Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, workplace accidents can be devastating. Not only is an employee affected - family, friends and fellow workers all share in the consequences.

Accidents can be prevented. However, it takes commitment, training and a strong sense of responsibility from both the employer, and the employees, to make a difference. I am very pleased to report that the people at the NWT Power Corporation have demonstrated they can make the difference.

On June 30, 1999, the corporation's 295 employees achieved a record of six months - over 400,000 hours - with no time-loss accidents. I am pleased to report that as of today, that record is now almost seven months. This is a very good turnaround from only five years ago, when there were 18 time-loss accidents during the year. Last year, there were only five.

The commitment of the board of directors to make safety the top priority and to put the resources behind their decision has been a major factor. I compliment them, the management and the safety managers of the NWT Power Corporation in the NWT and Nunavut for the excellent job they have done.

I know this Assembly will join me in congratulating the front-line workers, the line crews, the electricians, mechanics and other tradespeople who perform their duties safely every day.

Mr. Speaker, we are joined here today by members of the joint occupational health and safety committee in the gallery who I will introduce at the appropriate time.

Finally, I look forward to January 1st of next year when I am confident we stand a very good chance of achieving a full year - almost one million hours - of zero lost time at the NWT Power Corporation. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we know most communities in the smaller ridings are classified as GTA communities. Mr. Speaker, a large part of the reason why GTA communities are such is because they do not have population or economic base to maintain, operate and manage municipal services on their own. However, whether or not it is suitable, this government must continue to maintain and operate the capital infrastructure in a lot of our communities but also the community has to retain certain hardships to maintain those programs. Mr. Speaker, it was recently brought to my attention that some appraisals of properties in the Mackenzie Delta communities have skyrocketed in regards to value. For an example, Mr. Speaker, the property that was originally appraised at $3,000 has now been appraised at $13,000. Although it might not look like much of an increase for some people, it is a major problem. It is a major problem for the people who do not have work, who are unemployed, who are trying to continue to maintain properties that have been in their families for hundreds of years and also who have lived in these communities for hundreds of years.

Mr. Speaker, the new appraisals are not realistic but such cause severe hardship on the people that call those communities their home. The hazards, to think about all the people such as our senior citizens, people who are on income support and those people who want to continue to maintain homes and property in their home communities. The appraisal system, which we adopted from the south, it belongs in the south. Our government is here to help the people who we represent and not drive them into hardship. Mr. Speaker, we need a northern solution to deal with northern issues. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister responsible for property increases and how the property appraisal system has been established and exactly what he can do about helping poor or small communities. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the last time that we gathered here in this House was some time ago now. Since then has probably been the longest period of time that I have spent in my riding on a continuous basis since

coming here four years ago. There is a lot to be said for staying home and spending time with the people who elected you to represent them. It has been a great break but not in the sense of it not being busy because it has been very busy. Besides dealing with many issues and concerns and working on various ongoing initiatives, I have been able to visit with constituents and participate in community activities, activities such as Heritage and Canada Day festivities, celebrating the tenth anniversary of Woodland Manor, our seniors' care facility, congratulating NTCL with past and present employees at the reunion to commemorate their 65th anniversary, offering best wishes to Arlene Johns and Romeo Gonzales when friends, family and colleagues gathered to honour them for over 30 years of teaching in the North, attending the graduation of 27 fine young people from Diamond Jenness Secondary School, joining with Premier Antoine, Minister Miltenberger and Commissioner Marion in the opening ceremonies of the 1999 Territorial Track and Field Meet with almost 1,000 athletes, coaches and volunteers in attendance.

The Minister of Education was down to tour our facilities and meet with citizens concerned about education, as he said he would be. The Cabinet convened a meeting in Hay River in conjunction with their presentations at the Community Leadership Conference. The Government Operations Committee met in Hay River for the public hearing on Bill 15. This is just to name just a few of the activities so far this summer, and the remainder promises to be just as busy as I host a barbecue in honour of our seniors in recognition of the International Year of Older Persons with the help of the Commissioner Dan Marion on August 2nd. On August 11th, together with the Career Development Centre in Hay River, I will host the Ready for School Barbecue for students going out to post-secondary education.

