Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise today to speak briefly once again about the new job evaluation system that is being brought in by the government. It seems to me, Mr. Speaker, there are rumblings from all quarters on this particular system and I am concerned about some of the disparities that seem to exist within departments. For example, I understand tradesmen with four-year journeyman tickets have been evaluated not much higher than clerical positions. This also leads to the concern as well with health, for instance, how the nurses and social workers are rated. If there is disparity within departments, is there disparity across departments as well? My understanding was the intent of this system was to ensure that there was a certain consistency throughout government for jobs that were at the same level of complexity and requirements for education and experience. I would hope the government considers this evaluation system at this point a work in progress, listens very carefully to the feedback and concerns being raised and take some steps to adjust the system to make it a truly workable representative system of evaluation that will have a buy-in from the employees and the union, as well as the government. It is a critical piece of work. It is long overdue. It is tied into pay equity. There is a lot riding on this and I would strongly encourage the government to make the steps necessary to, in fact, reflect the changes and see if we can move on with a system that does meet all the needs and demands. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with further sadness from my constituency that I present my statement today, Mr. Speaker. Early yesterday morning, the people of Fort McPherson lost another one of their respected and treasured elders, Mr. Fred Blake, Senior, who was suffering from a weakening illness for the remaining few months of his life. Fred Blake Senior succumbed to his illness, but not without giving a fight to the end. Fred Blake Senior was born in East Branch on the Mackenzie River in 1917 and was the son of Arthur and Elizabeth Blake. Fred and his wife, Elizabeth George, were married in 1937 and had a family of 14 children, all of whom are still alive today. They also have more than 37 grandchildren.

As an active young man, Fred was always involved in his traditional way of life. That is how he raised his family, through hunting, fishing and trapping on a daily basis. He had plenty of energy left when he came back to the communities to join in football and also in square dancing and jigging.

For many years, Fred was the local water delivery man in Fort McPherson. He carried out his duties diligently and effectively. Although Fred was retired and collecting Old Age Pension, he remained active in the social structure of the community. He participated in square dancing, calling on a regular basis and Fred was present along with other musicians of the local community to always be there to entertain the community. Despite getting on in age, Fred continued to get back to the land every spring to pursue his traditional way of life at Husky River. He was also known as a nice old man who loved to joke and tease, especially to the younger people, making people laugh regardless if it was on the street or in his home. Fred was always there for everyone.

On behalf of my constituency and myself and family, I offer my sincere condolences and sympathy to Fred's family, his wife Elizabeth and all his children and grandchildren. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in an effort to try and get the community more involved in Inuvik in what I do here, I requested the Social Work Program of Aurora Campus in Inuvik to prepare a statement and a line of questioning for any of the Ministers that they felt was a concern in Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, I will follow with the statement prepared.

Currently, within Inuvik and the Beaufort Delta region, there is no detox available to those suffering from alcohol addictions. The health planning project, Community Profile of Needs, which was completed in 1996 documented that alcoholism was cited as a major social issue within virtually every community within the region. Further to this, detox was clearly stated to be a community need. It has, in fact, been openly identified by employers, government, superintendents, regional education authorities, as well as Aurora College, that alcohol abuse is impacting directly upon the educational and work environment in our region.

The Inuvik interagency committee has been actively advocating for a detox centre and had, in fact, been informed that one would be built and located within the new hospital complex. Recently, Inuvik received word that this was no longer the case and that one medical detox bed would instead, be provided within the regular medical unit. There is a big difference between a two to three day medical detoxification as compared to a social detox. As a result, residents of this area continue to be faced with the reality of having to travel out of their region to receive such necessary services. This creates barriers to health and wellness. The window of opportunity to help someone who is drinking is very short. Clearly, detox needs to be available within our region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last night I had the privilege of attending the Commissioner's Award Ceremony here in the Great Hall, with about 200 people present. There were two presentations last evening, Mr. Speaker. The first was a bravery award to a young Yellowknife man, Brennan Debassaghe, who fought off a large dog in order to save his cousin who had become entangled in the dog's chain.

--Applause

The second presentation was to Justice Mark de Weerdt for exceptional public service over the course of his 40 years in the north and I want to acknowledge that Justice de Weerdt is here with us this afternoon.

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I can think of no one more deserving of this honour than Mark de Weerdt and I was pleased to be able to participate in the ceremony. He has been an inspiration and role model for two generations of northern lawyers. His skill, compassion, integrity and honesty complement his knowledge of the law. Some of his finest work over the years has been outside of the courtroom, helping to make this sometimes unwieldy court system more understandable and open to all. In the early years, his wife Ann was often left to raise their four children on her own, while Mark was flying around the north in a single otter for weeks at a time. Ann also found time to develop the CNIB here in Yellowknife and worked with the YWCA. Both of the de Weerdts gave a lot back to our community and the northern communities in terms of volunteer activity and in that respect, the Commissioner's Award really goes to them as a team.

