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.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Members' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to pay tribute to an organization in my home community of Kimmirut. The group, Ikaarutit, was started one and a half years ago by volunteers and local leaders, Jeannie Padluq and Kowisa Arlooktoo. The name means, bridge or a way to crossover.

Ikaarutit raises money to pay for tickets for family members who cannot afford to visit very sick relatives or to attend funerals. To date, the group has raised and spent over $10,000 and have assisted in helping many families to deal with their grief and healing.

Mr. Speaker, at one point, the government helped to pay for compassionate travel expenses of those on income support, but this program was eliminated during the deficit reduction exercise a few years ago. I would note that this was not solely a result of budget cutbacks as there were also real issues of fairness as to who received program benefits.

My point is, Mr. Speaker, these two community leaders recognized a problem and worked to solve it in the community by creating this organization. This is a real example of community self-reliance and I am proud.

Mr. Speaker, my constituency office receives, on average, one or two calls a week from family members who cannot afford to go see a terminally ill family member in one of the Montreal/Ottawa hospitals or to attend a funeral of a family member.

Mr. Speaker, not including the expense of hotels and meals, the cost of visiting someone in the hospital from Kimmirut is over $2,100 return. Aggravating these already stressful situations is that usually the person in the hospital or the one who must make the visit is the main income earner for the family and must take leave without pay. Sick leave or special leave credits do not last long. Mr. Speaker, there are also the additional costs of ensuring that the family left at home is being looked after financially and otherwise.

Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, I personally know families that have lost loved ones due to cancer, other diseases or by accident and have become financially bankrupt during the process. There are many families close to the same situation as I speak. When constituents talked to me about this issue, the area they stressed was the apparent unfairness. Mr. Speaker, I notice I am out of time, I would like to conclude my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During my constituency meetings, they stressed the apparent unfairness. An example I will use is, because I live near a hospital here in Yellowknife, if I happen to land in the hospital for some reason, my family could visit me for a total cost of $8.00 return cab fare or possibly $2.00 worth of fuel if they took their own vehicle. This is compared to several thousand dollars and many days away from home for an individual in my constituency.

Mr. Speaker, I started out by paying tribute to Ikaarutit and I hope I have made everyone more aware of how important their work is. Unfortunately, they will have no shortage of families to assist which is all funded from donations from a cash-strapped community of 450 residents. They have asked me to pass along their appreciation to individuals who have assisted in making donations. Local boards and agencies, businesses and First Air, have been cooperative. I understand that due to the stress and difficulty of raising money, let alone of deciding whom to assist and to whom to say no to, the group has considered disbanding. I hope this does not happen.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to say that we are thankful to this group, that their efforts are appreciated and I encourage them to keep helping these families in real need. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since January, a group of swimmers have gathered together to form the Iqaluit Breakers Swim Team. There are nine swimmers altogether, from the ages of 13 to 17, and all of the swimmers are involved in the lifesaving and lifeguard program. The Iqaluit Breakers participated in the Kimberlite Classic Swim Meet held here in Yellowknife during the month of May. While in Yellowknife, they had an opportunity to compete against the Yellowknife Polar Bear Swim Club. Overall they raced aggressively and broke their own personal race times and proved to be competitive opponents. Mr. Speaker, since then the swimmers have asked if they could swim at 6:00 a.m., twice a week in addition to the three other swimming practices that they have had. As you can see, the whole experience has had a positive impact on the swimmers having achieved their goals that they have worked hard for, they are keener than ever and look forward to competing next year, in January and May, here in Yellowknife in different swimming competitions. Mr. Speaker, their coach, Karen LeBlanc, hopes to come here to Yellowknife this summer to participate in a Coaching Level II Certificate Program. She is hoping to recruit younger swimmers to compete next year in Iqaluit. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Iqaluit swimming team, the Iqaluit Breakers and their coach, Ms. Karen LeBlanc. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past many years, my predecessors and myself have lobbied strong and hard to provide an adequate and safe highway between Rae-Edzo and Yellowknife. This project has taken many years to get where it is today. This summer, according to the capital plan for 1998-99, we should see the start of the last 100 kilometres of reconstruction. We know this will take years before we have a completely paved highway between Rae-Edzo and Yellowknife, but this is only the start.

