Heavenly Father, 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, Mr. Roland. Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated. I understand his honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, is prepared to enter the Chamber to give assent to bills. Mr. Clerk, could you attend to and escort in the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories?

Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, March 8, 2000, is International Women's Day, and the beginning of International Women's Week. As the House will not be in Session during that period, I would like to take this opportunity to express this government's appreciation for the many contributions that women have made in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, International Women's Day was first recognized to highlight the struggles of working women, and to promote universal suffrage for women. Over the years, International Women's Day has come to be a time for reflection and for women and men to celebrate women's ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life for all.

In the Northwest Territories, women have played a significant role in the social, economic and political changes that have taken place. They are working hard to remove the obstacles that have limited the choices and opportunities for women to be full and equal partners in today's society.

Mr. Speaker, the role of women has been a catalyst. They have initiated the move toward community empowerment and self-empowerment by producing volumes of work that address all aspects of social, political and economic equality. The production of videos and public service announcements and the completion of reports that address issues of self-esteem, human rights, violence against women and children, women's health, family well-being and women in politics complement the work of governments and other special interest groups. Improving the quality of life is everyone's goal, and these initiatives help to achieving this important objective.

Mr. Speaker, northern women in particular must be commended for their achievements and we, as government, must continue to support them in their goals and aspirations. We can do this by reaffirming our commitment, which is to "actively support and encourage the participation of women on an equal basis with men in all aspects of society in the Northwest Territories".

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to thank all women's organizations for their continued dedication to their communities and their families. A number of communities throughout the North will be celebrating International Women's Week and I encourage all Members to participate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister Joe Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to speak about the Northern Leaders Forum that will be held in Whitehorse on March 4, 2000. Premier Okalik from Nunavut, Government Leader Piers McDonald from the Yukon and Premier Kakfwi will meet on that day to discuss further action on issues that are common to all three of the northern territories.

The Northern Cooperation Accord was signed in August, 1999. The accord outlines the principles under which our three territories cooperate and some of the areas in which mutual benefits can result from working in tandem. The accord, however, only captures in writing what has traditionally been done by Northerners for many years. Although the three territories each have their own unique circumstances, Northerners have worked together for many years, and on numerous issues. Northerners understand Northerners.

This upcoming meeting provides another chance for the three northern leaders to exchange ideas and set priorities. The issue of governance is common to all three territories. The Yukon has been working toward assuming the responsibilities being devolved from the federal government. Nunavut has had almost one full year as a new government in a new territory. Here in the Northwest Territories, we are advancing land claims and self-government and are solidly supporting the government to government to government process. Although the three territories are dealing with different approaches to governance, it is a common issue to all of us.

Given our mutual status as territories, all three northern governments deal with the federal government on fiscal issues in a manner distinct from the provinces. That relationship is a critical one, given escalating costs and mounting pressures on Northern budgets. We look to each other to learn what advances have been made in each individual jurisdiction that may benefit the others. As well, economic development is of critical concern to all of us.

Within our own country, the three northern territories have much to gain when common issues with common positions can be brought to forums such as the Western Premiers' Conference and Annual Premiers' Conference.

More globally, all three northern territories must cope with a changing and shrinking world. Climate changes are showing their effects on the North. We need to address that. The North forms a large part of the circumpolar world. The activities and developments of our international neighbours are becoming increasingly important to us, for instance, environmental concerns, transportation patterns, shared economic development and the role of Canada in a North that includes other countries.

Mr. Kakfwi is looking forward to meeting with his fellow territorial leaders to discuss these issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on this last day of this Session, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight something very positive that is being done by the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, under the able direction of its president, Ms. Tracy St. Denis and her hardworking board members.

On Thursday, March 2, 2000, dozens of the chamber members will be travelling to Rae-Edzo on a customer appreciation trip. A bus has been arranged to transfer the members on the infamous Highway No. 3 to Rae-Edzo. There will be a reception hosted by the chamber and a presentation to the residents of Rae-Edzo.

The main objective of the trip, Mr. Speaker, is for the chamber members to go to the community and show firsthand how much they appreciate the business our friends in the surrounding communities bring to our city. It may be the chamber members will get an earful as to what we can do better. In the end, I am sure this will be a good thing for everyone involved.

