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.

Mr. Speaker, I have to ask, are inspections being conducted in accordance with current legislation and policies? Should we have inspections undertaken by third parties who are then held accountable?

We are all aware of the important contribution made by this government to assist the people of the Northwest Territories to become homeowners. We are aware that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's reputation is highly regarded in the field of public housing delivery and construction. For this, we should be proud.

However, Mr. Speaker, the homeowners are trusting the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's experience in housing construction and delivery to ensure their homes are built in a timely manner and to a standard that any of us would expect of our home. Mr. Speaker, this trust has not been misplaced or lost but must be maintained through the continued delivery of superior service to each and every homeowner receiving service from the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the course of the summer, I am sure that all Ministers and many Members of the Assembly took the opportunity to attend the general assemblies of the First Nations across the Northwest Territories. I wanted to tell the Assembly a bit about one of those visits that I and my daughter Carmen were privileged to make to Tulita early in July to the Annual Assembly of the Dene Nation of the Northwest Territories.

This was a memorable and an adventurous trip for us, Mr. Speaker, because we were able to make the trip, at least partly, in the traditional way, on the big river, the Deh Cho, the Mighty Mackenzie, along with a number of other boats, primarily with members of the Dogrib Nation. I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Lafferty, for making room for Carmen and I on his craft as we made our way up in the journey from Fort Simpson to Tulita.

We were led most ably and safely by Chief Joe Rabesca. I think there were seven to nine boats in our flotilla at various times. As I said, it is an adventure that my daughter and I will not forget. It gave us a new respect for that river, for the land and most importantly, Mr. Speaker, for the people who have lived on it for generations.

We arrived in Tulita safely and in sunshine with a traditional volley of gunfire from the boats. The whole community and assembly came down to greet us. We learned some new skills. I, for instance, learned the Dene way, or the proper way, to put up a tent and keep dry. Unfortunately, I learned it a day too late but that is my problem. We enjoyed immensely the traditional and cultural events of the assembly, the drum dancing, the stick gambling. We saw for the first time a fire ceremony, a very moving part of the culture.

The hospitality, Mr. Speaker, of the Dogrib people on our trip and of Grand Chief Bill Erasmus at the assembly was very, very much appreciated and has given us a new respect for these people. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I for one would like to know, along with the family of the late Effie Blake, exactly what this government has done in regard to her death. Her death was uncalled for. It was a curable disease and she should be here with us today. Due to the circumstances, she died of a disease, which is curable: tuberculosis.

Mr. Speaker, there has been a public inquiry. There has also been a report by the chief health officer in regard to a pending report. There were some 26 recommendations in that report regarding how to deal with tuberculosis from training to detection and working along with the people and the community affected.

Mr. Speaker, this disease has not only affected the family of Effie Blake, but also the community of Fort McPherson, friends and loved ones who feel like I do, that this cannot be for naught. Something has to come forth through these recommendations and it has to be meaningful. There has to be something done so that this never happens again to an individual in the Northwest Territories -- dying of a communicable disease which is curable by simply taking a tablet.

Myself, along with the family who sat through the whole public inquiry, which took place in Inuvik, in which, if nothing is done to ensure that those recommendations are acted on by this government, it will all be for naught. I do not believe that that is what the family wants to see.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has the highest rate of tuberculosis in Canada. That fact alone should tell this government that we have something very wrong with our system in having such high statistics. We have to do more to ensure that, not only for myself but for the family, what comes out of this will be acted upon. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister questions on this matter later.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to raise awareness of a very important non-profit organization that indeed has representation across the entire Northwest Territories. The organization is the NWT Literacy Council which, Mr. Speaker, was founded in 1989.

Each region of the Territories is represented on their board and their goals are to promote and support literacy in all the officials languages of the Northwest Territories. Funding by the council is provided by the National Literacy Secretariat, the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment and also through corporate donations and membership dues, Mr. Speaker.

