Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this week marks a special celebration. March 20th to March 26th is being recognized as Social Workers Week. Health and social services boards in the Northwest Territories are honouring social workers and their contribution to building healthy communities.

Mr. Speaker, as you know from personal experience, social workers greatly contribute to community wellness. They provide a variety of services in the areas of mental health, community wellness, child protection, adoption counselling and crisis intervention. Social workers practice their skills in a number of settings, such as health care centres, family violence shelters, social work offices, correctional facilities, and in counselling settings.

Social workers have a challenging profession that demands flexibility and the skill to adapt to the priorities of the communities they serve. They make a difference and deserve our recognition.

The Department of Health and Social Services and boards were recently faced with a shortage of social workers. Today we are pleased to announce we have reduced this shortage and the department continues to receive inquires about social work employment opportunities. Perhaps the best news is that more and more Northerners are selecting social work as their career of choice. Recognition of social workers is important for recruiting and keeping social workers.

I am also pleased to give recognition to the work of the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada that was formed two years ago. This organization represents social workers from all three territories. The association provides a collective voice to address the issues of practice and policy for their profession.

Fostering a network of peer support across the North is a priority. The association sponsors an annual general meeting that has an educational component. They have a regular newsletter that the department is pleased to co-sponsor this month.

They are also developing a web site. This web site will offer social workers the opportunity to get online to discuss issues and share ideas.

As part of Social Workers Week, I was pleased to join the celebration for Mary Beauchamp, who is a very committed social worker. She was given the first honourary lifetime membership to the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada.

Mary began her social work career 34 years ago. This commitment is a statement of her dedication to the profession. Today, Mary provides her expertise as an adoptions consultant with the department. Much of her work is helping adults search for their biological parents and siblings. The rewards of this work are realized when there is a successful reunion of family members.

Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in an enthusiastic round of applause for Mary Beauchamp and all our social workers who are making a difference in our communities. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Indeed, we have a lot to be proud of in our young athletes. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Jake Ootes will be absent from the House this week to attend the International Rough Diamonds Conference in Tel Aviv, Israel. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Premier Kakfwi. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last night, all of the Yellowknife Members had the privilege of hosting our first joint constituency meeting here in the Great Hall. It was very well attended. It was about a three-hour meeting. We must have had about 60 to 80 people in attendance and about 20 presenters. There was a wide variety of very important issues raised. I would just like to report to the House at this time on some of those issues, so we are all more aware.

I appreciate everyone who took time to attend, but especially those individuals who were there to address the Giant Mine pension issue. One individual, Mary Kosta, who I think we all know, now, has been on a hunger strike for three weeks in support of laid off miners who will soon have their pensions reduced by 25 percent. There were several very emotional appeals made for help. I think we can all realize that this is an emergency issue and action must be taken on compassionate grounds.

Several others raised concerns about changes to the Student Financial Assistance Act, Bill 4. Most of the concern focused around the impact on Metis and Inuvialuit students, and the change going from grants to remissible loans will have on their situation. Delays in passage of the bill were requested because there are more concerns that need to be addressed.

One of the most important concerns was that student input seems to be lacking. We have new legislation, but there is no new money. I think we need to talk to the students and see how they feel this will affect them.

There were also concerns raised over travel by Members. I think it was mentioned that it is very important for us to realize that we are travelling on public money, and we are accountable to the public when we return.

Roads were mentioned, specifically the road between Yellowknife and Rae, and an all-weather road to the Slave geological province. Money was mentioned, but I think the underlying factors were that we cannot put a price on safety. It is important to do something about this now.

One constituent mentioned the idea of possibly setting up a trustee for territorial pensions. He suggested this might help people in the North have protection against similar situations as those experienced by the Giant Mine pensioners.

Devolution of resources from the federal government was also mentioned. When will we receive control of our resources? What will this do to our federal grant? Do we have a plan or a timeframe? These are all very real concerns that were raised, Mr. Speaker.

A bill of rights is also needed in the North, and we have mentioned this many times.

Mr. Bell, your time is up.

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

The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Bell, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There were also concerns about layoffs in the public service. People fear government will reduce the public service due to our deficit, and they wanted these concerns allayed.

The sunset clause was once again raised. When and how will it be dealt with? We do not want to see more committee reviews.

There was also some concern regarding government contracts. Regulations need to be changed to protect northern business. We need to establish a formal policy. There is a feeling that there is too much left for interpretation at this point. There was also concern about where and how government contracts are advertised.

The Business Incentive Policy was also discussed. It needs a review. People wanted to know why there are southern firms and international companies receiving BIPs. The policy should be there to support independant northern businesses, not corporations.

It was also mentioned that we need to be more aware of social agencies at work in the North and in Yellowknife, specifically groups like the Salvation Army, the Women's Centre, and the YWCA. They need the support of their MLAs and the government to continue providing the services they are delivering. Community service groups and social agencies also wanted involvement during committee decision-making, instead of being advised after the fact.

We also discussed sole-sourcing of contracts. There was concern with businesses taking contracts funded by social agencies.

Affirmative action issues also came up. The concern is the Affirmative Action Policy may not be doing what it was initially set up to do. It needs a review. All Members were asked and gave their support for an Affirmative Action Policy, but we want to see one that works.

