Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week a national organization, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), published a report on provincial and territorial motor vehicle legislation across Canada intended to deter impaired driving. The MADD report card gave the Northwest Territories a failing grade of "F".

Mr. Speaker, the MADD report card serves to support the position of this government in that there is an urgent need for legislation to address the high numbers of impaired drivers in the NWT. This is a complex social problem and true prevention also includes calls for positive measures in public education and awareness.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation has been working with the Departments of Justice, Health and Social Services, the RCMP, the Stanton Hospital Board and the two Yellowknife School Boards to develop its Strategy to Reduce Impaired Driving (STRID). The Strategy to Reduce Impaired Driving is a comprehensive approach to the problem of impaired driving. Its many recommendations cover legislation, enforcement, public education and rehabilitation.

A little over a month ago, I proposed to the Executive Council that amendments be made to the Motor Vehicles Act to implement the legislative recommendations of the Strategy to Reduce Impaired Driving. Cabinet has requested comments from the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development on this important initiative. On receipt of standing committee comments and the direction of the Executive Council, I expect to introduce, in this House, a Bill to amend the Motor Vehicles Act with respect to impaired driving.

Mr. Speaker, I believe our legislative agenda with respect to impaired driving is well in hand and proceeding in an orderly fashion. Hopefully, future MADD report cards will reflect better grades for the NWT. I would like to say again that legislative change is only one of a number of initiatives that will lead to the kinds of change that we all agree are required to reduce the incidence of drinking and driving to make our roads safer for the travelling public.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise again today to speak on the issue of the training of aboriginal northern nurses. I talked to the Minister after the House and hoped this would be a matter that was taken care of, but it appears that it has not.

I understand the Minister did call the constituent in question, but the assessment I received was that it was friendly but non-committal comments.

Mr. Speaker, this issue is not just a personal, detached situation. This is a very important issue involving someone's life. I come into this House with this issue as a last resort. We have worked with the department and the officials to try and bring a satisfactory resolution to this particular issue. I raised it yesterday and hoped that at that point, it would be taken care of.

However, I was told to do what I will, and that was basically the response I received. I stand here again today to point out that the department has lapsed $800,000 in the recruitment and retention program. The Minister indicated yesterday, and I quote from the unedited Hansard, "I am not certain as to what kind of latitude a Minister has to reprofile and reallocate funds."

Mr. Speaker, the Minister will be appearing before this House with a $170 million budget. I would hope she would get the kind of orientation she needs to be able to make these assessments. This is a small issue compared to the multi-million dollar budget we are talking about.

The Minister does have the ability and latitude to deal with this issue. It is clearly a retention issue. I asked many weeks ago in writing to the Minister, how many aboriginal nurses receive such support? I have not received a response to date.

I raised it in the House again yesterday. Once again, the Minister put me off.

Clearly, Mr. Speaker, in this House, it has been pointed out that the human resource policies of this government are in disarray. Health and Social Services, in this instance, seems to be suffering from the same malaise.

Mr. Speaker, given the response I have received in this House, it would almost appear that, when it comes to recruitment and retention, the Department of Health and Social Services has obtained public money from this Legislature under false pretenses.

I think it is a sad commentary, Mr. Speaker, on the government's stated commitment on retaining and training northern aboriginal nurses. I will be asking the Minister once again if she can resolve this issue. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few minutes to talk about the potential for the unprecedented economic prosperity that is at our doorstep, and what our obligations should be to ensure our people have the benefit of that opportunity.

The magnitude and the details on how it can be achieved have been well articulated in the non-renewable resources development strategy. Since releasing the report in early May, the Premier, the Ministers and the GNWT officials have been criss-crossing the whole country selling the idea. It has awakened the interest of many interested parties in the south, who must become our partners, including the Prime Minister, the federal Finance Minister and the Minister of DIAND, not to mention the aboriginal and business communities in and out of the Northwest Territories.

I must add, Mr. Speaker, I am a fan of this strategy. It is comprehensive and clear about the challenges and opportunities ahead for the Northwest Territories. Most importantly, it gives every interested party something to work out of.

