Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Good afternoon. Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain if the Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories is prepared to enter the Chamber and open this session of the Legislature.

---O Canada

Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly.

It is my pleasure to be in the Chamber today representing the Honourable Helen Maksagak. The Commissioner asked me to express her appreciation to all Members for the tributes paid to her late husband, John, and for the messages you sent. The Commissioner is representing you all at the opening of the cultural centre in Baker Lake with his Excellency, the Governor General.

I am pleased today to open the Sixth Session of the 13th Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

We are now in the final months of the Northwest Territories. In 301 days, two new territories will be created. Members of this Assembly have already done a great deal of work in preparation for the creation of two new territories. Still, more work remains to be done.

Over the next ten months, you will concentrate on creating a viable form of government for the new Western Territory. This will include respecting the aspirations of aboriginal peoples who are now in self-government negotiations. It will include working toward a constitution for the Western Territory.

Although your efforts will be focused on the smooth transition to two new territories, it will be important not to lose sight of your main goals of improving social conditions and strengthening the northern economy.

This summer, you have an unprecedented opportunity to show the rest of Canada the progress you have made in the life of this 13th Assembly. The Government of the Northwest Territories will host the Western Premiers' Conference from July 2nd to 4th. This annual event allows the leaders of western Canada to discuss and make agreements on issues that affect them. For you, it is also a chance to focus the attention of the country on the north and to share your vision of its future.

Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, I congratulate you on the progress you have made so far. I encourage you to continue on the path you have taken. In this way, you will fulfil the dream of two successful and prosperous territories that are a viable and self-sufficient part of the Canadian landscape.

Thank you very much.

--Applause

Orders of the day. Item 3, Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I received a copy of a letter from a member of the UNW Bargaining Committee stating that the UNW had not conceded that the Hay Job Evaluation System was gender neutral. Mr. Speaker, I was informed by the government negotiator that on May 4, 1998, the PSAC classification spokesperson for the UNW, Mr. Chris Jones, said "the Union had no objection to the Hay Job Evaluation System in principle". He said that the Union accepts that the system is gender neutral. He then, according to the GNWT negotiator, went on to criticize the process followed by the GNWT.

Mr. Speaker, on May 6, 1998, the GNWT negotiator at collective bargaining, acknowledged the UNW's acceptance that the Hay Job Evaluation System was gender neutral. He then responded that the criticism of the implementation process was based on misunderstanding and misinterpretations. He then proceeded to deal with each of the Union's process concerns. Thank you.

Thank you, Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to update

the House on some of the positive directions being taken by the Department of Justice in the area of community justice. Community justice is about placing more capacity and control into the hands of the community to deal with offenders and victims. This government is committed to finding innovative approaches to the administration of justice services. In response to community requests, the department is promoting a shift in the way that justice services are delivered. The aim is to develop a system that is more responsive to the realities in our communities. We need to increase community control of the administration of justice and, in partnership with communities, move toward a restorative justice approach. Such an approach is aimed at healing the offender, victim and community, viewing crime as a symptom of another problem affecting the overall health of a community.

A community driven process is often more likely to produce a satisfactory outcome for everyone than a court-based process. When the community is involved with the offender directly in the justice process, there is an opportunity for an offender to accept responsibility for the act committed and a chance for victims concerns to be addressed, perhaps through a reconciliation between victim and offender. There is also an opportunity to identify and address any underlying factors that have caused the crime. Efforts in this area are starting to show some effect. The number of criminal cases diverted to community justice committees in 1997 was up 30 percent compared to the previous year. We are aiming to build on this success in the current year.

Recently, new funding arrangements with the department were introduced to ensure that more community justice committees are receiving funding than ever before. New training material and resources have been made available for committee use and development.

Community justice workers play an important part in this process by encouraging and supporting communities in developing an interest and capacity to deal with justice issues locally. I believe that experience, self-confidence and capacity are being developed every time an offence is handled by the community.