The only problem with being home for so long is that it is hard to come back but once again, on Saturday afternoon, I made the trek back. We have had many visitors in Hay River over the summer, but we would always like lots more. If any of you are thinking of driving down, I would just like to tell you that Mr. Rabesca's road construction is not any obstacle and is proving to be very scriptural and, in fact, the crooked paths are being made straight. Mr. Gargan's bison, however, are still hogging the road with their usual stubbornness and disregard for humans trying to take advantage of that new speed limit on the highway. But when you are going by, when you are going through Enterprise, take note of Mr. Steen's beautiful new weigh scale which was just being paved when I came by. As I said, we are never too busy in Hay River for visitors. The golf course is green, the beaches are sandy, and the fish are biting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My comments today will be on a subject that is economically related, and it is of great concern to many people in Yellowknife and is, no doubt, of great concern to this government as well. The government is always looking at the possibility of job creation. As an example, I give the economic strategy which is underway in which the honourable Minister for RWED is in charge of.

That strategy is to create an economy whereby people can get jobs and this government can raise revenues. But what is of concern to me is, does this government have a program, a strategy of job retention. As an example, I use the Giant Mine situation. Some months ago, the Yellowknife MLAs met with the mayor of Yellowknife, representatives of the union, the Chamber of Commerce, a number of business people, and aboriginal representatives. It was to discuss and investigate the possibilities of a sale of Giant Mine, as well as to look at what can be done about the arsenic problem. Some progress has been made to that end.

DIAND, who has held a very successful and major conference on arsenic problems and brought in experts to gather together for a three-day session here in Yellowknife. I am sure that there will be progress made in that end on the arsenic issues. At the same time, the receiver has received interest from potential buyers for the mine. But Giant continues to be of great concern to all of us and especially the 280 workers and their families, as well as some 250 spinoff jobs that are affected by it. There is a tremendous impact on this community, as well as the territory, if we should lose this mine. To this end, I wonder what this government is doing in terms of pressuring the Department of Indian Affairs to continue to seek solutions to the arsenic problem, as well as to assist potential buyers and operators. If a buyer cannot be found, if we can provide assistance to keep this mine going. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as well, I have had the opportunity during our break in session to go back home and visit with the people in my community. A number of events have taken place there. At this time right now we have the Great Northern Arts Festival, which is off to a great start and is in its closing days now. Another event that happened in my community is, while I was here, I received a phone call from my assistant, quite concerned with some events that were happening at my office back in Inuvik. We received a call and were notified the office was being closed down due to the unsafe conditions of the building we were in. We had to operate for a week or so without an office.

I have to thank my assistant for carrying on the business of the day from her home and using her home as an office. But it gave me an opportunity to use the sidewalks and the streets as an office place, which was interesting and brought me together with a lot of people who do not necessarily have the time to come forward into an office. So in that sense, it was okay, but thankfully we are back into an office and to notify the people back home that I am in the Boreal Bookstore, the old location. It is called the Delta Building. The people in Inuvik refer it to the Boreal Books Building. We are located and set up there and we are back on line. We have our phones and faxes operating and hoping to continue to serve the people appropriately back home. In closing, Mr. Speaker, again I would like to send greetings back to my family. Thank you.

--Applause

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Henry on April 27, 1999. It is in regard to rental of restricted and adult movies to youth.

The Northwest Territories' current legislation is the Film Classification Act with accompanying film classification regulations. This legislation imposes restrictions and regulations on movie theatre operators in the Northwest Territories and adopts the Alberta movie classification system.

Recent changes to the Film Classification Act which were included as part of our government's regulatory reform initiative were intended to streamline the film classification regulations as well as clarify the act. No additional restrictions were considered when changing the act.

Video distributors and rental outlets in the NWT do not require a special licence other than their business licence to operate. Restricted or adult videos are available through various retail outlets and sources. Established businesses from large chain stores to the corner convenience stores can sell and rent videos. They are also available through mail order or Internet. A significant enforcement effort would be required on the part of this government to ensure effective legislative controls on the sale or rental of videos.

The Criminal Code of Canada does control obscene materials in Canada and the RCMP enforce these laws. Municipalities are also delegated authority under GNWT legislation in which they can regulate the display and distribution of adult materials within their community. Enforcement by communities presents the same challenges to them as it does to the territorial government. Presently, only the City of Yellowknife has a by-law controlling adult publications.