However, Mr. Speaker, I think there is an important question that has not been asked. If it were to happen that the federal government and the private industries were to buy into this strategy and make the financial investment, are we ready to take it on? More precisely, do we have the human infrastructure in place to take on this challenge?

When we demand that the mega-companies hire our people, do we have the labour pool that can take it on?

Mr. Speaker, it should be made clear that ultimately, the biggest stakeholders for this strategy are the people of the Northwest Territories. It is our people who need to work the jobs and reap the benefit. Do we have a clear picture of where our people are at? Do we have empirical evidence on how many jobs are going to be created to support these industries? What sort of jobs will be created, whether it be engineers, geologists, miners, heavy-equipment operators, labourers, et cetera? Not to mention all the other sectors in the economy that need to support it. Social workers, teachers, administrators, nurses, doctors, accountants and the list goes on, Mr. Speaker.

Where are these people located? What is their education level? What are their interests in pursuing these fields? What is the extent of their mobility? What is the interest in training to take on these jobs?

I would think this is the minimum level of information the government needs to have to support the industries. This is the kind of information the government must have in order to face head-on the task we will have to become the major player, as well as the beneficiary of this development potential.

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

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The Member for Range Lake is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may continue, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to conclude by saying that as I see it, we only have about 43,000 people. Given the general demographics, there is only a certain percentage of people who are employable or trainable. With the discussions in committee of the whole yesterday, I am not sure if the government has a comprehensive and clear picture of what the job requirements are, where they are located and how we can match the people.

I urge the government to look at cleaning up our house and getting our house in order so we are ready when the federal government brings us the money. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, on behalf of my constituents, I would like to congratulate the graduates from the Deh Cho region. First of all, congratulations to Ms. Tina Gargan and Ms. Terry Landry from Fort Providence, who are both graduates of Aurora College, where they studied introduction to diamonds.

-- Applause

Ms. Gargan is now employed with Deton'Cho Diamonds here in Yellowknife. Also, Delmer Bonnetrouge of Fort Providence graduated from a security course he took with a company called SecureCheck here in Yellowknife. Mr. Clifford McLeod recently graduated from a two-year recreation and community service diploma program at Lethbridge Community College. Mr. McLeod is currently working on the completion of his practicum for the Hamlet of Fort Providence.

From the Hay River Reserve, Mr. Philip Fabian Jr. graduated from Grade 12 at Diamond Jenness High School. Mr. Allisdaire Lieshman just completed a two-year aircraft maintenance engineering program from Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to formally acknowledge Allisdaire's mother, Ms. Margaret Lieshman, for the great job she has done. Margaret is also the mother of Mr. Ian Lieshman, who recently graduated from the Marine program, and is now a captain on the Merv Hardie Ferry. I am glad to see that all her support and dedication is paying off.

Congratulations to the graduates from Enterprise: Melinda Mercredi, from management studies; Brett Clarke, from first year mechanics; and Lianna Clarke, from grade 12.

History has been made by the following two students, and they have received a lot of publicity. I would like to congratulate the Kakisa Lake students, Melanie Simba and Jennifer Simba. These two students received all of their education in the community of Kakisa and are the first to graduate from the new school that was recently constructed there.

I would also like to congratulate Lory Fabian from the Hay River Reserve, who completed her first year at Fairview College where she took a transitional vocational program.

Mr. Speaker, all of these graduates have generated a great deal of pride in their respective communities. These graduates have demonstrated to their communities that receiving their diploma is something special and achievable. Mr. Speaker, the people of the Deh Cho are very proud of all of these graduates, and we wish them much success. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today is on the issue of energy strategy in the Northwest Territories. Energy requirements and environmental concerns are issues which impact us daily, in ways such as the significant increase in gasoline and home heating fuel costs that we are now experiencing. We are also undergoing significantly warmer temperatures that have an impact on both the human and wildlife populations of the Northwest Territories.

