Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mr. Dent, your point of privilege.

Point of Privilege

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Your point of privilege has been noted. Also, your point of privilege should be based on response to the report on CBC. Just to remind the Member he might have gone on a bit too long.

--Applause

Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Minister responsible for the NWT Workers' Compensation Board, it is my pleasure today to table the board's corporate plan for 1998-2000.

The corporate plan provides a template which will guide the WCB's operations over the next three years. It represents the first step in a comprehensive planning process that translates into an action plan for management and personal objectives for staff.

Once again, this strategic plan is based on very solid footing. Responsible board management decisions and strong investments have allowed the NWT Workers' Compensation Board to make plans with the assurance of a fully funded accident fund.

This strong financial position enabled the WCB to reduce the average employer assessment rate in 1997, and again in 1998. Only three years ago, the average rate was $2.54 per $100 of assessable payroll. It fell, this year, to $1.87 per $100, the fourth lowest in Canada.

By the same token, this House approved a bill last fall to increase the year's maximum insurable remuneration (the YMIR) to $52,000. This will enable the WCB to fully compensate 75 percent of full-time workers who are injured in the Northwest Territories.

A supplementary pension increase of 1.82 percent was awarded to WCB pensioners last year and a further increase of 1.78 percent was approved for 1998. These adjustments will allow pensioners to keep up with increases in the cost of living.

Mr. Speaker, these are tangible measurements of the WCB's success. It follows that many of the strategic directions identified in past corporate plans are reaffirmed in this document.

Improving workplace safety will remain an important objective. The board will continue to focus its efforts on those industries and sectors with the highest accident rates and on promoting partnerships with workers and employers.

The WCB will also continue to strive for the highest possible level of service. Alternative methods of program delivery will be explored and existing initiatives will be evaluated to ensure they meet their stated objectives. Communication with stakeholders will continue to be a top priority.

Mr. Speaker, while this document reflects the WCB's current level of success, it also acknowledges that the WCB must respond to a rapidly changing environment.

In the next three years, the WCB will work hard to clarify its roles, responsibilities and accountability. The development of an effective board governance structure is crucial to ensuring that the financial, Legislative and program challenges facing the board are dealt with in a responsible manner.

Most importantly, the board must work to project the interests of its stakeholders during the creation of the two new territories. The WCB will co-operate with representatives of the west and Nunavut to facilitate a smooth transition. In the end result, I am sure all Members want a Workers' Compensation Board which will provide efficient and cost effective service in both jurisdictions after April 1, 1999.

Mr. Speaker, the WCB's Corporate Plan for 1998-2000 reflects the combined dedication of the board of directors, management and staff to meet the challenges of workers' compensation which will face us going into the twenty-first century. I encourage my colleagues to read this document. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my very great pleasure to rise today in this Assembly to congratulate the community of Gjoa Haven.

Last Friday I flew into the community, along with the MLA for Natilikmiot, Mr. John Ningark and senior staff of the Housing Corporation, to sign the agreement transferring the management and administration of the Social Housing Program from the Housing Corporation to the hamlet. Although my visit was brief, it was a pleasure because the whole community was proud to be taking a major step toward accepting more responsibility for how local housing decisions are made.

Mr. Speaker, I believe transferring more program authority for housing to the community level is the way to go in the future. It is an opportunity for communities to take greater control of their own destiny. I believe the mayor of Gjoa Haven, Michael Angottitauruq Sr. and council should be commended for their vision, as should the members and staff of the former Housing Association, because it is only through their cooperative approach that this transfer was possible.

As the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, I wish to sincerely thank the mayor, hamlet council and all of the community for being our hosts on Friday night. The community events, including the formal signing ceremony itself were very enjoyable and demonstrated the warmth and friendship of a community which was very proud to be taking greater control of their own lives. I hope that more communities will follow Gjoa Haven, and the example set by other communities, by working with the NWT Housing Corporation to assume greater local control over social housing.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I believe that we should reflect on the positive outcome of our community empowerment initiative. Through hard work and cooperation between the GNWT and communities, everyone will benefit from the investment in community self-reliance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Arlooktoo. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

I will speak in my first language, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Goo Arlooktoo on behalf of Gjoa Haven for attending the social housing transfer signing ceremonies. We were made welcome by the people of Gjoa Haven and the people of Gjoa Haven were very happy to see the Minister in their community. The Minister indicated earlier what we did in Gjoa Haven, but I would like to thank Mr. Arlooktoo personally because he had asked me to accompany him to Gjoa Haven. I did not pay my airfare myself, Mr. Speaker, so I would like to thank the Minister.

