Thank you Mrs. Groenewegen. The House will come to order. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year the Government of the Northwest Territories introduced a Non-Renewable Resource Development Strategy for the Northwest Territories based on the vision of this Assembly as expressed in Towards a Better Tomorrow.

The Non-Renewable Resource Strategy for the Northwest Territories seeks to position the Northwest Territories and Canada to benefit from increased non-renewable resource development in the Northwest Territories, through a combination of investments in much-needed infrastructure, in our human resources, and in support to business and industry. Because the benefits from this development will extend beyond the Northwest Territories, we have asked the federal government to join us in making the strategic investments needed to realize these benefits.

Today, I am very pleased to join the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew in announcing that the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, has just approved the expenditure of $3.7 million to improve our infrastructure and work towards the goals laid out in our Non-Renewable Resource Development Strategy. Over the next two years, this funding will help complete seven permanent bridges over river crossings on the winter road extension of the Mackenzie Highway between Wrigley and Fort Good Hope.

This is a partnership project. The GNWT will provide $2 million to the construction project and work will begin as soon as equipment, materials and construction personnel can get onto the land.

Canada's contribution is predicated on two conditions that are acceptable to the Government of the Northwest Territories. They are:

1. that $2.3 million of DIAND's contribution will be spent on the employment of aboriginal workers and contractors; and
2. that before the conclusion of the construction period, industry will have made a $200,000 contribution in cash or kind.

Though the amount of this approved contribution is modest, when compared with the four-year partnership investment figures set out in our Non-Renewable Resource Development Strategy, it is nonetheless a very important contribution.

It signals Canada's commitment to sharing the cost of preparing the Northwest Territories for the oil, gas and mining development that is in our mutual best interests. It represents a down payment on the investment we asked the Government of Canada to make with us to prepare our infrastructure for accelerated exploration and development. It tells industry that Canada cares about their hopes and their plans to bring our frontier resources on stream to southern markets. It confirms to the aboriginal people of the Northwest Territories that Canada and the Northwest Territories share the commitment to ensure that benefits from non-renewable resource development in the NWT will not be allowed to pass them by.

The aboriginal government and business leadership in the Deh Cho and Sahtu are unanimous in their support of this initiative.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Minister Nault for taking this important step in advancing the development of the NWT. His commitment to follow through on his promises to me and to this government is gratefully acknowledged. It is critically important to us, to the oil and gas industry, and to the communities along the winter road that the shipping season be extended from five weeks to eight weeks. Minister Nault recognizes this and, through today's announcement, has ensured the funding for permanent bridges to make this happen.

I also want to thank our Member of Parliament, the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, for her assistance in persuading Minister Nault and their shared Cabinet colleagues of the importance of the federal contribution to this initiative. She has been tireless and unrelenting in her efforts to this end and much of the credit for this announcement is hers. Thank you to Ethel.

I want to thank my Cabinet colleagues, particularly Minister Joe Handley and Minister Vince Steen and their respective staff, for their work with DIAND officials to ensure that the requirements, terms and conditions of this funding were fulfilled and confirmed. A job well done!

Finally, I would also like to acknowledge the positive feedback and encouragement that the government has received to date for our strategy from various federal Ministers and departments, including the Minister of Finance and his department, the Minister of Transportation and his department, just to name a few. My Cabinet colleagues and I look forward to the continued support of the federal Cabinet as we seek additional investments in the Northwest Territories Non-Renewable Resource Development Strategy in the months and years to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Merci, Premier Kakfwi. Déclarations de ministres. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Déclarations de ministres. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, November 12th to November 18th is National Addictions Awareness Week. As you know, addictions is one of the most critical issues we face and I would like to take this opportunity to speak about what my department is doing to address this problem.

Over the past several years, our stakeholders have directed us to provide an array of programs and services that:

- address the underlying issues of addictions and abuse;

- provide services as close to home as possible;

- are delivered in a holistic manner; and

- emphasize more effective programs targeted to women and children.

Mr. Speaker, in response to this direction, the department joined with representatives from health and social services boards to form the Alternative Programs Steering Committee to better address community and regional addiction needs.

Established in April of 1999, the committee has consulted with a wide variety of stakeholders and worked with a number of partners to pilot three new programs:

- the Women's Mobile Treatment Program;

- the Women and Children's Healing and Recovery Program; and

- the Youth Mobile Treatment Program.

The Women's Mobile Treatment is a three-week program that addresses a number of issues specific to women and can accommodate up to 15 clients each session. Mr. Speaker, some women have difficulty with residential treatment due to a lack of reliable child care, and discomfort with co-ed programming that can make it difficult to openly discuss sensitive issues such as family violence and sexual and physical abuse. Furthermore, women told us that the programming was often geared to male needs. To date, programs have been successfully held in Rae, Fort Simpson and Lutselk'e and there are plans to deliver these programs in Inuvik and Hay River before the end of this fiscal year.