It is too bad, Mr. Speaker, that generally, the population, especially in the Americas, is not interested in changing its consumptive lifestyle to any significant degree. We will suffer the negative environmental impacts of lifestyles and developments well beyond our borders. From an environmental perspective, we do not feel the negative impacts of development until many years in the future.

Our own experience is evidenced by the environmental legacy here in our own backyard, Mr. Speaker, Giant Mine and other environmental problems. Global warming is an undisputable fact, evident in the significant temperature increase and thinning of the polar ice pack.

However, we have evidence, Mr. Speaker, that we can make a difference. The Minister responsible for the Power Corporation has drawn to our attention the Corporation's improvement in its environmental record. A major achievement was the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of almost 14 percent from 1990 levels.

These reductions have been achieved through hydro development, more efficient diesel use, natural gas and wind energy use. These measures have resulted in a reduction of our diesel fuel consumption of more than 50 percent in the past five years. I applaud these efforts by the Corporation and the government.

Forecasted economic growth in the mining and oil and gas sectors presents additional opportunities to make a difference. Our efforts at energy conservation and environmental protection may be insignificant in a global context, but we should demonstrate leadership in the Northwest Territories.

In conjunction with the opportunities before us, Mr. Speaker, attention must be paid to environmental concerns and responsibilities, and we can press this point. We need a clear, integrated policy with regard to energy development and management so that our children are not paying for our economic and environmental mistakes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have concerns with the money that has lapsed in the area of training for the public service. The area I have concerns with is the teachers in our communities. Many aboriginal and northern teachers have gone through the TEP program, where they have taught in our classrooms for several years and are still making a career of it.

Now, the government demands that these teachers have to go and get their bachelor's degree in education, or even their masters, for them to be able to continue their pursuit of teaching in our classrooms. Yet when it comes to allowing the teachers to take education leave and giving them the opportunity to upgrade by going to university in southern Canada to get this degree, there seems to be a lack of resources. Also, there is a lack of dollars to allow these teachers to continue their education and advance themselves so they can obtain the tools to make them more ready to deal with the changing technology and programs we have in the North.

I have had concerns raised by constituents in Aklavik and Fort McPherson where teachers have asked for education leave and been turned down on the argument that there is not enough money in the system to allow them to do it. They are getting frustrated, feeling they are challenged with teaching in the classroom without assistance for the required additional education. They will not meet the requirement of this government which is that teachers have to have either a bachelor's or maste'rs degree in education to allow them to continue to teach in the North.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister responsible questions on this matter to see exactly why there is a lack of resources and dollars for teachers to continue their education and continue to live in our communities. To make a career of education, without worrying about the lack of money for training to better themselves to teach our students. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to talk today about the transition from the old Student Financial Assistance Program to the new Student Financial Assistance Program. Yesterday in committee of the whole, we made various points to the Minister to let him know we were very concerned that students who were currently in the system were not being extended the same benefits as someone just coming into the system. We see this as a major oversight.

The department has cited a simple lack of money, and said it would be too costly, too expensive, to allow these students to receive the same benefits that new students are getting. They suggested it would cost us anywhere from $1 million to $1.5 million this year to allow the 200 students whose benefits ran out and were in school last semester to continue.

This is only 200 students, Mr. Speaker, out of a total of 1200 who were in school last semester. I would also like to suggest that most of these students would not be able to go back to school, and are perfectly happy and employed now. I do not really think we are talking about $1 million to $1.5 million.

Also, given the fact that last year, the department lapsed $900,000 in student financial assistance, I do not see this million or half million dollars as being an onerous or an exorbitant amount of money to expect the department to be able to come up with. The department explained that this $900,000 lapse was due to 80 students, give or take, up or down, in enrolments.

Mr. Speaker, I think one of the important things to realize is that we are asking that the students in the system be extended additional semesters so that they can get their masters level, or go on to become doctors and lawyers, professions we desperately need northern people to be trained for.