In the area of training, a joint effort by the department, RCMP and communities has resulted in three successful regional training workshops this spring. In Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay and Inuvik, members of Community Justice Committees from across the Arctic have been learning to use family group conferencing techniques. These techniques help the committee work with offenders, victims and their families in order to restore balance within the community after a crime has occurred. Further plans are being worked on to have similar workshops in the Sahtu and South Slave regions.

There is also an important place for community involvement in dealing with offenders who have been dealt within the formal justice system and sentenced to custody. Earlier this session, I spoke about camps which were in place and were being developed for adult offenders. Currently, there are 42 offenders living in camps and community residential centres.

Mr. Speaker, a solid base now exists in the west and we are focusing our attention on developing resources in Nunavut. All camps are operated by community members on a contract basis and training sessions for contractors and potential contractors have taken place.

Discussions with potential camp operators are currently taking place with community members from Pond Inlet, Pangnirtung, Kimmirut, Hall Beach, Cape Dorset, Iqaluit and Clyde River. It is this government's expectation that, out of this process, more camps for adult offenders will be opening soon in Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, I believe there is great potential for a growing role for community members to be more involved and in control of the justice process. I strongly support all efforts to develop this potential and I believe we are making headway in this area. As Minister of Justice, I plan to continue to make community justice a priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of discussion over the past year about health and social services, and particularly, about the performance of our boards. Over the past year, as we consulted people about our strategic plan, we heard a common message from the public about the accountability of the service delivery system. People want reassurance that programs and services are being delivered in the right way, by the right people, and that those services are there when needed. Therefore, I have asked the department to examine and adjust its approach and to work closely with the boards to meet that public expectation.

Mr. Speaker, we know that if boards are to succeed, they need strong and committed trustees, supported by capable staff. We are working hard to maintain strength on all boards, filling vacant positions quickly and supporting ongoing training activity. In the Deh Cho, for example, where we have not had a board in the past, prospective board members have undergone training and have recently taken on their new responsibilities. The role of the chief executive officers for boards is critical to their success. The department and boards are actively involved in recruiting CEOs in the Baffin, Keewatin and Fort Smith. We have also begun the process of recruiting for a CEO for Yellowknife Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, with the right people in place, we will turn our attention to undertaking the groundwork necessary for monitoring and evaluating the delivery of programs and services.

Our first step is an agreement between each board and the department. This agreement does a number of things:

- It defines board and departmental responsibility.

- It outlines our core services; that is, the range of programs and services that a board is expected to provide to residents in its service area. Where services cannot be accessed locally, the boards must ensure that services are provided through another board.

- Finally, it provides the legal structure and policies to guide how the programs and services are delivered.

After setting the roles and responsibilities, we have also established outcomes and measures, which will be used to evaluate the overall success of each board.

These outcomes will let us measure the physical, mental and emotional health of the population. They are practical indicators, for which the public can hold the health and social service system accountable. We want to measure and report on such important questions as:

- Are babies being born healthy?

- Are we reducing the rates of preventable diseases?

- Are there fewer children who need special intervention like speech therapy or occupational therapy? - Are the rates of risky behaviours like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and sexually transmitted diseases declining?

Reporting on these issues will be public. Everyone will be able to see them in our annual health status report. Mr. Speaker, we are near the end of a long period of adjustment, served by committed board trustees, department and board staff and caregivers. We still have problems to solve and work to do. However, with the right people each doing their part, northerners should be able to hold health and social service partners accountable for the appropriate and effective delivery of programs and services, aimed at improving the health and well-being of all northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 34(6), so that all Ministers' statements filed with the clerk can be delivered today.

Thank you. The Member for Aivilik is seeking unanimous consent to waive rule 34(6). Do we have any nays? Ms. Thompson, you have unanimous consent. Ministers' statements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to share with Members the tremendous success and progress of the Community Empowerment Initiative. Our government's effort to embrace community empowerment through development

has not been an easy task. It presents many challenges.

