Thank you, Mr. Braden. Please be seated. Good afternoon, Members. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the events of the last 48 hours have caused me to consider my options as a Premier. Yesterday, I heard from Members who I believe expressed confidence in myself and my administration. I also heard from Members who presented me with an ultimatum to act as they wish or to face the consequences of a motion of non-confidence.

Mr. Speaker, under these circumstances, I feel it necessary to consider the conditions that I will face if I stay as Premier. Will I have the support necessary from the solid majority of Members in this House to do the work for a better future for our Territory and our people? Do I have the support of my Cabinet and how will they vote if it was a secret ballot? If I stay on as Premier, will the tension between myself and some Members continue unabated until my term is completed? Can I come to work every day and give my best personal efforts?

Mr. Speaker, I want to do what is best for the Territory, our constituents and our government. If this means that I should resign as Premier, then that is what I should be prepared to do.

I want Members and the people of the Territory to know that this is what is on my mind now. I will consult with the people out in the public, in the communities and I will be asking Members in this House as well individually. I will make a decision on Monday. Thank you very much.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Premier. That, colleagues, was an emergency statement by the honourable Member for the Sahtu, our Premier. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during our debate yesterday on the report of the Special Committee on Conflict Resolution, I made remarks respecting communications director April Taylor.

My remarks concerned the credibility of her testimony and the nature of disciplinary action resulting from her participation in the events of March 26. I should have known better than to make these kinds of remarks about a public servant who could not defend herself in the House.

Mr. Speaker, during her term as communications director in my office, Ms. Taylor has provided outstanding service to me and Cabinet. I regret if my remarks respecting Ms. Taylor's appearance before the committee may have left the impression that I do not support her. I continue to have confidence in Ms. Taylor.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that effective 5:00 p.m. on October 24, 2001, the Honourable Jim Antoine has been appointed to the following portfolios:

• • Minister of Health and Social Services
• • Minister responsible for the Status of Women
• • Minister responsible for Seniors
• • Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Justice, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Minister Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories, through strategic investment, must take the lead in enhancing literacy levels in the NWT. Equally essential to the success of a territorial-wide literacy effort is a network of partners who are willing to work with government and each other to deliver literacy programs.

These strategic partnerships will help us realize our goal of a territory where all people participate fully as citizens and value literacy as a life-long learning process necessary for personal, social, political and economic development.

Mr. Speaker, many people inside and outside government were involved in helping to develop the NWT literacy strategy. Their valuable input guides our current work and gives direction for future literacy initiatives in the NWT.

One of the most significant recommendations to come out of that public consultation was that a territorial-wide Ministerial Council on Literacy be established. The council, once established, would provide a forum for public input on literacy initiatives on an ongoing basis.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that the process of appointing the members to the Ministerial Council on Literacy is nearing completion. The council will hold its first meeting in the very near future.

The Ministerial Council on Literacy will have between eight and 10 members. Members will be selected from throughout the NWT and will be individuals with an interest and background in literacy-related issues. Membership will include, when possible, one representative from each of the following:

• • a student enrolled in adult literacy and basic education;
• • the NWT Literacy Council board of directors;
• • the Aurora College Board of Governors;
• • a non-governmental organization;
• • an official language group;
• • an aboriginal organization;
• • an employer; and
• • a public librarian.

A representative of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and one other government department will also sit on the council. In addition to ensuring the council represents a cross section of society, we will also have at least two representatives from each region sitting on the council whenever possible.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to providing a forum for input from the public, the council will review literacy issues and provide recommendations to the GNWT through myself as Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. The council will also help to ensure that information and project updates are shared with stakeholders on a regular basis.

The council will make recommendations on literacy issues across society relating to individuals, families, communities, non-governmental organizations, business, industry and governments, both territorial and federal.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank those who agree to sit as members of the Ministerial Council on Literacy. You are demonstrating your commitment to helping us realize our goal of a truly literate territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Transportation, I wish to update the Legislative Assembly on proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act to deter impaired driving in the Northwest Territories. The Department of Transportation has been working with the Department of Justice on drafting new legislative measures to deal with impaired driving in the Northwest Territories.

New provisions are required to establish an administrative process that would allow the registrar of motor vehicles to deal directly with those who endanger the lives of others when they continue to operate motor vehicles while impaired. The new measures will also require drivers who have lost their driver's licence for impaired driving to demonstrate that they have earned the privilege of driving a motor vehicle again.

The Department of Transportation is modeling the amendments on legislation enacted and tested in the courts in other Canadian jurisdictions. They will also take into account the geographical and societal factors that need consideration in the Northwest Territories. As recommended by the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development, the Department of Transportation is preparing a discussion paper on the program elements that must accompany the strictly legislative aspects of implementing the impaired driving strategy.

Mr. Speaker, for the next session of the Legislative Assembly, I expect to bring forward a complete package consisting of the impaired driving amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act as well as a rehabilitation program for impaired drivers with the financial resources to put it in place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Minister Steen. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just earlier today in the Great Hall, we had the honour of recognizing and swearing in the new Deputy Commissioner for the Northwest Territories, Mr. Cal Mains. For the record, to be preserved in Hansard, I would like to read some excerpts from the Commissioner's presentation into the record today.