It seems to me that the people who are already in the system and have proven successful in getting some level of education are our best bets for higher levels of training. Mr. Speaker, I would suggest to this government that they can pay now for student financial assistance, or pay later down the road and continue to import the talent we need here in the Northwest Territories. I believe it is their choice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start today by speaking on the issue of youth. As I do that, I would like to send greetings back to my wife and children.

Mr. Speaker, youth in the Northwest Territories have proven to be very resilient in the issues that they have to deal with day to day. At this time of year, they are looking forward to the last days of school. I know in Inuvik, the schools are out on the 29th of this month, tomorrow. They are looking forward to spending time with families and friends out in the camps in the Delta, as well as some travelling south on holidays.

Mr. Speaker, we in government have spoken a great deal to youth in the Northwest Territories. I think this year, we have shown that we have done some positive things by putting more money into the budget of Education, Culture and Employment. We have heard a number of times that to have a positive impact on our youth and children of the Northwest Territories, we have to start at a young age.

I would like to raise the issue a little higher here, more than speaking of what we need to do, but to speak of what we are doing, Mr. Speaker. We can say we are putting more money towards something, but if it is not in a controlled manner with expected outcomes, are we truly doing the youth a service in the Northwest Territories?

They are the largest part of our population, and growing from 15 and under in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. We need to pay more attention to what their needs are and hear from them. We have heard a number of times in this House the Minister responsible for Youth speak to the issue and travelling to many of the communities to hear their concerns. Hopefully, from all of this, we will hear at some point some recommendations going to other Ministers in this government as to what they can do within their budgets and controls to try to bring more success and results to the youth of the Northwest Territories.

With that, I will be following up with questions to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment later on. Thank you.

-- Applause

Merci, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is indeed a pleasure to follow up to my colleague for Inuvik Boot Lake. I wish to extend my appreciation and formally recognize a number of women volunteers across the Northwest Territories who have spent countless volunteer hours every week serving as Girl Guide Leaders. These individuals serve as guide leaders for Sparks, Brownies, Guides and Pathfinders.

Throughout the North, young girls and women are once again preparing for summer camp experiences, which marks the end of the guiding year for members of the NWT Girl Guide movement. Membership across the Northwest Territories includes almost 1,000 girls and women ranging from the age of 5 years old to adults. There are active guiding units in 14 communities throughout the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the Girl Guides in the NWT are fortunate to have a corps of dedicated volunteers who ensure that all girls take part in healthy, educational and fun activities. I am honoured to recognize a number of women volunteers from the town of Inuvik: Juanita Bourque, who is the district commissioner; Mary Beckett, who is treasurer; Lillian Hvatum, a Brownies leader; VaI Robertson, a Brownies Leader; Greta Sittichinli, a Brownies leader; and Sandy Nikiforuk, a Sparks leader. I wish to thank each of them for all the time and effort they personally committed to make Girl Guides a success in the town of lnuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Congratulations to all who were named. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Michael Miltenberger on June 26, 2000, regarding student financial assistance payment options.

The department deposits funds in the bank accounts that students specify they are using for the school year. We electronically deposit the funds into student bank accounts using the major banking institutions located in the Northwest Territories, including the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, the Royal Bank, the Bank of Montreal, the Toronto-Dominion Bank and the Bank of Nova Scotia. The capacity to link with smaller financial institutions such as trust companies is not yet available.

Students who do not have accounts with the five major institutions which I have named are advised to open an account with one of those institutions to facilitate the ease of electronic transfer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two returns.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Nitah, MLA for Tu Nedhe, on June 22, 2000, regarding whether public service career training dollars that lapsed in the past fiscal year would be used to develop aboriginal people in management.

Funding from the previous fiscal year is no longer available. However, the government is committed to increasing the representation of Northerners, including aboriginal people, in the public service including management positions. As part of that commitment, departments will ensure that funds available for training and support of affirmative action initiatives are used for that purpose.

Mr. Speaker, my second return is to an oral question asked by Mr. Roland, MLA for Boot Lake, on June 22, 2000, regarding information on the staffing appeals process.

