Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Good Morning.

Speaker's Ruling

Before we start with the orders of the day, I would like to provide you with a ruling on the point of order raised by Mr. Roland on February 16, 1998, regarding a Minister quoting from a Cabinet document and Mr. Roland's request to have a Cabinet document tabled in the House.

By way of background, Mr. Roland argued that because it appeared Mr. Kakfwi made reference to and allegedly quoted from a Cabinet document, the Premier should be prepared to table the entire Cabinet decision in the House.

In presenting his point of order, Mr. Roland quoted from Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and Forms, sixth edition. He quoted citation 495(1), which reads:

"A Minister is not at liberty to read or quote from a dispatch or other state paper not before the House without being prepared to lay it on the Table."

First, I must indicate that I have reviewed the unedited Hansard which contains the comments made by Mr. Kakfwi on February 13, 1998, and cannot find a clear indication that Mr. Kakfwi was quoting from a Cabinet directive or a Cabinet record of decision. It would appear that his reference to a Cabinet Directive was, in fact, an excerpt from letters that had been sent to Sahtu leaders regarding the issue of Sahtu health service delivery. Those letters have subsequently been tabled before this House as Tabled Document 48-13(5). I view this particular question to be a moot point, and perhaps a question of terminology. However, as Cabinet documents, including Cabinet directives and Cabinet records of decision, are papers which this House cannot order to be tabled. In other words, even if a Cabinet document is referred to, it need not be tabled. I refer Members to Beauchesne's citation 446(2)(1) for further clarification on the protections accorded to Cabinet documents.

In addition, I wish to address the point made by Mr. Roland whereby he suggested that gaining access to all Cabinet documents relating to the Cabinet's decision on this issue is the only means to allow him to effectively represent his constituents in this matter. Firstly, I must reiterate that Cabinet documents are exempt from mandatory production by way of an order of this House. Secondly, only the specific document cited need be tabled and this, in effect, has been done as the relevant letters have been tabled. As Beauchesne's citation 495(4) states:

"Only the document cited need be tabled by a Member. A complete file need not be tabled because one document is it has been cited."

For these reasons, I rule that Mr. Roland does not have a point of order. The Cabinet, through the Premier, cannot be compelled to table Cabinet documentation relating to this issue. Thank you

Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi will be absent form the House this morning to meet with the Russian delegation in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicles Division, through its highway transport officers, is responsible for enforcing the regulatory environment for our trucking industry, including driver and vehicle licensing, mechanical safety standards, vehicle weights and dimensions, security of loads, hours of service, dangerous goods as well as the rules of the road in general. A permanent weigh scale and vehicle inspection station on Highway # 1 at Enterprise has been the division's focal point for most regulatory enforcement. However, truck traffic has been increasing steadily in areas far away from Enterprise, such as, logging operations near Fort Liard and Fort Simpson, mine re-supply on the Ingraham Trail and winter road operations north of Wrigley to the Sahtu communities.

While increased trucking activity is a welcome sign of positive economic growth for an area, the number of heavy trucks also raises the public's concerns for highway safety. The department has received requests from many quarters to extend its enforcement activities.

Especially when public money is tight, building new permanent weigh scale sites take a large commitment, of both capital and operating dollars, in fixed locations that may be no better situated to deal with future changes in truck traffic. As an alternative to fixed sites, the Department of Transportation is putting a new mobile inspection station in service this week. This self-contained vehicle, similar to ones in service in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta, will be deployed in areas where truck traffic is heaviest. It is designed to operate year round and, if necessary, under severe weather conditions.

It is equipped with portable weigh scales that can weigh any size of vehicles. As well as the standard equipment used in a stationary inspection station, such as a fax, photocopier, computer and printer, it also has radio and satellite communications. With satellite technology, the highway transport officers can check licenses, verify safety certificates and issue permits just as they do in the permanent station at Enterprise.

The unit is built for two officers to operate around the clock at any location for days at a time. The mobile inspection station will be an effective tool for detecting and deterring violations of transport regulations and for carrying out ongoing safety programs. By going where the trucks are, instead of waiting for them to stop by, the department can do a much better job of protecting the public's $1 billion investment in our highway infrastructure. The motto on the vehicle, On the Move - Safely, speaks for the department's commitment to safety for both the trucking industry and the general public on our highways.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation is pleased to invite the Members of the Assembly to take a look at its new mobile inspection station that is parked outside today in the Assembly's parking area. An open house and demonstration for the general public will be held tomorrow in the parking lot at the Yellowknife arena. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Before we go on with the Members' statements, I would like to recognize some people in the gallery, the Russian delegation and I would like to tell the delegation first, I apologize if I do not say your names correctly. Here are the names of the delegation: there is Minister Vladimir Kuramin, chairman of the Russian State Committee of Northern Development; Mr. Pavel Zaidfudim, first deputy chairman of the Russian State Committee of Northern Development; Mr. Serguei Kharioutchi, president of the Association of Indigenous Minorities of the Russian North; Harold Finkler, director, Circumpolar Liaison Directorate; Mr. Nikita Kirilov, the interpreter, and Mr. Jean Villeneuve, the DIAND official. Welcome to the Assembly.

