Thank you Mr. Evaloarjuk. Good afternoon, Members. Before we begin today, I would like to remind Members that today is the 47th anniversary of a historic event for the Northwest Territories and for this Assembly. On September 17, 1951, for the first time some Members of the Council were elected to office.

There were three Members elected in 1951 to represent the whole Northwest Territories. They were, Mr. Mervyn Hardie, representing the Mackenzie North constituency; Mr. James Brodie representing Mackenzie South and Mr. Frank Carmichael, representing Mackenzie West. At that time, there were also six appointed Members on the Council, as well as the Commissioner, Major General Hugh Young.

There have been many changes in this Assembly and in the Northwest Territories as a whole since 1951. Forty-seven years ago we began the process toward responsible government. For the last 47 years, Members of this and previous Legislatures have worked to ensure that all residents of the Northwest Territories are represented responsibly and effectively.

With the creation of two new territories, we will see many more changes and will continue to break new ground. As elected Members, we will remain committed to the principle of responsible government that is reflective of the interests of all northern residents.

If I may, it is appropriate today that we have in the gallery four of the 19 returning officers, who will conduct the first election for the Nunavut Legislative Assembly. They are in Yellowknife for training this week. They are:

Mona Autut, Returning Officer for Baker Lake - from Baker Lake

Nancy Kalluak, Returning Officer for Arviat - from Arviat

Jean Kaniak, Returning Officer for Cambridge Bay - from Cambridge Bay

Sarah Kidlapik, Returning Officer for Akullik - from Repulse Bay

Welcome to the Assembly.

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Orders of the Day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Workers' Compensation Board has experienced several years of exceptional financial results since finding itself in a deficit position in 1992. In 1997, it achieved an operating surplus of over $20 million. To date, the board has an accumulated operating reserve of over $35 million. These positive results can be attributed to several factors.

The total number of registered claims dropped last year to its lowest level in four years. On the other hand, increased economic activity in the NWT meant that employer revenue was higher than anticipated. Perhaps the most significant influence on the financial health of the WCB has been the success of its investment portfolio. In 1995 and 1996, the WCB made significant changes to its investment policy and asset mix model. A more aggressive and better balanced investment strategy has resulted in three successive years of solid investment performance. Mr. Speaker, since 1996, the WCB has consistently reflected its financial success by decreasing employer assessment rates and increasing benefits to injured workers.

Mr. Speaker, effective January 1, 1999, a further 35 percent decrease in the average assessment rate will take effect. This means the assessment rate for NWT employers will decrease from $1.87 to $1.21 per $100 of assessable payroll. This new average rate has been approved by the board of directors and will be maintained for three years. As well, Mr. Speaker, I will be introducing legislation in the Assembly this fall to increase the YMIR from $52,000 to $60,000, effective January 1, 1999.

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If approved, the new YMIR in the NWT will become the highest YMIR in the country.

This increase will allow the board to fully compensate 85 percent of the NWT workforce. The new YMIR will also provide greater coverage to the mining industry, where currently only 35 percent of the workers are fully covered. It should also be mentioned, Mr. Speaker, that increasing the YMIR will create inequities between those workers and their dependants who will be receiving pensions and those whose pensions are based on earlier YMIR's.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Members of the Assembly, late yesterday afternoon I learned through a general press release from NAV Canada that the federal Minister of Transport, the Honourable David Collenette, gave his approval to NAV Canada's fee proposal last Friday. I want to inform the House that I am greatly disappointed with the consistent refusal of NAV Canada and the federal government to recognize the impact the new fee structure will have on northern Canada.

NAV Canada's announcement makes much of the fact that, as a special concession to the north, it will phase in the new fees over a two year period. This is merely a delay. The pain will come in small cuts over time rather than all at once. Delays or deferrals were not what we had asked NAV Canada or the Minister of Transport to consider. NAV Canada also makes much of the fact that the former Air Transportation Tax is to be removed as the new fees are introduced to replace it. Unlike the Air Transportation Tax that was added to the fares of paying passengers, the new service fees are charged on aircraft movements - regardless of whether the aircraft is empty or loaded. Since the fees are based on aircraft movements, the air carriers must recover the fees from their passengers and freight. The new fees have and will impose added cost to the movement of freight. This is a new cost to northerners and the substance of our criticism. The announced deferrals do not change the fact that, in the end, fresh groceries and other essential air cargoes delivered to our northern and remote communities will cost more.