An unsuccessful job candidate who is:

(a) eligible for priority consideration under the Affirmative Action Policy; or

(b) an employee of the Government of the Northwest Territories;

and has applied on a position included in the Union of Northern Workers bargaining unit, is able to appeal the results of the competition.

Appeals are heard by a joint committee consisting of a government representative, a Union of Northern Workers representative and an independent chairperson. The decision of the appeals committee is final. There is no further step in the appeals process.

When the appeal is completed, a copy of the Staffing Appeal Committee Report is sent to labour relations and compensation in the Financial Management Board Secretariat. In reviewing the appeal package, if labour relations and compensation identifies issues that need to be addressed to improve the staffing or the appeals process, this will be identified in writing to the executive director, corporate human resources.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 4, returns to oral questions. 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 someone I had the opportunity of working with back in the early 1980s, when I first became involved in aboriginal politics, Mrs. Cece McCauley, who was the chief at the time in Inuvik, who is now an honourary chief for the band in Inuvik. It gives me great pleasure to recognize Cece McCauley. Welcome.

-- Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too, on behalf of the MLA for Sahtu, and being a former resident of Inuvik, would like to recognize a privileged guest here this afternoon, Cece McCauley. Welcome.

-- Applause

Welcome. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent, Mr. Bill Burles. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Colleagues, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a very special guest in the gallery, Mrs. Speaker, my wife, Elaine.

-- Applause

Everyone else who has taken the time to visit us, I thank you and bienvenue to the Legislative Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.

Last Friday during committee of the whole, Mr. Krutko questioned the Minister about the BIP and the Northern Manufacturer's directive. The Minister confirmed the Business Incentive Policy remains in force, complete with the directive, and the departments and agencies must follow the policy. The Minister noted at the time that it was sometimes difficult to police the policy, since his department did not find out about infractions until after the fact sometimes.

My question for the Minister is will he undertake to remind all departments and agencies that they must adhere to this policy?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes I will. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that answer. Will the Minister continue with that proactive approach? Will he get his department to embark on a process to let all departments and agencies know how to interpret the policy and the directive?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, there is a committee of deputy ministers that is responsible for providing direction to the policy and the implementation of it, reviewing any issues where there is conflict. Through that committee, every department continues to get advice on how to interpret it. If there are problems, then we want to deal with them. I will ensure that the chair of that committee is notified. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for that positive response. Mr. Speaker, during the review of the Business Incentive Policy scheduled for later this year, will the Minister commit to involve stakeholders like the Northern Manufacturers' Association in a meaningful way during the review process?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I have had a number of inquiries from interested stakeholders. We intend to make this a very collaborative approach with all of the stakeholders. We will certainly involve them in the steering committee, or if we cannot do that, at least ensure we have thorough consultation with them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question relates to my statement regarding what a teacher who wants to improve their skills has to do to further their education.

I have had complaints from teachers in my riding who have applied several times to get leave so they can go back to school and get their bachelor's degrees.

Can the Minister tell me what funding is available for teachers who want to improve themselves by going back to school to get their degrees in education?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I may have to take this question as notice. I am not familiar with the process or with the particular case the Member has raised. Thank you.

May I just seek clarification, Mr. Ootes? Are you taking it as notice? You said you may have to, but are you?

I take the question as notice. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. The Minister has taken that question as notice. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the departments are very aware of the commitment that we have made and continue to make. At this time, I am waiting for an opportunity to meet with the Ordinary Members to discuss the whole issue of regional reorganization, regional capacity building. Following that direction and advice from the Members, we will undertake the exercise.

Up to this point, nothing formal has been done. Departments are very aware of it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this point, when the budget documents refer to North Slave, it is talking about the whole of the government's North Slave area, which includes the Dogrib area as well as Yellowknife and so on. Generally, that is the way the departments are operating. There is some variance between departments.

The suggestion the Member is making is a good one, and one I think we could look at as we do the review of regions and organizations, capacity building and so on. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services. Yesterday in this House, as we talked about trying to get funding for an aboriginal nurse to get her bachelor of education, she indicated she is not certain about what kind of latitude a Minister has to reprofile and reallocate funds.