Another initiative we are very proud of is the Women and Children's Healing and Recovery Program, which was formally launched November 1st. Our partners, the YWCA, Yellowknife Women's Centre, the Status of Women Council and the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Board, have developed this pilot project that supports the healing of northern women who have experienced trauma such as family violence, spousal abuse and other forms of sexual or emotional abuse.

The Youth Mobile Program addresses the well-being of youth. It was piloted in Fort Providence and Fort Simpson with the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Board. This program is targeted at high-risk youth and, like the Women's Mobile Treatment Program, it is customized for the community or region where it is delivered.

This week, I am pleased to advise Members that with our partners, the Native Women's Association of the NWT and the Status of Women Council of the NWT, we are launching the beginning of an FAS awareness campaign. The campaign recognizes that unresolved trauma such as sexual abuse and family violence may affect alcohol use during pregnancy. The campaign focuses on prevention by supporting recovery from abuse and addiction. I would like to recognize the efforts of all the partners, particularly the Native Women's Association, for their commitment to this project.

Mr. Speaker, this awareness campaign and our alternative programs initiative are the beginning of addictions reform, and there are more under development. Currently, the department is working with a variety of partners to establish a territorial Addictions and Mental Health Strategy that will improve our response to addictions and mental health issues which are often interrelated.

The Alternative Program Initiatives and the upcoming Addictions and Mental Health Strategy are not intended to replace existing programs and services. Instead, they will complement the alcohol and addiction projects we fund in 23 communities, the six-bed withdrawal management program at the Salvation Army and the 30-bed residential centre operating out of Hay River.

Compared to other jurisdictions in Canada, we have the best bed-to-patient ratio at adult residential treatment programs. When we are unable to meet client needs in the NWT, referrals can be made to appropriate programs outside of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, our new initiatives address the fact that there are many approaches to addressing addiction and substance abuse issues and we are committed to exploring new, innovative methods that meet the needs of our residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Public Works and Services, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to tell you today about a recent award with the Department of Public Works and Services.

The North American Occupational Safety and Health Week is an annual event held throughout North America. It is intended to focus the attention of employers, employees and the general public on the importance of preventing illness and injury in the workplace.

Public Works and Services received an Employer Recognition Award for its sponsorship of a variety of workplace safety events during North American Occupational Safety and Health 2000. Each regional office took part in planning meetings, worksite inspections and safety courses. In Yellowknife, the department's safety inspectors used a display at a local mall to explain safety concerns related to boiler, gas, electrical and elevator installations. The department was also able to turn the award ceremony into a staff celebration that raised safety awareness.

I would also like to congratulate two other award winners: Inuvik Gas and Northland Utilities Ltd.

The Government of the Northwest Territories needs to be a leader in the prevention of workplace injuries. I am very proud of the efforts of Public Works and Services and would like to challenge other departments to take a leadership role in the next North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, which will be held May 6 to 12, 2001. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Déclarations de députés. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Member's Statement on RCMP Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the financial support of the NWT Power Corporation and First Air for their contributions to the RCMP program DARE, or Drug Abuse Resistance Education.

The Power Corporation provided $20,000 to the RCMP to help them take this program to our schools across the North over the next two years. First Air provides free air travel to the RCMP to offset what would otherwise be a very significant cost to the program.

Mr. Speaker, since the inception of this program in 1997, the RCMP have been to over 20 communities and reached more than 1,500 students. The program is run by the RCMP's drug awareness office and over a 17-week period, youth learn about conflict resolution, anger management, alternatives to substance abuse and violence and how to say no to drugs.

Without the financial support of the NWT Power Corporation and First Air, this program clearly would not be viable. I think it is important for us to recognize this financial support and the dedication and commitment of the RCMP officers involved in delivering this program. I hope my colleagues will join me in thanking these folks for working to improve the lives of our children. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for the Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today concerns the Government of the Northwest Territories' support for the fur garment manufacturing industry.

Mr. Speaker, the fur garment manufacturing industry is a relatively small industry in the North, yet at the same time it helps to capitalize on the skills and capacities of many Northerners that are unsuited to work in the non-renewable resource sector. In particular, the work that the industry provides can lend itself well to the cottage industry and home production techniques that allow Northerners with traditional skills to participate in the wage economy.

It is important that the government moves forward and provides support for the renewable resource industry; that it takes steps to ensure all sectors of the northern society can participate in economic growth and opportunity. The NWT Economic Strategy 2000 document commits in paragraph 46 to develop a more co-ordinated approach to training, raw material supply, product development and marketing in regards to arts, crafts and cultural industries.

However, Mr. Speaker, I have a great concern that support currently shown by the Government of the Northwest Territories towards this industry and towards the fur sector in the North as a whole is uncoordinated, ad hoc and ineffective.