Next week I will be meeting in Regina with the federal Ministers and my provincial and territorial counterparts. I intend to take up the issue of the NAV Canada fees at the meeting and I have already had the item included on the agenda. The deferrals do give us time. With the support of this Assembly, the people who live in our communities and the northern air industry, I intend to pursue every avenue at our disposal to mitigate this added increase to our high cost of living in the north. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3,

Members' statements. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of concern regarding my visit to Pond Inlet and the issues I wish to bring to your attention. These problems still have not been resolved;

First of all, the school and gymnasium that was planned for the community was designed to be too small, and the foundation for the building remains very muddy. The marina/dock that was to be built still has not gone through. More and more people are buying their own boats and this facility is required for safety purposes, as Pond Inlet has no safe harbour. The travel routes by air also remain the same. In order to travel between Hall Beach, Pond Inlet and Arctic Bay, they still have to stop over in Iqaluit.

Also, they need a nursing station, which they were told they would get. To date, they have never heard anything more. They have had only two nurses all this time even though they should have five according to ratio and population numbers. There should also be nursing training provided for Inuit but this has also been discontinued.

Mr. Speaker, these issues I speak of will be brought forward in question period at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

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Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past summer has seen unprecedented growth occur in Iqaluit. There are numerous single family and multi-plex housing units as well as office buildings and the new Legislative Assembly building being built. This activity has meant increasing numbers of people moving to Iqaluit and this has pushed resources to their limit. Housing shortages remain very serious and the homeless shelter was over flowing before it was closed down. A new shelter is now being built to help deal with the problem of homelessness. Mr. Speaker, with all this growth and activity the youth of Iqaluit have not been forgotten. With support from Frobisher Developments Limited they kindly donated a housing unit to be used as a youth centre. Over the past several months, I have chaired a committee of community volunteers that have tried to put together a sound plan to open the youth centre. We have had support from various organizations and companies Mr. Speaker, but we have had no luck with this government.

Our latest request for core funding to help us hire a full-time staff person who would be available to counsel youth and coordinate activities was rejected. Mr. Speaker, last Friday we met to review our options and the committee is scheduled to meet again tomorrow. We now plan on preparing a funding proposal to the federal government. Mr. Speaker, many of our youth are in crisis. The youth centre would be a safe place where they could hang out with their friends and we would have someone available to help and talk to. a trained councillor. I do not understand why this government cannot find a way to help fund such a worthwhile project.

We pay lip service to many of the problems affecting youth. When youth get in trouble or when we have to deal with suicide, crime or drug related problems, we talk about diversion type programs. Mr. Speaker a dedicated environment for youth with trained staff on hand is what is needed. A safe place to go. Later today, I will ask the appropriate Minister about these issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to also talk about the sod turning at the BHP valuation sorting facility that I had the opportunity to attend at noon hour. Mr. Speaker, I can honestly say that this is a momentous occasion. This is the first such facility in North America and there will be around 15 jobs to start and more will be coming of course with other mines opening and greater development. Mr. Speaker, this is a win-win situation. First of all BHP gets its facility, secondly, the City of Yellowknife gets much need tax dollars at the full economic rate. There were no concessions made. Thirdly, the valuator as a consortium of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the Dogrib First Nation and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. These three birthright organizations will be able to get jobs and other economic opportunities from this venture. I say birthright organizations because there are three land claimant groups.

Mr. Speaker, this could not have happened without the hard work of a lot of people and I believe they are to be congratulated for a job well done. Hopefully, this is just the start of a full value added secondary diamond industry in the north, meaning diamond polishing, jewellery making and so on. Mr. Speaker, this of course means more jobs and less social programs for not only Yellowknife, but also for the surrounding communities. Indeed, we can say we have a bright and glittery road ahead of us. Thank you.

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Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to inform this House that my region is hearing how important education is. Over the past number of years, our leaders have been telling young and old that education is the backbone to a better life. We all try to ensure that our children have the best we can offer. Be it a good warm home, food on the table, a caring and loving family, it is our duty as parents to ensure these things are provided. It is also our duty to ensure our children can achieve their goals. We must enforce and encourage our children to attend school and get as much education as is possible.

With this in mind, I would like to inform this House that for this current school year we have had tremendous response for individuals to attend post-secondary schools as well as getting a high school education. This year we have 47 students out attending post-secondary schools throughout Canada. The Chief Jimmy Bruneau High School has had an increase of almost 100 students over the same period last year. This is all very good news for our region and our residents.

We cannot stop now, we must continue to encourage our residents to get educated, our government must continue to develop new and interesting programs and methods that focus on our ever changing environment. New opportunities are becoming available and we must respond to these. To end, I would like to commend our students for their achievements and keep up the good work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.