Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last night I had an opportunity to meet with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and I would like to indicate some of the concerns and important issues they see. First of all they reiterated their desire to have their own constituency along with the Ingraham Trail which would be called Weledeh. They also indicated their exasperation with the affirmative action issue, the fact that not very many of their people seem to be getting jobs with the territorial government.

They also indicated that with the creation of two new territories, perhaps it is time for the west to clean out some people who may not be doing the best of jobs and to get some new blood into the system. They also expressed the concern about the new gun law that will be put into effect and how it will affect them during their hunting and the rest of that. Also the many times it was brought up, the new traps that have to be used, it is very difficult, particularly for the older people to use the new traps. The huge burnt area in the North Slave here also was of a great concern. The feeling was that perhaps, if people had moved faster the land would not have been burnt so bad, particularly since it is good caribou area.

Also of great concern that the children are losing their language and that the government should work more on this. Of particular concern, many people spoke of this also is the seniors' fuel subsidy that it is simply not enough. They feel it should be enough to last a senior all year. The final issue I want to bring up, although there were many others, the concern was that with the creation of two new territories, that in the west there should not be a deterioration of programs and services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Sunday, November 29th, the Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation will be holding the first annual "Together for a Healthy North" telethon. The organizers of this event, designed to raise money for capital equipment purchases at the hospital to meet the needs of the entire north. The foundation is hoping to get as many government and business representatives as possible involved. All it takes is a few minutes or an hour if you have the time, to get involved as an M.C. or as someone to answer phones for those wishing to pledge money towards the foundation. The event, Mr. Speaker, will be seen across the north on the CAT Channel and TVNC, since it is a regional program, given the importance Stanton Regional Hospital serves on a regional scale.

On that note, Mr. Speaker, I would like to challenge my fellow colleagues of this 13th Assembly to show your support and get involved in some way for this very important event, whether it is through a donation or your time. As we draw nearer to November 29th, I anticipate there may be some in-house challenges adopted for this cause. Please mark this date on your calendar and I urge all Members to make a commitment now to get involved in this worthwhile cause for all citizens of the north. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the

Honourable Goo Arlooktoo tabled the Evans Report. Mr. Speaker, the report as Minister Arlooktoo stated, does not show a rosy picture of crime and corrections in the Northwest Territories, but by taking the report at face value and implementing changes like setting up a stand-alone probation service, Mr. Speaker, that proactive move in itself would be most welcomed, especially by those who are working in the field. On page 31 of the report, the author has outlined a strategic approach to offender healing and treatment. The implementation of that proposed amendment in the report is also most welcomed. Mr. Speaker, it also mentions in the report yesterday and tabled in the Minister's statement about the over crowding in both the YCC and the BCC and explained it is not an exception, but is actually the norm. The upgrade to the YCC will be done sometime over the next year and as well welcomed. Mr. Speaker, I should also mention that Mr. Ng who commissioned the report and Mr. Arlooktoo who is going to implement the recommendations are to be congratulated for their proactive work in this very important end. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make reference to the announcement made by Mr. Kakfwi the other day on the carving conference which we have been working on for the past many months and which we now have the dates; October 19th to the 21st. I want to inform the House that I have approached Mr. Kakfwi to see if this carving conference could be moved to the birthplace and the cradle of the carving industry to Cape Dorset. Cape Dorset is well positioned in that it has a thriving carving economy and marketing the hotels, meeting place and the experience of the local people are there. Not to take away from the community of Iqaluit where this carving conference is now presently slated for. I believe that it is only proper and right that this community of Cape Dorset host the carving conference. Thank you.

--Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Ootes on September 18, 1998.

All new employees (including casuals) are required to sign an oath of office of secrecy when they start their employment with the government.

THE OATH OF OFFICE AND SECRECY IS AS FOLLOWS:

I, ______________________, solemnly and sincerely swear that I will faithfully and honestly fulfil the duties that devolve upon me by reason of my employment in the public service of the Northwest Territories and that I will not, without due authority, disclose or make known any matter that comes to my knowledge by reason of such employment. So help me God.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure today to introduce Esther Braden, co-chair of the NWT Coordination Committee; Geraldine MacLean, the other co-chair. Some members of the NWT Committee, Barb Bromley, Wally Maduke, June Van Dine Arden, Dianne Mercredi and also Gladys Eggenberger who is with the Yellowknife Seniors Society. All these Yellowknife seniors who have come to visit us today, Mary Wilson, Irv and Kay Grabke, Darcy Arden, Dusty Miller, Ruth and Bob Spence, Ed Jeske, Jim and Marion Wylie, Don Hunter, Delores Hunter, Ida Lucca, Mary Adderly, Albert Eggenberger, Agnes Williams, Lew Delaney, Theresa Crane and Carolyn McCabe. I ask all Members to join me in recognizing these distinguished visitors to our Assembly.

--Applause

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to introduce to the House the chief coroner of the Northwest Territories, Mr. Percy Kinney. I would like to note that Mr. Kinney according to Mr. Dent was first hired by Mr. Dent early on in the '80s. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize some visitors to the City of Yellowknife from the City of Thompson, Manitoba. The deputy mayor, Harold Smith; councillor, Al MacLean; Mr. Karl Martens; Ms. Wendy Jensen; Ms. Allison Crawford. They are joined today by the clerk from the City of Yellowknife, Mr. Tim Mercer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Morin, Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am confident we will be able to table it in the November session.

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.