Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi will be a little late for the House on Tuesday, June 2nd, because he will be returning from the Western Arctic Hydrocarbon Conference in Hay River.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to advise Members that the Honourable Charles Dent will be absent from the House on Wednesday, June 3rd to attend the official opening of the Baker Lake Heritage Centre in Baker Lake. Thank you.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to clarify my position on the May 28th decision of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner. The Commissioner has indicated in her report that there is a shortage of individual statements, sworn or otherwise, in support of Mrs. Groenewegen's intentions. The Commissioner has, therefore, determined it will be necessary to hear from third parties before she is able to determine if there is any merit to the complaint. I look forward to the inquiry, as I am confident that it will reveal that there is no substance to any of these allegations.

--Hear! Hear!

I respect the traditions and conventions of Parliament and have, therefore, sought counsel as to whether it would be appropriate to step aside as Premier during the public inquiry. I have been advised that it would not be prudent for me to do so. To step aside would set a dangerous precedent for this government and for all Premiers in Canada because it would encourage individuals to make such broadly worded complaints without any specifics and without supporting statements in the expectation that the Premier would step aside. I will, therefore, not step down as Premier of the Northwest Territories.

--Applause

I, Mr. Speaker, look forward to the public inquiry proceeding as quickly as possible and I invite the Member from Hay River to make herself available as a witness at the inquiry and to submit herself to cross examination, under oath, from my solicitors. I am confident that the truth will be revealed to all those who wait. In the meantime I, as Premier, and all of us who serve in this House, must get on with the business of government, I intend to do just that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was absent from the House from May 19th to the 21st to attend a meeting of the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and the leaders of the five national aboriginal organizations. I am pleased, today, to report the results of this meeting held in the historic capital of Quebec. Later today I will table a copy of the joint communique released at the end of our meeting. The communique outlines an approach for setting a new course in federal/provincial/territorial aboriginal relations.

Attached to the communique is a joint statement that the aboriginal leaders tabled at the meeting. It outlines their principles for working with government at the national level. The Ministers will consider this statement in future discussions. The statement also demands that Canada respond to the call for a First Ministers Conference with aboriginal leaders to deal with the final report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. The Premiers and leaders called for this conference after meeting in Winnipeg during November of 1997, but the Prime Minister has so far rejected the idea.

Mr. Speaker, the result of our meeting in Quebec City was a consensus to take a new course in our relations. This was the product of difficult but frank discussions. A fundamental and long-standing issue lies at the heart of aboriginal relations in Canada. It is the nature of the federal government's responsibility for aboriginal people throughout this nation. This is a crucial constitutional and jurisdictional matter that fundamentally affects everyday funding and delivery issues for the governments and aboriginal people.

Canada maintains that it has primary, but not exclusive, responsibility for First Nations on reserves and aboriginal people north of the 60th, and that the provinces have primarily, but not exclusive, responsibility for off-reserve aboriginal peoples. The extent of these responsibilities is the question. This question has long distracted and complicated relations between the governments and aboriginal people. During recent years of funding reductions and service cutbacks to federal programs and services for aboriginal people, the provinces, territories and aboriginal communities have filled the void in responding to people's needs. We have come to know this situation as off-loading.

Unfortunately, Canada is not yet ready to resolve this issue to the satisfaction of the provinces, territories and aboriginal leadership, but I am very pleased to tell you, I believe, we made progress last week. We have made sure that this issue will be addressed in our ongoing dialogue. We have also ensured the issue of appropriate resources for aboriginal people will remain a subject to be considered in all future federal/provincial/territorial agreements. At the same time, we have agreed this issue will not block us from moving forward on other important matters, particularly, the practical needs of aboriginal people and ensuring a strong aboriginal voice in national processes for social policy renewal.

The Ministers and leaders wish to work together for practical results. They will undertake a comprehensive approach based on the following premises:

- First, the governments, without prejudice to their positions on federal responsibility for aboriginal people, need to work together with aboriginal leaders to address the circumstances of aboriginal people.

- Second, accelerated measures are important for social and economic development and efforts to enhance aboriginal self-reliance.