Perhaps there are more effective solutions such as promoting voluntary compliance with guidelines for the display and sale or rental of restricted and adult videos. As Members can appreciate, the regulation and setting of moral standards for the community is a matter that requires serious consideration. The department will continue to look into this important issue.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Ron English from Inuvik. Welcome, Mr. English.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pursuant to my Minister's statement, I would like to take this occasion to recognize some of the members of the joint occupational health and safety committee from the NWT Power Corporation and I will recognize them from my right to left across the top. Mr. Reg Crozier, plant operator, Valerie McPhee, office manager, Mr. Dan Roberts, the regional director of central operations, Chris Chatwood, the area maintenance superintendent. Along with the members of the occupational health and safety committee are Brian Willows, the safety manager for the NWT Region, and Mr. Bill Braden, who is the director of corporate development.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question the Member has as to whether or not this department or this government still has a negotiated contract policy. The answer to that is yes. We still have a negotiated contract policy and under my other portfolio as Minister of Transportation, there is a negotiated contract policy in regard to the Department of Transportation. However, there is no negotiated contract policy per se that would apply to Public Works, but the Cabinet and the Executive Council did adopt negotiated policy guidelines very recently in May, which more clearly gives direction to the department as to what would be taken into consideration when dealing with the negotiated contract requests.

There are also quite clear directions from Cabinet that we were all expected to comply with and do our best to follow these guidelines. Now, after saying that, Mr. Speaker, I think it is fair to say that the department has been following the guidelines as close to the letter as possible. In those guidelines it outlines specifically that we have to identify benefits as far as economic benefits overall for the community, but also benefits in regards to employment opportunities within the community. Now, it is suggested in the guidelines that not only is it the responsibility of the Department of Public Works or the department involved to identify these benefits, but it is some responsibility on the applicant as well.

What the department is doing is trying our best to work with the applicant to come forward and identify these benefits that would not be obtained through the normal tender process. So far we are doing our best to abide by those and we are still awarding contracts or we are still considering requests from negotiated contracts, I should say, and we are awarding negotiated contracts based on that policy. Unfortunately, we have not been able to award all the requests from negotiated contracts because in our responses to communities, Mr. Speaker, we stated clearly that we believe the communities have, in the past, through their records of operation, indicated that they are capable of competing in a normal tender process. Based on that, we have been turning some of them down. That is my response to the Member at this point in time. The department still has, Cabinet still has, a negotiated contract policy, although it is not in writing per se, but I know that Cabinet did forward copies to all the MLAs of the guidelines that we have adopted and that we are planning follow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department and myself were available to discuss with the Member the negotiated contract request that we have at this point in time, as well as those that have been tendered. At this point in time, the department is open to discussions with the Member. I would suggest that the Member come forward with a suggested time and where to meet. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning breakfast was on me. Tomorrow, breakfast is on the Member, but I am available.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. It is regarding my opening comments about the property values that have increased drastically in my riding. But first, Mr. Speaker, the whole history of lands and municipalities have drastically changed through land claims negotiations in the Mackenzie Valley. There was a land freeze on for the last 20 years in which a lot of people required property in which they developed those properties with the understanding they will eventually own them and they lease that property knowing that once the land claims were settled, they were going to be able to acquire these properties by outright ownership. But I think the changes that we have seen, they did not expect that there would be such a drastic price increase from the original $3,000 they thought they were going to purchase this property for to where it has gone up to $13,000. The increased appraisal values have inflated the land prices in the Mackenzie Delta and possibly in other regions. As a result, people are having trouble paying the property taxes and even having the ability to purchase land at a fair price in the Mackenzie Delta. Will the government consider adopting a more reasonable appraisal system that reflects the realities of the role the communities in the Mackenzie Delta so that we can understand the sensitivity of the northern cultures and also the people in the Mackenzie Delta? I would like to ask the Minister, is his department considering looking at such an option?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that over the past three or four years, the department has been reviewing the land pricing policy. I think it was under a program called land reform within the communities, and it is related to eventually turning over the control of these lands including the pricing of these lands to the communities. Now, at what stage this program is sitting, I am unable to indicate to the Member exactly where we are with that program. However, I am prepared to review with the department where the program is sitting at this time and get back to the Member with the information. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister also tell me what is the government doing to implement a more reasonable property appraisal system that is incorporated in reflecting a more northern approach in regards to properties in the North? In my riding, for instance, you are dealing with permafrost, you are dealing with people who develop a lot of these properties, but you do not have the luxury of pavement or other necessities for property development, but a lot of people have put sweat equity into these properties over time. I would like to ask the Minister, are you considering also looking at that as a possibility?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me if the government is considering looking at the remote communities in light of the problems that they have versus the larger centres and try to find a more marketable system of appraising properties in isolated communities than they do in larger centres?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the whole question is relating to pricing of lands and exactly what the criteria is used to arrive at the price of lands in, for instance, communities with highly developed streets and properties including running water and sewage facilities versus