Mr. Speaker, MACA is responsible for coordinating training programs in sports and recreation, public safety and community governance. I am pleased to provide you with the results in these important community development areas. They are as follows:

- 113 community-based sports and recreation coaches were trained and certified in 1997.

- 612 community residents were trained in public safety areas such as search and rescue, fire services, community policing and emergency services.

- 160 community councillors received governance training during 1997 and 39 senior administrative officers are enrolled in the SAO certificate program.

Mr. Speaker, this totals 1,194 community residents being provided with training in these areas.

We would not have been as successful in measuring up without developing partnerships. MACA invested $547,000 in these community development training initiatives. Our partners assisted by contributing over $1 million toward these initiatives. Mr. Speaker, without the contribution of organizations such as Sport North, the NWT Fire Chief's Association and the RCMP, we would not have been able to achieve what we did. These are just a few of our valued partner organizations and my thanks to these, and all of the other organizations who contributed to this success.

This Legislative Assembly is one of MACA's most important partners. Members of this House continue to support the principles of community development. It has not been an easy task adapting to the significant changes to government because of community empowerment, but this is what community residents have wanted. This was the right thing to do, and this House has measured up in meeting the demands of communities. I thank you for your support.

Mr. Speaker, many regions and communities are now interested in the next community development step. This involves building capacity, organizing and planning for the transfer of government assets and capital planning. Mr. Speaker, MACA's staff has clearly demonstrated their commitment to make a positive change in the quality of life for NWT residents and I am very proud of their achievements. My department had to chart a new and focused course that provides clear direction. At the same time, we have had to monitor how well we are progressing, tell the public how we are doing, stop the thing that did not work, do more with less and never stop improving the community development approach. I look forward to working with our communities and Members of this House, to continue this government's community development and empowerment efforts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, two years ago, I had the pleasure of announcing to this Assembly that the federal government had declared June 21st to be National Aboriginal Day. This day is intended to celebrate the contributions of the First Nations of Canada. It is a day to honour the richness and diversity of aboriginal culture.

The Northwest Territories is an example to the rest of the country. People who come here from southern Canada find a society that respects the history and values of aboriginal peoples while it welcomes people from the rest of the world. Dene, Metis and Inuit have a strong presence at all levels, whether they are members of their hamlet council, this Assembly or the federal government. Their values are reflected in everything from the educational curriculum to our consensus form of government.

In the year to come, Mr. Speaker, all Canadians will recognize the contributions of aboriginal people as they welcome the new territory of Nunavut. This is the only time the map of Canada has changed because of a land claim settlement.

This is the third National Aboriginal Day. It has grown in both size and spirit. The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs is proud to support this special day. We have placed information about it on the government website. We are also providing funding to aboriginal organizations so they can hold events to celebrate the day.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage my colleagues, when they go back to their home communities, to participate in this very important occasion. This is a day for everyone to celebrate. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recognizing that the House will be recessing today for

its summer break, I would like to provide a very brief update on a number of the key transition activities that will be ongoing during the course of the summer.

The first, and perhaps the most important, milestone this summer is the Nunavut Leaders meeting that is tentatively planned for July 7th to 9th. At this meeting, the three parties to the Nunavut Political Accord will, in conjunction with the Interim Commissioner of Nunavut, have the opportunity to assess the progress that has been made on the implementation of the Nunavut government model.

Secondly, a great deal of work will be ongoing at the official's level to ensure a seamless transition to the new Nunavut government. In May, a joint meeting of the Deputy Minister teams from the GNWT and Nunavut was held in Iqaluit to begin discussing transition issues. This meeting resulted in an agreement on the need for a joint business planning process in the lead up to division. Officials from both organizations will be meeting again later this month in Iqaluit to begin to outline this planning process. Mr. Speaker, we are very encouraged about the productive working relationships that have emerged at the Deputy Minister level. These relationships are key to a smooth hand-off to the Nunavut government and, more importantly, to ensuring that there is no disruption in the level of service to the people of Nunavut on April 1, 1999.

