Oh God, may your spirit and guidance be in us as we work for the benefit of all our people, for justice in our land and for constant recognition of the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve. Amen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Good afternoon, Members of the Assembly. Before beginning the business of the House this afternoon, I would like to take a few minutes to speak to Members about a group of young people I had the pleasure of spending most of yesterday with. The young adults are part of the Racism: Stop it! Action 2000 youth tour and come from Australia, the United States and other parts of Canada.

The young people arrived in Yellowknife on Saturday evening. I was fortunate enough to be asked to give them a tour of the Assembly building and spent some time with them yesterday. I must say I came away from my meetings with the youths feeling proud, and also very reassured that if these young people are an example of the young people in the world today, then the future is in good hands.

This morning, the group spent time in schools around the city promoting the creation of a society that is understanding, accepting, and free of racism and prejudice. This is just one of 10 youth teams who are touring different cities in Canada as part of this international campaign aimed at stopping racism.

I would like to publicly commend these young people, one as young as 12 years old, for their efforts and for taking a stand on an issue they obviously feel strongly about. In the Northwest Territories, where we have people of such diverse cultures, it is crucial we build a society that is free of racism and one that accepts people for who they are.

As leaders, we often talk about young people being the future. If the vision of these young people is an indication of what we can expect to see in the future, we will have a more accepting society, with vibrant communities that work together towards a racism-free world.

Members will have the opportunity to meet with the young people tonight at a dinner being hosted at the Assembly. I urge each and every one of you to attend and hear firsthand what these young people are saying. That will be set up in the Great Hall at 6:00 p.m.

Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The Deputy Premier, the Honourable Jane Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, the Honourable Joe Handley and the Honourable Jim Antoine will be absent from the House today to attend a meeting with aboriginal leaders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my support for the amendment to the Education Act, which was given second reading in this House last Friday. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment stated in this House, this bill deals with additional funding to the Northwest Territories' school system, to address the needs to reduce the teacher to student ratio and increase the special needs spending. Further, this bill presents in legislation the agreement reached between the NWTTA and the Government of the Northwest Territories, following the teachers' job action last month.

Once enacted, Mr. Speaker, this will mean $14 million more to the Northwest Territories' education system over the next four years. More money into the system will result in reduced teacher to student ratios and increased funding to student support services for the beginning of the next school year.

While this amendment arises from the settlement between the Government of the Northwest Territories and teachers outside of Yellowknife, putting it into legislation means the same provisions would apply to all schools within the Northwest Territories. This will mean additional funding for the Yellowknife schools as well. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you the feedback I have received from the school boards in Yellowknife has been quite favourable. I believe this is an important move by the Government of the Northwest Territories, in light of the fact that recruiting and retaining teachers poses an increasing challenge in the North, especially in small communities.

Mr. Speaker, I respect that some Members of the House have concerns with some aspects of this bill. I trust those concerns will be addressed during the committee review process as a normal procedure. In spite of these gaps, Mr. Speaker, I believe this is a step in the right direction with respect to our commitment to education. I applaud the Minister and the Government of the Northwest Territories for making this item a priority agenda for the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has one of the lowest rates of literacy in Canada. That means an incredible loss of human potential is taking place. It means many people have trouble finding and keeping jobs. It means many people may not be able to access information about protecting their health, safety or rights.

Perhaps most importantly, it also means many people cannot read to their children or help them with their homework. Those children will probably have more difficulty learning to read and write, and will be less likely to finish school.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Literacy Council is a volunteer organization that promotes and supports literacy activities in all official languages of the Northwest Territories. They work with community groups to build the skills necessary to plan, deliver and manage local projects designed to provide literacy training.

The biggest fundraiser of the year for the Northwest Territories Literacy Council is the Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy. Since 1990, the tournaments have raised over $300,000 for the council. This year, the PGI will be held in Yellowknife on a non-regulation, and I emphasize non-regulation, nine-hole golf course that will be created on the ice of Frame Lake on March 29, 2000.