Over the last couple of winters, this road has become very busy with the construction of BHP, all the explorations and many hundreds of trucks travel this section to deliver their freight. It has become such an important link that I understand, over this past hauling season, there was approximately one truck travelling every three to four minutes apart on this road. This of course, does not include any local traffic from the communities or regular freight hauled on a scheduled basis. This road is very important to everyone.

With this in mind, it is the reasoning behind the Dogrib Rae Band's development plan for the new airport and staging area outside of Edzo. To date, this project has been funded through the band council's operations with training programs and donations. Last year, the band council stated this project and with little funding were able to complete approximately 25 percent. This year they will continue to improve this site and hopefully with support from this government and the private sector we will see an airport to service my community of Rae-Edzo in the near future.

With this area being developed, the council's hope is to provide an alternate staging, as that will relieve the pressures this highway construction will have on all resupply to Yellowknife and the mines. I do hope we are starting this highway construction this summer. However, today I heard the Department of Indian Affairs will not let construction begin until an environmental review is complete. This, I can say, came as rather a surprise considering this project is now in its fifth year in the capital plan. The Department of Transportation has not completed this review yet.

I would also like to say that later today, I will be asking the Minister of Transportation questions regarding this project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise

today in the House to talk about an issue that is very important to my constituents, the high cost of air travel in the north.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, this government's financial problems have resulted in the end of compassionate travel benefits for the people of the north. When a loved one is sick or dying, it is now virtually impossible for relatives from other communities to be able to afford to visit their loved ones in their time of need.

Mr. Speaker, we pay the highest airfares in the world and, unfortunately, in Nunavut there are limited other options for travelling between communities. In the east First Air operates as a monopoly. The people I represent have no choice but to pay whatever airfare rate First Air decides the market will bear.

If you compare Yellowknife and Iqaluit as points of departure south, it is obvious to me that travellers going from Yellowknife to Edmonton have a distinct advantage over travellers going from Iqaluit to Montreal or Ottawa. What is this advantage, Mr. Speaker? The advantage is seat sales. Since the departure of Canadian Airlines from the Iqaluit-Montreal run, seat sales have been non-existent in the east.

I applaud the purchase of Canadian North by Nunasi Corporation. Some people might be concerned that two Inuit birthright corporations competing for the same travelling dollar in the same market are counter to Inuit tradition. Mr. Speaker, I have no problems with this, both organizations are financially strong and have the necessary leadership to deal with the consequences of air travel competition in the north.

Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that competition will lead to lower airfares for my constituents. I strongly encourage the new owners of Canadian North to re-enter the Iqaluit-Montreal market. Fair and honest competition makes for better companies and better services to the customer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about tourism, and particularly to speak about tourism in the Yellowknife North constituency. Mr. Speaker, it is a well-known fact that there is very good fishing in the numerous parks and lakes along the Ingraham Trail. These are available by road, most of them within 30 minutes. I can attest that there is still trophy fish available in those lakes. To give you a good example, just this past weekend, Iqaluit MLA, Mr. Picco landed two huge pickerels in Prelude Lake. He informs me he waged a 20-minute battle with each of these fish. When I asked him how come he is such a good fisherman, he looked at me in a funny way, and he said, I am a Newfoundlander. So I guess that explains it.

