Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The rent scale moratorium that we introduced last year and have made the decision to continue over this coming year, will have the effect of the rent scale remaining the same. We have decided to do some more work on the research side because we have identified areas where we need to find more information. The result will be that the two new governments, both the east and the west, will have to grapple with the issue of the rent scale. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education, Mr. Dent. In 1968, the aboriginal Teacher Education Program began in Yellowknife, it was the first one in North America. In 1961, the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi was the Minister of Education. The Minister suggested that a goal of 50 percent aboriginal teachers by the year 2000 would be an admirable position and stance to take. My question to the present Minister of Education, Mr. Dent is, what position and how much is the department on target to achieve this 50 percent of aboriginal teachers in the classroom? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you, Mr. Minister, for that concise information. Does the Minister have any breakdown? He mentioned Nunavut had a much better success rate. Does he have any numbers and if not, can he provide those numbers to the House? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Mr. Picco.

Thank you. Notices of motion. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, March 2, 1998, I will move the following motion.

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when this House adjourns on Tuesday, March 3, 1998, it will be adjourned until Wednesday, May 20, 1998; and further, anytime prior to May 20, 1998, if the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public requires the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated, in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Thank you.

Thank you. Notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Motion 13-13(5), Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This motion is on the resolution of the pay equity issue in the Northwest Territories:

WHEREAS there is a complaint outstanding for ten years that the rates of pay in the collective agreement that were negotiated by the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers remunerate male and female employees for performing work of equal value;

AND WHEREAS delays in resolving the pay equity complaint are unfair to affected employees who have been denied the right to be paid the same as other employees who are doing work of equal value;

AND WHEREAS delays in resolving the pay equity complaint are unfair to the interests of other groups as long as this long outstanding complaint creates uncertainty for those who rely on government services and programs for their social and economic well being;

AND WHEREAS delays in resolving the pay equity complaint create uncertainty in the clear division of assets and liabilities in the creation of two new territories on April 1, 1999;

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers have both indicated a desire to resolve the pay equity complaint through negotiations;

AND WHEREAS the Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits employers from establishing or maintaining differences in wages between male and female employees who are performing work of equal values;

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers are currently in negotiations for the revision and renewal of the Collective Agreement which expires on March 31, 1998;

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers would be in contravention of the Canadian Human Rights Act if they signed a collective agreement that does not rectify the pay equity problem;

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories has provided assurances that every reasonable effort will be made to minimize the impact a settlement would have on government employment and client service levels;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Iqaluit, that this Legislative Assembly supports the principle of equal pay for men and women doing work of equal value;

AND FURTHER that the Legislative Assembly strongly urges the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers to work together in collective bargaining to negotiate fair compensation to affected employees and rates of pay that treat men and women equally for performing work of equal value;

AND FURTHERMORE that the Government of the Northwest Territories makes every reasonable effort to achieve pay equity and resolve the pay equity complaint and other employee wage and benefit cost issues within the timeframe for inclusion in a new collective agreement and in a manner that minimizes the impact of the settlement on government employment and client service levels.

Thank you. Let the record show that the seconder is changed from the printed version. The motion is in order. Mr. Erasmus, do you wish to speak to the motion?

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe there is any need to speak on this issue. We have all spoken several times on this and we wish to resolve this. We wish to indicate our support to resolving this fairly and equitably, and at this time I would like to request a recorded vote.

Thank you. The Member for Yellowknife North has requested a recorded vote. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Ng, Ms. Thompson, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Todd, Mr. Arlooktoo, Mr. Dent, Mr. Steen, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Mr. Barnabas, Mr. Picco, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. All those opposed? Please stand. All those abstaining? The result of the motion is 17 for, zero against and zero abstentions. This motion is carried unanimously.

--Applause

Motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Mr. Ng.

BILL 15 Adoption Act

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Aivilik that Bill 15, Adoption Act, be read for the first time. Thank you.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Bill 15 has had first reading. First reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Mr. Arlooktoo.