In my own riding, Dene Fur Clouds, the Fort Providence-based fur garment producer working with the NWT Development Corporation, has experienced continuing frustration and a lack of focused attention to the community-based business. This is a business that is committed to a realistic commercial approach to the manufacture and design of unique knitted fur products for sale both in southern and northern Canada. It is certainly not what some would call a "make work" project. Since 1996, targeted training and product development in conjunction with southern partners and northern, aboriginal designers, have combined to position Dene Fur Clouds as a supplier of unique, high quality products.

Dene Fur Clouds now has seven trained and experienced local producers, specialized knit fur machines, and a modern building that was committed to and recently completed by the community development corporation in order to provide manufacturing space for the business.

However, now that this has been done, it would seem that meaningful support from the NWT Development Corporation and presumably therefore from the GNWT has disappeared.

Mr. McLeod, your time for your Member's statement has expired.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. McLeod. You may conclude.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, in March of this year, the NWT Development Corporation informed Dene Fur Clouds that its northern designed sample product lines, months in the development, would not be produced, citing problems with the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur initiative. Commitments to further investment also went by the wayside. Dene Fur Clouds subsequently suspended operations in May and closed down, years of work seemingly wasted.

Mr. Speaker, it is critical that the GNWT implement a focused and coherent fur strategy for the North that will allow the primary fur producing industry and secondary manufacturing industries to complement each other so that we can be manufacturing and exporting high value products from the North. Perhaps the same vigour that was applied to the establishment of a secondary diamond industry can be brought to bear on the fur industry in the North also. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to address the awareness week, National Addictions Awareness Week. It is often great to say in the NWT that we are leading the way in something or other, Mr. Speaker, but in the area of substance abuse, we are demonstrating a tremendous degree of negative leadership. Some statistics have come to light. For instance, there is particularly trouble among our youth, Mr. Speaker. I talk of people in the 15 to 24 age bracket who, when they sit down to have a few, really do have a few.

A heavy drinker is defined as someone who has more than five at one sitting. Some 43 percent of our youth, Mr. Speaker, are in that category. That is triple the national average. Among hash and marijuana users, we are double the national figure at 15 percent. Among illegal drugs such as speed, LSD, cocaine, our use is again 50 percent higher than the national average, Mr. Speaker. Forty-four out of 100 adults in the NWT are smokers compared to the national average of 27 percent.

A senior RCMP officer recently told a Yellowknife public service group that there is mounting evidence of an organized crime problem in the NWT with distribution of illegal substances from southern centres in to the NWT. Mr. Speaker, we have a substance abuse problem that is not turning the right corner.

It is encouraging and I do applaud the announcement by the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services today of the start of a new campaign for fetal alcohol syndrome awareness. I would like to advocate, Mr. Speaker, that this is the kind of thing that we need to have much more of in the NWT. Public awareness campaigns such as National Addiction Awareness Week tend to become routine. They tend to become kind of ordinary and the more that we can break that cycle of complacency and routine, the more impact we are going to have on our population in dealing with this very, very troublesome topic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Déclarations de députés. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the community of Aklavik, there is presently a study being looked at for the community which was initiated by Dr. Jay Morris, who is a doctor here in Yellowknife, with regard to a parasite better known as H. pylori, which is a carcinogen in the water system, which has a lot of effects that cause cancer in families, especially in various families in the community of Aklavik with regard to stomach cancer and lung cancer.

Also, he would like to do two stage tests, one dealing with the cancer study and the other dealing with the water tank study to look at the quality of water in Aklavik with regard to the water tanks that are in people's homes and also testing the water treatment facility to see if this parasite is in the water system. Mostly, they are considering that there is a possibility of dealing with this matter through treatment. This carcinogen has, which is nine times more effectiveness of causing stomach cancer than any other causes. If it is caught soon enough it can be treated.

The community of Aklavik has had several meetings on this regarding the problem of the shortage of nurses. They were considering doing an in-depth study of all the families in the community and the whole population of Aklavik. Mr. Speaker, this study is not only useful to Aklavik, it can also assist other communities up and down the Mackenzie Valley and in the North to deal with this problem that we see in our communities when it comes to cancer.

The community of Aklavik has taken steps to work along with the Beaufort Delta Regional Health Board to take efforts to carry out this study along with Dr. Morris who will be overseeing this study.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I think it is also important that it is not only up to the community and the regional health boards to look at this issue, it is up to this government to deal with a matter which we should take seriously and also put the resources and resource people in place to assist this study, to carry it out for the benefit of all people of the North. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister responsible for Health questions on this matter.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak briefly to the issue of adult offender bush camps. This is a program initiative that has significant support I know in this House and is very, very well received in the communities and regions. However, Mr. Speaker, I have a significant concern because the Department of Justice has promised to review the formula for financing and funding these camps. It is many, many months overdue. I understand after my visit home this weekend, that one of the camps in the South Slave has shut its doors and that the one in my constituency, at Kozo Lake, is on the verge of doing so as well because there is not adequate funding and they have been running deficits, expended all their own savings and insurance money trying to keep the camp open.is on the