Anyway, Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite tourists and visitors alike to visit these lakes and the Yellowknife North constituency and experience world class trophy fishing and angling, as evidenced by Mr. Picco's success. Thank you.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in regard to a very important issue here in the Northwest Territories and also in Nunavut. There are a lot of people who have physical disabilities. It could be in the form of physical, mental or otherwise. There are also people who are confined to wheelchairs. There are all kinds of disabilities that we can think of which limits some people to go around. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I want the work places, wherever they may be, particularly government departments, to be more accessible to people who are in wheelchairs so that people with limited mobility can access these buildings. We should be more than open to these people who would like to go into some departments because they have the same kinds of needs that we have. Therefore, I just wish some departments and workplaces to be more open to people with all kinds of disabilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. All Members are doing well with their Members' statements, but I would like to request that some of the Members who do have written text to slow down when they are reading and allow the translators time to translate for the unilingual Members. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Picco on March 3, 1998. A reply made by myself in regard to the Canadian Departure Tax on March 3, 1998. The date this House adjourned, the Premier took a question on notice from the Member for Iqaluit concerning this Canadian Departure Tax. I believe the Member was referring to the Air Transportation Tax.

Mr. Speaker, Canada is changing the way it pays for its air navigation system. Transport Canada used to operate Canada's air navigation system as a federally subsidized public service. The federal government recovered about 85 percent of the cost of the air navigation system through the Air Transportation Tax. The tax was added to the price of air passenger tickets. The remaining cost of the system was paid for from Transport Canada's annual appropriation from Parliament.

NAV Canada was established as a private corporation to assume responsibility for the air navigation system from Transport Canada and to operate the system independently of government on a cost recovery basis. The transition to cost recovery is taking place this year in two steps. Phase 1 took effect on March 1st and Phase 2 will take effect on November 1st. As NAV Canada introduces its new service fees on air carriers, the Air Transportation Tax on passenger fares is eliminated. Half the Air Transportation Tax was removed on April 1st and the rest will go on November 1st.

How the air carriers decide to recover NAV Canada's new service fees from their customers is a matter of the carrier's corporate pricing strategy. The Air Transportation Tax was collected strictly on passenger fares. Now, the air carriers have new flexibility to recover the NAV Canada service fees from either their passenger or their freight revenues or some combination of both.

I would like the Member to know that, with the northern air carriers, the Department of Transportation mounted a vigorous lobbying campaign that has been successful in modifying the impact of the new service fees on northern air routes.

The lobbying campaign made NAV Canada recognize that the fee structure, as it was originally proposed, had a greater impact on northern than southern air routes. As a result, NAV Canada agreed to raise the weight limit of the aircraft to which the Phase I fees would apply from 5.5 to 8 tonnes. The higher weight limit exempted twin otters and similar sized aircraft from the Phase I fees. The department also won the important concession that the new fees would not apply to flights departing from northern and remote airports where the air navigation services are delivered by our CARS Program.

The next and last phase of the service fees will come into effect on November 1st. So far, NAV Canada has circulated a discussion paper on the Phase 2 fees that considers several options. It has made no firm proposal at this time.

With other Departments of Transportation and northern carriers, the department has proposed, (1) exempting small aircraft under 8 tonnes altogether in Canada, or (2) exempting small aircraft under 8 tonnes in the northern and remote areas of Canada. NAV Canada has not rejected either proposal and appears to be giving them serious consideration. We will have to wait and see. The department expects NAV Canada to release its Phase 2 fee proposal sometime in August.

Although, I cannot be specific at this time, I am reasonable confident that we will have similar success in influencing the Phase 2 fees as we have had with the Phase 1 fees. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the mayors in my riding, Aivilik. We have in the gallery Mr. Louis Primeau, SAO for Coral Harbour, beside him is Mr. Johnny Ningeongan the Mayor of Coral Harbour and Percy Kabloona from Whale Cove. Mr. Steve Mapsalak Mayor of Repulse Bay and Donat Milortuk who is a member of the Keewatin Inuit Association. Thank you.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent visiting from the community of Kimmirut, Mr. Jawlie Mingeriak.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a good friend of mine and also the new Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Elders, for the new Government of Nunavut, Mr. Peter Ernerk. Mr. Picco informs me that Mr. Ernerk is one of his new constituents. Thank you.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko.

