Thank you Mr. Ningark. Good afternoon to all Members and welcome back to the continuation of the 6th Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly. I would like to thank the Member for Hay River, in arranging for the Reverend Craig Pitts and Mrs. Dorothy Pitts to be with us today to perform our National Anthem as a piano duet. Even though we have not met since June, I expect Members had a very busy summer with their constituents, family and friends. I hope you are all well rested and ready for the many challenges and decisions that must be made in the coming months leading to the dissolution of the 13th Legislative Assembly late next year. Of course, in six months time we will be saying good-bye to ten of our colleagues from Nunavut.

Members have much to do in a very short time frame and we have a number of legislative initiatives that must be dealt within that time. This may mean standing down some of the normal processes for review. The stress created by the pressure of time constraints can lead to frustration, but it is my hope that we will continue to address issues in a respectful and honourable way.

Keeping in mind our tight schedule, when it comes to the operation of the House, I intend to be strict with the rules. For example, during question period I ask that both questions and answers be to the point. I will interject if this is not the case with either a Member or Minister. I know both sides of the House will understand the need for this as it will make for more productive use of the question period.

We have entered the last year of this Assembly. I know that we, as leaders, will put aside any personal issues to take up our responsibility to create a legacy for the future that the people of the north will be proud of. This is the challenge we accepted when we were elected to the 13th Assembly and it is a challenge we will meet in the days to come.

On the lighter side, I must offer my thanks to the Member for Yellowknife North, who has invited all members to lunch at the SmokeHouse in N'Dilo.

--Applause

Perhaps there will be more such invites to come. I want to thank the staff of the Legislative Assembly for all their hard work. I am hoping that over the next few sittings, with the help of the staff, some social and recreational events can be organized, so that staff and members can meet in a non-work environment. Perhaps if the media is not too afraid, one day we will continue the MLA-Media hockey challenge. I would also like to congratulate the Clerk of the Assembly, who celebrated his half-century birthday yesterday.

--Applause

Although, I would remind the Clerk, Mr. Hamilton, that I am still eight months his elder. Once again, welcome to the continuance of the 6th Session of the 13th Assembly. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Kelvin Ng will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers of Health meeting in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to advise Members that the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend the Arctic Council Ministers meeting in Iqaluit.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to advise Members that the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi will be absent from the House today due to illness. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Ministers' statements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the business and investment conference and trade show, Prospects North, is taking place September 21st to September 23rd. There are 113 delegates registered, including 20 international representatives and over 80 exhibitors. On behalf of the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, I would like to welcome these visitors to the conference and to the Northwest Territories. The conference theme this year is "Partners in Developing Canada's North."

Through speakers and working sessions, delegates will be exposed to information on the various economic sectors in the NWT and the business opportunities they offer. Interested investors can receive more information at the trade show.

The North enjoys many successful joint ventures. Partnerships between the private sector and government are one of the new ways we are doing business. We must continue to be resourceful and creative in our business dendeavours. The NWT offers a vast array of resources. With the ongoing settlement of land claims and growth of aboriginal development corporations, increased certainty and business opportunities are available. Investors looking for a new opportunity have come to the right place -- the NWT. As a final note, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the individuals who have worked to promote and support Prospects North '98. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back colleagues and Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, nearly a year ago, on October 15, 1997, I provided written notice to the Union of Northern Workers to begin collective bargaining. Mr. Speaker, at that time, I set out two very important items that the government wanted to resolve. These two items were the rates of pay for the implementation of the new job evaluation system and a settlement of the equal pay complaint. Mr. Speaker, the government backed up its sincere desire for a negotiated agreement with the UNW by budgeting $40 million. Mr. Speaker, this is a significant amount of money, especially in light of the many other competing demands such as health, education and housing. Mr. Speaker, at collective bargaining we listened carefully to all the issues that the UNW brought to the table. Through negotiations, many of these issues were resolved and signed off. When it came time to discuss the government's two important items, the UNW refused to even talk. At one point, the UNW did show some willingness to participate in a joint review of the Job Evaluation System and went as far as to sign an agreement to that effect. However, the UNW did not show up for that review. Instead, when the UNW returned to the bargaining table, its PSAC spokesperson said he had specific instructions to not talk about the government's bargaining items. He said that he had no mandate to negotiate on these items.

Mr. Speaker, since the UNW had no mandate to negotiate rates of pay for the implementation of the new job evaluation system and a settlement of the equal pay complaint, a final settlement offer was tabled with the UNW. It was our sincere hope, Mr. Speaker, that the UNW would take the offer out to employees and seek the necessary mandate to conclude a collective agreement and a settlement of the equal pay complaint. Mr. Speaker, the final settlement offer that was put on the table is clear evidence of the GNWT's sincere effort to negotiate with the UNW. The offer would have enabled the government to implement a new job evaluation system and resolve the long outstanding equal pay complain. This would have been achieved with absolutely no down-side risk for any employee or the UNW. The offer represents more money in the pockets of every employee. Wages would have increased from between two percent to 31 percent in the first year and by another two percent in the second year. Affected employees would have received equal pay payments ranging from $790 to $33,199. Northern allowance increases ranged from $421 to $4,096 with an annual lump sum amount of $500 for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, instead of using the offer to seek a mandate from its members, the UNW adopted a strategy of trying to influence Members of this Assembly to bring a halt to efforts to negotiate wage rates based on the new job evaluation system and settle the equal pay complaint. Mr. Speaker, while this government ignored the UNW's rhetoric and personal insults, we did listen carefully to every issue and objection raised. We also listened carefully to comments by employees and the general public.

