Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Good morning. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we all know and have said many times, April 1, 1999 is fast approaching. To successfully establish the new Nunavut government a lot of work needs to be done, by many people, at many levels. The Nunavut Caucus has an important role to play in creating a viable Nunavut government and we will continue to ensure the process occurs as smoothly as possible.

Nunavut Caucus Members have been elected by the people of Nunavut and will continue to work hard on their behalf and represent their interests. Caucus has shown strong political leadership on Nunavut issues, such as encouraging, organizing and guiding Nunavut Leaders meetings. These meetings have created a successful forum for key political representatives from all parties to work together in creating Nunavut. In January of this year, the Nunavut Caucus was well represented at the Nunavut Leader's Summit held in Iqaluit. We were successful at encouraging the parties to move ahead on critical issues affecting the establishment of the Nunavut government. (Translation ends)

We are working hand in hand with our colleagues in the western Caucus to ensure that the working partnership achieved in the division process is maintained and carried forward beyond 1999, to the benefit of all northern residents, east and west. The Nunavut Caucus and the GNWT have developed a close working relationship with the office of the Interim Commissioner, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Nunavut Implementation Commission and the federal government.

Mr. Speaker, to assist in the planning process, the Nunavut Caucus has developed the Nunavut Caucus Action Plan - Creating Nunavut which identifies implementation issues that we feel must be pursued to help make Nunavut a success. First of all, the open communication among all partners has to be maintained so that issues are resolved openly and quickly.

The first Nunavut election will be held in February, 1999. To ensure that the maximum number of Nunavut residents participate, the Caucus is actively involved in the election process. As Nunavut Act amendments are made, we will be working with GNWT Legislative staff to ensure that election preparations are on track and that the people of Nunavut receive timely and accurate information on the election process.

The Nunavut Caucus supports the decentralized model of government design and will be working with all partners to ensure that plans and implementation schedules are kept. The Caucus promotes an orderly and logical process for the establishment of the Nunavut government. A well planned and phased in approach to new government structures will assure a smooth continuation of government services.

Along with the important issue of government design, retaining a strong financial base for both new territories is critical in providing good government. The Nunavut Caucus will continue to do all it can to ensure that the fiscal needs of the future territory of Nunavut are addressed in the establishment of a new formula financing arrangement for Nunavut.

Another funding issue that the Caucus is monitoring is transitional funding, a federal responsibility. Adequate transitional funding will be vital during the first few years of the new government's decentralization activity. The new Nunavut government cannot expect to embark on a plan of action without having resolved the costs of transitional activities.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, the training of Nunavut residents for Nunavut government jobs is proceeding well. Training is a key component to establishing a representative public service in Nunavut, therefore, the Nunavut Caucus will continue to work closely with the parties to ensure that the successes achieved in training to date are maintained and hopefully exceeded.

This action plan as tabled, provides an agenda for the activities of the Caucus as we quickly advance toward April 1, 1999. As I have emphasized, there is much work to do. The Nunavut Caucus is willing and able to play an important role in supporting my work as Minister responsible for Nunavut Transition Planning. The Caucus will continue to work with all of our partners to create a new government for the people of Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

--Applause

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about my concern regarding an issue I have brought up on two occasions. In March, 1997, I questioned the Minister of MACA about the four men who moved 30 graves in Hall Beach. I brought up the issue again on the February 2nd of this year, but in my understanding is this is not a responsibility of MACA. Hall Beach workers did this work in the summer of 1968 but they did not get paid for that tedious task.

The excavation of bodies is not a duty that should go unpaid and there were 30 of these bodies moved. This task is not something that the average person would want to do. These men helped out the community when they were needed and yet they still were unpaid for their hard work.

Mr. Speaker, I will be directing my questions to the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to talk about the continuing role the Nunavut Caucus will play in the creation of Nunavut. As Members know, we are only a short time away from April 1, 1999 and much remains to be done. Mr. Speaker, as Members of this Assembly, we must do all that we can to make the transition process as smooth as possible. As the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, Minister responsible for Nunavut transition has said, it is very important that the Nunavut Caucus continues to work in close cooperation with the western Caucus, maintaining an open dialogue on matters dealing with the creation of two new territories. Not only will this help the process of division, but it will also ensure future relations between the two territories are strong and harmonious.

Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Caucus Action Plan Creating Nunavut, which I will table later today, outlines many issues related to the implementation of a new Nunavut government and that Nunavut Caucus feels is very important in ensuring the smooth transition to the two new territories. Members of the Nunavut Caucus are focused on implementing the new Nunavut government. The Nunavut Caucus will continue to work in a cooperative way in addressing the issues. We want to play a supportive and productive role with all the parties involved in the process.

As elected Members of this Assembly, the Nunavut Caucus will work very hard to ensure that creation of two territories does not affect the level of government programs and services for Nunavut residents. We remain committed to maintaining and improving the quality of life for the people of Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Caucus will continue to support the efforts of the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Transition in promoting the creation of a new Nunavut government. I am confident that in working with our partners, the western Caucus, the office of the Interim Commissioner, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the federal government and the Nunavut Implementation Commission, a Nunavut government will be created that the people of Nunavut can be proud of. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause.

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

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, as the entire country knows it, is budget day for the liberals in Ottawa. There has been speculation that our federal government will have a balanced budget, with a possible surplus. This is, indeed, good news for us all. I would like to congratulate the Honourable Paul Martin for his guidance in achieving this. Over the past number of years, Canadians have suffered from budget cuts and belt tightening that most jurisdictions across our country have experienced and hopefully, this budget will give us all the rewards we expected.

During Sunday's brunch where Mrs. Blondin-Andrew and Andrew Mitchell spoke, both stressed that the north would get its fair share. I hope this will happen. We have heard over and over the need for more housing, better housing and lower rents for staff in remote communities and many other issues, hopefully, this budget will address.

I hope this budget addresses the recommendations put forward in the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Report as suggested. The federal government has recognized the needs and the despair that our native people across the country live under.

Previous budgets have taken their toll on our people. Many areas of Canada have unsuitable housing, higher than average unemployment, lower than average education levels and very high incidents of social problems. In most cases, these are our native aboriginal Canadians. Our people need many things to live a normal life as the rest of Canada and I hope that Mr. Martin will address these very important issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause.

Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as elected representatives of this House, we are elected to represent the people of the Northwest Territories. At times, specific constituency issues are raised and other times, transterritorial issues, although sometimes constituency specific issues have territorial implications. An example was the Keewatin health issues. Mr. Speaker, the assets of this government were paid for and financed by all residents of the Northwest Territories. How does the government decide what is surplus and what is redundant?

Mr. Speaker, specifically, I speak about the government's consideration to transfer the NWT liquor warehouse to the city of Yellowknife for a dollar. Mr. Speaker, the liquor warehouse, information provided to me shows, has a value of $2.39 million. I have never heard about any situation in the past where a $2.39 million asset would be transferred for a nominal sum of a dollar and then be torn down just to make available a building lot.

Mr. Speaker, the transfer of an asset to a community or an organization in the past has been facilitated to help a community or that organization, not to be destroyed to make way for another project. How was this decision reached? Mr. Speaker, later today, I will ask questions to the Minister responsible for this matter. Thank you.

--Applause.

Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do find it disturbing. The honourable Member and the Reverend Bauchman did provide me yesterday with a copy of a letter outlining his complaints and concern on this issue. I plan on addressing it directly with chair of the Stanton Regional Health Board. I am sure it is a one-time occurrence that regretfully happened. We will do all we can to make sure it does not happen again, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Ng.