Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Good afternoon. Before we get started, I would like to ask Members to welcome the Pages who will be working with us this week. The pages are from Mr Antoine's, Mr. Kakfwi's and my riding. From the community of Fort Providence there is Samantha Bonnetrouge who is to my right. Also, Troy Gargon and Brandon Matto. Members might be interested to know that Samantha and Brandon were part of a group of 10 students from the school in Fort Providence who travelled to the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida to watch the launch of the space shuttle Columbia live last month. Canadian space agency officials invited the group to a reception and a special tour of the facilities. The highlight was meeting Canadian astronaut Dave Williams. Mr. Williams agreed to take their school pin with him on the trip into space. It was truly exciting and valuable experience for the students. It is my hope that we, as Members, will make the trip that these Pages have taken to the Legislative Assembly a memorable learning experience. Again, I would like to welcome all the Pages to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

--Applause

Orders of the Day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today about the Keewatin Pilot Project. I think it is important to clear up some of the misunderstandings and concerns about this proposal. Mr. Speaker, here are the facts:

1. Kivalliq leaders are not asking for more money, they know they have to live with their fair share of the territorial budget. What they want is more local and regional say in how that money gets spent.

2. There has never been any intention to implement the Keewatin Pilot Project before April 1, 1999. It would be foolish to try to make such a major change in government at this time. What we have achieved is the development of a model that can be used in any region, in either new government -- if the government of the day wishes to proceed.

3. This pilot project is not benefiting the Keewatin communities financially in any way. There seems to be some misconceptions about this.

4. The Keewatin communities are used to working together on a regional basis. Since 1994, Keewatin communities have participated in the Kivalliq Partners in Development. This is a regional and community development organization. Kivalliq Partners in Development has done many good things in Keewatin communities and therefore the leadership already had good experience working together. That is why they were interested in this pilot project.

5. There have been concerns expressed that my department has been spending too much time and money on this project. Let me make it clear that MACA has not dedicated extra resources to the Keewatin Pilot Project. Keewatin leaders have used their regular regional leadership meetings to discuss the project.

Mr. Speaker, communities accept that money is tight. They know that there is no longer enough funding available for all the capital projects that communities need. They accept that difficult decisions have to be made about which capital projects can be funded and which cannot. What communities cannot accept, Mr. Speaker, is that these decisions are made by the government, with little input from the people.

Communities continue to ask us why some projects get funded while others do not. I am sure that all of us face these questions when we visit our constituencies.

The Keewatin Pilot Project began more than two years ago as a partnership between the territorial government and the Kivalliq leadership. We wanted to find ways to increase local and regional decision-making authority while still respecting and preserving the authority of the Legislative Assembly to set budgets at the territorial level. Today, we have the foundation for a model that proposes changes to provide more local and regional authority and control.

Mr. Speaker, the principles of the Keewatin Pilot Project are consistent with this government's Community Empowerment Initiative. I am sure we would all agree that we should support community government to be more effective, responsible, accountable and, most importantly, relevant to the people whom they serve.

The concept of more community control and authority is perfectly in line with the driving principles of Footprints 2 and the expressed desire of how the new Nunavut government should evolve. Mr. Speaker, let me make it very clear that neither MACA, the GNWT nor the Kivalliq leadership will support a model that contradicts Footprints 2 or that would create problems for the new Nunavut government.

Let me say it again. There is absolutely no intention to try to implement a new model of governance or new approach to capital planning before April 1, 1999. It will be up to the new Government of Nunavut and the new western government to decide whether they wish to use a new capital planning system or whether they wish to leave the system the way it is now. We are simply providing another option which can be accepted, modified or rejected.

The Kivalliq Leadership continues to support the concept. We are now at a stage in the project where the work that has been done can be consolidated and given to the two new governments for their further consideration. The Kivalliq leaders will be meeting in Yellowknife on May 26 to review the progress to date. I have personally invited the leadership of NTI, NIC and the Interim Commissioner to attend this meeting. I know Keewatin mayors are hoping to meet with the Standing Committee on Government Operations and the Standing Committee on Infrastructure to address their specific concerns.

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry to say that there are some serious misunderstandings about the pilot project. I would like to correct these misunderstandings. Let me make it clear that the Kivalliq mayors and the senior administrative officers will not receive cash payments if they support this project. The Keewatin Pilot Project is not simply a scheme to pad the pockets of local Keewatin businesses. The delivery of Nunavut infrastructures will not be hindered by the Keewatin Pilot Project.