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of other critical negotiations that will be ongoing over the summer months on critical issues such as the NWT Power Corporation and Workers' Compensation Board. While discussions on these matters have been difficult and there are many challenges to overcome to come to a final resolution, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to working with the other partners in the process to find a resolution that is acceptable to both new territories.

Mr. Speaker, before I end, I would like to wish all Members a safe trip home and a very pleasant summer in their constituencies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the majority of health services were transferred from federal to territorial responsibility in 1988, the federal government committed to paying part of the cost to replace the Inuvik hospital and to renovate the Baffin hospital. The federal share of the projects was to be based on the percentage of status Indian and Inuit living in each region. Health Canada will provide funding assistance to a level needed to replace the Inuvik hospital and to renovate the Baffin facility. It has now become clear that both facilities must be replaced, and the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to doing this.

The Department of Health and Social Services and Health Canada have reached an agreement on federal funding for these two facilities. Over the next five years, the federal government will provide $18,600,000 in new funding in addition to $ 18.9 million in base transfers. Of the $18.9 million in base transfers, $12.2 million has been received. With this new agreement, total federal funding for these two projects will be $37.5 million. This agreement represents a sound business decision. Settling this matter now increases our ability to complete these projects quickly. We have secured funding and flexibility to build two facilities best suited to our needs.

Mr. Speaker, we believe that this is a solid agreement. It provides the GNWT with greater flexibility and fiscal certainty as we proceed with these major health facilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, similar to the territorial government, governments throughout Canada and the United States are adopting community development approaches. This is in response to difficult social and economic conditions. Government budgets are shrinking and communities are demanding more say over priorities, programs and services. We are not the only government to have embraced this change in how we do business.

Mr. Speaker, I recently saw first-hand how the province of Manitoba has approached community development. I was proud to lead an NWT delegation to Brandon, Manitoba to attend the Department of Rural Development's Rural Forum 1998.

This forum was a celebration of community development success. It showcased the community development efforts of rural Manitoba. There were over 350 small business and food product displays, a youth and northern forum, seminars, conferences, workshops, guest speakers and special events.

A northern committee of NWT, Nunavut and northern Manitoba elected officials and staff met for over a day to discuss community development issues and practices in remote communities. This meeting was very positive. The committee has decided to meet again to discuss developing a northern Manitoba/NWT/Nunavut rural forum.

As a result of attending the rural forum, Manitoba is now providing technical expertise to Coral Harbour in country food processing. It is assisting Keewatin communities in developing community-based planning programs. Manitoba is also considering an investment in the Kivalliq Partners in Development, to cost share a trade and investment specialist position.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT is developing a memorandum of understanding with the Province of Manitoba to consider partnership and exchange opportunities that benefit both places. I am glad to say that this partnership is off to a great start. Mr. Speaker, our attendance was organized by the Kivalliq Partners in Development. They provided the support for Keewatin businesses, residents and mayors to attend. They are to be congratulated for developing a partnership with Manitoba that clearly benefits their clients. Mr. Speaker, the Province of Manitoba and community of Brandon provided wonderful hospitality to our delegation. My special thanks to Premier Filmon, Minister Derkach, Brandon's Mayor Atkinson and the people of Manitoba for allowing us to share and experience their rural forum and community development success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, subsection 100 of the Financial Administration Act requires the Workers' Compensation Board to prepare an annual report of its operations for the Minister responsible to approve and bring to this House. I rise today to table the Annual Report of the NWT Workers' Compensation Board for the period January 1 to December 31, 1997.

