This is page numbers 1543 - 1572 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was commission.
Members Present
Honourable Jim Antoine, Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Barnabas, Honourable Charles Dent, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Honourable Sam Gargan, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Henry, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Miltenberger, Honourable Don Morin, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Picco, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Roland, Mr. Steen, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Honourable John Todd.
Oh, God, may your spirit and guidance be in us as we work for the benefit of all our people, for peace and justice in our land and for the constant recognition of the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve. Amen.
Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Good afternoon. Mrs. Groenewegen.
Point of Order
Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
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Jane Groenewegen Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a point of order. Mr. Speaker, I would like to raise a point of order concerning the comments made by the Premier in his Minister's statement on June 1, 1998 entitled, Statement of Conflict of Interest Commissioner's Decision, as this is my first opportunity after reviewing the unedited Hansard of June 1st. Mr. Speaker, my point of order is contained on page 2470 of the unedited Hansard. The words that concern me and give me cause to raise this point of order, Mr. Speaker, are, and I quote:
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.
The rules that I considered on which the Premier should be called to order are rules 23(h) and (j) which state that a Member will be called to order if the Member:
23(h) makes allegations against another Member, a House officer or a witness;
23(j) charges another Member with uttering a deliberate falsehood;
Mr. Speaker, the Premier has indicated that he now looks forward to the public inquiry to clear his name. His comments infer allegations that in bringing the conflict of interest complaint forward that I am lying and that under cross-examination, under oath, from his solicitors the truth will be revealed. Mr. Speaker, without getting into the substance of the complaint, I feel that I was only the means by which the complaint was brought forward and not necessarily a witness who would be required to justify the substance of the complaint. Mr. Speaker, the complaint was laid and is now in the hands of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner where the process of inquiry will take its course. I hope I will be called and even granted standing as a witness with respect to any information that I can provide.
Mr. Speaker, I do not wish to use the rules and House time on this issue, but I would submit that my point of order would have support under Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and Forms, 6th edition, and I quote from citation 487(1) and (2) under unparliamentary language:
"487(1) Threatening language is unparliamentary
487(2) Words may not be used hypothetically or conditionally, if they are plainly intended to convey a direct imputation..."
Mr. Speaker, one could conceivably interpret the honourable Member's invitation to submit to cross-examination by his solicitors under oath as an implied threat whereby he implied that under oath I would be forced to reveal information contrary to statements previous made, which implies that I previously lied and only under oath would the truth be revealed.
Mr. Speaker, I would request that you rule on this matter as to any infraction of parliamentary rules and practices that the Premier has infringed upon in his statement of June 1st. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. I respect the Member's point of order and I agree that the comments made by the Premier yesterday justifiably provoked her point of order. I must state that the comments being made in this Chamber by the Premier, the Member for Hay River, and comments that may be made by other Members on this matter cause me considerable concern. In light of the calling of a public inquiry into the conflict of interest complaint, I will not allow any more questions or comments made in statements that directly or indirectly deals with the conflict of interest matter. In the interest of fairness, I will not allow this Chamber to be used as a forum that might influence the Conflict of Interest inquiry.
--Applause
Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.
Minister's Statement 120-13(5): Strategy For Teacher Education In The Northwest Territories
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce today that a new teacher education strategy has been developed and will be in place when the current Teacher Education Program ends in 1999. Mr. Speaker, I provided each Member of this Assembly a copy of the strategy earlier today.
The territorial government first committed to significantly increasing the number of northern aboriginal teachers in 1993. This strategy focused on qualifying teachers for elementary schools. One of its major initiatives was to make Teacher Education Programs available in communities, not just at the major college campuses. The strategy has been very successful in increasing the number of aboriginal teachers in the school system. In 1992, there were 146 aboriginal teachers in the school system. By the year 1999, when the current community-based Teacher Education Programs are completed, over 355 aboriginal teachers will be working in NWT schools.
However, more work is needed to make sure the number of northern teachers continues to grow. Grade extensions and stay-in-school initiatives have resulted in more students staying in school longer and, as a result, more teachers are needed. The new Education Act and Regulations also require teachers to continue working toward their Bachelor of Education degrees.
A Strategy for Teacher Education in the Northwest Territories for 1999 to 2005 sets new goals to increase the number of aboriginal teachers in Nunavut and the western Arctic. Right now, 36 percent of the teachers in Nunavut are aboriginal, while 18 percent in the west are aboriginal. The new strategy will help us move toward having 85 percent aboriginal teachers in Nunavut and 47 percent in the western Northwest Territories. This will result in a teaching force that is truly representative of the population in the two new territories.
The new strategy will build on the successes of the previous one. For instance, Teacher Education Programs will continue to be delivered in communities and not just at college campuses. The strategy also calls for a full-time Bachelor of Education Program to be established in the western Northwest Territories. It further proposes that Bachelor of Education courses be delivered part-time, so teachers can continue their studies while they work.