--Laughter

I would like to thank Mr. Arlooktoo very much. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize a very special individual from my home community of Arviat. Thomas Ubluriak is known as Arviat's unofficial weatherman. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the weather can be very unpredictable. It is almost as unpredictable as politics. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that when Environment Canada has trouble forecasting the weather, they call on my friend Thomas for advice. Ninety-nine percent of the time, Thomas' weather predictions are accurate. He shares his knowledge of the weather without using any modern technology, without any formal training in this area. In addition to being Arviat's unofficial weatherman, Thomas also helps out at the Roman Catholic Church as one of the lay presiders. He is employed at the hamlet of Arviat as a water truck driver and his favourite pastime is dog mushing, a tradition which he continues to enjoy and promote. Mr. Speaker, hats off to Thomas Ubluriak.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have raised the issue of non-insured health benefits before in this House. The NIHB has recently had some major changes. I understand that approximately 640 previous prescription and off-the-shelf drugs are no longer listed or covered under the NIHB. To my knowledge, there was no press release, communiqué or media advisory to let the general public know about this. Most people only found out about it when they went to their local pharmacy.

Mr. Speaker, was our territorial Department of Health advised of these changes prior to them coming into force? Was our government consulted on the changes? The federal government continues to download costs to the residents and we seemingly roll over on the issues. I am of the understanding that the changes made to prescriptions and drugs were because there are cheaper substitutes available in the marketplace. That may be, but are they available at our northern pharmacies here in the north?

For example, Mr. Speaker, if hypothetically hydroxyl is available and is under the NIHB, why would a pharmacy stock an equivalent drug, for example, amberflin. Our doctors probably prescribe the drugs or prescriptions that are readily available, not necessarily what is cheaper or a substitute. The approximate 640 over-the-counter and prescription drugs that are no longer under the NIHB should have been listed and supplied to our medical practitioners. Has that been done?

Mr. Speaker, I would hope that our Minister for Health will and has addressed these concerns with his federal counterpart and later today, I will be asking the Minister some questions on this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the Lahm Ridge Tower leasing arrangement that was recently made. Mr. Speaker, I have listened to many statements and questions made in this House and also had people call me and talk to me about this, a lot of them, because of things that have been raised in here I have taken the time to talk to several people that were involved and, Mr. Speaker, I am satisfied with the explanations that I have received. However, there still seems to be Members and the public who have questions, and of course, they deserve answers to those questions. There was a document tabled on January 28th which attempted to answer the questions that are being asked. The problem is that document was not detailed enough. I would urge the Minister responsible for this area to provide us with a more detailed explanation, a more detailed chronology of events with reasoning, more reasoning, as to why each step was taken. Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of questions that have been asked and a lot of answers given. People need to see all this in one document, explanation with dates and reasoning. Mr. Speaker, I believe this would help lay this issue to rest, and let us get on with proactive work such as dealing with the budget, and improving programs and services and making government more efficient and effective. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, the community of Broughton Island would like to have an access road to Old Broughton Island. An access road is important to the community. Old Broughton Island needs a more sheltered location from the community that allows for a longer boating season. This will allow the community to hunt and fish for a longer period of time as the water around Old Broughton Island is open longer than the water near the community. Hunting, trapping and fishing are important to the economy of Broughton Island. It is also the only form of income for many people. Hunting, trapping and fishing also puts food on the table for the community. If you do not have a skidoo or an ATV, it is difficult to get to Old Broughton Island, not everyone has a skidoo or an ATV. Mr. Speaker, the community of Broughton Island needs an access road to Old Broughton Island. Thank you.

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

Members' statement. Mr. Rabesca.