At the same time, Mr. Speaker, the WCB worked hard in 1997 to balance its responsibilities for accident prevention and safety enforcement:

Safety Education Programs were revised and delivered to workers and employers across the NWT. Safety seminars and examinations were provided at all NWT mine sites. Regular inspections were conducted at all NWT mines and major work sites. The Mine Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Committee produced a very comprehensive and virtually unanimous report. Events were organized to mark both the North American Occupational Safety and Health Week and the Annual Mine Rescue Competition.

Mr. Speaker, the numbers shown in this Annual Report reflects the success of the WCB's many programs and initiatives. Perhaps the most significant influence on the financial health of this organization has been the success of the WCB's investment portfolio. This, again, is no accident. In 1995 and 1996, the WCB made significant changes to its investment policies and assets mix model. A more aggressive and better balanced investment strategy has resulted in three successive years of solid investment performance. Despite high expectations and ambitious targets, the WCB's investment managers met their objectives in 1997 with another exceptional year in the equity markets. The WCB's investment success, low interest rates and liabilities below actuarial projections, combined to create a $20 million operating surplus in 1997.

The NWT Workers' Compensation Board took advantage of this financial position and once again moved to protect its accident fund for the future. The catastrophe reserve, set aside to provide for unforeseen workplace disasters, was doubled and now totals almost $10 million. The WCB created a special reserve of $4.5 million to cover the one-time impact of events which are beyond the board's control. Finally, Mr. Speaker, $10.5 million was added to the WCB's operating reserve to safeguard employer assessment rates during the periods of increased claims of low revenue. Through it all, Mr. Speaker, the commitment of the NWT Workers' Compensation Board remains to its stakeholders. Since 1996, the WCB has consistently reflected its financial success by decreasing employer assessment rates and increasing benefits to injured workers.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak briefly about both the communities I have the honour of representing, they are of course, Arviat and Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, I attended the official opening of the new Inuit Heritage Centre in Baker Lake yesterday. The Governor General of Canada and his wife, along with Mr. Jose Kusugak, Senator Willy Adams, Peter Ernerk and Mayor David Tagoona were just a few of the guests who attended the opening. Mr. Speaker, this was an historic day for the people of Baker Lake. I hope some day my colleagues will have the opportunity to visit this magnificent centre.

Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to state that Ms. Roxanne Baker, the daughter of Simona Baker, my constituency assistant and also Abbygail Noah of Baker Lake are two of ten young adults selected to participate in a pilot project known as the Nunavut Youth Abroad Program. This program is aimed at cultivating leadership, cross cultural awareness, individual career goals and international citizenship. In an effort to enhance student participation in education, the program offers life changing work and travel experiences. Roxanne and Abbygail will travel to southern Canada this summer where they will both earn credits in the work placement while gaining general exposure to southern work and life styles. This program will also provide Roxanne, Abbygail and other youngsters with a window to the world through direct experience. Mr. Speaker, I wish both Roxanne and Abbygail and the other students well and hope that they have an excellent time this summer travelling southern Canada. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to wish my colleagues and the residents of Arviat and Baker Lake a pleasant and safe summer. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On May 30th and 31st in Broughton Island, there was a young person who walked for love. There were a few young people who walked about 80 to 85 miles and these young people are: Laz Koksiak, Monica Audlakiak, Jimmy Audlakiak, Danny Audlakiak, Lucy Anne Kuniliusie and Alice Keyutak. I would like to congratulate them for the work they have done for their communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about forced sterilization. Mr. Speaker, recently we have seen headlines in the Edmonton Journal about the Alberta government compensating women who had been sterilized without their consent. Apparently, Alberta and British Columbia were the only Canadian provinces having this type of program. People have called these acts barbaric and horrific. They want to know how this could have happened in Canada? Mr. Speaker, this was not the only sterilization program in the world. There were similar programs in Austria, Norway, Switzerland, Finland, Belgium and Sweden. In fact, in Sweden from 1934 to 1974, almost 63,000 people were sterilized and the Swedish government said it was because they were unable to raise children. In the U.S.A. from 1972 to 1978, over 3,400 native women were sterilized without their consent. This was to control populations on the reservations. Native American women during that same time period had rates of induced abortions which were increased from 34 to 77 for 1,000, which is over double. In Canada, sterilizations were authorized through the Sexual Sterilization Act, which was later repealed in 1972. In British Columbia, 400 people were sterilized, but in Alberta, they went all out. At least 2,800 people were sterilized between 1928 and 1972, probably some from the north as well. They were sterilized if they had mental deficiencies, were retarded or if they were bad parents. The patients were from all over western Canada and they were sterilized at the Charles Camsell Hospital in Edmonton or in Red Deer.