- Third, demographics demand the urgent challenge facing aboriginal youth be addressed through development of a National Aboriginal Youth Strategy.

- Lastly, the final report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples provides a solid foundation to address the needs of aboriginal people. Canada's response, Gathering Strength, Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan, provides a first step for the federal government to respond. The provinces and territories agree that cooperative approaches are required.

Mr. Speaker, to make sure this new course for relations between the Ministers and aboriginal leaders keeps its momentum, they agreed that officials would jointly develop recommendations on how to proceed within the next three months. The Ministers and leaders will meet within one year to review progress. As well, it was agreed that this cooperative approach identifies strategic ways of improving conditions for aboriginal people.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I wish to assure this House that the territorial government will continue to participate actively in these discussions. Our participation is an ideal way to promote territorial and aboriginal interests and objectives at the national level, particularly in relation to social policy renewal, the federal response to the final Royal Commission report and bettering the lives of aboriginal people generally. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Mr. Speaker, in February I tabled the Recruitment and Retention Plan for Health and Social Services. I would now like to share with you some of the initiatives flowing from that plan. The plan addresses the three areas with the most immediate needs; social work, nursing and physician services.

The most pressing need is to fill vacancies. There has been some success already. Vacancy rates have decreased from levels of a few months ago. However, Mr. Speaker, the pressure on recruitment is not yet over. Some health and social services boards are having great difficulty recruiting to specific professions. The department will help these boards deal with their recruitment needs.

However, for many areas, we are now able to build on the recruitment efforts of the boards and focus on retaining the people who are hired. Now that vacancies have been filled, we need to keep people in those jobs. The Department of Health and Social Services has committed significant resources to move ahead with the Recruitment and Retention Initiative. A website for recruitment of both permanent and relief staff is being created. We expect to have it up and running by early summer. Through the website, health and social service professionals will be able to learn not only about specific job opportunities, but also about northern communities and the different health boards. They will also be able to submit their employment applications on-line.

Mr. Speaker, the department has hired a recruitment and retention specialist. This individual has more than ten years experience with northern health and social services as a frontline worker. This individual will be responsible for coordination and organization of professional recruitment throughout the territories. I believe her experience and network of contacts will be very helpful to the boards. She is currently developing a list of individuals interested in locum and relief work. Boards should be able to use the list by September.

The specialist is also working with others to promote the north as a place to live. For example, she is currently working with the NWT Registered Nurses Association to develop promotional material for the Canadian Nurses' Convention this month.

Mr. Speaker, the Recruitment and Retention Plan emphasizes professional development. This includes creating a professional development fund. Board CEOs will review guidelines for the professional development fund for nurses and social workers this month. This fund will help nurses and social workers learn from their peers, in both the north and south.

The plan also stresses the need for support of nurses. This support must come from the boards, from management and from community members. Board CEOs will also review a policy designed to address health and social service personnel's concerns about the physical and verbal abuse that they face on the job. Efforts continue to develop a broader human resource plan that will address the whole health and social service system. This will include where we are now, what we will need in the future and how we can get there.

This work will involve components for both new territories and is being developed by a working group with representatives from all territorial health and social services boards, the NWT Registered Nurses Association, the NWT Medical Association, the NWT Health Care Association and the department.

Mr. Speaker, the Health and Social Services Human Resource Plan will address major issues such as: scope of practice, and the role of the nurse practitioner. I expect to have the final plan ready before the end of the year. Mr. Speaker, we are committed to working together with the boards and the professional associations toward creating a stronger, sustainable workforce. Together, we expect to protect and strengthen northern health and social services so that all northerners have access to quality care close to home. I look forward to the continuing support of this House and the public in these efforts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, across the country, special events are being organized to celebrate the 125th year anniversary of the RCMP. I was privileged to attend a Regimental Ball in Iqaluit last month. I had the honour to convey the congratulations and appreciation of 125 years of service from the Government of the Northwest Territories. It is a history that all members, past and present, can be proud of. The RCMP has come a long way from their beginnings in 1873. It is now a highly sophisticated police force with an international reputation. This proud history and reputation are based on a strong commitment to preserving the peace and upholding the law, as well as a spirit of community service. This holds particularly true in the north.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Mr. Speaker, since 1996, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Department of Justice have been working in partnership with the RCMP to advance new methods of policing in our northern communities. I am pleased to report that the Community Constable Program has trained more than 30 northern constables to work in close partnership with the RCMP. This program has made it possible for local people to take on increasing responsibility for the safety and security of their community. The community constables represent new public safety resources to support community development. Due to the success of the Community Constable Program, MACA and the Department of Justice have secured $390,000 in funding from the federal government's Solicitor General's Office. Mr. Speaker, this funding is being used over two years to help community constables get further training, to buy much needed equipment and to coordinate public safety education and crime prevention programs.