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to attend the meeting and voice their concerns. I would especially like to commend those individuals who are committed to fighting for the Giant Mine pension plan, and let them know they have our support as a House. Later in the week, we will be moving a motion to this end. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 1999, the 64 employees of the central region of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation achieved zero loss time due to industrial accidents. These are all of the employees in Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Rae-Edzo, Fort Resolution, Wha Ti, Rae Lakes and Lutsel K'e. This includes both management and employees. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation recognizes this considerable achievement with a $10,000 bonus to the group of employees. The employees in turn gave this funding to the central region Joint Occupational Health And Safety Committee to distribute.

This committee addresses workplace health and safety issues, and tries to eliminate the risk inherent in the work situation. Apparently, various ideas were considered, including something for each employee. However, in the end the committee decided to make a contribution of the full amount to the Fort Smith Health Centre.

The presentation was made last week during the committee's March meeting in Fort Smith. I would like to acknowledge this very generous contribution in this House from the Northwest Territories Power Corporation central region employees. I know the health centre will put the funds to good use, as they intend to purchase a signovscope. On behalf of the Fort Smith residents, to the central region employees, thank you very much.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize the efforts of the Mackenzie Hotel Group in Inuvik. They just recently launched "A Fast Track to a Management" training program. They are looking for 25 people to enrol in a two-year Hospitality and Tourism Diploma Program. This program is being made possible through the commitment of the Mackenzie Hotel Group. The Mackenzie Hotel Group is working with the Aurora Campus and Red Deer College so that the participants can be prepared to take on the jobs after graduation.

The Mackenzie Hotel Group will guarantee jobs to participants who receive a 70 percent plus average. This is good news for the people of Inuvik and surrounding communities. Mr. Speaker, this is the spirit of entrepreneurship we have not seen for quite sometime in the region. During the 13th Assembly, it was said the government could no longer be the engine of the economy. But it was also stated that the government had to at least supply the fuel.

With that, I hope this government will provide some support to entrepreneurs like the Mackenzie Hotel Group, who have expended much in resources to date to develop the Fast Track Program.

In closing, I would like to congratulate the work of the Mackenzie Hotel Group for their effort and I hope that they indeed fill the 25 training positions. I believe they have filled ten of them to date. I would also like to send greetings back home to my wife and children. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Roland, we always look forward to that. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to reflect on the week of March 5th to the 11th and the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of attending and taking part in the games as the coach of the Northwest Territories Junior Women's Curling Team. Although our team schedule kept us very busy and allowed us very little time to take part in any of the other sports, I can safely say that we enjoyed the games very much.

Mr. Speaker, the more than 315 participants from the Northwest Territories should be congratulated, first for being such great ambassadors and, secondly, for bringing home some 108 ulus including 42 gold.

As a coach, I get a great deal of satisfaction watching young athletes achieve their personal best performance when everything is on the line. Throughout the week there were many great performances, such as the 11 year-old Jason Baxter from Inuvik, who won a silver and two gold ulus in dog mushing, the first ever gold for the Northwest Territories in that sport.

There are many other examples far too numerous to mention here today. However, there were other events of a less positive note and some of these I will address during question period. Mr. Speaker, I would like at this time to recognize all the athletes from Hay River, who participated in the 2000 Arctic Winter Games and I congratulate all the ulu winners in all the sports. I want to especially recognize the following athletes:

• • Megan Crowley from Yellowknife;
• • Ashley Hval, Fort Smith; and
• • Dayna Haley and Katrina Delorey, both from Hay River.

These four young athletes made up the Northwest Territories junior women's curling team. I want to point out, Mr. Speaker, that they did not have the opportunity to curl together as a team prior to the games. However, they were able to pull it all together and bring home silver ulus, losing the final game to a stronger Alberta North team. However, Mr. Speaker, their silver ulu performance is not the reason for their special recognition here today. This team was able to overcome any personal differences they may have had, overcome two player injuries that occurred, as well as a few defeats along the way.

But more importantly, this team was able to seize the spirit of the games and as a result received the Fair Play Award for female curling. These girls were very happy to receive this award. As their coach, I was extremely proud of them. Fair play and good sportsmanship, Mr. Speaker, I believe is what the games are all about. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask all Members to pause for a moment today, March 21st, in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Mr. Speaker, discrimination refers to actions at the individual level which assert the natural superiority of race, gender, religion, ethnicity or culture over another. It also involves institutionalized discriminatory practices that protect and maintain the position of certain groups, and continue the inferior position of others.

The Northwest Territories is blessed with a diverse population made up of peoples of different history, culture, education, religions, languages, gender and lifestyles. And with these rich blessings also come immense challenges. As citizens of the Northwest Territories, we must ensure that our actions embrace, value and respect this diversity through our words, actions, customs and styles and attitudes.

As legislators of the Northwest Territories, it is our duty to remove structural and behavioural barriers which inhibit the full participation of all members of society in all aspects and at all levels through inclusive policies, programs and practices that are adaptive to the needs of our evolving society.

We must be diligent, Mr. Speaker, that the Government of the Northwest Territories policies such as affirmative action and the equality of men and women in the Northwest Territories are continuously monitored for proper application and effectiveness and, when necessary, amended to meet our common goals.

Discrimination takes many forms, Mr. Speaker, as do the steps needed to eradicate it. Mr. Speaker, I firmly believe that together we can make a difference. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

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