the smaller communities. There is no doubt, there is a different criteria used for the pricing. All I can say to the Member is that I am going to have to review with the department all the related items that would apply to the pricing and get back to the Member with that information. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to ask the Minister if his department or himself can look at the hardship that this has caused, especially in a lot of the smaller communities like Aklavik. I have heard from a lot of constituents that this is a real problem. From seniors and also people who are wanting to own their own homes but also seeing that there is a significant increase which they were unaware of that it would be such a drastic increase. Could the Minister consider that this is causing hardship to the people in the Mackenzie Delta and will he also take a look at those hardships? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the department would take into consideration the suggested hardships on the citizens and residents of these communities. But I would like to point out that the department is not doing the land Reform Pricing Policy in isolation. We are working, and we have worked in the past, with the Association of Municipalities. Through that organization, we assume that communities have had input to the department's policy. These types of concerns are addressed at that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just on the whole point of the communities I represent and the Association of Municipalities, I think the one thing that the Minister has got to be made aware of is that there are two differences between a tax-based community and communities who have the CTA community status. That is where, I believe the problem lies. We have to treat these two institutions differently. The circumstances are different in the smaller isolated communities. That is the point I am trying to make. There is hardship in a lot of those communities to develop property where you do not have the luxury or roads or you do not have the luxury of accessing gravel at a reasonable rate. I would just like to make the Minister aware of that. Also, the communities that I represent are settlement councils and also municipal councils, but they are not classified in the larger sense of cities, villages or towns for those instances which should be treated differently because of the titles. I would like to make the Minister aware of that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I spoke about the Giant Mine situation and the importance that it places on the community and on the economy of the Northwest Territories and should we lose this mine, then we potentially lose 280 jobs directly and, in all likelihood, 250-300 jobs indirectly. I am wondering if the Minister from Renewable, Wildlife and Economic Development could tell me if he has been in touch with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs with regard to not the arsenic problem because there is a program in place on that and it was a very successful conference that was held here, and a great many experts are working on that particular area. But I am very interested in the continuing operation of the mine. I am wondering if the Minister could tell me what his negotiations have been and what subject and is he making progress with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs in regard to supporting any potential buyers for the mine and to ensure that it keeps going? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department has been carrying on discussions with federal officials and various private interests to explore options and possibilities for ensuring that the mining operations continue at Giant Mine, plus as well to deal with the arsenic issue and the environmental liability. It is still possible to find someone from the private sector to assume some interest and responsibility for carrying on the operations and ensuring that the mine continues to operate. We still have an enormous amount of work to do with the federal government to clarify how the environmental liability, specifically the arsenic problem, should be addressed. It has to be addressed before I think there is definite commitment, if any, by the private sector, to assume some role and some responsibility. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am more concerned about the type of assistance and the initiative that both our government is using and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs is using to attract a potential buyer and what the hurdles in that may be. Could the Minister tell me if they have a program in place or if they are working on that to assist potential buyers and in what way they may be looking at assistance for buyers? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that there are discussions ongoing, as I said, with federal officials, as well as some private sector interests to make a deal. One of the issues that needs to be addressed and clarified is who is going to assume liability for the environmental aspect of Giant Mine, that is, the surface clean-up, as well as the arsenic that is stored underground. We are working with the federal government and the private sector to try to make a deal. We could, perhaps, discuss with my staff what more I could say. It is very insensitive and difficult to speak of it off the cuff. Perhaps I can try to make a more definitive statement later on this week on that. Thank you very much.