Mr. Speaker, the strategy also calls for the delivery of the Aboriginal Language Certificate Program to make sure our schools reflect local culture and language. Well-qualified teachers are essential to the success of our schools. I am confident, Mr. Speaker, the new Strategy for Teacher Education will help develop a teaching force that represents the populations of Nunavut and the western NWT, help develop schools that reflect local language and culture and encourage teachers to continue their education. Thank you.
--Applause
Minister's Statement 120-13(5): Strategy For Teacher Education In The Northwest Territories
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.
Minister's Statement 121-13(5): Encouraging Future Engineers
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the years, students in engineering have found considerable support from the Department of Public Works and Services. I would like to tell you about two of the ways my department encourages these students.
At the junior high level, Public Works and Services and Transportation presents awards to the best math and science students in each school. These awards show students that math and science are important.
Among high school students, we want to increase awareness of the career possibilities in engineering. This is the eleventh year for the program called Introduction to Engineering, Architecture and Computer Careers. Over the years, 186 students have taken part in the program. This year 57 students applied for the program. Twenty were chosen - eight students from Nunavut and 12 from the west. Seven of the 20 students are young women. Twelve of the students are aboriginal. We especially want to encourage these two groups to pursue engineering careers.
The summer program includes an orientation week in Yellowknife. For Nunavut students, there is an orientation week in Iqaluit. This is followed by a project in the student's home community with assistance and supervision from a government employee or sometimes from an engineer from a private company. At the end of the six-week program, the student makes a written report and an oral presentation on the project. The summer program helps these students make education and career choices. Almost 70 percent of the students in the summer program go on to post-secondary education.
Public Works and Services is not the only government agency to encourage engineering careers for northerners. The Housing Corporation, Municipal and Community Affairs and my Department of Transportation are also partners in these programs. I feel this is a good example of how we can work together to encourage northern students and eventually to fill jobs with NWT residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause
Minister's Statement 121-13(5): Encouraging Future Engineers
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Ministers' statements. Minister Thompson.
Minister's Statement 122-13(5): Search And Rescue Public Awareness Campaign
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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Manitok Thompson Aivilik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, up to 50 people are reported missing every year in the Northwest Territories. The cost for a search conducted by the territorial or federal government can range from $100 to over $100,000.
This government spends over $100,000 on search and rescue operations every year. This amount does not include what the communities or the Canadian Forces and Coast Guard spend on searches.
Mr. Speaker, there is room for much improvement in this area. I am pleased to report that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has introduced a public awareness campaign aimed at reducing the number of search and rescue incidents. The Search and Rescue Public Awareness Campaign is designed to educate and encourage northerners to always be prepared when travelling on the land or water. The campaign is based on the national theme of sharing the responsibility. The key message is that people must share the responsibility for caring for themselves by avoiding risk. They must take reasonable measures to minimize their personal risk and maximize their ability to survive, if they are lost or stranded.
Mr. Speaker, search and rescue incidents are often due to mechanical failure, weather changes, failure to tell anyone of travel plans or a lack of survival equipment. This campaign will educate and encourage Northerners to always be prepared. This includes:
- making a trip plan and giving it to family, friends or the RCMP;
- packing emergency equipment and supplies;
- taking a tool kit;
- checking the weather;
- ensuring your equipment is in proper working order, and
- being prepared for the worst.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the RCMP for their cooperation and active participation in search and rescue prevention and training. Through initiatives such as this, I am confident that we can make a difference and reduce the number of search and rescue incidents in the north. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause
Minister's Statement 122-13(5): Search And Rescue Public Awareness Campaign
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.
Minister's Statement 123-13(5): Crtc Regional Hearing
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week Members of this Assembly referred to the upcoming CRTC hearings on high cost serving areas, which will take place in Iqaluit on June 25th. I hope I can clear up any confusion about this hearing. For a long time, NorthwesTel has a monopoly on all phone services in the north. The CRTC allowed this position because of the extremely high cost of providing quality service to remote locations with few residents. Times change. The CRTC recently approved the introduction of competition for long distance services in the north. There is still some concern, however, about full and affordable access to telephone services in all communities.
Mr. Speaker, in the NWT, it costs about twice as much to provide basic services as it does in other parts of Canada. Without long-distance revenues, those higher costs would have to be reflected in higher local access rates. As we move closer to full competition for all telecommunications services, including local service, there is a danger that the quality of service to remote communities will decline because of the high cost of maintaining that service. Yet, it is the remoteness of our communities that makes good telecommunications critically important. The CRTC has recognized the problem and is currently holding regional hearings to consider whether a fund should be established. This fund would not subsidize NorthwesTel and other phone companies. The fund would, in fact, assist those who live in remote areas so that high-cost telecommunications services will be affordable.