We know that our native people have been sent to the Charles Camsell Hospital for years and years and many still are. Some of those women were sterilized. It seems native women were sterilized even if they were not sick or retarded or in any other dangerous situation. I have been informed that in the 1960s and 70s, women from Dettah asked their local priests why they did not have any children for the past three or four years. They had found out later that they had been sent to and delivered their children at the Charles Camsell Hospital and were sterilized afterwards. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was saying, these women found out that they had been sterilized at the Charles Camsell Hospital and in 1996, a woman sued the Alberta government for this very same thing and she won close to $1 million. Since then, the Alberta government has been dealing with such people on a case-by-case basis. In March, they started a bill to compensate victims of up to $150,000 each, but that was later withdrawn because of complaints that they should not limit it to that amount. Mr. Speaker, the question is, will NWT women who were sterilized without their consent also be compensated. At the appropriate time, I will be asking the appropriate Minister questions in this area. Thank you.

--Applause.

Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, while I reviewed my schedule for this summer, I realized how busy the western NWT will be. We have many important issues that must be settled. The different aboriginal groups will all have their assemblies and without a doubt, one of the big topics of these will be the division/boundary issue. The western constitutional talks are under way and all western communities must get involved in these discussions, as well as the residents of the western NWT. This is very important to all of us. We need public input to ensure the constitution is set up the way we all collectively want it.

We now have the boundary commission established, which needs to get moving and discuss the boundary issue with all of our residents. I feel this commission must finalize this once and for all. All residents must have a fair and equitable representation. It is their right as Canadian residents. We must find a way to ensure we have full aboriginal support and input for this to succeed. Our government cannot be perceived to be favouring the larger centres because of the higher population basis. Finally, I would like to wish all of my colleagues a safe and relaxing journey to your families and communities and have a good summer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? You have unanimous consent to conclude your statement, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Members' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. More than once, some of my constituents and also my husband have brought it to my attention that the reporters on the radio and the TV are mispronouncing my first name, and this is really bothering my husband. It is not Manitok. It is Manitok with a double E sound in the middle. I wish to thank my constituents and my husband for bringing this to my attention, and I hope that everybody in Repulse Bay, Chesterfield and Coral Harbour have a great spring and summer. Thank you.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, fans. Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of ministerial statements today but none in this honourable Member's mind more important than the announcements regarding the conclusion of the negotiations to replace the Inuvik and Baffin hospitals. The conclusion of this file goes back to the Health and Welfare Canada transfer of health programs to the GNWT in 1988. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Minister and his staff for the work on this file. However, the completion of the successful negotiations raises some questions on the impact of the federal fund transfer on the P3 schedule construction project of the Baffin Regional Hospital in Iqaluit. Mr. Speaker, later today I will ask the Minister for Health some questions on this transfer. I, too, would also like to take this opportunity, in conclusion, to thank the Iqaluit Pages in the Legislative Assembly and yourself, Mr. Speaker, for the lunch.