Mr. Speaker, the initial concept was to have inmates go and move in with a trapper, put another bed in the cabin and they would sort of exist out there and do part of their sentence on the land and learn some skills. However, Mr. Speaker, that concept quickly evaporated and what came in its place is a much more formal kind of camp where there has been an incremental increase in demand for health standards, for safety standards, for security standards, for program standards, all of which have a cost that has not been quantified by the Department of Justice. I know, and I have heard, the Minister himself speak very strongly about the benefit of these camps. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice does not seem to be doing the required job to maintain this very valuable and rehabilitative service for adult offenders.

Mr. Speaker, if both camps close in the South Slave, there will be a significant gap in the service that is provided to adult offenders. It will be a tremendous loss of years of work. I have been to Kozo Lake. The amount of work that those folks have put into that camp is major. They have made a tremendous personal investment and I would hope that the Department of Justice would see its way clear.

I see this as an emergency situation. Funding has to be looked at and I know that those two camps are not alone. This issue has been on the table for the last two or three years, when we do the business plans for Justice. Later today I will be asking the Minister responsible for Justice questions on how he can deal with this very pressing issue so that we do not lose these valuable resources that have been years in the making by very dedicated individuals. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Déclarations de députés. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On January 14th of this year we held our swearing-in ceremonies as new Members of the 14th Assembly. Following that, on January 19th, Cabinet did their swearing-in ceremony. Mr. Speaker, we swore solemnly and sincerely, we promised and swore that we would dutifully and faithfully, on the best of our skills and knowledge, execute the powers and trust reposed in us as Members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, we have come to a time where we have to look again at the whole area of accountability. A new era of transparency. How are we going to do things better than old government, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker, I took this oath as a very serious thing. I have been very fortunate; I have been able to do it twice. The second time I have done this, I have followed through and I believe in the commitment to the people of the Northwest Territories when we take this oath.

Unfortunately I feel that recent events here in the Legislative Assembly amongst Members indicate that we have tarnished this. I believe there is a need to come straight. Let us show our accountability by enforcing this oath. Let us show our accountability and respect to the people of the Northwest Territories. We ask for respect. We have to give them respect back by being up front and truthful.

I feel that issues have come before this House recently that need to be dealt with and I will be questioning the Premier later in regard to this specific issue that I raise; being forward, up front and accountable for our actions, Mr. Speaker.

I have given it time. I have allowed some events to happen and I sat back purposely to look at what was going to come forward and hopefully be dealt with. It has not been, Mr. Speaker. It is dragging on. It is time to deal with it, up front. At the appropriate time, I will be questioning the Premier. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the National Addictions Awareness Week starting today, and further to my message in the news pullout, I would like to make a personal statement about the harmful effects of tobacco addiction which I believe is a most preventable addiction. I was hoping to make this a simple but meaningful statement for the benefit of the children of Range Lake and like magic this group of children appeared in our gallery today. So hopefully I can say something to them as well.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to state for the record that I consider myself a reformed smoker and, Mr. Speaker, I must say how horrible it was for my mother when she first saw from a distance her daughter doing this terrible thing. Like many others who picked up this habit, I thought it was not really anything serious. It was something that all my friends at school did in the bathroom and I thought I would get over it. It was years before I realized that I was addicted to this drug and it has been a struggle every day to fight this addiction. So far, I am successful.

Mr. Speaker, I must say that we are all aware of the cost of tobacco addiction. I know that when I do not smoke, money stays in my pocket. It seems that whenever I smoke, I have to go to the bank machine twice a week.

Mr. Speaker, we know that it causes bad smells, it causes premature aging, it is bad for our heart, lungs, mouth, gums, and teeth. It causes bronchitis and asthma. I think the most important message that I want to give to the young people is really how hard it is to kick this habit once it is picked up.

Mr. Speaker, I consider myself a very disciplined person. I have always been able to set a goal for myself and work really hard to achieve it. When I wanted to learn English, it was no big deal for me to write a statement a thousand times on a page until I learned a word. It is not difficult for me to sit for eight hours and go through a text book and memorize it, but I have never done anything harder than quit smoking. So I make a public declaration and hopefully that will be an incentive for me to keep off tobacco for the rest of my life.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Ms. Lee, you may conclude your statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you, my colleagues. I want to, Mr. Speaker, recognize the fact that there are very few among the membership of this House who smoke. It is considerably below average. I do not believe there are any more than about three out of 19 Members who may suffer from this addiction and I know we are going to get better at this.

Just a simple message, Mr. Speaker. Just say no to tobacco addiction and you will not have the struggle, the hardest struggle that you will ever engage in your entire life.