Thank you. I would appreciate if the Minister could prepare a detailed statement on this that he could present in the House. I am interested, for example, in the area that should a potential buyer not come forward, then will this government provide assistance to a local group, be it as individuals such as the Canadian Auto Workers who have expressed an interested and, I understand, are looking into the potential of carrying on. But they need assistance, and there may be interest on the business sector here in the North combined with the union people. I am interested in knowing from the Minister what this government is prepared to do to assist those groups in order to look at a potential carrying on of the mine in the event a buyer is not found. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will consider making a more detailed statement to answer the Member's question later on in the week. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. The government announced, some time ago, that they were going to put some money into a program for the recruitment and retention of health care practitioners in the Northwest Territories. I was wondering if the Minister could update the House on how these efforts are proceeding. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we, along with partners in the area of Health and Social Services, the boards, the Nursing Association, FMBS, and the union have been working on trying to develop a suitable plan for the amount of money that was forwarded to us by this government in the area of recruitment and retention. We are at the point where all the parties have gone back to their principles to see if the plan they have worked out on distributing or how to come up with a suitable allocation of the $3 million over two years. I believe it is going very well. I have been told that the meetings have been very positive.

In fact, we have gone on to do a number of other things in the area of retention and recruitment, and that is to allow for nurses and social workers that area coming out of their, for example, the nursing program out of Yellowknife, to be able to do their practicum in the smaller communities. That has been working very positively. We have also a northern development program that has made good progress this summer in career promotion in trying to encourage high school students to take up working areas in nursing and social work. I think we have done quite well there, and hopefully in the very near future, we will be able to share the news with what plan we have come up with the $3 million over the two years that was given to this department by yourself. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister aware of whether or not the situation with the staff of positions for health care workers has deteriorated any since this program was put in place? Are things remaining basically status quo, or are we continuing to lose health care workers to other jurisdictions? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that, in fact, we have been losing our professional people to other jurisdictions. Although the program we have started will show promising results, I believe it will take time in trying to deal with that now and the shortages we are facing has been very critical in some areas. I am sure you have been aware and heard the news of a number of communities going on emergency services only until they can come back up to being fully staffed. We are hoping, in the near future, that will happen in the communities that have announced their service reductions. We are working with the health boards to make sure that services are provided to residents as they are required. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

the Minister has mentioned that there has been an effort to encourage northern students to take up careers in the health care areas. He specifically referred to the nursing program. Would it be too soon to be able to find out whether or not the enrolment in the existing programs for training nurses has increased for this coming season? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not have that information available to me right now, but I will endeavour to get that from the department and pass it on to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Member for bringing this back to my attention. At this point in time, I am unable to supply the information to the Member. I am going to have to take the question as notice and get back to the Member with the information. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time today, I will be introducing a supplementary bill which will address some proposed changes to the budget for that project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department, just to clarify, did not undergo an initiative to close down a facility. The department, previous to my time was working along with the Northern Addiction Services Board to try and come up with a reasonable level of programming that could fit the residents of the Northwest Territories. It was with our disappointment from within the department we were informed that, in fact, the board had decided to pursue another avenue and they are continuing to work in the area of Justice Canada to try and run a program that would treat their clients. That being the case, we have decided to not continue the existing arrangement we had with them, but instead we are looking at what services we can provide out of the existing facilities that are available to us at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have said, initially there was no plan to close the facility. We were looking at reprofiling the facility and that work has been going on for some time with the board. In the area of looking at repatriating some of our children's services that are performed on behalf of residents in the southern provinces and looking to bring back to the North and trying to make a child work along with children and families, as I have said, unfortunately, we were informed that was not the area the NAS board saw the facility moving in. They went on to contact Justice Canada to work out an arrangement and we were informed of that a number of months ago.

I also sent a letter to Members to inform them as to the situation as it is today and my deputy met with the board last week and tried to clear some of the issues that have gone on because there were a number of letters that have been written, and unfortunately, put the shadow over what was ongoing and we have tried to clarify that situation. At present we are aware that the board is continuing to try and secure a contract with Justice Canada and ourselves as the Department of Health and Social Services have been looking at reprofiling our existing facilities that we have existing to us to try and ensure that no one is left out in the cold when it comes to receiving services when it comes to alcohol and drugs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said, we are ongoing with the reprofiling exercise that was started some time ago in trying to better utilize our facilities and provide the level of service that is required to residents of the territories. We were looking at a number of initiatives, for example, gender specific programming that would be available at different times of the year. For example, at a facility out of Yellowknife we were looking at providing women's treatment for a number of months and then switching to men's treatment and providing a service to that level of degree.

Unfortunately, when the NAS board informed the department that the Dettah facility was no longer available for what was ongoing in the reprofiling exercise we have had to do some shuffling within our existing resources and facilities to try and come up with that and it has delayed somewhat what we are hoping to implement, but the work is ongoing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are