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to recognize Rhoda Perkison, a former deputy clerk of the House.

--Applause

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The dollars assigned to the major highways initiatives are coming from the supplementary appropriations.

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

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like some clarity. Is my honourable colleague talking about the road's strategy or is he talking about the P3 projects that we have all been discussing since early January? If he can give me some clarity, then I can give him an answer.

Mr. Ootes. Your supplementary.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it is important to step back a little bit and give some history here so everybody understands the issue. I had spoken to the committee at length, at which Mr. Ootes, of course, is a Member. I believe he was at one of the meetings, if my memory serves me correctly, and I will go back and check that. I indicated then that in our budget statement of January we will move forward on some P3 projects. We also indicated that we were going to try to bring forward some new monies for the desperate need in the housing program and that the reallocation of some of the capital projects into P3 projects will be put toward the development of the new housing initiative. That was clear at the time, I have spoken on a number of occasions about that issue and it was understood. I then sent a letter on March 9, 1998, to Mr. Erasmus, Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Government Operations, outlining the criteria for P3 and outlining a list of potential projects that the deputy ministers had allocated and where they thought they would get the best cost recovery based on the criteria that were set for P3.

I then received a letter from the standing committee and followed up with a further letter on March 23, 1998, to all Members of the Legislative Assembly, including Mr. Ootes. On April 16, 1998, based on the request from Mr. Ootes with respect to P3 meeting all the criteria and all the questions he asked in the House, the projects, I then sent him a ten-page correspondence outlining what was occurring and why it was occurring. Mr. Speaker, just give me a moment because it goes on and on and on. Maybe my honourable colleague forgot to read his mail. On April 28, 1998, he then wrote to me again. Mr. Speaker, if the honourable colleague has read his mail, he has obviously not read it properly because we have answered the questions and that is the point I am trying to make here. On May 6, 1998, we also wrote all the Members and I specifically wrote to all the Members with respect to the P3 projects prior to any official public release of the P3 projects. Then on May 25, 1998, I wrote to Mr. Ootes specifically with respect to the $3.6 million approved in the main estimates and explained to him where the money was going.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Todd.

I will try to keep it simple and I will talk real slow. Mr. Speaker, I said from the very beginning, in which Mr. Ootes was aware of in committee and all the Members were, that we were going to reallocate some of the P3 project money into housing money that is desperately needed right across the Northwest Territories. That was explained from the very beginning. The P3 projects were identified by the deputy ministers to ensure the government is going to get value for money et cetera. I wrote to the Government Operations Committee, Mr. Erasmus, who I have worked cooperatively with the last two and half years and asked him for input to the P3 projects. I received the response from him. I believe you are a member of that committee or can be a member of that committee if you wish to attend. Give me some input into the projects. I then wrote to each and every Member about the projects prior to the public release. I do not know how else to explain it to my colleagues. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

The Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd. It is regarding the collective agreement and pay equity issue. Last week I had asked Mr. Todd if he would, in fact, direct his officials to return to the table. Has the Minister made any advances to the UNW or has the UNW contacted the Minister's officials to come back to the table to talk? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said publicly the other day in the House, I was prepared to come back to the table, but I did indicate there was not a lot of room to move by saying that publicly late last week. I believe it is now really in the hands of the UNW. We are ready, willing and able to move forward to try to reach an arrangement that will put this difficult issue behind us and get on with delivering more money to our employees.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think a little background is warranted here. I think it is fair to say that the GNWT has suggested they have a final offer that is on the table. The UNW is saying they will not have further discussions until the issue of pay equity is removed from the table. Hence the impasse. My question to the Minister is, and he has spoken a number of times and suggested that the UNW bring this question to the membership. My question to the Minister is, if the UNW does bring this question and package before the membership and the membership rejects it, will the Minister at that time consider taking the pay equity issue off the table and discussing them separately? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It would be difficult for me to determine the outcome vote. What I would really appreciate would be that the UNW let the membership move forward and vote in their democratic right whether the agreement or the proposal we put before them, our final agreement, is one that they think is fair and reasonable. It would be difficult for me to specify at this time what would take place should there be a rejection if the employees do get the opportunity. I am reasonably confident that what we have presented to our membership, the constituency, is fair and I am optimistic if it gets to a vote which I hope it will, that they will vote yes. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I certainly agree with the Minister that it would be unfair to expect him to be able to determine the outcome what the membership would agree on. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recall some of the statements that the Minister made in the House last week on this collective agreement and the package in general. I quote the Minister stated...