I would like to reply to Mr. Miltenberger's bait he threw me today on the Power Corporation, but I will not. I would like to wish the Members and all the residents of Iqaluit a happy and safe summer. Thank you for your indulgence, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think it is fair to say that most people have heroes, people that they look up to. For the young person, that may be a hockey player, a ball player or a movie star. Up until a few minutes ago, I thought Members of this House thought I was their hero, but I find out now that is Mr. Picco. Anyway, Mr. Speaker, there is a young individual whom I have come to know here in the last couple of years in Yellowknife, and I would suggest that he is probably one of my biggest heroes. Most Members may not know his name, but you certainly saw him in the Legislative Assembly lobby a number of times. He is the young gentleman who is in a wheelchair with a big smile on his face, Vital Manuel. On a number of occasions, Mr. Speaker, on the way to the Legislative Assembly in the mornings, I saw this young man out in his wheelchair shovelling snow. Today, on my way to work, I saw him out cleaning the sidewalks with a broom. I think it is individuals such as this that can give us all inspiration to get up off our rear ends and do things when we see people who may not have the same attributes as ourselves, going up and above and beyond. I would ask the Members of this Legislature to congratulate this young man for being my hero.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are going to be breaking here after today and going our respective ways. This weekend there is an event in Fort Simpson, which is the graduation of the high school students, who I just wanted to mention. There are ten young people there: Lori McKenzie, Wesley Hardisty, Lionel Nadia, Camille Nayally, Adeline Sanguez, Laurie Sibbeston, Thelma Squirrel, T.G. Wilson, Mark Robertson, and Alexa Tsetso. They will be moving on from a high school education and next year some of them will even be going to college or university. I would like to congratulate them and to carry on with the work, and all the other students within the system, I would like to encourage you to stay in school and get an education. Through the debate here in this Legislative Assembly, an environmental scan and the trends that are happening in the north, indicated that in order to get ahead, we need more than grade 12. You need to go on to college or university and so forth. That is the kind of direction that we would like to have. The education system is there, and it is doing the best it can under the circumstances. I would like to encourage the teachers who are providing this service to us through our students to carry on with the good work and the parents to keep encouraging their kids to keep on going to school. I just want to give that message to my constituents whom I represent. I represent six communities, and I would like to say hi to all of them and that with this break, we will be going into the communities again, hopefully, to see everybody. For the members of the Legislative Assembly, I would like to wish you a good summer and we will see you in the fall. Mahsi.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, looking through Mr. Arlooktoo's Minister's statement about community justice, I would like to applaud and salute the Minister for recognizing the need to have more community control for administration of justice, Mr. Speaker. However, I have some very serious questions as to the locations of the potential camp dealing with offenders. When you look through the pages of the Minister's statement, on the last page, page five, the Minister talks about, and I quote "Discussion with potential camp operators are currently taking place with community members from Pond Inlet, Pangnirtung, Kimmirut" - that is his home community -"Hall Beach, Cape Dorset, Iqaluit and Clyde River". All are the Baffin region. What about regions like the Keewatin, more importantly, the Kitikmeot? At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister as to who decides where the location of the camps should be. Thank you.

Members' statements. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased today to recognize some very busy people, first Mary Sue Maloughney is my executive assistant and has helped me over the past year in dealing with some very difficult issues. Mary Sue is leaving my office to move onto bigger and better places very soon, and I thank her very much. With her is Mr. Richard Bargery, Assistant Deputy Minister for our Division Secretariat. Also with them is Laura Gauthier, who is ADM, I believe, of the Intergovernmental Affairs Department of the new Nunavut government. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Miss Rhoda Perkison is the Deputy Clerk Designate for the new Nunavut legislature.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recognition of visitors in the gallery, although I understand they just left the gallery, I had wanted to recognize 13 members of the grade seven class which included my adopted son, Ronald J. Rabesca, from Elizabeth MacKenzie Elementary School in Rae. Along with the students were their teachers, Leon Weyallon and Jerry Baron, as well as the bus driver, Manuel Bishop. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize someone whom I have known for a long time in Yellowknife, Mr. Don Kindt. He is the assistant superintendent of Education for Yellowknife Education District Number Two.