Mr. Speaker, there is one thing that has helped me lately. The Department of Health has produced a poster that is so startling that when you look at it you will never, ever grab a cigarette ever in your life again. It has helped me and I am going to distribute a copy to every Member. It looks like this. I would like to commend the government for doing so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. I should remind Members that perhaps as graphic and as explicit as props may be, the rule of the Assembly is that we do not use things other than statements. However, this is the first time it has happened. Déclarations de députés. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak briefly on an issue that I have raised in this House before. It has to do with agriculture in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT has a large number of families involved in the agricultural industry. Mr. Speaker, current regulations in effect for assessing land within the municipal taxation area state that land must be assessed at market value. Regulations also state that assessed value must be fair and equitable. Mr. Speaker, the Property Assessment and Taxation Act does not contain any unique treatment for agricultural properties.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot figure out why this current government is not able to provide an agricultural policy. We have been told on numerous occasions that it is because land claims have not yet been settled. However, the lack of an agricultural policy, in conjunction with not giving any concessions to agricultural farmers in the area of municipal taxation, is serving as a great deterrent to those people trying to make a living in this area.

Mr. Speaker, I wonder how this government foresees any progress being made in the industry without an agricultural policy. The government continues to put up barriers to these hardworking people who are attempting to provide for their families and the public. When it comes to the areas of oil and gas development and the diamond industry, Mr. Speaker, we seem to be able to deal with the land use issue.

Mr. Speaker, agriculture is a renewable resource and I would think that this government would have no problem issuing whatever it takes to get this industry moving. The only thing that agricultural people in this Territory are concerned about is moving the Territories towards self-sufficiency in food production.

Mr. Speaker, this coming weekend, on Friday and Saturday, the TFA will be holding their 11th annual seminar in Hay River and on Sunday, their annual general meeting. A number of Ministers and politicians have been invited to attend those functions. I would seriously encourage this government to bring some words of encouragement and some positive feedback on their industry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Nitah on November 7, 2000, regarding the portion of the South Slave Divisional Education Council funding for teaching aboriginal culture.

In 1999-2000, the department provided the council with $1,060,000 for aboriginal language and cultural programs. This included $767,600 for language specialist teacher and classroom assistant positions and $292,400 to support the development of relevant program materials and interpretation/translation services. The department also provided the council with $97,000 from funding provided through the Canada-NWT agreement for French and aboriginal languages.

It was the responsibility of the South Slave Divisional Education Council, through its budgeting process, to allocate this funding to its district education authorities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Merci, Mr. Ootes. Résponse à des questions orales. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Krutko on November 7, 2000 in regard to information being withheld from the municipality of Fort McPherson.

I have ensured that the information requested by the Member for Mackenzie Delta has been sent to him. I have been informed that regional officials from MACA will travel to Fort McPherson to review the invoices with the SAO, or senior administrative officer. This visit will occur before the end of November 2000. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Allen. Résponse à des questions orales. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Dent on November 8, 2000 regarding the tabling of the Business Development Fund Annual Report and Recipients Report for the Year Ended March 31, 2000.

The honourable Member asked whether the list of recipients for the Business Development Fund will be tabled along with the Annual Report of the Business Development Fund. The Hansard states that the 1999-2000 Recipients Report was tabled along with the 1999-2000 Annual Report on November 2nd. A copy has been provided to the honourable Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Résponse à des questions orales. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Colleagues, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize in the gallery, Carol Roberts, the Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize someone who has not been here for a while, Ms. Pat Thomas, the former president of the NWTTA. Welcome back, Pat.

I would also like to recognize Ms. Sue Heron-Herbert, a long-time colleague of mine when I was with the Denendeh Secretariat.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize some women in the gallery today, and I hope I can do this in 15 seconds. Diana Beck, Rosalind Minault, Agnes Etsemba, Marie Speakman, Mary Anne Melanson, Delores Michel, Crystal Menicoche, and as Mr. Krutko said, Sue Heron-Herbert, also Addena Sumter-Frietag. I am sorry. I do not know Lona's last name, but Lona from the department. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mot de bienvenue aux visiteurs. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Lona Hegeman and Pat Thomas. Welcome to the gallery.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as in my Member's statement I raise the question of accountability, it is not the first time I have stood up to speak on that issue, Mr. Speaker, or ask questions on that subject. Mr. Speaker, in this particular case, a situation was brought forward to Members about a contract that might have been let out and authorized by this Premier and Cabinet.

Mr. Speaker, the way I approach things is I look at the issues and I wait to get the other side of the story. We had decided as members of AOC to send a letter to the Premier for response. That response has been made public. My question to the Premier is, will he make available to Regular Members the pertinent information in that contract to prove to all Members of this Assembly and the Northwest Territories that in fact that contract was authorized and legal and that it falls within the Public Service Act? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday I went to the AOC Committee to account for myself. It is called the Accountability and Oversight Committee. Some of the Members were there, others perhaps were not there. I do not recall that there was perfect attendance. However, we made it very clear at the time that everything Cabinet does is advised by our staff, whether we are consistent with the laws, policies and past practices of government.

