknife in the last while. I would like the Minister to tell the House and, particularly the residents of my community, what has caused these power outages? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. From his answer, I would assume that the cause of the problem is NWT Power Corporation's, as opposed to the local distributor. My question to the Minister is, what avenues of compensation are available to customers whose equipment is damaged, for example, motors, ballasts and refrigerators that are sensitive to power reductions or bumps? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am starting to get a better handle on the items that the Power Corporation would not cover and we know that ravens are one of them. They do not cover the outages from that. Could the Minister, maybe tell me some examples of what damages the Power Corporation would cover, or if there has been any examples in recent history of where the Power Corporation has covered costs for the examples that I talked about in my earlier statement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister, in response to my first question, suggested it was a raven that did it. I think all people in Yellowknife have heard that reason given numerous times before. For the benefit of myself and residents of my community, I am sure there is a good reason, could the Minister explain how it actually happens that a raven sitting on a wire, or whatever it is, causes a power outage? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.