Every year, the council highlights the importance of literacy by hosting an NWT Literacy Week. This year it was September 29 to October 5, and this was the week in which literacy was highlighted and reading was promoted across the NWT. In advance of this week, Mr. Speaker, the council distributes a kit to all schools, literacy programs, learning centres, early childhood and family support programs, libraries, friendship centres, community health and various other community groups. The purpose of the kit is to get people involved in reading and to raise the awareness of the importance of literacy.

This week, as part of Literacy Week, I was invited to actually read to a class at Ecole St. Joseph in Yellowknife. It was a kindergarten class and I read them a story and then opened up the floor for questions. They had a lot of relevant questions like, for instance, was I allergic to cats? Even though the story was not about cats, it was so interesting that it very much engaged the young men and women.

Other functions of the council include assisting communities to develop local literacy projects, developing and providing necessary resources and programs to literacy and community workers. Mr. Speaker, they also monitor and report on various federal and territorial literacy policies, as well as encouraging reading and writing for people of all ages.

In addition to public awareness events such as the week they sponsor, other public events include writing contests, presentations to the government, businesses, labour and the public on literacy. They also host literacy conferences and provide literacy information throughout the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, they play an instrumental role in our lives in promoting and enhancing the level of literacy in the Territories. I would like to congratulate them on the progress they have made since 1989 and wish them every success in the future. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak about the self-government process that has been ongoing in the Beaufort-Delta region.

As one of the updates we were given by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs pointed out recently, the negotiation process in the Beaufort-Delta has come to what we call the agreement-in-principle stage, where initialling was to occur by all the parties involved. I think it is time that, with this process and as it starts to evolve from here, we start to try to inform our constituents a little more -- in my case, the residents of Inuvik and Inuvik Boot Lake.

I know that the negotiators and those staff working in the community for the self-government process, that is a combined public and self-government process, have been very busy and trying to make sure they meet the time lines that they have established. It has been very difficult at times, but I think there is an opportunity where we can raise more awareness so that our own constituents can be aware. Sometimes when things are so busy in a community, we can often forget and not make the different meetings, public hearings and scheduled meetings that are set up to make ourselves aware of that process.

Later on in question period, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs to try to bring more of this information to light. Thank you.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to briefly talk about an example of inter-jurisdictional cooperation; cooperation between the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Alberta government, the Town of Fort Smith and some recreational user groups.

Mr. Speaker, Fort Smith is on the banks of the Slave River, very close to the Alberta border. On the Alberta side of the border, we have what I think are some world-class facilities. We have rapids that people from all over the world come to paddle with their kayaks. We have a ski biathlon range that is very near national standards and, of course, our very own nine-hole golf course -- not quite up to St. Andrews, but we are working on it.

Mr. Speaker, a number of months ago, the people of Fort Smith, the user groups, myself and the town, approached Minister Allen and the Alberta government about the possibility of a partnership to further develop the resources that we already have in that part of the country.

The response from Municipal and Community Affairs has been excellent. The Minister from Alberta sent in some senior officials. We have had numerous meetings. We now have a consultant underway pulling together a discussion paper that will lay out, I think and I hope, the plans for what would be a multi-use facility used by Alberta and the Northwest Territories in the community.

Mr. Speaker, this is a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate how we can work together as a community with other levels of government, with Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

We have, for example, an opportunity with the Arctic Winter Games coming up in Fort McMurray, with a small investment from Alberta, to further develop this key biathlon range so that it can be used as part of the Arctic Winter Games in 2004, Mr. Speaker.

We have seen other jurisdictions like Greenland and Iqaluit, where they are splitting the Arctic Winter Games. This would save the Alberta government a significant amount of money and would leave Alberta with a legacy of a world-class facility.

I would like to thank the people of Fort Smith, the user groups who have put in the hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours over the years, the Minister and his department, Municipal and Community Affairs, and the Alberta government for all the support they have provided to help move this project along. It is going to be one we all benefit from. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to tell you about an old institution in the town of Inuvik in Inuvik Twin Lakes. Construction of this building began in 1974 and was completed in 1976. For the benefit of those who do not know, approximately 1,020 white spruce logs were rafted down the river from the Mackenzie River Valley area in Fort Simpson. Many Inuvik citizens were involved in the development of this building. This old building continues to bare the name of the Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre.

