Thank you, Ms. Thompson. Good morning. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Kelvin Ng will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend a meeting of Ministers responsible for Seniors in Victoria, British Columbia. As well the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo will be absent from the House for today and tomorrow to travel to Russia and Alaska to discuss trade opportunities and to promote the export of northern housing materials and expertise in the design, financing, construction and expediting of housing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today it gives me great pleasure to speak to the Members about the young people from the Northwest Territories who will compete at the 1998 Arctic Winter Games being held here in Yellowknife from March 15th-21st. Sport has always been a positive way to develop healthy people and to build strong communities in the Northwest Territories.

Within a few weeks time, NWT athletes will be coming together to compete in this important circumpolar event. They will be joining athletes from Alaska, Yukon, northern Alberta, Greenland and Russia. In all, a total of nearly 2,000 athletes, coaches, officials and visitors will be participating in this important celebration of sport, culture and Arctic friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide Members with some information about our NWT Team. The team is selected through regional and territorial trials. The selection process differs for each sport. The 1998 Arctic Winter Games Team consists of 352 participants, including athletes, coaches and mission staff from 35 different communities across the north. In addition, 120 officials from across the NWT will also be involved. Team NWT will be competing in all 19 sports including traditional events such as dog sledding, Inuit and Dene games, snowshoeing and Inuit wrestling. I will be sharing with Members of this Assembly, a list of the athletes from each constituency, who have earned the right to represent the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the efforts of the hundreds of volunteer coaches, managers, chaperons and organizers whose time and commitment create this wonderful opportunity for our young people. I wish to also thank all the parents and other adults who provide the family support for our youth to reach their athletic potential, pursue personal excellence and develop socially and culturally within the context of fair and honest competition. There is still much to be done in these last few weeks leading up to the games. Volunteering is a great way to experience the games and to extend our famous northern hospitality to our visitors. I encourage potential volunteers to please contact the Arctic Winter Games Office and they will find a job for you.

I hope that all Members of this House will be able to enjoy the Arctic Winter Games and support the young athletes from your constituencies. Later on, I will be providing Members with souvenir pins of the games which I encourage you to wear with pride.

Mr. Speaker and Members of this Assembly, please join me in congratulating the organizers, coaches, officials, staff and above all the athletes who will represent the Northwest Territories at the Arctic Winter Games. We wish Team NWT the best of luck in their competitions. May they compete in the spirit of friendship and goodwill? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Ms. Thompson. Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

The Member from Mackenzie Delta is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Krutko, you have unanimous consent.

Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Lac La Martre Development Corporation, Department of MACA and Public Works for the two-bay fire hall that will be constructed this year.

After several weeks of hard negotiating between the parties at the final hour last week, all parties came to an equitable agreement. This is good news for Wha Ti, as it will bring badly needed employment, training opportunities and, of course, a new fire hall. With many years experience the corporation will provide an efficient and hardworking team to the project, which will give the community a foundation of good fire protection.

I again, would like to congratulate all the parties involved and will celebrate the grand opening in a few months time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate the Yellowknife Bowling Club on raising $62,000 for the Kids' Help Phone-line on Saturday.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every year, there is a bowlathon that is held Canada-wide for the Kids' Help line. There is participation across the Northwest Territories, too, of course. The phone line is open for all children who have problems at home, at school or whatever. You can phone in anonymously. It is a 1-800 number. You do not have to tell your name. It does not matter what your problem is there are trained people who will help children. I understand there were more than 400 calls from the NWT last year.

This year, Mr. Dent, myself and Alex Arychuk bowled, and we had the good fortune to be graced with the presence of the Premier, who was not able to bowl last year because of his wounded knee. We played two games. The first game was a regular bowling game. The second game was what they call, glow bowling. You have flashing lights, glowing balls, loud dancing music, that type of thing. I do not really know what the Premier did as a youth, Mr. Speaker, but he really came into his own during the psychedelic game. He was bouncing around with eyes flashing and he doubled his score from what he got in his first game. Mr. Speaker, the bowlers themselves got pledges for $31,000. This was matched by the Elk's Hall with an additional $31,000, for a total of $62,000. The league pledges have still not come in. They hope to get $64,000.

Our team would like to thank BHP, Diavik and all the individuals who also pledged. We would also like to thank Debbie Euchner, who has been the coordinator for the past two years, as well as all the volunteers who helped across the Northwest Territories. They are all to be congratulated. They have done a wonderful job and keep up the good work. Our kids need the help line. Thank you.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the recent testing done nationally in the area of math demonstrated a concern with the functional level of our students with the results. Mr. Speaker, results of national tests sometimes do not reflect the cultural diversity of the north. However, it would be interesting to note, if the tests that were done could be broken down by territorial region and location. For example, the majority of students at the testing level would have been tested in their second language in Nunavut. As a result, the assessments may not reflect the true level of our students.

However, as noted by Mr. Dent last week, there is some concern with the results. Are the results reflective of a problem with the curriculum or are they reflective of other problems? Mr. Speaker, later today, I will ask the Minister responsible for Education some questions on this matter. Thank you.

Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return

asked by Mr. Picco on February 6, 1998, legal requirement for contracting reporting.

The requirement to publish a list of payments to contractors which exceed $5,000 was a decision of this government and is not a requirement of the Financial Administration Act.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd, you can proceed with all three.

Thank you. On behalf of Mr. Ng, if I may, Mr. Speaker. There was a question asked by Mr. Roland on February 10th, with respect to custom adoption.

The Department selected a candidate for the post of custom adoption commissioner for Inuvik following nominations from the community. On February 13, 1998, the custom adoption commissioner training package was mailed to the candidate. The Minister will make an appointment once this person successfully completes the training package. This appointment is expected to be made in the near future.

Mr. Enuaraq on February 11, 1998 asked with respect to an elders' home in Broughton Island.

The Department of Health and Social Services supports the promotion of independence for elders by providing home care services which enables the elder to stay in his home community for as long as possible.

We recognize that at times the needs of elders become much greater than can be provided for by the family and the home care supports. Sometimes, it is necessary for the elder to move to a facility which can provide the necessary care.

As it is not economically feasible to construct long-term care homes in each community, we are promoting the use of regional long-term care facilities for such a service. In the case of the Baffin region, the facility would be the Iqaluit Elders' Home or for an even higher level of care, the Baffin Regional Hospital in Iqaluit.

We have consulted with the regional health care providers on the current status of the needs of the elders in Broughton Island. At this time, there are elders who are receiving minimal support services, such as medicating or supported living. We are pleased that the elders are successfully being supported in this way, enabling them to remain in their home.

Last, Mr. Speaker, if I may, with respect to a question asked by Mr. Henry on organ donor identification.

Some provinces use the driver's licences for organ donor information. In Alberta, the organ donor agreement is incorporated on the health care card. This system has been in place for the last three years and has not caused any confusion with other jurisdictions.

The Department of Health and Social Services are looking at the possibility of including organ donor information on health care cards. Currently, only 25 percent of the entire NWT population hold a valid driver's licence, whereas the majority of residents hold a valid NWT Health Care Card. This approach would provide greater coverage of NWT residents.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

The Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Ootes is correct. This is a frequently asked question, what exactly is the net take-home pay, et cetera, for injured workers as it relates to the YMIR. I will speak, once again, to the Chairperson, Joanne Deneron, of the Workers' Compensation Board, and see, as they have done in the past, if they can continue to explain, both to employers and workers, what the net impact of YMIR means, what the recent increase was and how it affects the injured workers. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Todd.

The current fiscal position of the Workers' Compensation Board is really a full credit to not only the management of the Workers' Compensation, but to the board of directors. I would only caution my colleague by saying that has only happened in the last four or five years. Prior to that, of course, they were in fairly difficult times because it is all contingent on how successful their investment policy is, what the markets are, et cetera, because they are not only in North American markets, they are in offshore markets. Their ability to compensate is based upon, in my opinion anyway, their fiscal positions, at least their investment side. The YMIR itself is a recommendation made by the board of directors to the Minister, who then has the House approve it. I have said on a number of occasions my preference would be that the board of directors would make that decision and it would require legislative approval. However, I know the board of directors meets or reviews the YMIR, as they do pensions and everything else, on an annual basis. I will bring the concern raised by my honourable colleague to the Chairperson and to the board later next week. Thank you.

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

Mr. Todd.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, as the Minister responsible, it has to be done through legislation. As Mr. Henry and others spoke about earlier last week, there is clearly a need to revamp the legislation that covers the Workers' Compensation Board. I have said that. Unfortunately, I have also said that our legislative agenda is choked. Certainly, right now, the board of directors provides the Minister with the recommendation, who then moves forward on legislation for the YMIR. I know the board does review YMIR as it does all its others, both in the accident and pension funds, on a yearly basis, based upon their need, financial ability, et cetera. Certainly, this board has acted in a fair and reasonable way. I do concur with my colleague the cost of living in this part of the country is very, very high and difficult to live on the kinds of net dollars that come about here. I would say, from my experience as the Minister for some time, there are a significant number of our injured workers who now, understandably so, reside in the south. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my earlier Member's statement about the national test results in math. Can the Minister of Education let us know what areas or regions of the Northwest Territories were included in that test? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is it possible to break out the results by region and community? Thank you.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, the testing results just became public last week. Has the department had an opportunity to analyze or will they be analyzing the reports and the findings of the national test?

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, the analysis that will be done by the Department of Education, would that be made available to the Members, the NWTTA and other interested parties so they would be able to review the information and maybe work pro-actively and hopefully, change and turn around those test scores? Thank you.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Speaker, this morning I heard an interview on CBC with a woman from a company working in the diamond-related industry. I am not exactly sure what the nature of their business is. However, she certainly sounded much more familiar with the north, with the nature of the work aboriginal people do in terms of art and that type of thing than the gentleman from De Beers had, when he spoke to us in England. Can the Minister expand on the nature of business this Calgary company is doing and why we would like them to set up shop here in the north?

The Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister elaborate on how large an organization this is? Is it a small company or one of worldwide reputation?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What types of advantages could we look forward to by getting them to actually set up shop here in Yellowknife, rather than in Calgary? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, many of us have spoken about the benefits of having a secondary diamond industry in the north here, including the honourable Minister. Could the Minister indicate what we, as a government, would be willing to do in order to either assist and to woo this particular company or some other similar company to set up

shop here in the north, in terms of concessions or training? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We all realize the problems that we have in the Northwest Territories with drugs and alcohol. I will request the Minister of Health to work with the health board, as well as the Member's community, in the Fort McPherson, Inuvik, Beaufort-Delta area, to see how they can make use of that facility and work together to deliver programs in the region that are needed. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

That is a new question. I will ask the Premier to respond.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree with the Member. We have to try to solve our problems at the community level. We have to work with our community members as leaders to try to solve our social problems. We are committed as a government to do that. I know before there was a travelling program for rehab in our communities. Our young people, who are in our educational system where we have to work, with our leaders in the community, our education societies, our divisional boards of education, as well as our divisional health boards to make sure there is proper programming in the school, so people are aware of problems that exist, and they come up with solutions together to solve these problems at the community level. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for WCB. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister give us a status report or rather an update on the plans the WCB has as it relates to division? Thank you.

The Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is there were discussions earlier last week, with

What is important for everybody to understand is the WCB is slightly different from everybody else. WCB members are funded by the employers and not by the government. We have to be extremely cognizant of that. Any additional expense, for example, that may come about because of it, has to be paid through the fiscal condition of the WCB or an increase in the rates et cetera.

My understanding at this stage of the game is, there is a desire to look at the possibility of two boards. However, there seems to be some legal, jurisdictional problems associated with that. That was the advice I received earlier last week. There is the desire possibly to expand, not necessarily to put a Nunavut WCB in place, but to expand some of the jobs that are currently in place. For example, the two jobs in Rankin Inlet and two in Iqaluit on the Occupational Health and Safety side of things, not necessarily on the WCB side of things, but on the Safety Officers and Mining Inspectors. There is some desire there to look at moving some of those jobs out east.

The whole thing boils down to, who is going to pay and what the cost is. It is a little early in the process for me to really give my colleague a clear indication of how I think it is going to unfold. I know that significant discussions will be taking place by the officials and by the players and the Interim Commissioner's office and the Western Coalition. It would be fair to say, there is some disagreement as to how we should go about this. Probably, in the next two or three weeks, we will have greater clarity, and I would be prepared to communicate with my colleague by letter on that. I do not have much more to report than that. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given the fact that we are looking at two separate wings or organizations for east and west, would the Minister see some of these jobs going into the smaller communities like Arviat and Baker Lake? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

I do not want to give my colleague the impression this is going to happen because it is too early in the process. As discussions unfold, I would be prepared to keep him abreast of what is happening. Right now, there are some fairly intense discussions and there are differences of opinion amongst all the players. Until I get a little more clarity at the official's level as to what their desire is, I am not trying to avoid the question, I just do not have the answer because it is still in fairly serious negotiations. What I will say is that contributors to the fund, employers, have to pay the bill. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us who are the parties involved in these discussions and negotiations and, in particular, who are the individuals who are negotiating from the east?

Mr. Todd.

The parties who were negotiating are the same parties negotiating all of the division: the Interim Commissioner's office, the Western Coalition, ourselves in terms of the WCB, the GNWT. These are the players who are sitting down trying to work out an appropriate compromise for Workers' Compensation. Both the Workers' Compensation and the NWT Power Corporation are issues that I red-flagged months and months ago. Somehow, we have to try to come to some consensus as to how we are going to deal with it. Again, I am not trying to avoid the question. At this time, in fairness to my colleague, I cannot give him any real clarity as to how it is going to unfold because it is still very much early in the process in terms of trying to determine an appropriate course of action. We have to take a look at what the legal ramifications are, and we also consistently have to remember who pays at the end of the day. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not aware of the motion that was passed at the NTI/Cambridge Bay meeting. I cannot speak to that. The pilot project is just a proposal and it is still going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently NTI had a news release. In the news release, there is opposition to the Keewatin pilot project. My next supplementary question is, has the office of Interim Commissioner written support for this project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I would like to say that the Keewatin pilot project is just a proposal. I have not had any response from either NTI or the Interim Commissioner that I know of, that have been directed to me personally, as the Minister responsible for this project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in their press release they said they have written to the Minister. I do not understand why the Minister is saying she never received a letter from NTI opposing the Keewatin pilot project when their press release states they have written to the Minister opposing the Keewatin pilot project?

Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I realize the meeting in Cambridge Bay just happened last week, so that letter is probably on its way and will come to me. I am just not aware of it today. It might be on my desk or in the department. I do not know why NTI would be opposing the Keewatin pilot project and not give me any detailed information why they opposed it up until today. When I see the letter, then I will know why and what their reasons are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand NTI is not opposed to the Keewatin pilot project. The NTI recommends maybe the government should wait until division to get this project going. What will be the status if this goes on? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. I will rule the question out of order because it is hypothetical. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of the travel plans for the Minister of Justice or the Minister of Health and Social Services in the next month. I am aware of mine and I am booked solid for the next month. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.