With Mark's retirement last year, we bid farewell to the last of the original three justices of the northern court, but as Yellowknife demonstrated last night, out of sight is not necessarily out of mind. We will once again have the honour of having Justice de Weerdt's presence on the bench from time to time in the north. He was sworn in this morning as Deputy Judge of his old court, so he can return north for flying squad duty on circuits, just like in the old days. I want to thank Justice de Weerdt for making the trip back to Yellowknife for the award ceremony and I especially thank the committee for choosing him and young Brennan Debassaghe as recipients of this award. As I said before, I can think of no two people more deserving. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud today to speak on what I consider to be an inspiring achievement by constituents in my riding. In the summer of 1996, after three years of planning by the ministerial committee, the long talked about idea of a youth centre in Hay River was realized. The main goal for the organizers of the centre is to create and maintain an environment to promote the spiritual, physical and social development of youth in Hay River by presenting them with positive choices, role modelling and strategies for dealing with life's issues, based on Christian principles.

Another continuing goal of the centre is to offer our young people a safe haven to enjoy activities in an alcohol and drug free environment. The youth centre organizes and offers a wide range of activities for the young people of Hay River. In addition to in-house activities such as movies and computer access, the centre also organizes youth to assist in community events such as the Heritage Days Festival and First Night Festival.

In order for a centre of this size and range of programming to operate effectively, a staff of 25 community volunteers under the auspices of Ms. Andrea Webb, oversees the facility. Ms. Webb also acts as counsellor and confidante to the youth that come to the centre. Mr. Speaker, it is comforting to know that the youth in my riding have a place to go and find answers and guidance in an environment that is well suited to young people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, this is in response to Mr. Enuaraq regarding cleanup of Cape Christian. The Federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development transferred buildings and other assets located at the former United States Coastguard Station near Cape Christian to the Government of the Northwest Territories in 1979. The transfer documents did not clearly indicate who was responsible for cleaning up the debris and contaminated soil remaining at the site. Regardless of this outstanding matter, my department has undertaken a great deal of work in recent years to remove those wastes which pose the greatest risk. During this time, my department and the Department of Public Works and Services have also been in discussion with DIAND in an attempt to resolve the matter of responsibility, but with little success. More recently, my deputy minister has raised this subject with DIAND's Regional Director General.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot at this time, provide the honourable Member, with a direct answer to his question of when the cleanup of Cape Christian will be completed because discussions with the federal government have not resolved the matter of responsibility. I can state, however, that this government remains committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and the environment by continuing to work towards the eventual cleanup of Cape Christian and other abandoned military sites located across the north. Thank you.

This is a return to oral questions, asked by my friend, Mr. Henry, on February 20th. It is regarding reallocation of fire suppression surplus.

The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED) obtained two Public Service Career Training Program (PSCTP) positions from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE). ECE funds 50 percent of the salary dollars for these positions. The training department, in this case RWED, funds the remaining 50 percent. PSCTP pays salaries at 80 percent of the full salary requirement. The two positions were a Renewable Resource Officer II Trainee and a Wildlife Technician. Therefore, we were required to fund 50 percent of the salary requirements as well as operations and maintenance for specific training courses including travel, accommodation and other expenses. I told you this was a written question.

The salary requirements for a Renewable Resource Officer II are approximately $58,000 and $56,000 for a Wildlife Technician. This amounts to $114,000 and at 80 per cent, equals approximately $95,000. ECE paid half. Therefore, RWED's share was approximately $47,000. As the fiscal year had commenced, costs were prorated accordingly and estimated at $40,000 ($25,000 for salaries and $15,000 for operations and maintenance). Thank you.

This is a response to a question asked by Mr. Miltenberger on February 13th, interest relief for business credit corporation loans.

Currently, there are 105 borrowers whose loan interest rates exceed eight percent. A general, across-the-board reduction equals approximately $300,000 in interest payment reductions. It is important to note that this estimate is based on the current rate of eight percent per annum over the next three fiscal years, and breaks down as follows:

Fiscal Year Savings to borrowers

1998-99 $150,000

1999-00 $110,000

2000-01 $ 40,000

The interest roll back means that the Business Credit Corporation will forego approximately $300,000 in interest revenues over the next three years. This amount will be reflected in the corporation's net income for that period.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like

to proudly recognize my baby brother, Mark Miltenberger, Brett Harris, Scotty Roberts, some hockey legends from Hay River on their way to Iqaluit to bring hockey glory back to The Hub.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hay River has a couple of days off school, so I have the pleasure of having my lovely daughter with me in Yellowknife over the next few days, Jillian, welcome to the Assembly.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Pat Thomas of the NWTTA.