Cal Mains has been in the North since 1950 when he first arrived as a young RCMP officer to serve in the community of Aklavik. He served the Northwest Territories communities of Herschel Island, Tuktoyaktuk and Fort Smith and was also posted for a time in the Yukon before retiring as NCO, staff sergeant in 1969.

At a time in the history of the North when RCMP officers were called upon to be much more than police officials, Mr. Cal Mains embraced his role not only as a peace officer but as a community leader, a teacher, a conciliator and most especially, a friend to the many people he met along the way.

Following his 19-year career with the RCMP in the North, Mr. Mains worked in Yellowknife as the deputy clerk of the Supreme Court and then moved to Hay River to work with the GNWT Department of Public Works and Services and later the magistrate court. He retired for the second time in 1987.

Mr. Mains and his wife of 48 years, Alice, have remained residents of Hay River ever since. In everything he has done, Mr. Mains has always maintained an active interest in the community and this has included during the time of his retirement. To this day, he is an active member of the Hay River Seniors Society and the Hay River legion and is a second world war veteran.

His experience and commitment to the North and dedication to public embody those qualities and traits that are common to so many Northerners and make us proud to be Northerners.

I think it is extremely appropriate that Mr. Mains will once again serve the people of the Northwest Territories when required to do so as Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. It is appropriate because serving the North and its people is something that Mr. Mains has done from his heart ever since he came to the North over 50 years ago.

It is particularly my pleasure to recognize Cal Mains today as the new Deputy Commissioner. He is a constituent of my riding in Hay River South and I was pleased to have nominated him for this position. I think he will be a very worthy Deputy Commissioner. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today on the subject of tourism. I have always been a strong promoter of the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. We have such a wondrous landscape, unique geography and natural settings. Our natural settings are second to none.

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of people hard at work in each of our communities who believe strongly in the marketing of our Northwest Territories in order to showcase us to the world. One such person who comes to mind, Mr. Speaker, is a resident of Hay River by the name of Tracey Therrien.

Mr. Speaker, Tracey is the chairperson of the Hay River Tourism Advisory Board. She has always shown a passion for her work in the tourism sector. Tracey has worked very diligently in the promotion and marketing of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the Hay River Tourism Advisory Board and the Town of Hay River have undertaken a number of ventures in the promotion of Hay River geographical and cultural assets.

Mr. Speaker, there have been a number of projects undertaken in Hay River that have served to beautify Hay River for our residents and tourists alike. Mr. Speaker, this past summer, the Fishermen's Wharf, an outdoor market, opened in Hay River. This unique tourist attraction enables people to purchase fresh fish from our fishermen right on the docks, in addition to locally made crafts and other goods. As well, the Hay River Museum Society operates the Hay River Heritage Centre. The heritage centre is an excellent showcase for Hay River's unique history.

Mr. Speaker, Hay River was host to over 2,000 tourists from around the world last year. This speaks volumes for the many volunteers who give tirelessly of themselves to make Hay River attractive to tourists from around the world.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to be attending the first annual tourism industry conference in Hay River this evening with Mr. Handley and some of my other colleagues. Mr. Speaker, this event is very important in the tourism industry and I applaud the efforts of everyone involved in this venture. I am especially pleased that the tourism industry has selected Hay River to host this conference. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the most important purchases an individual makes in his or her lifetime is the purchase of a home. Over the years, as a mayor and MLA, I have received many concerns from homeowners whose homes have been built through programs delivered through the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

The majority of these homes are constructed by independent contractors through the tendering process administered by the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. The problems brought to my attention are primarily due to shoddy workmanship, projects not being completed in a timely manner and some projects that are never 100 percent completed.

Many times, some of the homeowners, out of frustration, are forced to move into an unfinished house that has the potential for safety and health concerns. Some projects that should take four to five months are still under construction many months after the expected completion date.

Mr. Speaker, inspections for these projects are primarily the responsibility of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. The payment to the contractor is based on delivery of materials and the completion of various stages of construction. Some homeowners have indicated that when the houses are turned over to them, it is not always complete and there is work remaining. In some instances, they are never completed.

Mr. Speaker, when the contractor has received all, or nearly all, the tendered price less the required minimal hold back, there is little incentive for the contractor to finish the project. This leaves the homeowner with an unfinished and substandard home. If the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is responsible for overseeing the building of homes for a segment of people in the Northwest Territories, they should ensure that the inspections are completed in accordance with the current legislation, policies and building codes.

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, holdbacks from payments to contractors must be consistent, administered and maximized to an amount allowed by legislation that will influence the contractor to complete the project. Mr. Speaker, I ask what process is in place to ensure the contractors are qualified to undertake the construction of a new home? What process is in place to hold accountable those contractors who consistently deliver substandard workmanship or are consistently behind...

Mr. McLeod, your time has expired.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. McLeod, you may conclude.