The Northwest Territories Literacy Council is well on the way to building a successful PGI this year, but they can always use more support. Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge Northwest Territories businesses to be genuine with their backing of the Peter Gzowski Invitational this year. Businesses can really benefit with enhanced literary levels in the workforce. Studies have shown an improved bottom line for employers when literacy levels are improved. Employees with higher literacy skills are more likely to understand, accept and conform to health and safety regulations. Improved employee safety is not only better for the employees, but it also contributes to an improved bottom line.

Mr. Speaker, supporting the Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament is good for business. Becoming a sponsor might help good businesses get a chance to golf in the tournament, a chance to golf with Mr. Dressup, otherwise known as Mr. Ernie Coombs, if you can find your ball in the constant crowd of kids and adults that always surrounds Mr. Coombs during one of these tournaments. Mr. Speaker, I have participated in a few PGIs, and I must tell you that seeing Mr. Dressup has an amazing effect on young people. Everyone loves him and wants to be close.

I am looking forward to being part of the crowd following the action on the ice of Frame Lake near the end of March. I hope Northerners will join me in supporting the Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament, as this important event raises funds for the Northwest Territories Literacy Council. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak briefly about concerns I have with the government's capital planning process and the contracts which are let out in this area. Last week, I asked a written question to the Minister responsible for Public Works and Services requesting information as to how they do estimates, cost overriding and final costs for projects. Today, I will be asking the Minister responsible for Transportation a similar question.

My concern, Mr. Speaker, is it seems to me, with my experience with budgets over the last few years, that there is a tendency for significant cost overruns. There is a significant difference between what is initially estimated and what the final project costs are. I know that from projects in my own riding, where a school came in $1.6 million over budget. The same happened with the school in Aklavik. I know there was a project in the supplementary appropriation in Inuvik that was over budget. I know the capital project on Highway No. 4 on highway wear was significantly over budget.

This raises serious concerns at a time when we are struggling to find every dollar, to make the best use of every cent we have, to put it into programs for the people we serve. I would like to know from the government if there is a problem. If there is a problem, how do we collectively work to fix it?

We were told that market conditions are a factor. We have to allow for that. We cannot come in after the fact and say it is over budget due to market conditions we did not anticipate. We are paid to anticipate. Our staff are paid to anticipate.

I believe we have to get the facts. I believe asking it in the House in a written form to the Minister will supply me with those facts, which I can then share with my colleagues. Then we can sit down together to look at how this process is working, to see how we can avoid cost overruns and ensure our estimating is within a small percentage of what is initially budgeted for. Mr. Speaker, I will be raising this written question at the appropriate time today. I look forward to working with my colleagues to see if we can save money by preventing cost overruns that can be put to programs or other capital projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recent days, we had an announcement of two major issues relating to languages. We have heard of the signing of the Government of the Northwest Territories' Candid Cooperation Agreement for French and aboriginal languages in the Northwest Territories, and the official opening of a French school in Yellowknife.

These two events have helped bring attention to the crisis situation in our aboriginal communities regarding aboriginal languages. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that aboriginal languages appear to be suffering a slow, painful death. Also, there is recognition the self-esteem and confidence in aboriginal people are slowly deteriorating because of their language and culture.

Mr. Speaker, I feel this government has to do more to ensure aboriginal languages are preserved and protected, as well as the culture and well-being of the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in, the Sahtu, the Slavey, North Slavey, South Slavey, Cree, and the Metis, who were the first people of this land. We have to ensure these cultures and languages are preserved and protected, just like the French.

Mr. Speaker, with the amount of money this government spends on developing our institutions, we cannot forget we have to preserve the history and culture of our people. We have to make people aware of the importance of these aboriginal cultures and languages that have existed for thousands of years.

Yet, Mr. Speaker, I have noticed one thing in this government. When it comes to practicing what we preach, there is very little money put into the area of practice. But we sure do speak a lot in this House.