The general consensus, Mr. Speaker, is that the government's original offer is a good one and that employees would have accepted it if they had been given a democratic opportunity to vote on it. However, there were also concerns expressed about the fairness of the equal pay payments for former employees and with a job evaluation review process that did not have a fully independent chairperson.

Mr. Speaker, these concerns with the government's offer could have been addressed at the bargaining table, had the UNW raised its issues in that forum. Nevertheless, after hearing these concerns, we offered to make revisions to the government's offer at the bargaining table.

We also decided to negotiate revisions to our offer to provide simple interest on the equal pay payments. As well, we decided to consider appropriate revisions to reflect changes in point ratings resulting from the informal employee job evaluation review process.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, our offers to return to the bargaining table with the assistance of a mediator were met with allegations of bargaining in bad faith. Our proposal to return to the bargaining table, with or without the assistance of a mediator, was met with the precondition that the government, in effect, withdraws from the table the two very important items that we want to discuss. The UNW still insisted on its preconditions and its bad faith bargaining allegation even after the GNWT let it be known that it was prepared to take the settlement of the equal pay complaint off the table if that was the only outstanding issue.

Mr. Speaker, the stalling of serious negotiations has gone on for too long. It is time to bring the parties to the table tgo resolve outstanding matters in ways that will ensure serious efforts are made. Accordingly, it is this government's intention to follow the process as set out in the Public Service Act for doing so. We have, therefore, applied to the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories for the appointment of a mediator. With the assistance of a mediator, we wish to table a revised offer for consideration by the UNW. We will approach these

negotiations with an open mind and a willingness to consider all options. It remains our objective, Mr. Speaker, to conclude an agreement with the UNW on a package that includes rates of pay based on the new job evaluation system and a settlement of the equal pay dispute. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, welcome back. It is my understanding that because of increased revenues pursuant to our formula financing arrangements with the federal government as of March 31, 1998, we had experienced above annual surplus that was forecasted. I realize that with the contingency for the fire fighting this past summer and other unforseen circumstances, some of these revenues above and beyond what was forecasted will have to be used elsewhere. Mr. Speaker, is it possible to follow up on the motion passed in this House at the conclusion of our last sitting in June to use some of the extra surplus funds to re-base the Department of Education as per our motion in this House.

Mr. Speaker, with school having started in all areas of the Northwest Territories, reports of increased enrollments above what the funding grants were based on last October are coming in. The Premier has repeatedly said in this House that if the Assembly identified a priority, then the government would look at it as a serious concern. Mr. Speaker, the fiscal health of the Northwest Territories has dramatically improved over the past three years. Will the government look at the window of opportunity present and try and address the social concerns with education and health issues? Mr. Speaker, later today I will ask the Premier about these matters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

The Member for Mackenzie Delta is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Krutko, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later on today I will be tabling a petition from the Fort Resolution Health Centre employees of Fort Resolution. Along with it came a letter addressed to myself,

"I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. We are writing to request a settlement of our pay equity entitlements. We are making this request for the following reasons. We are now employees of a private organization, The Deninu Health and Social Services Board. We are no longer affiliated with the Union of Northern Workers. We are no longer GNWT employees. The Union of Northern Workers does not represent our concerns.

We believe the GNWT's offer to be fair. We believe the union's demands to be excessive in this economic climate. We believe the settlement monies will go a long way to helping northern families and the northern economy now. We believe these monies to be rightfully ours. We believe that any further negotiations will be fruitless and only create a bigger rift between the involved parties at a time when unity, good will and cooperation is what is required to make this great territory even better. We would like to thank you for taking the time to consider this petition. A copy of this letter will be sent to your Minister of Finance, the Honourable John Todd."

Signed by the health workers in Fort Resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon colleagues. Mr. Speaker, during my visit to the communities I represent, there was a concern which was repeated in the communities regarding airfares and travel schedules that are delayed due to weather and other circumstances. For example, if a plane travels from Iqaluit to Resolute or Nanisivik when it goes over here, the passengers are told they are responsible for their own accommodation. While the person is trying to get to their destination, many of these people pay out of their pockets for their airfare and when circumstances are beyond their control this is not fair treatment. If this occurred in the south and the delay was because of the weather or circumstances beyond the passengers control, then the airlines are responsible for ensuring proper accommodation and meals for the passengers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise on a sad note. I have asked yourself Mr. Speaker, and the rest of my colleagues to offer sincere condolences to the family of Mark and Hannah Tunguaq of Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, their nine-month-old son passed away suddenly last week in Baker Lake. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.