Having had quite a few hours to research this issue, and using the free-wheeling style of the Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, in his budget, he presented Ministers with the ability to move and mix and match funding. Could the Minister indicate whether she now is clear on the authority she has? Would she have the authority to reallocate the paltry thousands of dollars that are required to send this nurse to school? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. I sensed two questions there. The Minister may answer whichever one she chooses. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department has budgeted $80,000 per year for education leave for health care professionals. During this fiscal year, the department actually overspent this by $25,000. This happened because there was a total of five employees who obtained education leave, all of whom are returning students. It is difficult when we provide funding and students start back to school, not to be able to continue once they get there. There was a need for additional resources.

Employees within the department and the boards who are unsuccessful in obtaining education leave are granted preference on the next round of consideration for education leave. Funding for this program during the fiscal year has been committed. We cannot go back on the commitment we have already made to students.

Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, I agree in principle with the Member's concern that we could not accommodate his constituent. However, Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that Ministers proceed with caution and we do not make hasty, ad-hoc decisions without all of the relevant and pertinent information we need to do that. We have to consider fairness. We have to consider how many other people have applied for this.

When applications are assessed, there are many different criteria which are taken into consideration. That is why I told Mr. Miltenberger I would look into the prospects of additional funding. I did take the initiative, as he mentioned, to contact his constituent directly, who had previously written to me, and encouraged her to be patient and thank her for her interest in pursuing her education and reinvesting that in the North. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister for that response. Unfortunately, it had nothing to do with the question. The question was is the Minister now clear on what kind of authority she has to reallocate and reprofile funds as a Minister within her department with a $175 million budget? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Miltenberger keeps referring to the Minister's ability to reallocate funds. He also keeps referring to this funding that was lapsed. He may also know, having been a Minister once, that it is the Minister's responsibility to ensure the overall parameters of the budget are not overspent. Although it is possible to transfer and reallocate money from one activity to another, although it may appear at times there are funds lapsed in one activity, the responsible thing is to look at the overall spending in the entire budget of the department to make sure we are within the confines of that.

Having said that, Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate Mr. Miltenberger's encouragement and permission as the chairman on the Standing Committee on Social Programs, to grant me the latitude to make these kinds of decisions for a $250,000 transfer in my department without any consultation. I thank him for that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. I would just caution Ministers about referencing previous positions of Members. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if the Minister considers that permission, it would probably be the first time Cabinet has ever considered the need to get permission to move bags of money as they look after their various ministries.

Mr. Speaker, the question to the Minister is how does the retention program to keep northern nurses tie into sending nurses out to get upgraded? Are you telling me they are mutually exclusive and never the twain shall meet?

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. I think the question was how does this tie in with your program. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I did have difficulty understanding Mr. Miltenberger's question. I think he is talking about our department's commitment to sending nurses out to extend and expand on the skills they already have, and coming back and working for us again.

Mr. Speaker, the education leave is not the only resource available to employees who wish to upgrade their training. There are many other programs and sources of funding as well. When I spoke to Mr. Miltenberger's constituent today, I did commit to send out information and application forms for other types of funding. I am happy to announce today, Mr. Speaker, that we also have a new program within the department, which has an allocation of $70,000 for employees who wish to receive financial support to increase their training. It is called the Northwest Territories Professional Upgrading Assistance for Health and Social Services Workers. It is somewhat different than education leave, but I do have application forms here. This is one more initiative our department has taken to assist our employees in increasing their education. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is clearly a demonstration of government at its best. You have an oversubscribed program with no money, and you create a new one instead of adequately funding the one you have. What is the relationship, once again, of the Retention and Recruitment Program to the Education Leave Program? Both have the same focus, to retain northern staff and northern nurses. What is the relationship?

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, education leave is something that has been available prior to us getting into our difficulties with our shortages here in the Northwest Territories. As the Member can appreciate, there are only certain fundings available under different programs.