With this particular issue, we have been telling the Members we have been consistent with the advice we have received from our officials, that there was nothing that we have done that is inconsistent with our legislation and with our laws. What we did not point out on Friday is, in fact, previous governments, previous cabinets, previous premiers have agreed to give leave to the present chief of staff to be involved in previous federal elections because there was a suggestion that only this Cabinet, only this Premier, was willing to do such a thing. In fact, leave was granted and the individual that you are speaking about was allowed to do this on at least two separate occasions over the last 12 years.

We said on Friday that the contract does not spell out the duties and responsibilities that are contrary to the Member of Thebacha's allegations or suggestions. There are no terms of reference in existence for executive assistants. We have been categorical in suggesting that this position, entitled chief of staff, has been from the beginning deemed by Cabinet with full knowledge and support of our civil service and our advisors, that being of an executive assistant to the Premier.

Both the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development were advised of that. There was no difficulty when the Member was present when we were talking about it in March. We also discussed that here, in the committee of the whole, when we were doing the budget in March. So for the Member to get up and make vague suggestions that somehow we are not being accountable without being specific, I do not believe this is the way to get at accountability. Be specific and be clear. We have done that, as a Cabinet, since we got into office.

The question was put to me last year, what are the new and revised positions you have in the Department of the Executive. I laid those out on two separate occasions, one to a standing committee and one to the committee of the whole, and these were approved. The budget figures were discussed and approved. That is being accountable, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. I just want to take this opportunity to remind the Members that oral questions, under Rule 38, should be clear and concisely put and refer only to a matter which is reasonably to be assumed to be within the present knowledge of the Minister and that the responses should be as clear and concise as possible. While I realize that some questions may require lengthy answers, we only have 60 minutes for question period, so if Members could take that under advisement and govern themselves accordingly. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The answer I received did not address the question I asked. Will he make the information available to Members so we can look at it, not have legal interpretations floating around here?

For a specific reason, Mr. Speaker, I did not speak to the specific employee of this government for the simple fact of trying not to address that. It is the contract. It has been a side issue that the contract was done up that might be outside the Public Service Act. That cloud has been allowed to hang over this Assembly for over a week now, a couple of weeks, and we waited for a response. He has not responded with an answer. Will he make that available so we can clear the air once and for all? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, again, on Friday, we said that we are not in the business of handing out contracts that we have with the employees of this government. They are considered confidential. In any case, had he been listening on Friday, it would be clear that the most sullied civil servant in our government, Liz Snider, said specifically, the contract does not spell out the duties and responsibilities of the employee in this case. The contract says that it is an executive assistant position. That position, because it is tied to the Premier's office, is re-titled Chief of Staff.

The Member is not listening so we might have to repeat this again. However, it is important to get clear that the contract that the Member wants to see has been conveyed to the Committee by the deputy minister to the Executive, the secretary to the Cabinet, Liz Snider, on Friday. The contract refers to that position as an executive assistant position.

If the Member would like, apparently, the employee that is being sullied here by these Members that say a cloud hangs over everybody, which I reject. I think it hangs over two or three Members. If they do not take my word for it, they do not believe I am representing Cabinet properly in this case, I deplore this implication. They can go as doubting Thomases, call up the legal counsel for the employee and ask to see the contract. I am sure they will be allowed to do that.

It is not my place and not my capacity to share the contract with these Members. In any case, it does not spell out the roles and responsibilities of the employee in question. It says categorically that it is an executive assistant position. That is what it says and it has been re-titled chief of staff. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the cloud that hangs over us is, in fact, not the position. I am not interested in that part. It is the contract that was signed, and I believe signed by the Premier.

Mr. Speaker, he says that information is not available because it is privy to the Executive Council. I am aware, through the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, that that type of information is available. Again, are we establishing two different standards, one for the public and one for Cabinet?

Mr. Speaker, my question again, will he make that information available to Members so we can deal with it once and for all? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me say again, Cabinet is advised by staff, by the Department of Justice, by the secretary to Cabinet of all discussions, all decisions and undertakings that we engage in to make sure that we are consistent with the laws and the policies in past practices of government.

In this case, we were advised right from the beginning in January when we started organizing our offices and our staff. We have revisited this issue recently to ensure that the advice and the legal advice has been consistent, and it has. I have mentioned that Cabinet was through this discussion. The decision we made was very clear.

The contract itself, as I have said to the Member, is not for me to circulate to Members; but we have spoken to what the contract does and does not do. The main thing is that the Members on the other side want to look at is the duties and responsibilities of this particular position. The contract does not speak to that at all. Mr. Speaker, again, it is not for me to be sharing with Members of this Legislature, contracts that we have with employees of this government. They are considered confidential and private.

However, I understand that if the Member who is asking me these questions and anybody else on the other side of the House want to have a look at that contract, they can call the lawyer representing that particular employee and I am sure they will allow them to review that contract. That is what I understand. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have had people tell me this should have been dealt with a while ago. I agree. It could have taken one day if things were followed through in an orderly fashion, but by doing this and not accepting responsibility for a contract that I believe he signed, he is allowing this government to be tarnished and telling us to go outside on our own to do this. Well, I might take him up on that.

The fact is that report was made public, at least by the CBC, and they made a report saying it stated deputy minister contract in there. At one point it referred to a deputy minister level.

I am just asking that he put that forward. As leader of this government, he has a responsibility to be open and forward with the people of the Northwest Territories. Is he failing to do that? Is he abrogating his responsibility? That is my question to him. Thank you.

I would ask the Member if he would just rephrase that question, please? That is a bit rhetorical. Rephrase the question, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is it, in fact, not under the power as Premier that his responsibility is keeping the perception of a good government out there? Is it not in his responsibility as Premier to keep good government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Premier, a brief response.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have assured all employees that the private and confidential information which they provide to us, which is contained in their contracts, will not be released to the public. That is accountability, Mr. Speaker. I do not have much control over what Members say on the other side of the House. I have said before that I know Members can say outrageous things; they can say things that are not based on fact. They can create legislation that does not exist and make reference to it. Nobody can correct Members in the statements that they make.

We have seen the legal opinion that Mr. Miltenberger produced. It does not substantiate anything that he has made in terms of allegations. It does not do that at all. More recently we had another attached legal opinion that seems to be contrary to the original legal opinion in one point. So what is the point of all this, Mr. Speaker? The point is we say we are consistent with the legislation, with the policies of this government and some of the Members, I believe, want to continue making the allegations that we are not, although they have absolutely nothing to base it on. We have made a suggestion on Friday. We said okay, we need clarification, we agree. We have been working on that since January. We are now proposing to make amendments to the Public Service Act to clarify roles and responsibilities of political positions, those positions that are considered political. This, Mr. Speaker, is what we intend to do. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation. It has to do with the administration of the Power Corporation. Last Thursday, according to page 1836 of unedited Hansard, when asked about running the corporation, the Minister said:

"Running the corporation is left to the board of directors, but there is a shareholder involved in this that has the interest of all the Northwest Territories at heart, in mind and in consideration for the future."

Mr. Speaker, by this, does the Minister mean that the board does not have the interest of all the Northwest Territories at heart in running the corporation?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The board of directors has the interests of the board in mind when it does its administration from a financial point of view and, of course, from a public point of view as well. The government has a shareholder point of view that is long term and all pervasive for all residents of the Northwest Territories. There are some communities that the Power Corporation does not operate in, for example. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in running a corporation, that long-term view that the shareholder brings to the table does not often contain an understanding of staffing needs of a corporation. Mr. Speaker, does the Minister maintain that he and his Cabinet colleagues have a better understanding of staffing needs for the corporation than do the board of directors?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that with reference to staffing needs, there is also the question of the current time as to a study that is being undertaken and not all of the information with regard to finalizing that particular study have been completed. That could potentially impact upon the staffing needs of the corporation. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Surely the study the Minister refers to will not lead to an increase in the staff. I would expect that, in fact, the corporation will need to be restructured on division, leading to some downsizing. So why did the government decide to direct the corporation not to advise employees who might be affected by such downsizing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Circumstances could be such that changes to the staffing levels could take place because of perhaps other opportunities or other changes that may come forward because of the study that is underway. Also, Mr. Speaker, there is an opportunity to address this once the study is through, and there is a requirement for three months' notice. So there is ample opportunity still to address the staffing issue, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Final supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with the notice that was planned to be given by the board, affected employees would have had perhaps five or six months instead of just three months to plan. Mr. Speaker, the Minister said things could change with this study that might lead to a need for increased staff. Obviously, if they are not allowing them to let people know they are being laid off. Could the Minister outline what some of the potential opportunities would be for increased opportunities, as he said, for the Power Corporation?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that would be premature to address in light of the study that is being undertaken by a group of individuals. That report will be available at the end of November and will no doubt clarify a lot of the questions that have been raised with regard to the future of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. It is in regard to my Member's statement. There have been several requests made by the community and also a doctor here in Yellowknife to consider looking at doing studies in Aklavik; one dealing with a cancer study and the other one dealing with a water tank study. The first study is to look at the effects of something that is called helicobacter pylori, for which the short term is H. pylori. There has to be more done with regard to that. One of the requests from the doctors is to do a massive scan of the entire population of Aklavik and also take fingerprint, saliva and breath tests as some of the methods used in this study to see if there is a connection between the increased number of stomach cancers in the community of Aklavik.

I would like to ask the Minister if there will be costs associated with these tests. Will there be an unforeseen cost? I would like to ask the Minister if her department is willing to sponsor such tests and ensure there are resources to carry on these tests?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Madam Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct. There has been some interest indicated by Dr. Morris here in Yellowknife to do some research work in Aklavik with respect to this bacteria which is believed to contribute to duodenal ulcers in patients and over a period of years may also be associated with stomach cancer.

At this point in time, to the best of my knowledge, they are still at this stage of exploring the feasibility of such a study. There have been some consultations done with the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board and also with our chief medical health officer. At this time though, the research proposal is not fully developed and we are attempting, with the proponent of this study, to identify potential sources of funding. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, another concern with regard to this study is the whole thing about the water tank study to test all the water holding tanks in people's homes and also the treatment facility and the water delivery truck that delivers water to the homes. I would like to also ask the Minister who is responsible for the environmental health of the residents of the Northwest Territories, if she is also willing to consider the costs associated with that, which is something that her department can take on and possibly do separately from this study. So will the Minister consider looking at doing this with regard to environmental health?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again the Member is correct. I understand that when the terms of reference are fully developed, it may look at whether or not there are places in the community where this bacteria is building up and an obvious place to look would be in water tanks. Mr. Speaker, environmental health does fall under the Department of Health and Social Services as well and certainly the monitoring of drinking water in the communities and the testing of that is a responsibility that does fall to our department as well. I believe the Member's question is, are we willing as a department to look at the water supply from an environmental health point of view. Yes, we are. But in relation to this specific proposal for this research project for the community of Aklavik specifically, at this time without the terms of reference of a proposal for this research being fully developed, it is not possible to commit to funding this from the department. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we all know this study is not unique to Aklavik. It could have beneficial outcomes that could be used in other communities up and down the valley. Because it is a possible benefit to the whole North, what results come from these studies and how the study is carried out is important to all people of the North. So will the Minister commit to ensuring that there will be a speedy answer to this study and to get it off the ground as soon as possible so we can see what the results of this study?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not in a position to commit resources from the department to this study at this time. It needs to be looked at in the context in the incidence of cancer and stomach cancer and ulcers which may be related to this particular bacteria. We have ways of tracking the rates of cancer. We have a very good cancer registry, so we would need to prioritize this expenditure in relation to the incidence that we see this problem occurring. In fact, in the Northwest Territories in general, there are actually very small rates of stomach cancer and they have been steadily decreasing over the past several decades. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been quite a bit of work done on this so far. We are waiting for the final study or strategy to be put forth. I believe it will be ready within the next week or so. With that, I know the Minister says that this may not be a priority of this government, but I think it is essential that we do adhere to what the doctors are telling us, if they feel there is a very serious possibility of avoiding stomach cancer in our communities by treating it, if we find it early enough and through this study they are hoping to detect that. Because it is a priority of the community of Aklavik, the Inuvik Regional Health Board has supported it. We have a doctor who is going to be overseeing it. It is very important and I, for one, feel that it is this government that has to take a leadership role and ensure that this study is carried out. So will the Minister and her department take that role?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there may be information relevant to this research project which is more current than the information that I have before me. The Member refers to more information being forthcoming in the next couple of weeks and I will certainly commit to the Member that when this information does come to the attention of the department that we will give it due consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I remember when the Member for North Slave raised this issue of accommodation for people who are accompanying family members with illnesses who are staying at the hospital in Yellowknife. I remember when he raised this last July. I had suggested that we might check if there were any vacant housing units or any kind of infrastructure which was not already in use here in Yellowknife. I think most Members are aware that there is actually a housing shortage here in Yellowknife at the present time, certainly in the public housing side. There was nothing that came of that particular inquiry.

However, Mr. Speaker, the Member is right. We do have people who come to Yellowknife from communities who do not fall within our medical escort travel policy and who are not reimbursed through any other insurance for accommodations while they are here.

I could undertake to look at the policy we currently have in place for our boarding homes that we have here in Yellowknife, look at the utilization of them and what some of the cost implications might be of expanding the availability of those facilities. Currently, they are primarily used for patients and a medical escort. We could undertake to determine whether or not it is possible to expand on that policy. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can undertake to look into this further, but the Member raises the issue of elders who have come to Yellowknife, or people who have come to Yellowknife from his community and have spent their last days here. Their family, for good and valid reasons, want to be near to them.

One of the discussions I think we need to have with the communities as well is the whole discussion around the kind of support people might need at the end stage of their life, and whether or not they want to be out of their community and whether or not the services could be enhanced in the community through the nursing stations that could provide the medical and emotional support that they would need to actually stay in their communities and, in some instances, even stay in their home. That is a discussion I think we need to have. I do not think we should assume that everyone who has an illness prior to the end of their life wants to be in a medical institution. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.