Mr. Speaker, my staff and our partners are working on other initiatives that will expand community policing across the territories. One such initiative is the Public Safety Officer Program. This program helps unincorporated communities and those communities without an RCMP detachment to become involved in community policing. Mr. Speaker, I am very excited about the community development work that is being accomplished through our public safety efforts. Safety and security are essential for community development. I am proud to say that we are making good progress in this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Due to the fact that we have just expired the 20-minute time limit for Ministers' statements, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 34(6), so that all Ministers' statements be translated and filed with the Clerk, so that they can be delivered today.

Thank you. The Member for Baffin South is seeking unanimous consent to waive rule 34(6). Do we have any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you colleagues. Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling an information package for Members concerning the federal proposal for new legislation governing young offenders. Last month, the Federal Minister of Justice released a document entitled, A Strategy for the Renewal of Youth Justice, in May. This outlines the intentions of the federal government with regard to young offenders. The policy document provides direction for a new Youth Criminal Justice Act that will replace the current Young Offender Act. Justice Minister, Anne McLellan has indicated that she plans to introduce draft legislation this September. The policy document traces only the broad outline of her approach to young offenders. Much work remains over the coming months to translate the policy document into legislation. The information package that I will table later today is based on the information received so far from the Department of Justice Canada. The document has two priorities. On the one hand, it encourages community-based sanctions and effective alternative measures for non-violent offenders. On the other hand, it promotes harsher treatment for violent and repeat offenders. The document also emphasizes the importance of meaningful consequences for youth crime.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to announce the recipient of the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Service Award for 1998. Mr. Pat Bobinski of Hay River is being recognized for the contributions he has made to improving the lives of so many people in his community. Mr. Bobinski's commitment to supporting Hay River over the past 25 years spans a wide range of interests. They include:

- founding and building the Hay River Ski Club;

- leading outdoor trips for youth;

- being a member of the Hay River Flood Watch Committee; and

- coaching, officiating and organizing locally through to national biathlon competitions.

The Hay River Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Brigade and the Hay River Gun Club have also benefited from Pat's dedication and quiet leadership. Mr. Bobinski was nominated by the Recreation Board of Hay River for his outstanding dedication to developing and maintaining the Hay River Ski Club and Biathlon facilities. The presentation ceremony recognizing Mr. Bobinski as the 1998 Outstanding Volunteer will be held later this summer. In recognizing his accomplishments, Mr. Bobinski's name has been inscribed on the Department's Outstanding Volunteer Service Award recognition plaque. He will also receive a personal plaque and a carving from Fort Smith artist, Sonny MacDonald. I would like to extend a special thank you to Mr. MacDonald, who, for the past eight years has generously donated a carving to each winner of the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to join me in congratulating Pat Bobinski for his many years of dedicated service to his community and to the Northwest Territories. The Nominating Committee for this award also wishes to extend honorary mention to nominees John Argue of Yellowknife, Stephen Rowan of Fort Simpson and Qamaniq Sangoya of Pond Inlet, for their dedicated community involvement. Finally Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the communities of Arctic Bay and Broughton Island who submitted numerous names for consideration for this award. These candidates are being recognized in their own community as caring and generous people who are willing to provide for others less fortunate in their communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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

Thank you. I ask the Members to stand in a moment of silence. Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.