I have committed to him, and I will commit again today, I will evaluate the necessity and the subscription and the uptake on the education leave program to determine if we need to add additional dollars. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine. It is in relation to the statement that was made on Monday regarding Treaty 11 Council advertising.

For three decades, Mr. Speaker, the issue of land claims has been pursued vigorously. This government will soon have seven different negotiating tables. We are dedicating significant resources for it, but yet it remains elusive.

The Minister, in his statement, indicated the goal of the GNWT and Cabinet, and I quote: "The GNWT and Cabinet are committed to negotiating self-government agreements that can be successfully implemented." My question, Mr. Speaker, is what are the criteria the GNWT and Cabinet would consider be required for a successfully implemented land claim? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is a very extensive list. In trying to achieve all of these, is it the objective of the government to indeed have an extreme level of detail in these plans, or is it more to look at the structure and the framework for how each of these areas would be tackled in later negotiations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, detail, as we find in our work in this Assembly, is a critical factor, in the realm of land claim negotiations. If the Minister could give us a sense, are we delving into too much detail at these tables? Is the detail factor a potential cause of the most recent frustration at the Dogrib table? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment launched a document called Towards 2010, A Strategic Plan for Education, Culture and Employment. They then followed up with a strategic plan update.

Mr. Speaker, in the Finance Minister's budget speech, he talks about investing in our youngest residents, so we can ensure that our children begin the school year ready to learn. There are a number of other areas discussed about a well-educated population.

What I would like to know from the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, is how does the strategic plan update fit into the plans of the 14th Assembly and the document Towards a Better Tomorrow? Or are we going to see another update to the update? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department has a number of programs that it is responsible for. As well, it has a number of areas it is working on. The Working Together Program is a $1 million program to employ youth in the Territories and provide subsidies for employers. There are other programs that are available, like the Schools North Apprenticeship Program, Certified Occupational Training, and post-secondary support through the Student Financial Assistance Program.

Ongoing development is there for career and labour market information. There are handbooks such as Youth First and Give Youth a Chance and Career Scapes, which is an annual youth publication.

On the national scale, Mr. Speaker, there is also an effort to try and coordinate with the federal Ministers. There is a forum of labour market Ministers and western Premiers where there are ongoing efforts to enhance the employment situation for youth. There is a best practices document on youth being produced.

Those are all particular thrusts that the department is involved in. To address another area, and that is the coordination between departments and the interest, there is a thrust by the department to ensure that there is collaboration with other departments, specifically in the social envelope, Mr. Speaker. The social envelope departments are working towards the development of a youth planning document, which will set the direction and determine priorities for youth. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister inform us if, in fact, this new planning document that he just spoke of will have some measurable results and goals in there? Will we actually see something accomplished? A percentage of higher graduates by 2003, something of that nature, rather than just putting out another document that says "yes, we need to do more with our youth." Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the messages that the Members are speaking of on an ongoing basis is achievement levels and measurable accomplishments. I take the Member's comments very seriously, as that too is our area of concern, to ensure that we have improvements in our graduation rates for students, that we improve the programs available within the limitations, of course, that we have with our resources.

It is important for us to continually address this whole area. I hope to be able to refine this whole area over the next short while. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has not informed me if there are some results we are going to hold that he wants to improve on. I have seen a lot of that in my time so far as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

At least with this new area in which they are doing work, are there going to be some solid results that we can look to and say that we have achieved? That the Minister can stand up and say he has achieved as the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment during his tenure? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes. As I said, we are working towards the development of a youth planning document, and I think in that we can identify the programs that are in existence, and start to put figures as to what our goals and objectives are on that. Also, what our accomplishments are expected to be in that area. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Final supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe the Minister can clarify for me. He is speaking of this planning that is being done, but we have heard earlier from the Minister himself and the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services that the agenda for children and youth is done. Is that the case? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department is working in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Services on an early childhood development program. That is a strategy that we are working on. We hope to have that together in the next several months. I believe that is the one that the Member may be referring to. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Minister Antoine. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.