--Applause

Recognition of visitors in the gallery, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome in the gallery today from Iqaluit, Mr. Ed McKenna. His daughter, Meghan, is one of the Pages today here. Also, Goo stole my thunder. Laura Gauthier is here, a resident of Iqaluit and a constituent, and Mr. Rick Bargery, the DM, who is a wannabe resident of Iqaluit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a lady who spent part of the summer in Pelly Bay many years ago, Pat Thomas. Thank you.

--Applause

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Before we go on to questions, we will take a short break. The Minister has been sending me notes about students who have been out there. The Minister is going to explain. This will also give the Members time to think about good questions before question period. We will take a short, 15-minute break.

--Break

The House will come back to order. We are on item 6, oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

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

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

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

I have said consistently, Mr. Speaker, that we have laid our final settlement offer on the table. It is now up to the UNW and the membership to take the next course of action.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, my honourable colleague is correct.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot write a new contract if the membership of the UNW has not voted on it. I will not be writing a new contract. I cannot make the next move. I have done the final move. I have presented the final settlement. I have said consistently it is now up to the union and its members to take an appropriate course of action that they see fit. Our final offer is on the table. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That excellent statement by Mr. Ng on the federal agreement for replacement of the Baffin and Inuvik hospitals, my question is for the Minister of Health. How will the federal transfer of funds affect the P3 project for the Iqaluit hospital, the Baffin Regional Hospital in Iqaluit? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Mr. Speaker, at this stage it has no impact in respect to the work that is being carried out under the P3 initiative in trying to bring the Iqaluit hospital on stream. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, of the $18.9 million in base transfers, $12.2 million has been received and we found that out earlier in questioning this House. I am wondering, of the $6 million in base transfers, would the Minister and the government be diverting that money to the Inuvik facility and to the Baffin facility to hopefully, lessen the lease cost on the P3? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has not been decided yet as to where those funds are going to go. As it stands now, the agreement provides a base transfer of funds to this government from the federal government in respect to both capital projects. The future government of both Nunavut and the Western Territory will have to determine where those proceeds will be utilized, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do know that, of course, future governments will be involved in the $18.6 million in new funding. My question was on the $6 million in base funding that will be coming to this government not another government. Again, Mr. Speaker, the $6 million in base funding, will that be dedicated to the Inuvik and Baffin facilities? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, both in respect to the $6.5 million of ongoing base transfers and plus the additional $18.6 million of additional funding over the next five years. Both of those revenue streams will be allocated to two new governments. It will be up to those two new governments to determine their budgets on where they want to appropriate those funds, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not getting much of a level of comfort. How much of the base transfer will be received by this government in this fiscal year and will that be given to the Baffin and Inuvik hospital projects? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, none of the base transfer amounts will be received in this fiscal year. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to my honourable friend, Mr. Arlooktoo, Minister of Justice. Again, in my Member's statement, I salute the Minister for recognizing the need for community justice in the communities across the Nunavut area. I have a serious question as to the location of several potential camps for adult offenders. I wish I could say that there is no crime at all in the Kitikmeot, or in the Keewatin for that matter, but the point is, every region has crime and there is a need for facilities in every region and community across the NWT. My question is, who determines where those facilities should be located in the Nunavut area? Thank you.

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The new and potential camps that I spoke about came about as a result of interested potential contractors approaching the department and the department expressing interest. I did make a statement this winter encouraging community members that were interested in opening up these adult camp facilities. As I stated during that time, there were a number of facilities already opened. I believe there were just under 20 camps around the Northwest Territories before these new initiatives came about. The fact of the matter is, there are camps in all the regions at this point in time, including the Kitikmeot, the Keewatin, but predominately in the western Northwest Territories. In order for a new camp to open, the potential contractors must express interest and show that they are capable and suitable to operate these bush camps. We will work with them to open up these bush camps. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.