Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my colleague, Mr. Krutko's statement today on tourism, I would like to share with you a news article that was printed in The Weekly Telegraph, which is a paper published in London, England. The article, in their May 14th issue, found under their international news section was entitled, "Chasing the Canadian Light Show of Love" and was written by Robert Uhlig of Yellowknife.

I would like to read this brief article, Mr. Speaker.

The northern lights season is ending in Yellowknife, Canada, the self-proclaimed aurora borealis capital of the world, ending the annual pilgrimage of thousands of Japanese honeymooners who hope their marriages will be blessed under the celestial light show. As summer approaches, a last consignment of Japanese tourists has flown in to view the aurora before the nightly display ends. Since Christmas, 40,000 have arrived in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, 350 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Each night they travel 30 miles to search the sky for the astronomical phenomenon that used to occur over northern Japan. Japanese tradition says a child conceived under its glow will have good fortune. However, over the past 40 years the magnetic North Pole has moved northwards and the lights are no longer seen over Japan. Newlyweds wishing to continue the tradition, fly to Canada. The aurora occurs when the earth's magnetic field interacts with solar wind, particles coming from the sun.

Mr. Speaker, it is nice to learn we are worthy of such international attention, especially when it is positive and promotes the North. Tourism is important to the North and I would like to thank Mr. Uhlig for writing this article and for The Weekly Telegraph for this free advertising. I hope we can attract even more tourists next year than the 40,000 who have come our way this past winter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statement. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the Pages who have been with us all week. Tiena Rose will be obtaining her grade 11 next fall in Bolivia. Tiena is also the student council vice-president of Inukshuk High School in Iqaluit and has been eyeing your Speaker's chair.

Charlotte Kusugak is a relatively newcomer to Iqaluit via Rankin Inlet. On her way over to Yellowknife, half of Rankin's population turned out at the airport to say, hi to her.

Meghan McKenna is a very quick study. She was able to do an on-the-spot evaluation of the Members at a moment's notice. She would make an excellent clerk. Watch out Mr. Hamilton, perhaps I should say, John Quirke.

Heather McGregor is a very strong soccer player and her presence will be missed next year by Inukshuk High School because Meghan will be going south to further her studies.

Allison McKury is one of the few Pages who has the love of her uniform. She will also be attending school in the south next year.

Jonathan Levy says he would never involve himself in politics because he would not be able to stay awake long enough. Perhaps he is trying to tell us something.

Kipinik Eegeesiak, better known as Kip, is another page who has trouble staying awake. On the first day in the visitor's gallery with the sum beaming down, he had an afternoon nap. Way to go, Kip.

Mr. Speaker, the Page Program is an excellent opportunity to allow our young people an excellent view of politics. I would like to thank all the billets in Yellowknife and Legislative Assembly staff, Canadian Airlines, again, for giving me a good rate to bring all the Pages from Iqaluit and the Sergeant-at-Arms and Eliza Kingdon, who is in the gallery and again has taken on the job of chaperon for the Pages, and to you, Mr. Speaker, for the continuing good work and, hopefully, for hosting a lunch for us tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address the issue of the bad state of affairs between the UNW and this government. In reviewing the final proposed settlement brought forward by our government, I feel it is more than fair and equitable, so hopefully, progress can be made on it. The UNW is taking a strong stance on the issue of pay equity and rightfully so. However, they seem not to be too interested in what their membership is saying. I have talked to number of staff members in my riding and am happy to say, most are pleased with the offer and I hope the union will listen to its membership. As I have stated previously, in this day and age of tight budget restraints and cutbacks, we must all cooperate to ensure our staff and membership is the main party that wins in the end. Our staff is, our most important asset. They should have this contract negotiation settled, so life can go on and everyone can concentrate on the other just as important issues that are currently at hand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make an emergency statement on behalf of a significant proportion of my constituents. Mr. Speaker, there is a little less than a month left in the NHL Hockey season and I am worried about the potential ramifications for the people of the territories who cannot face the week without their Saturday night fix. One positive thing is, at least with the elimination of all of the Canadian teams, there will be no threat of an NHL players' strike this year.

On a sad note, Mr. Speaker, it has been five years since a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup, which believe it or not began its life as the emblem of Hockey supremacy in Canada. Of course, the lack of Canadian teams left in the hunt for Lord Stanley's Cup has actually saved the lives of a few Fox Network Sports Executives. If there were three Canadian teams left, I am sure that there might be a few very nervous Network Executives wanting to fall onto their swords, so to speak.

I am brave enough to ask the question, Mr. Speaker, can adequate Constitutional debate continue in this country without Don Cherry having his Saturday night soapbox? I am sure that there are a few members of the Quebec National Assembly who are convinced that the stiff collars Mr. Cherry wears have cut off the circulation to this brain.

Mr. Speaker, I also envision that there are Reform Party members who have adopted Don Cherry as the poster child for the politically challenged. Personally, I think, Mr. Speaker, the new beard that Mr. Cherry is sporting makes him look like a slightly demented version of KFCs Colonel and that the only reason he wears the collars is to hide his red neck. In any event, Mr. Speaker, this Member's statement is starting to make about as much sense as a back-checking Swede or Don Cherry, getting a fleur-de-lis tattoo. I will end on a serious note. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for High Arctic is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? Mr. Barnabas, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, my colleagues, for allowing me to conclude my statement. The hockey playoffs in Canada have always been a time to get together with your friends, have a little party and cheer on your favourite team. If you are going to drink, please leave your vehicle at home, walk or take a cab. Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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

Thank you. I would like to remind the Members when they are addressing other Members that they do not use their first name. It is either Mr. Ootes or the Member for Yellowknife Centre. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to recognize my CA in Yellowknife, Ms. Atsinak Bishop. She is also a lay leader at Holy Trinity Church here in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to also welcome to the gallery, Janet Ostler. I thank Janet for her tips on successful yard sale bargain hunting in Yellowknife. Thank you.

--Applause

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

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Steen.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Renewable Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development is ill today. He is not available to answer this question, so I will try my best. Our government is on record as in support of the Inuvialuit people to review that park and the boundaries in the Inuvialuit land claim area. Our government is on record that we ask the federal government to reconsider the moving ahead with this bill until they look at reviewing the park with the Inuvialuit people and our government as well. I am on record as the Premier of the Northwest Territories, who represents the Northwest Territories people as saying, let northerners decide what happens in the north. I will be pleased to forward the Member's arguments to the federal government requesting them to slow down on the bill which affects this park and once again, listen to what northerners have to say. Thank you.