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