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Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if they are still in the gallery because we cannot see behind us, but I would like to recognize Mr. Justice de Weerdt and Norm Mair, a former Yellowknife businessman now retired, but still an active resident in our fair city. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure I can answer the question. I do know in the past we used to fund boards in advance with one annual lump sum payment and boards used the interest from that money to augment their programs. We were advised by the Auditor General that this is not acceptable and therefore changed the funding program. I am not sure if they are funded quarterly or monthly, Mr. Speaker, but I will provide the Member with that information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In a recent letter from Minister Jane Stewart, she acknowledged that while the task force was on a great mission and has to do important things on behalf of both governments, that, in fact, they would be very late in delivering whatever goods they are able to muster up. It is a reluctant acknowledgement that we are slow off the mark and whatever good recommendations they might be able to deliver is still one to three months down the road. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I can provide a written response to the Member and all Members of the Legislature giving them details of the tentative meeting schedules and agenda items for the task force over the next month and a half. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, in general terms, the task force was set up because we are of the view that senior officials within the federal government and various departments involved do not have sufficient interest or knowledge/information available to them in order to properly advise the federal government on how important this new emerging industry is to Canada and how the government should be advised by their officials in regard to how they handle this new emerging industry. The foremost task of this is to get educated, to become aware and to become familiar with the diamond industry. The second is to put together the two or three federal departments, the senior managements from within those departments together with the senior officials from our government here in the Northwest Territories and come up with some recommendations that would guide the federal government and this government on how we can best work together to identify and maximize the economic benefits. Opportunities are presented as a result of this new industry that is coming into force in Canada. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, as a general rule, the federal government has no experts within its ranks. There are no experts on diamonds within the federal government. What the federal government has are a few people who have taken the time to visit with diamentaires and are regurgitating for federal officials and Ministers the information they have gleaned from meeting with diamentaires in Europe and also in the country. There are presently no people within the federal government who have first hand experience in working and dealing with diamonds. The federal government has had to lean exclusively on getting information from outside expertise to formulate the positions they have taken to date. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is addressed to the Minister responsible for FMBS and is in regard to the job evaluation system. Earlier in the week, we raised concerns about communicating with the employees about this new system to inform them so they are not caught unawares and are aware of what the intent is. It would appear that in addition to communicating with employees, there are some discrepancies or questions about how ratings were done that have quickly become evident. Tradesmen, for instance, are being rated where they are. As well, there is some disparity with social workers and nurses. Is the government going to be looking at fixing any possible glitches or disparities in this system as part of the implementation process to, in fact, ensure there is a fair and equitable system? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to hear the Minister's response. Would the Minister include that in his communication with the employees that, in fact, this system, while attempts are made to make it a perfect system, may have glitches and that, in fact, it is not carved in stone and the undertaking the Minister just gave this House will be passed on to employees? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question at this time will be directed to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services. In line with my Member's statement, these questions were prepared by the same class at the Aurora Campus. The Inuvik region has identified a definite need for a detox centre. With recent emphasis that has been consistently placed on community empowerment and development, how can the government explain their decision to ignore the needs identified by the communities themselves? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Why has the current government not followed through with the commitment or promise to fund detox facilities within the community of Inuvik?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final supplementary, the GNWT promised that the closure of Delta House would not create major problems within this region and the needs of the community would be addressed. Since the closure of this agency, social problems related to addictions and associated issues have increased. What is the GNWT prepared to do in order to address these issues?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent. It is in regard to the whole area of income support and the appeals process presently in place. I would like to ask the Minister exactly what is being done to educate the people and make them aware that they do have the right to appeal decisions of income support workers. My question is to the Minister in regard to the income support appeals process. What is the Government of the Northwest Territories doing to ensure that residents who collect income support know about the process of appeal?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is the expectation of the department that the income support worker would advise anybody who is refused support that they are able to appeal the decision.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One thing that I have found, Mr. Speaker, is that there is a timeframe in regard for an appeal, which is seven days. In most communities, that is how long it takes the mail to go from one community to the next. I would like to ask the Minister in regard to the timeframe on the appeal, can the Minister ensure the appeal process is adequate to allow the individual to complete an appeal and also the time it takes for that appeal to be sent to the appropriate appeals committee?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If there are, in fact, problems in timing because of mail service, we would certainly be prepared to look at that. If the Member can inform me as to the specific community and concern, I would be prepared to follow up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister, what is being done in regard to the educational process, so people are aware this appeal process does work? Is there an effort made in regard to making submissions on the radio, newspaper or are there papers posted in different offices to make these clients aware of this appeal process?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in a number of offices I have visited, it has been quite visible. The appeals process is publicized in the office by way of signs in a number of locations advising potential clients they do have the right to appeal a decision made by an income support worker. I do not believe we have embarked on a campaign to make the public aware of it. If there is a concern within an office, if the Member would direct me to the specific office, what we will do is work with the income support worker to make sure the clients are advised of their rights. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell me exactly what the process is for communities that do not have an appeals process? Where do they go?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would expect the initial appeal would have to be referred to the income support worker's supervisor, and it would be forwarded on from that point. I am not aware of the specific route the worker would follow. However, I will endeavour to supply the Member with a detailed response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.