As I mentioned, the CRTC will hold a regional hearing in Iqaluit on June 25th. There will be a video hook-up to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife and telephone hook-ups to Arctic Islands Lodge in Cambridge Bay, the Ptarmigan Inn in Hay River, the Mackenzie Hotel in Inuvik and the Siniktarvik Hotel in Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise the House that the Deputy Premier, the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, will represent the government at the Iqaluit hearing. I will be providing each Member of the Legislative Assembly with a copy of the government's preliminary submission to the CRTC, and I encourage them to share it with constituents who are interested in these issues. It is extremely important that northerners speak up at these hearings to indicate:
- the importance of telecommunications to life and business in the north,
- the high cost of phone services on top of an already high cost of living, and
- the north lacks services that are available in other parts of Canada.
I hope that there will be active participation in this hearing and I encourage all of you to take part. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause
Minister's Statement 123-13(5): Crtc Regional Hearing
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.
Member's Statement 482-13(5): Resolution Of The Unw Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 3: Members' Statements
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement today is regarding a meeting that was held over the lunch break with the Union of Northern Workers dealing with the negotiations which seem to be at a point of settling with the government's final settlement offer. The union was disputing the process that was used and exactly what legalities are associated with the settlement. Mr. Speaker, the people of the north would like to see an end to this long outstanding issue settled once and for all, and for myself, I feel it is an obligation to the employees of this government that they do settle this dispute as soon as possible. I would like to also state that it is pretty hard to draw the line between what we hear
in this House and what we hear from the union. One group states they were bound by a legal decision with regard to the Human Rights Commission with regard to pay equity. On the other hand, you hear from the union who states that if they proceed with allowing their members to vote, they are stuck in legal ramifications where they may be sued by their members because of the situation they find themselves with the question about pay equity as to whether if it is fair and reasonable.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to, hopefully, find a solution to this problem before the end of this sitting so we can give comfort to the Members of this government, our employees and the people in the community who serve the people of the Northwest Territories. For myself, having been involved in the negotiation process in the past, I feel it is in the political best interest to allow the membership to have a vote on this matter and to resolve it based on their own ethical belief as to whether this is a good deal or not. I do believe that there has to be a mechanism in place to allow for the government and the union to sit down and deal with the whole question about process. I do not believe there is a problem in relation to the agreement. I believe it is a question of what the process led up to and exactly how the outcome of that is. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister a question on this matter. Thank you.
Member's Statement 482-13(5): Resolution Of The Unw Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Members' statements. Mr. Henry.
Member's Statement 483-13(5): Fraser Institute Survey On Mineral Potential And Government Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements
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Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to share some information in this House on the results of a survey which was conducted by the Fraser Institute. The survey was given to Canadian mining companies operating in Canada to evaluate each province and territory in the areas of the industry, including mineral potential and government policy, then combine these results and provides an overall rating for attractiveness for investment.
Mr. Speaker, results of this survey are very important if we are to nurture and promote the mining industry in the north. Not surprising, the mining companies surveyed indicated the NWT has the highest mineral potential in Canada. Of course, Mr. Speaker, we already knew that. So how do we rate with our policies and attractiveness to investors? Mining companies rated us second to lowest in terms of our government policies on attracting new exploration investment. Unfavourable policies are increasingly threatening new exploration, even here in the north, where we have the most attractive mining potential in Canada. Alberta, on the other hand, has the highest government policy rating with mining companies. These companies believe policies of the Alberta government encourage new exploration and are also considered neutral. It also indicated that anti-business policy climates deter investment and reduce economic growth.
Mr. Speaker, how attractive is the NWT for investment by the Canadian mining companies? When we take into account, our government policies and our mineral potential, the NWT is sitting second from the bottom of the heap. What can be learned from this, Mr. Speaker? I suggest that we look seriously at our current government policies and regulations with the intent of simplifying the process mining companies must go through in the north. We must also eliminate the uncertainty that companies have about investing in exploration and any future investment prospects by providing clear and solid means in which we can allow these private companies to grow and prosper in the north. We must act now if we are to hold our position with mining companies, who see the potential of the north as the best in the country. It is no good, Mr. Speaker, if we have the resources which we know provide a positive outcome for our economy if we cannot or will not provide the means to access them. Mr. Speaker, my comments sound like I am critical of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Not so. The Government of the Northwest Territories does not have responsibility... Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Member's Statement 483-13(5): Fraser Institute Survey On Mineral Potential And Government Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? Mr. Henry, you have unanimous consent.