Mr. Speaker, for 25 years, Ingamo Hall has been providing social, cultural and recreational needs through a variety of programs and services to the elders and to the youth of Inuvik. The prime example of this service is that every second Thursday of the month, Ingamo Hall hosts an elders' luncheon where the youth assist in serving the food to the elders.

Ingamo Hall has organized and hosted elders' social gatherings. The Ingamo Hall Youth Group has been actively involved in providing awareness regarding community issues such as participating in Take Back the Night walks, a candle vigil. They also hosted the AIDS Awareness Walk. The youth group has accumulated many volunteer hours by assisting in a variety of activities held at this wonderful hall.

The Ingamo Hall offers cultural programming activities such as drum dancing, beading, sewing, traditional cooking and Arctic sports to the residents and visitors to Inuvik. Not to leave out perhaps the most favourite activity open to all residents of Inuvik, the regular Tuesday night bingo. This Saturday, October 27th, Ingamo Hall is celebrating their 25th anniversary and invites everyone to join them.

Mr. Speaker, Ingamo Hall is an old building, an old log building but yet is full of life. Its structure is strong and will last a long time and so will the services to the people of Inuvik.

I wish to applaud the efforts of the staff and volunteers, past and present, of Ingamo Hall. Without the dedication of the board and their staff, these programs and services will not exist. Ingamo Hall has improved the way of life for Inuvik residents and I wish, on behalf of myself and my colleagues, further success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, in particular in Tuktoyaktuk, I wish to take this opportunity to welcome Cal Mains as the Deputy Commissioner. He is well remembered in Tuktoyaktuk from the years back when he was serving as a police officer. I am sure many of my people remember him as a person who supplied the very efficient police services at a very critical time. There were not that many police officers there at the time with him.

I know people in my community will remember him for many years to come as a long, tall, skinny fellow walking down the street with a mean-looking look on his face, but nevertheless, he served us very well. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 3, Members' statements. Are there any other Members' statements? Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Rob Tordiff, president of the South Slave Metis Council. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I think you stole Mr. Miltenberger's thunder. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, the Executive is picking on Regular Members in one of our few opportunities to recognize our own constituents.

-- Laughter

-- Applause

Mr. Speaker, I as well would like to welcome and have the honour to acknowledge and recognize Mr. Rob Tordiff and his wife, Sylvie. Two fine constituents and members of a very important organization.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, for the second day, I would like to welcome Mr. John Dixon, a constituent of ours. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize someone with many hats, the deputy mayor of Fort McPherson, Mr. James Andre. Welcome, James.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome a constituent, Mr. Malcolm MacPhail.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the relationship between Municipal and Community Affairs and Transportation in regard to airport fire-fighting services in small communities is through the emergency response plan that is established for the community. It is through that process that we identify what is needed at the particular airports and who would respond to what.

The development of the plan is the responsibility of a number of groups, including the communities, MACA, the Department of Transportation, as well as the emergency measures officer.

Thank you, Minister Steen. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. You are getting all of your supplementaries in at one time. There were three questions there. The Minister may choose to answer whichever one he wants. Minister Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think I can roll all the questions into one answer. As to who decides what equipment is needed at these airports, first of all, Transport Canada sets the regulations for all firefighting. In this particular small community airport, the emergency response plan would identify what is needed. Transportation only comes into play and takes responsibility if the accident actually happens within the airport property. If it is outside the airport boundaries, then it falls under Transport Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Mr. Nitah, I will just ask you to clarify your question because you did not quite ask a question. Could you just ask a specific supplementary question?

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I understand the Member's question. If Transportation does not have the equipment themselves on the particular airport, we then have a contract with private companies or the communities that supply that equipment. I think what the Member is getting at is if Transportation does not have the equipment, then who does? Well, part of the emergency response plan would identify who would do what if an accident happened. That is the whole part of this planning process. The emergency response plan of the community would identify which equipment would be available and what action would be taken by which department.