--Applause.

Did I do okay in pronouncing your names? Orders of the day. Item 3, members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have asked in this House on previous occasions about the annual problem with Revenue Canada and income tax filing. Mr. Speaker, the income tax forms are hard enough to understand at the best of times and with fewer resources in our smaller communities many people have chosen not to file returns in the past. Mr. Speaker, I brought my concerns forward in this House to the Minister of Finance and I am pleased, Mr. Speaker, that our Finance Minister has had some success with Revenue Canada. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Todd recently wrote me to inform me that, indeed, Revenue Canada, after some prodding by this government, will be visiting fourteen NWT communities, including nine in Nunavut, to help with income tax returns. Mr. Speaker, for the first time, Revenue Canada will be holding a tax clinic in Iqaluit.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given all that has been going on in these last two days, I would like to reflect on what has been going on in this House. Mr. Speaker, I have strong feelings about the role that Nunavut Caucus must play in this House, particularly given recent events.

First, I would like to thank my honourable colleague, Mr. Levi Barnabas, for his statement yesterday. It took a lot of courage and was the honourable thing to do.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is important that Nunavut Caucus Members stay out of political games, such as recent events and focus on the issues that concern the people we represent: the creation of Nunavut, the high cost of living, economic development and social issues, as well as what was mentioned by the Iqaluit Member with regard to income tax.

Let me repeat, these kinds of distractions lack credibility and take all of our energies away from issues that really matter. Mr. Speaker, I believe this does no service to the people we are here to serve and hurts the credibility of all Members of this House.

The people of the NWT want us to act like leaders. This means focusing on issues that count to the people, rising above the temptation to resort to dirty politics, acting with honesty and integrity and solving problems rather than creating them.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of how the Members of Nunavut Caucus have handled themselves these last few days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell Members of a very sad thing that happened in Yellowknife. Last night in the After 8 pool hall where all Members of the Legislative Assembly, including yourself Mr. Speaker, were socializing by playing a pool tournament. Some Members were also playing darts. All Members were enjoying each others company. The reason it makes it very sad, Mr. Speaker, is this is the first time I have ever been beaten in this type of tournament.

--Laughter

Mr. Sharky Erasmus ended up winning the tournament, and I know we cannot ever say in this House that anybody cheats or anything, but he was a very good shot. He did manage to win on the last eight ball. I would like to thank all the Members for coming out last night and the staff. Myself, I came in second and Phil Bailey came in third. It hurt Phil more because he is a lot younger then myself and Roy and we both whipped him on the pool table. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, some of my constituents from the Nahendeh constituency attended a three-day meeting on the Hay River Reserve in the Deh Cho region last week from February 9 to 11, 1998. This was a three-day meeting on treaty rights, and there was discussion on the oral understanding of Treaty 8 and 11 from the elders and community leaders of the Akaitcho and Deh Cho territories. Mr. Speaker, they had a special guest, a special rapporteur from the United Nations, Dr. Alfonso-Martinez was in attendance at this meeting. This doctor has been commissioned to have a final report prepared for the United Nations in July of this year. He is investigating the Indigenous Treaties from around the world and will be making recommendations to be implemented at the international level.

Mr. Speaker, this meeting was attended by a lot of people throughout the Deh Cho region, including the communities I represent. There were a number of representations that were made emphasizing the importance of the oral history and the understanding that Treaty 8 and 11 are peace and friendship arrangements rather then lands surrenders. People have expressed their concerns at this meeting and voiced dissatisfaction with violations against their treaties over the years. People have felt that there is a breach by the federal government obligations to the First Nations in the north. There is also a concern that Canada's policies and directions today continue to infringe on their treaty rights. I would like to quote from the Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus who was a presenter and emphasized, "the validity of Indigenous Treaties and that by International and British Common Law standards Canada is obligated to implement and uphold their part of the bargain," and "there was a meeting of the minds at Treaty making which cannot be ignored by Canada any longer." Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to welcome our visiting Russian delegation. I hope they find our city and country interesting and enjoyable.

Yesterday as you may recall, we had the privilege to meet with the NWT Council of Friendship Centres. The meeting proved to be very interesting and informative. In my community the friendship centre has been a focal point for the young and old for many years. It was not that long ago the centre was in a very bad financial state and looked like it was on the verge of closing. However, due to the hard work of the board and their executive director, this friendship centre is now operating many services that are needed in the community and have been able to get the financial situation back in order.

Most of you have seen the friendship express driving the streets of Yellowknife over the past months. This is one example, the board saw a need for a regular scheduled bus service between Rae-Edzo and Yellowknife and were able to purchase a bus. They now operate this bus daily, picking up freight from various suppliers here in Yellowknife as well as transporting residents to and from Yellowknife.

The friendship centre movement across our great nation provides many very good programs and services for our native people. These centres are a safe place to go where you are always welcome with a smile and a hot cup of coffee. They make you feel at home and wanted. Mr. Speaker, the NWT Council of Friendship Centres needs our support and we should not hesitate in giving it to them. It is for the best for all our people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause