Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the issue of family violence in the Northwest Territories.

As Members of this House know, a public awareness campaign on family violence was launched on Monday and has continued all this week. This campaign represents the collective efforts of non-government and government agencies to raise awareness throughout the Northwest Territories on the pervasiveness of family violence in our society. It is also intended to make all Northerners aware that we each have a role to play in working to eliminate family violence.

During 1999, there were 436 reported incidents of spousal assault by a male perpetrator. In a 1997-98 national survey, the Northwest Territories had the third highest use of shelters in the country, with the Northwest Territories rate for that year being five times the national average. Shelter use is still high today. 639 admissions were reported in 1999-2000, with 53 percent of these admissions representing children.

These statistics reveal only part of the violence tragedy that continues to plague our communities. We know that crimes such as spousal and sexual assault often go unreported. Victims of violence may not report an incident because of:

• • secrecy surrounding the issue;
• • the dependency of the victim on the perpetrator;
• • the lack of knowledge about available help; and
• • repercussions for reporting the event, such as further violence by the batterer.

Violence takes many forms. It can be physical, psychological, emotional, financial and-or sexual. At the family level, it usually impacts women and children. Sadly, Mr. Speaker, over half of

the clients using Northwest Territories shelters are children. Many of them suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder due to the long-term effects of living with violence and the associated ongoing stress in the home.

Children experiencing abuse are more likely to be the next generation of victims and abusers than children who have not been abused. The practice of violence is passed from generation to generation. Boys who grow up in violent homes are three times more likely to become abusive partners than boys who were not raised in violent homes. Girls raised in violent homes are twice as likely to become victims of spousal violence than girls who were not raised in violent homes.

Mr. Speaker, government plays a vital role in addressing family violence. Our programs and services must offer support to people in times of personal crisis as well as when people require assistance in recovering and healing from a violent experience. This past Wednesday, I was pleased to announce the official launch of a pilot program for women and children's healing and recovery. This pilot responds to the complex needs of women and children who have experienced a traumatic event. It demonstrates that strong partnerships between non-government and government agencies can result in innovative and effective programming.

We cannot quietly overlook the devastation that results from family violence. Over the past week, the Premier and Members of this House have shared their thoughts on how family violence affects them, and why we as a government need to speak out on this issue. While change will not happen overnight, this government can work with leaders of our communities, as well as leaders of other governments and organizations, to take action against family violence. As the Premier and I have stated this past week, we are making family violence a priority and continue to strongly uphold this government's commitment to zero tolerance of family violence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too support the notion of zero tolerance but I believe it is critical, Mr. Speaker, that we as a government provide the resources that are going to be needed to deal with this problem. We cannot continue to operate with the concept that we can manage the problem for the people by taking people out of families, putting them into shelters, taking the children away and putting them in facilities outside the communities. This has to be dealt with at the community level and the resources have to be there to combat violence in our communities.

I had the opportunity to host the Governor General in Fort McPherson earlier this summer. When we met with the community justice committee and elders in our community, one of the biggest topics raised in that meeting was family violence and how we as community members and as governments can deal with this problem.

One thing that was notable were the restraints put in place by the laws that we have, the resources in our communities to deal with these problems, and also the lack of, or in some cases the very need, to have resource people in our communities to deal with these problems and not take our problems out of our communities and not deal with the problem at home.

I for one feel it is critical, Mr. Speaker, that as a government, we have to improve the resources we have in this area. We have to improve facilities to deal with this problem.

I combated this problem in the 13th Assembly in dealing with the Tl'oondih Healing Program. The Gwich'in Tribal Council invested over $2 million to construct a camp to deal with problems such as family violence, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse and other issues that are apparent in our communities. Yet to date we have received very little support from this government.

How can we as a government stand up and say we support zero tolerance without having the resources in place to do the job to ensure that we change our laws, improve the structures we have in our communities to assist people who have been violated and to assist those people who have carried out the violence? We can do something to change this problem.

With that, Mr. Speaker....

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I think it is apparent that this government has to do more in regard to this matter, resources and ensuring that we have the adequate infrastructure in place in our communities to deal with this. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services questions on this matter. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make some comments on family violence week. First, I would like to commend the government on drawing attention to the problems of family violence in the North. I would also like to extend my appreciation to all of the communities in my riding and throughout the North that have held activities during Family Violence Week in attempts to raise the profile on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I had great reservations earlier this week about standing up in this House and making a statement on family violence that was probably not going to have much effect. I only have to draw your attention to 1983. The Legislative Assembly of the day passed a motion that adopted a principle of zero tolerance against all people and endorsed the goal of eliminating family violence by the year 2000.

Well, we are now in the year 2000. Since that motion was passed, according to national crime statistics, the number of annual violent crimes in the Northwest Territories has increased from 4,826 to 5,063 between the years 1994 and 1998, with the biggest increases appearing in the last two years. This is a period during which other types of crimes such as property crime actually decreased in the North. It is also a period of time in which violent crime on the average dropped in the Canadian provinces.

However, while the violent crime rate in the Northwest Territories increases, the attention paid by the Government of the Northwest Territories to community health programs decreases. The main estimates for 2000-2001 for community health programs showed a decrease in the proposed annual expenditures of approximately $190,000 compared to the pervious year's estimates.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories must play a more effective role in preventing family violence. We all know that in the smaller communities we have limited or low paying jobs and poor housing conditions. That always results in low self-esteem and unhealthy living conditions. This places pressure on the families, which can eventually lead to violence, abuse or addictions.

Mr. Speaker, if we are serious in attempting to change the violent crime statistics in the North, we have to reduce dependency on social assistance. We have to build self-esteem. We have to generate employment in our communities. Mr. Speaker, we may have to examine our existing programs to see if they are achieving the goals we are setting in this House.

If the lack of financial resources is the problem, then it becomes essential that we measure, in a meaningful manner, the effectiveness of our existing programming expenditures and, if necessary, channel our resources into new programs.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I realize that the government by itself cannot totally eliminate family violence. However, it is important that we do more than stand up here year after year stating our dedication to ending family violence while our crime rate increases. It is important that this government and all of us do what we can as well as we can to end family violence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I as well would like to speak to the issue of family violence. Family violence affects all our communities and unfortunately, many of our families in our constituencies. Mr. Speaker, while this family violence is a symptom and if we are indeed going to eradicate family violence, we have to start dealing with the root causes. We have to deal better with education issues. We have to do a better job with employment, with housing. We have to come up with an alcohol and drug strategy that will enable us to deal with the terrible problem of alcohol abuse and children born with FAS and FAE. We have to help families with their parenting skills.

Mr. Speaker, new money is not necessarily the only answer. We have to look at how the government is spending the money it currently has. Is it spending it in the best way possible? Is there real cooperation between Health and Education, Culture and Employment? We are dealing with common clients on this issue. With Housing and Justice, do they actually meaningfully work together and come up with common strategies? We have to have the government complete some of its many ongoing and incomplete strategies, such as the alcohol and drug strategy. A few years ago, we had five alcohol and drug facilities. This year, we have one. We are still waiting for the alcohol and drug strategy. We are waiting for the early intervention strategy. We are waiting for the continuing care strategy.

Mr. Speaker, these are done separately but, in actual fact, they are linked because they deal with the same people in our constituencies. So yes, as a government we need to speak up on this issue but as a government we cannot stand up and say we cannot do anything else because we do not have any new money. There are many ways we could deal with the issue by better spending the resources we have.

We can expand the classification of what a single mother is eligible for in terms of income support and being able to stay home and not cut it off at four-years old. All these things will work to help family violence. They are real, concrete, demonstrable phases of government we can do to show that, while we are morally and politically committed to this fine sentiment, we are also taking a critical, hard look as a government at what we do as one of the major funding agencies in the Northwest Territories to deal with this significant issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize academic excellence by all students across the Northwest Territories and particularly three students from Weledeh who have received the Minister's Award for Academic Excellence;

• • Miranda Bolstad received the award for attaining the highest mark in the Northwest Territories in 99-20 English 30 departmental exams;
• • Ivan Pelov received the same award for the highest mark in Chemistry 30; and
• • Matthew Voytilla received the same award for the highest mark in Physics 30.

We need to celebrate the achievement of these young people and express appreciation to all of those people who have provided support to them, especially the parents and teachers in our school system.

As our economy continues to flourish, we need strong academic performance by our Northwest Territories students so that they can take the jobs in the North. Let us all work together in support of healthy families and communities to ensure all northern students have a bright future in the Northwest Territories. Miranda, Matthew, and Ivan, I wish you much success in your continuing studies and look forward to when you return to careers in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise to speak on the issue of seniors. Mr. Speaker, seniors in the Northwest Territories have raised many of us. They have raised us and taught us their values. They have paid their dues, so to speak, Mr. Speaker. They have paid for their own way and many continue indeed to pay their own way. Many continue to own and maintain their own homes.

In these days of increasing costs, it is becoming more difficult for seniors to remain independent. Mr. Speaker, I refer specifically to the seniors' fuel subsidy. As increasing costs for fuel in the Northwest Territories impacts seniors, it is becoming more difficult for them to remain in their own homes. Homes that they have built, and in many cases with their own hands, and that remain in their families.

We have some programs in the Government of the Northwest Territories for seniors who do not have their own homes, and we have stepped in to protect those seniors in those situations. For seniors who remain in their own homes, we have limited programs that continue to shrink as the years go by. Mr. Speaker, I raise this concern and will question the appropriate Minister as we get into question period on the seniors' fuel subsidy in the hope that we will be looking to work with the seniors to keep them independent and a valued part of our community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This morning I am pleased to provide this Assembly with an update on various activities that have occurred in Inuvik since our last sitting. In July, Inuvik successfully hosted the 30th anniversary of the Northern Games and the 12th anniversary of the Great Northern Arts Festival. Both of these events put the town of Inuvik on the map and provided a good economic boost for the town of Inuvik. I wish to thank all of the organizers and the volunteers who put countless number of hours in to ensure that these two events were such a huge success.

In September, the Members of the 14th Legislative Assembly met in Inuvik for a fourth Caucus planning session. I hope each Member enjoyed the good Delta hospitality during their stay in Inuvik. I wish to thank Ingamo Hall, who hosted an elders lunch for the Members. These elders luncheons are held at Ingamo Hall every second Thursday.

In October, the residents of Inuvik went to the polls and elected a new mayor and council. I wish Peter Clarkson, the new mayor-elect, and his council all the best and I look forward to working with them to make the town of Inuvik a better place to live. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on the basis of the media reporting based on what I said yesterday, I am afraid that I may not have been as clear in what I said, so I would like to elaborate a little on it. Mr. Speaker, it should be understood that in my statement, I was not challenging the soundness of the legal opinion Mr. Miltenberger gave us in the House. What I am challenging is the interpretation of that opinion that he has chosen to put on it.

I believe strongly that the legal opinion in question does not have the evidence to support that Cabinet has broken its own law. I believe strongly that the legal opinion in question does not have the evidence to support that there has been any conflict of interest arising out of this issue.

In fact, the opinion states to the contrary, and I quote from the opinion, No. 5, page 9, where it says that "There is no direct evidence of any legal conflict of interest arising out of Mrs. Sorenson's appointment." I also believe the opinion is based on incomplete information due to the confusion and uncertainty about the function and substance of this position. The writer of the opinion accepts that. I quote from the opinion, page 3, fourth paragraph: "Any exemptions to political involvement in the statutes and regulations seems to be based on the job title and function of the position in question."

Again, Mr. Speaker, I am not making a judgement about the opinion. I respect this opinion as the opinion of a professional. The point is that the opinion is based on admittedly incomplete information, and therefore it is an incomplete and inconclusive opinion, subject to more information. One has to be very careful in how it is used.

The allegations, Mr. Speaker, that have been made and spread out all over the media based on this legal opinion are very serious and far reaching. It goes to the trust and respect the people in the North have about the integrity of this government, of the consensus government we are all a part of.

Moreover, Mr. Speaker, another implication arising out of this is that any person working for this government can become a subject of discussion in this House based on incomplete or misinformed information where they do not have the power to defend themselves. Mr. Speaker, we live in a small town, even in Yellowknife and in this Territory. For most of us, all we have is our name and our reputation, and no one should have the ability to use their power to damage that.

Mr. Speaker, may I please have consent to finish my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, on the point of order, I believe Ms. Lee is imputing motive in regard to stating her comments that make comments or rumours. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my point of order is based on imputing motive in regard to Ms. Lee's statement, where she states in her comments the rumours that have been going around states this and other issues. Because it is stating that these are rumours, it is not actual factual information. That is the basis of my question.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fall and winter are a busy time of year for gatherings in the North. This year will be no exception. In a couple of weeks, the Geoscience Forum will flood the town with about 300 people in the mining and oil and gas business. In March, we are going to have 500 youth from across Canada meeting here for the Canadian Youth Against Impaired Driving national conference. Prospects North next September could see as many as 350. The list goes on.

The North is what the convention and meeting trade might call an exotic destination. We are off the beaten path. We are expensive. We are a bit unpredictable and we are very different from the mainstream meeting venues of Banff or Vancouver or Winnipeg.

Central to the planning of all of these events, big or small, Mr. Speaker, are the facilities that Yellowknife and other communities in the Northwest Territories have to offer to attract conventions. We have the hotels, airline services, restaurants, shopping, and unique attractions to satisfy what a lot of delegates want.

What we do not have, some would argue, is a dedicated convention centre. There has been talk lately about plans of some development companies to create such a facility in Yellowknife. That is great, but until the plan is unveiled, Mr. Speaker, we really have nothing to go on. I would urge anyone out there who has a viable plan: do not be shy. Tell us about it.

In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I think we have other things we could work on to enhance this very valuable and very viable part of our tourism industry. We need a collaborative approach to bringing the services and the facilities together to combine resources to do a really good job of attracting and hosting conventions and meetings.

The challenge for us is to get a consensus and a will among business and government to work together and join forces. Set up the marketing and coordination systems that will attract and serve the conventions and meetings that I am confident are out there.

I think it is timely to raise this issue, Mr. Speaker, as our government has a draft tourism strategy out there, and so does the Northwest Territories Arctic Tourism Association. Can we not work together, Mr. Speaker, to bring our common goals into focus? I believe we can. I believe the convention and meeting industry is one we can agree on and continue to build what promises to be a vital and profitable part of our tourism future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not have all the knowledge of the rules of the House, but how I understand point of order is that you can raise a point of order where you feel your right as a Member to represent the interest of your public has been jeopardized in any way.

I wanted to raise a point of order the earliest moment I had the opportunity, because I had the time to think about what Mr. Krutko just did. I think I have been treated unfairly in that the two speakers who spoke before me had unanimous consent from the Members of this House. I gave unanimous consent for Mr. Krutko to speak on his point.

As a courtesy to the fellow Members, and in order that I have the right and power to speak for what I think is important to myself, my integrity, my reputation as a Member, and for the good of this House and the good of the people and the good of my residents, I should have equal opportunity. I do not believe I should be treated in any different way.

I believe Mr. Krutko did that, and he jeopardized my power to represent in a fair manner. I seek your order and ruling on that, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address the state of the economy in the Northwest Territories and specific issues that affect it.

I was shocked yesterday to hear some of the Members from Yellowknife speak about the state of the economy and how it affects Yellowknife in housing and the cost of living. We outside of Yellowknife envy Yellowknife considerably when it comes to the economy and the development of the North.

While Yellowknife seems to be under a boom in the diamond industry, we outside of Yellowknife are still waiting to get our turn at economic development. The so-called diamond industry is seen from outside of Yellowknife as being a Yellowknife diamond industry.

Not too long ago, about a month ago, Mr. Speaker, the former Mayor of Yellowknife made a statement on the radio saying that Yellowknife was suffering because of losing 600 government jobs. I would question that statement, Mr. Speaker, and I would need some hard evidence that would confirm that.

The oil and gas industry is looked upon by people outside of Yellowknife as being their turn at getting some economic development. The oil and gas that is flowing through the blood and veins of the Minister of Finance. We are going to invite him to Hay River and try to tie into those veins so we can get some of that oil and gas that is flowing.

Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I made some comments about the support of the fishing industry in Hay River. In checking Hansard of November 1, I see that the Minister of Finance stated that: "$2.5 million was going in support of the fur industry." In checking with Hansard of November 2, I see that the Minister of Finance stated: "We have approximately 1,000 trappers now, earning between $800,000 and $900,000." I would think , Mr. Speaker, if that kind of money is available in the fur industry, we can cut down on the amount of subsidies we are giving in that area and give more to fishing.

Do we have a plan, Mr. Speaker, in the Territories? I certainly hope we do. I hope as a government that we are looking outside of Yellowknife to benefit all the Northwest Territories when it comes to economic development. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Delorey on November 1, 2000, regarding emergency response on the territorial highway system.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have the primary responsibility to respond to an emergency on the territorial public highway system. The federal RCMP Act defines the mandate of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to deliver police services in Canada. By agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories, the RCMP deliver policing services in the Territory. Policing services in the event of a highway emergency is one of the responsibilities included in the territorial police services contract.

Depending on the exact nature of the emergency, assistance from a number of federal, territorial or municipal agencies may be required. The police service, as the primary agency, will call on auxiliary emergency services as necessary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize in the gallery today Mrs. Rosemary Cairns, Mrs. Vi Beck and Mrs. Theresa Handley from the Status of Women Council.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize the ladies from the Status of Women Council, and especially Mrs. Finance Minister.

-- Laughter

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Finance Minister. It is about the hotel tax. I think as the Finance Minister gets up to introduce a bill for the proposed hotel tax, it is important that we take a good hard look at other taxes he has under his control.

The payroll tax, for instance. He proudly announced that we collected $8.8 million in payroll tax last year, Mr. Speaker. I am curious. When people are late in remitting payroll tax, do we send out notices encouraging them to remit this tax or do we sort of just wait for them to send us the money?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with any tax, if people are late in remitting the taxes that are owed, then certainly they receive notices. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although I am sceptical, I will take the Finance Minister at his word and I will do a little research. I know Revenue Canada charges interest and penalties for people who are late in filing or remitting. I assume then that we do the same. Can the Finance Minister assure me that we charge interest and penalties on late payroll tax?

Mr. Speaker, we charge interest on any payments that are late. I assume it is the same for payroll tax. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to find out, in the 1999-2000 year where we collected $8.8 million in payroll tax, how much of that would have been interest? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I will have to take that as notice. I do not know how much we earned in interest last year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are directed to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, regarding the issue of the definition of Métis.

I became aware late in the 13th Assembly when this issue came up, that in fact there seems to be a number of different definitions within government in terms of what constitutes a Métis. The differences, as far as I know, are Health and Social Services has a different one from Education, Culture and Employment, and different from Aboriginal Affairs, as it relates to land claims, devolving Métis lands and these kinds of very sensitive issues.

I would like to ask the Minister, is he aware of this concern? What steps does he intend to take to try to address this matter? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware of the concern. There has been correspondence directed to me on an infrequent basis. It has been brought to my attention. Just yesterday I met with the president of the South Slave Métis Tribal Council in regard to that issue as well.

There is concern out there about the definitions being used. I have stated to those individuals that I am interested in looking at this issue to ensure that from our perspective, we are using the appropriate definition. Also, I directed the comment back that we would like the input of the various organizations down the road as well.

Our definition, of course, was done in consultation...I am informed by my officials that it was done in consultation with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. There was some information passed on to us. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was not quite clear in the Minister's response. Is he indicating that there is in fact a standard definition or that it is an issue they are working on collectively trying to come up with a standard definition? Thank you.

No, Mr. Speaker. I cannot state that there is a standard definition. We have a definition within the Department of Education. That has been used, but there was some concern expressed by several organizations about that. I am looking at that. I am not sure, Mr. Speaker, about the definitions being used by other government departments. My comment earlier was that I will take the initiative to check to see what definitions are used in other departments. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is good to hear that the Minister is going to take the initiative on this. Could the Minister as well indicate the time frame that he would like to see this done. It is a long outstanding issue. It is of great importance to, of course, Métis people in a lot of sensitive areas. I would like the Minister to indicate a time frame if he could, please.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sorry. I cannot commit to a specific time frame. I will commit that it is important from my perspective to address this issue but as we all know, this involves the Aboriginal Affairs Department as well as all the government departments. I am not sure what complications may arise in this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can appreciate the complexity of the issue, so if the Minister is unable to commit to a time, can he possibly commit to a date some time say before spring where we hopefully have a resolution to this, as there are many people waiting to see what the government definition of Métis will be? Thank you.

Well, as usual, the Member is very capable of twisting the question around in a different fashion of asking the same question. As I mentioned, this is a complex situation at the moment and I have to take the approach that there are many other parties involved in this and we have a definition at the moment and I want to look at that to see if that can be corrected, if that is necessary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today goes to the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Speaker, I have been talking to a lot of people in the city who have repeated again and again about the complexities of the regulatory process in regard to resource development in the North. My colleague from Hay River has stated earlier the importance of oil and gas development. I do understand the Minister has been doing some work in order to simplify that process. I wonder if the Minister could update the House on where he is with that?

Mr. Speaker, yes, it is true. I have been doing a fair bit of work on trying to simplify our regulatory processes, as the Member has pointed out. I have had meetings with the various agencies, either personally or through my department. We have discussed and I think we have an agreement in principle among all of the agencies. They are all basically federal agencies, not territorial. We have agreement among those agencies that in principle they agree with doing one coordinated process for the regulatory screening and environmental assessment for the proposed pipeline.

There is a meeting being held on November 21st. It is being coordinated by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. I expect that at that meeting, they will be able to iron out a lot of the details. Our government will be represented there as an observer, not as a partner, since this is really a federal process. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From what I understand of what the Minister is engaged in, he is trying to bring all the parties who have a stake in it or who are the participants in the regulatory process and within that jurisdiction in the North, bringing them all together, looking at what their legislative requirements are and figuring out the process to streamline it. How I see it, Mr. Speaker, is that those laws are there for a reason and it may not be that simple to simplify them even if all the parties involved agree with that.

So I am just wondering if the Minister could elaborate more on how he sees this process working. I do not know if my impression is clear. I just want to give the Minister an opportunity to explain it more.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, let me very quickly summarize the situation. Generally, if I just look at the territorial level, there are three environmental assessment bodies. One is part of the Inuvialuit Land Claim. There is the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Process and there is the National Energy Board process. If we just let each of them go their own way, then we would have three preliminary screenings. We would have three sets of environmental hearings and boards set up, so we would have environmental boards tripping over each other trying to have meaningful consultations.

So my objective is to have them work in one coordinated fashion where you would have one board representative of all three agencies that would hold one set of hearings. Then we do not have problems with people getting tired of groups coming to their communities and asking for information. We would also prevent the problem of conflicting recommendations from it.

This is not in any way to compromise or get around any of the need to be very diligent in this process. It is more how to coordinate so we do not have all these boards each doing their own independent thing but still recognize the importance of protecting our environment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I must say, Mr. Speaker, I believe it is very important that we do this in support of the oil and gas industry and, contrary to what is being said here, I believe it is a good thing for Yellowknife to be booming with the diamond industry. One community doing well is not a big thing for the rest of the Territory. I wonder if the Minister could advise us if he foresees using a similar process of the diamond industry, because, as he is aware, BHP Diamonds Incorporated is going through a regulatory process to deal with the changes that they are making to the kimberlites, the new kimberlites they are going to be processing.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, wherever it would be necessary when we have more than one agency involved, then we want to streamline the process. However, in the case of the diamond mines, we really only have the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board process. It does not involve the National Energy Board or any other falling under a land claim right now. Even in those cases, we want to work with the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board to ensure that even there the process is streamlined.

As we know, this whole process is recent. We are still working with them to iron out any kind of overlap or duplication that may be happening but I assure the Member that, as the next mines come on stream, we have learned a lot from the past processes and will continue to refine and streamline how it is being done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the question was who has responsibility whether to put up signs on the highways and so on. That is a responsibility of the Department of Transportation. I am sure if there is information concerning RWED issues on the signs that my department would work with the Department of Transportation.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the question should be referred to the Minister responsible for Transportation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe all signs that are erected on the highway right of way need the approval of the Department of Transportation before they are erected.

Mr. Speaker. I think this is a question for the Minister responsible for Education, no?

-- Laughter

Mr. Speaker, the reason that we have a budget in RWED for signs in the tourism section of our budget is that we do have responsibility for paying the costs of putting up signs that provide tourist information. When we put those signs up along the highway, they have to be put up in accordance with guidelines that are set by the Department of Transportation. They are in our budget because they are part of our tourism budget and they are our responsibility. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we are responsible for giving clear information with regard to RWED's mandate. The main piece of that is tourism. We have responsibility for that. Mr. Speaker, we erect our signs along the highways in accordance with guidelines that are set by the Department of Transportation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as in my Member's statement regarding seniors, I have a question for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, because his department manages the seniors' fuel subsidy. I would like the Minister to let Members know how that program works and how seniors access it. Is it, for example, covered by volume or is it a fixed set amount? With that, I will wait for his answer and then proceed to my other question. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, it is available to seniors who own their own homes. It is a fuel subsidy that is available for either five cords of wood, 2,275 litres of oil, 3,105 litres of propane, a similar quantity in electricity or in natural gas, Mr. Speaker. It is available for those who own their own home, 60 years and over. Thank you.