Member's Statement 483-13(5): Fraser Institute Survey On Mineral Potential And Government Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements
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Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you, colleagues. The Government of the Northwest Territories does not have the responsibility for mining in the Northwest Territories. My comments are meant for the ears of the federal politicians, particularly, Minister Stewart, the Minister responsible for Indian and Inuit Affairs. You need to work more with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member's Statement 483-13(5): Fraser Institute Survey On Mineral Potential And Government Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.
Member's Statement 484-13(5): Resolution Of The Unw Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 3: Members' Statements
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, as well, attended the meeting at lunch time, along with some other MLAs to listen for the first time, for myself, the UNWs position. I indicated to them at that meeting that I, like the employees and probably most people in the north, am sort of stuck in the middle as the government and the UNW are squared off, eyeball to eyeball on this particular situation. Neither side is wanting to blink at this particular time because they do not want to move off their positions. I have read the information from both sides. When I read stuff from the government, it makes sense to me and is very clear. When I listen to the objections and concerns raised by the UNW, look at some of their literature, it seems to me as if they have concerns. I do not know, at the end of the day, what is accurate. I have no reason to disbelieve the government. I have no reason to disbelieve the UNW. Is it a question of what is right and what is wrong or is it just a question of perception? Is the system gender neutral? Is it discriminatory? Is it illegal? Can they take it to a vote or can they not take it to a vote? I do not know. It seems to me the only people who can resolve this and hammer out an agreement that is understandable are the GNWT and the UNW. All northerners and employees, people like ourselves, stand, wait, watch and wonder. How will this situation be resolved? How long can it be at an impasse? How long can the gridlock last? It has to be solved. There is money on the table. Employees' benefits are at stake. I think labour
peace cannot be achieved until this deal is signed off. I would encourage both parties to come to the table and, at the end of the day, we have to give the membership the opportunity to cast their vote on this particular issue. Until then, we wait to see, will anybody blink. Thank you.
--Applause
Member's Statement 484-13(5): Resolution Of The Unw Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Members' statements. Mr. Roland.
Member's Statement 485-13(5): Support For The NWT Training Centre In Inuvik
Item 3: Members' Statements
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Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NWT Training Centre is an important educational institution in Inuvik. The adults in my community who have a low level of education need a place where they can learn. The students that attend the training centre learn basic literacy, life skills and basic job readiness. The majority of students who attend the training centre are single mothers who left the school system before graduating. The students' education levels vary. Most are at the elementary school level? The NWT Training Centre is the only educational institution in Inuvik that serves adults who do not have their grade eight. This means that if a single mother aged 30 only has a grade five education, this is the only institution she can attend. If the training centre runs into funding problems, as it has in the past, then she does not have anywhere to go. The training centre is not being fully utilized this year and only 12 students are attending. They can accommodate up to 22. Each year the training centre is flooded with applications. It is disappointing that there are adults in Inuvik who cannot access the Visions and Dreams Program at the training centre because of lack of funding. If the training centre was operating at full capacity there would be another ten individuals in Inuvik who could have been working toward a better education.
After completing the Visions and Dreams Program, most of the training centre students go on to the Aurora College Adult Basic Education Program, the Aurora College ABE Programs accept applications from students who are at grade eight level. Mr. Speaker, the training centre opened in 1983 and has never had core funding. The funding that they receive comes from a myriad of sources that vary from year to year in amount and application procedures. I will follow up my Member's statement with a letter to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to request the establishment of core funding for the NWT Training Centre in Inuvik. Inuvik needs the NWT Training Centre, Mr. Speaker, and the NWT Training Centre needs core funding. Quyanini.
--Applause
Member's Statement 485-13(5): Support For The NWT Training Centre In Inuvik
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.
Member's Statement 486-13(5): Dogrib Community Service Board
Item 3: Members' Statements
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James Rabesca North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address a concern of the recently formed community services board. As you may recall, the community services board was established as a result of our community empowerment initiative. The board will enable the Dogrib Treaty 11 Communities to work together to govern education, health and social services. The board will give the Dogrib people an opportunity to identify their own priorities and integrate the delivery of services in communities in a manner which reflects Dogrib culture and traditions. Mr. Speaker, this board was formed on May 22, 1997, with the territorial government and the Dogrib Treaty 11 Chiefs signing the agreement, which was pursuant to the Territorial Hospital Insurance Act. We all felt that this would be the start of a new and different approach to serving our people. We thought it would give us the legal ability to integrate programs and to set priorities among programs. However, this is not the case. We need to draft legislation specifically for the CSB. Mr. Speaker, I currently have draft legislation that I am preparing to bring to this House as a Private Members Bill. However, after some thought and advisement I have decided to wait and see what the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services are doing to ensure this board will be able to do what it was originally intended to provide. Mr. Speaker, I will, later on today, be asking the departments about this in order to facilitate this legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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