Mr. Speaker, I feel it is critical this government, no offence to the French, take just as much time and effort to ensure that aboriginal communities have the same rights and ability to establish culturally based schools regarding Slavey, Cree, Gwich'in and Inuvialuit. They should also have the ability to establish schools in their ridings. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister responsible for Education, Culture, and Employment questions regarding this matter during question period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Krutko. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of Floyd Roland, Member for Inuvik Boot Lake and myself, I wish to congratulate and extend good luck to the following athletes, coaches and mission staff who will be representing the town of Inuvik at the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse: Shaylene Allen for cross country skiing; Thomas Anthony, pee wee hockey; Jason Baxter, dog mushing, Yvonne Carpenter, mission staff; Shane Gordon, cross country skiing; Tamara Hansen, figure skating; Borg Ho, badminton; Patrisha Kaglik, arctic sports; Lloyd Lamouelle, Dene games; Billie Lennie, arctic sports coach; Mike Muller, badminton coach; Theresa Ross, mission staff; Katy Smith, arctic sports; Rachelle St. Amand, badminton; Glen Tingmiak, badminton; Pat Tingmiak, snowshoeing; Liz Wright, snowshoeing coach; Ben Wright, cross country skiing; and Christine Wright for snowshoeing.

I am confident these representatives from the town of Inuvik will make the town and the Northwest Territories proud. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. I am sure the good wishes of the Members of the Legislative Assembly goes with those young athletes as they go to represent us. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to talk about the Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services. First, I would like to say it is nice to see some young people here today with some interest in the proceedings. I think it helps remind us all what we are doing here. Thank you for coming out.

Today, I will have some questions for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services on the Minister's Forum, specifically in the area of addictions. The forum recommended increased spending on addictions treatment. I think this is a very worthwhile recommendation and it must become a priority for this government. I think it is also important to remember that one of our goals should be to have people treated in their home communities. We have heard Mr. Lafferty lobby time and again for a wellness centre in his community, which would be an envelope for drug and alcohol and social service responsibilities and treatments.

This is a very important request for a couple of reasons. I think we all know it is very disruptive for patients to be moved out of their home communities for treatment in larger centres. The incidents of relapse after taking a person out of their community for treatment is much higher than if they were treated in their home communities.

I am very familiar with the tax on the situation in Yellowknife. I think our dollars are stretched to the limit. As a magnet community, we deal with an influx of patients from smaller communities. It is very difficult for us. For these two reasons, especially the benefit of our citizens to be treated in their home communities, it is important this government make this a priority. Today, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services specifically on the issue of addictions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In honour of the young people that have joined us in the gallery, and in honour of the pages we have here, I would like to recognize the pages that are working in this gallery right now. They are from Range Lake North School, and I understand it is their last day. I know from my conversations with them that they have enjoyed their time here. They love seeing what we do. If I may, I would like to list the names of pages we have from Range Lake North School: Derrick Cleaver; Josh Swan; Keith Dargo; Maigan Lefrancois; Ryan Chenkie; Steven Klakowich; Tanya Lemieux; and Andrew Wittlinger. If I may, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Chris and Heather Chenkie, who are prominent business people in the city of Yellowknife, and my constituents in the Range Lake riding. I would also like to note that Heather Chenkie is a fellow graduate of mine from the Sir John Franklin class of 1982. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. I just want to remind Members that when we recognize people in the gallery, they should really be in the gallery. We would all like to welcome you to the Legislative Assembly, and I am sure we would all like to recognize the pages for the good jobs they are doing with us. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Angel and Florid Curry, prominent members of our Filipino community, now retired and having time to enjoy the Legislative Assembly. Welcome.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize all of the other people in the gallery who have not yet been recognized.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. I am sure that includes Ms. Thomas.

The students in the gallery today are the students from the Grade Six French Immersion class from the William McDonald School, accompanied by their teacher, Yvonne Carine. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.