Mr. Speaker, the Keewatin Pilot Project is an idea. It is a new idea that makes sense for these changing times. It supports local decision making. It shows how communities can be given more flexibility to set their own priorities. It proposes a more mature and balanced relationship between the territorial and community levels of government. We have a wonderful opportunity to create new governments in Nunavut and in the west that can bring a meaningful, positive change for communities. I hope we will remain open-minded about new ideas that can help communities develop. I ask all MLAs and other northern leaders to support our work to try to find better ways to serve the people. After all, Mr. Speaker, that is what good government is all about. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to introduce three young people from the small communities I represent as an MLA for Nahendeh. I would like to start off with saying that Carilyn Jumbo, from Trout Lake and John Paul Tonka, from Nahanni Butte, the young man over there. Up there we have Carla Norwegian from Jean Marie River. I would like to welcome them to the Legislative Assembly and I hope that by helping us this week that they will learn what I do here and learn what you do here. They will have some learning experience here to take back to the communities. Mahsi.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, hunting and trapping are occupations many people enjoy in the NWT. It was, at one time, the main driving force of the economy in the NWT. Although, it is no lucrative business, it does provide food, clothing and some cash money for people who practice it. Mr. Speaker, it is also recognized by this government and by this country, TFN and the GNWT provides a Hunters Support Program in Nunavut. We have an Outpost Camp Programs, Community Hunt Programs, Fur Incentive Programs, et cetera. Mr. Speaker, like many other occupations, it has some risks. Many hunters and trappers lost their equipment and in some cases, their lives. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister about the compensation coverage to hunters and trappers. Either regular coverage or an alternative. Thank you.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development knows, the Northwest Territories is one of the few jurisdictions in Canada that does not provide an exemption for RCMP officers and Armed Forces officers from the usual residency requirements for hunting licences. The Minister has informed me that there is little he can do to help these officers. He has said that because the term resident is defined in the Wildlife Act, nothing can be done unless there is an amendment to the Wildlife Act, and that it is not a priority of this government right now.

Mr. Speaker, I have to request that the Minister take another look at this issue. I do not dispute that the term resident is defined in the act, but I wonder if he knows that nowhere does it say that a person must be a resident in order to obtain a hunting licence. As the Minister knows, the act sets up a hunting licencing scheme and the details of the scheme are set out in the regulations. The act itself sets out the eligibility requirements for only two types of licences. The act says that the qualifications for all other hunting licences are set out in the regulations. Certain hunting licences do require that the licence holder be a resident of the territories, but in almost all cases, the residency requirements are established in the regulations.

For example, the trapping/hunting regulations provide that only a resident may obtain a special trapping licence.

Mr. Speaker, if the residency and other eligibility requirements are set out in the regulations for one type of licence, surely they can be set out in the regulations for another type of licence. Unless, perhaps, the Minister is suggesting that the trapping regulations are invalid. It should be clear to everyone exactly what the requirements are for every hunting licence and I have no problem with a general residency requirement, as long as there are appropriate exemptions. Right now, it appears that department officials are refusing hunting licences simply because of their assumptions and impressions, not because of any section that says that they should. Mr. Speaker, I am suggesting that first, the Big Game Hunting Regulations and the Small Game Hunting Regulations should be amended to provide that a person must be a resident in order to obtain a Resident Hunting Licence. This amendment should then provide an exemption for RCMP and Armed Forces officers. The amendment should also exempt RCMP officers and DND officials from the requirement in section 44 of the act that non-residents must use outfitters and guides to hunt big game. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? Mr. Henry, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you colleagues. The amendment should also exempt RCMP officers and DND officials from the requirements in section 44 of the act that non-residents must use outfitters and guides to hunt big game. Section 44 is expressly made subject to the regulations. Mr. Speaker, I do not accept that this is too much for this government to achieve. All we need is a little willingness to try. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Members' statements. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an individual. Members are aware that many sport hunters are taken out on polar bear hunts, yearly around this time on dog teams, especially big game hunters from outside of Canada. This is especially helpful financially to those who own dog teams in communities. In my community people with dog teams take big game hunters out on the land to hunt polar bears and it takes them three or more days one way and sometimes the weather does not always cooperate. I would like recognition given to Pakak Qamaniq who owns a dog team, and takes big game hunters to hunt polar bear.

On April 9, 1997, he guided a successful polar bear hunt and again on April 9, 1998, a year later, guided a successful polar hunt. I have never heard of incidents such as this where someone guiding big game hunters succeeds like this a year apart to the day. This is a very unusual occurrence and during question period today, I will be asking the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, what his department is willing to do to recognize this individual. I think this is the first time this kind of feat has been achieved during this lifetime. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.