I know the business community in our city is very aware that our friends across the North spend money on a wide array of goods and services in Yellowknife. The residents of Rae-Edzo are some of our best customers. Mr. Speaker, the goods and services include professional services such as hiring a lawyer, accountant, or an architect, or more simple things like eating in our many restaurants, taking in a movie, or buying many different things in our stores, both small and big, including, as Mr. Lafferty informed me, fuel for residential homes.

I can also advise you, Mr. Speaker, that the chamber will be making four trips this year to the communities surrounding the city of Yellowknife. I would like to commend the Chamber of Commerce for taking an active role in this way. I am not able to make this trip, as I will be tied up in committee meetings for the next two days. If I may, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all Members representing Yellowknife, including yourself, to say thank you to our friends in Rae-Edzo and all other surrounding communities near and far for buying our goods and services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This may be an unusual Member's statement, however, I would like to advise my fellow colleagues that many ex-Northerners watch us regularly on APTN.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of our Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, I would like to extend our greetings and well wishes to the following families in northern Alberta who frequently watch our proceedings during question period:

• • Mr. And Mrs. Gordon Norrie of High Level;
• • Mr. Bob Milner and Lena Malegana of Fort Vermillion;
• • Mr. Floyd Sydney and Edna Elias of High Level;
• • Mr. Art Bingham and his wife Deanna of High Level;
• • Mr. Pat Gauchier of Paddle Prairie;
• • Bill and Kathy Crozier of High Level; and
• • Jack and Holly Fletcher of Rocky Lane.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in this, the last day of this particular sitting, I would like to raise a constituency issue. It is in line with some of the discussion earlier on that dealt with highways and the highway strategy. The fact, as my colleague for Mackenzie Delta pointed out, not all roads lead to Yellowknife.

There are many roads in the Northwest Territories that need attention. In the South Slave, there are two pieces of road that are in dire need of attention. I am specifically referring to the section of Highway No. 5 from Fort Smith to Hay River. My colleague for Tu Nedhe has a section of road from Fort Resolution to the Pine Point junction. Both need repair and upgrading.

As we look at the money and the strategy, we have to keep our mind on the whole Territory. As the Minister responsible for Transportation mentioned the other day, every section of road you drive on is the most important one. For the people of the South Slave, the road they drive on to Hay River points south and is very important to them. It has had its share of accidents as well. I think we could make the same case the Yellowknife MLAs are making. It is due to the condition of the road. It could also benefit from extra attention.

In my opinion, if you upgrade these roads to the proper level and chip-seal them, you have longer term cost savings. I know the community of Fort Smith and the residents of Tu Nedhe have been pushing to have their roads looked at. I will be raising this issue again, as I did repeatedly through the 13th Assembly. I know money is tight, but I definitely want to ensure the people of Thebacha have their concerns on the record. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have heard many announcements in the last couple of days regarding the oil and gas potential that exists in the Beaufort Delta. In the last couple of years, lands have opened up. Currently, Petro Canada is doing a seismic project. The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation has opened lands in the Inuvialuit settlement region. The Gwich'in have submitted letters to people in Ottawa to look at doing the same thing.

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to travel to Calgary to meet with the oil and gas industry. I met with Embridge Resources, BP Amoco, Paramount, Trans-Canada Pipelines, Ranger Oil, Petro Canada, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, and West Coast Energy.

One thing I discovered during these meetings is the inadequacy of information that flows between the Northwest Territories and people in Calgary who do not understand the regulatory process in the North, nor the claims that have been settled. They do not understand the demands the industry has to meet, especially in the area of having trained people and infrastructure in place, so their costs will make it more realistic to produce and drill in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I found the industry is willing to come back to the North. They want to make a presence in the North. They see a potential in the North. At the present time, there are very few lands left in Alberta to put out for leases. Due to that, the industry is looking northward. I think it is critical that this government refocuses its priorities of developing the oil and gas industry. In the long term, the oil and gas industry will be generating in the area of 1600 jobs because of these developments, compared to 600 jobs for one diamond mine.

Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development about what this government is doing to stimulate the oil and gas industry in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.