Mr. Henry, do you have a supplementary question?

I do.

Would you continue with your supplementary question, please?

My question to the Minister is, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister not give some consideration to removing the issue if the UNW rejected the offer? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

My interpretation, Mr. Speaker, and I was trying to be diplomatic in my responses, if the UNW rejected the offer, then the next move is to strike and I would hope that at some point, we would avoid that. That is certainly our intention. We need to try to get everybody back to the bargaining table, as my honourable colleague says, and I do appreciate the fact that he is working hard along with myself, to get that done. We simply have to get people back to the table to take another look at this proposal, and at the end of the day, I fundamentally believe and I will say it until I am blue in the face, our constituency and the membership of the UNW should have the democratic right to vote on this offer that is before them and we will live with the consequences of that vote. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister said that it is a good deal. Will the Minister remove the pay equity issue from the table if it is rejected by the UNW? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is hypothetical. It is the same question. Oral question, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier. It is on another labour dispute which is affecting Yellowknife and the north as well. The Con Mine is involved in a labour dispute, in fact, the workers have gone out on strike and having gone through a bad experience with Giant Mine several years back, and of course, not wanting to prolong this dispute, I was wondering if the Premier could update the House if they are doing anything to try to get these two parties back to the table? Thank you.

Thank you. Do you wish to respond Mr. Morin? This is more like a federal matter, Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You are absolutely correct. It is a federal issue on labour, but we, as the Government of the Northwest Territories has an interest because those are NWT residents who are on strike. The mine is located in the Northwest Territories. As a government, we have already established a task force of senior GNWT officials. Deputy Minister, Don Cooper of Justice, is chairing that task force and Joe Handley, as well as Penny Ballantyne, Ron Williams and Judy Langford are also on that task force to keep us appraised of the issues of the strike. My understanding is that Mr. Cooper has already been in touch with the union as well as with the company to get information on the issues concerning the strike. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to hear this task force has been formed and the government is being kept up to date. I was wondering if the Premier could indicate if he has taken any action to attempt to bring the two parties back to the table, so that this system is not prolonged to a greater degree? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The strike and the issue out there are between Con Mine and the union. Our government has no involvement in that. What we have done is establish a task force to keep us informed about the strike, and hopefully, they will come back together, start talking and that the mine will be up and producing again and people can go back to work. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, the Minister for MACA made a statement on the Keewatin Pilot Project. There has been a lot of confusion and few answers surrounding the Keewatin Pilot Project. I am wondering if the Minister could tell me at this time and indicate if the Keewatin airport transfer in the Keewatin region is linked with the MACA's Keewatin Pilot Project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, it is linked to the Keewatin Pilot Project.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in response to a question on the Keewatin Pilot Project or the Keewatin airport transfer, on the last day, Friday, May 22nd, in reviewing the Hansard, the Transportation Minister indicated there was a concern with the deputy minister of Community Government Housing and Transportation for the Nunavut government with this transfer. I wonder if the Minister of MACA could confirm that she has been in contact with the Office of the Interim Commissioner and, indeed, they have told her that there is a problem with the Keewatin transfer? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.