Transportation, if we have our equipment available or if we are using contractor equipment, we would do whatever is necessary to remove the aircraft that is damaged to allow the airport to operate again. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Steen. Final supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will attempt to do that for the Member. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, over the last couple of years, I have been raising the issue of housing in this House a number of times and today I want to come from a slightly different angle. I want to talk about housing and inspections and how those contracts are handled.

I want to ask the Minister of Housing, with the people who do inspect the houses and homes for quality and following the code, I want to know what qualifications they need to have to become inspectors. Are they certified inspectors? Do they have to have a set of qualifications to become inspectors?

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a highly technical question. I am prepared to give a brief answer. Yes, under our hiring practice, we look for people who have the necessary expertise and certification. I could perhaps provide a more substantial answer to that later on. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Do you have a supplementary, Mr. McLeod? He did not take it as notice, so you can ask a question.

Mr. Speaker, it is not clear by his answer whether the inspectors need to be certified. However, I would like to ask if there is a policy in place that holds the contractors accountable and responsible for substandard workmanship or construction that falls behind schedule. What is the policy in place for that?

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am aware that there is a policy in place. This policy again is consistent with the government-wide policy. If workmanship is not complete, there is no payment. There is also, I think, a policy where there are certain levels of holdbacks. I believe that is in place at the moment. Thank you.

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

Thank you. I would like to ask the Minister if there is a process in place to ensure the contractors are qualified to undertake the construction of new homes or repairs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there is a government-wide policy that requires all contractors to meet certain conditions. We have been working on trying to improve the policy to ensure that those contractors are fulfilling their obligations. We will continue to work to improve that policy and continue to enforce it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if he could tell us if there is a problem in this area of inspections and quality of workmanship and if that is an area that is on an increase or decrease.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen. It is a difficult question to answer, but you can if you wish.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to speak perhaps on a technical side of things. Yes, indeed we do intermittent or periodic inspections conducted by our senior staff in the field. They are the ones who submit approvals for payment. We will ensure that there is follow-up to this question and reply back to the Member. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health in regard to my Member's statement on the activity that has taken place over the last year or so with the public inquiry and the finding of a committee, which was established through this department in response to the Fanning report.

In the report, they make some 26 recommendations on how this government can take action, immediate action, in trying to find ways of avoiding situations such as the incident with Ms. Blake.

I would like to ask the Minister what this department has done regarding these 26 recommendations and when are they going to be acted upon through a policy, decision or some sort of amendment to the Health Act?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The question will be directed to the Acting Minister of Health, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me, has the department done anything in regard to the public inquiry itself through those recommendations? You touched on the Fanning report recommendations, which are the 26 recommendations that were made. Those ones have time lines, but there were also recommendations made through the public inquiry that was held in Inuvik. I would like to ask the Minister, has the department followed up on those recommendations?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The acting Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the issue of the Minister, knowing he is new to the job. I think it is important that we move on this issue, so with that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister to ensure that he is able to respond back, hopefully prior to the adjournment of this House, not only to myself but to the family affected, so we can see that there has been something done in the way of movement on these issues and that the recommendations are being acted upon.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The acting Minister, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe the Minister mentioned several areas: monitoring, training, ensuring there are case files in place to follow the different members and also awareness. I believe, Mr. Speaker, a slogan without action is just a slogan. I think we need action on this one. I would like to ensure from the Minister that action is being taken and that we do more than just mention what they are looking at but see exactly what they are doing to ensure that these things are being carried out.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question at this time is directed to the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I talked about the Beaufort-Delta self-government process and the fact that they are at the agreement-in-principle stage and the initialling, I believe. I would like to get an update from the Minister at this time as to what has transpired since the last update from Aboriginal Affairs. Thank you.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for that information. Is he aware that the other parties have also initialled it off? Thank you.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister inform us to what process will be put in place from this point forward and who would have responsibility in the sense of informing the residents of the Beaufort-Delta region as to what is going to take place from this point forward? Thank you.

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