Thank you, Madam Groenewegen. Bonjour. Déclarations de ministres. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Madam Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Honourable Jake Ootes, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and myself, I rise today to speak about the well-being and future of our youngest and most vulnerable residents -- our children.

Mr. Speaker, the health and well-being of all Northerners is a key priority for our government, as outlined in our vision in Towards a Better Tomorrow. There is a clear and distinct linkage between our social well-being and economic well-being and one cannot advance without the other. Our residents must be healthy in order to take advantage of the opportunities the North has to offer. Conversely, a vibrant northern economy requires that our people are fully engaged in and controlling its direction. In this regard, Mr. Speaker, the early childhood development initiative is a strong component in laying the groundwork for the well-being of our future adults.

The Department of Health and Social Services has been providing comprehensive health programming from preconception through infancy, early childhood and beyond. Prenatal programs, infant immunization, family supports with parenting programs, early developmental screening and even the recent introduction of progressive child and family services legislation will all contribute to life-long wellness.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment provides funding for a number of high quality, early childhood programs throughout the Northwest Territories. These programs are critical in establishing a foundation for learning. Research shows that the earlier learning enrichment begins, the better prepared a child will be for a life of learning.

Mr. Speaker, the Early Childhood Development Action Plan will address these very important issues through increased support for the coordination and integration of programming designed to give all our children the best possible start in life.

In the budget speech, Minister Handley announced an investment of $2 million a year for the next three years for our Northwest Territories early childhood development initiative.

The goal of our early childhood action plan is to ensure that every child in the Northwest Territories is born healthy, achieves optimal development in the critical early years and arrives at their first day of kindergarten ready to learn.

Mr. Speaker, we know this is an ambitious goal. However, if we truly believe that our children are our future, what better investment could we make than to ensure that they have the best possible start in life?

Our Early Childhood Development Action Plan will focus on four priority areas:

1. pregnancy, birth and infancy;
2. parenting and family supports;
3. early childhood care and learning; and
4. community supports.

Mr. Speaker, various reports tell us that far too many children are born brain-damaged from fetal alcohol syndrome and that many of the children taken into care in their early years come from families struggling with issues of addictions and abuse. That is why the action plan will include a very strong focus on prevention of FAS/FAE, as well as increased supports for early intervention and supports for parents.

During the first three years of life, children's brains grow and develop quickly. Critical learning pathways for language development and learning are established in these important early years. The third area of investment -- early childhood learning -- will build on the many established, successful early childhood development programs that are already in place in almost all communities. Language development will also be emphasized in the plan, including early speech/language remediation and opportunities for aboriginal children to get a strong grounding in their first language.

Mr. Speaker, it has been said that it takes a whole community to raise a child, and it is true that healthy communities are a key factor in healthy child development. For this reason, the fourth area of focus in the plan is community supports. This will include finding better ways to integrate programs and services to provide a comprehensive continuum of services for children's early years in every community.

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure Members that the plan will include measurable goals and performance indicators. It is vitally important that the programs and services provided to young children and their families are effective.

Information, ideas and suggestions have been received from consultations with our partners and non-government organizations, including the Northwest Territories Native Women's Association, the Status of Women's Council, the Northwest Territories Councils for Literacy and Persons with Disabilities, the YWCA and representative service providers.

Mr. Speaker, in December, Minister Ootes and I had the opportunity to meet with the Standing Committee on Social Programs on this matter. At that time, the standing committee indicated strong support for the ECD proposal and urged all the Ministers of the social envelope to champion this initiative. We would like to thank the standing committee for their support and their many valuable suggestions.

Our departments are currently completing the detailed early childhood action plan that will include the description of resource allocations, program deliverables and accountability measures.

Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Jake Ootes and I are both committed to delivering a strong, effective territorial early childhood development initiative. We also commit to keeping Members of this House informed as we move through the anticipated final approval and initial implementation steps, and we thank you for your ongoing support in this very worthwhile endeavour. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Madam Minister. Item 2, Minister's statements. Item 3, Members' Statements. Déclarations de députés. The honourable Member for the Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Members are aware, the Northwest Territories highway system consists of 2200 kilometres of all-weather roads and 1500 kilometres of ice and winter roads. The highway system also includes five ferries and the Department of Transportation is responsible for the operation, maintenance and upgrading of the Northwest Territories highway system. The department is also responsible for monitoring and counting traffic on the highway system. To do this, the department operates a series of mechanical counters and sometimes makes visual counts and surveys. I am told this information is used to set priorities and maintenance and capital funding and to monitor safety aspects of highways.

However, on the department's own information, they put a disclaimer on their published data. In 1999, only 46 percent of the potential data was usable for determining traffic volume. This performance is attributed to the age of traffic counters, breakdown of loops and improper handling.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister is well aware of the concerns of my constituents for the safety and condition of the Hay River Reserve access road. My information is that this road was developed by DIAND in the early 1960s and there has never been any major construction or reconstruction projects used to change or improve the condition of the road. Yes, the department does carry out a dust control program and some maintenance and spot repairs in an attempt to keep the road passable.

However, Mr. Speaker, you will note that I have used the word attempt because that is exactly what it is, a mere attempt by the department to make a safe, well-travelled road out of a dirt road that was never designed for today's traffic.

I have checked out the traffic flow figures and the information under reported collisions on this well-travelled access road. I am shocked at the results of my investigation. My constituents deserve better. We are talking about loss of property and lives because the department is not listening to the community. We know better than the Minister the dangers the road presents to them.

On July 7, 2000, the Minister said in a statement to this House that the maintenance and accident records of the Hay River Reserve access road speak for themselves. Mr. Speaker, I would like consent to continue my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On July 7, 2000, the Minister said in a statement to this House that the maintenance and accident records of the Hay River Reserve access road speak for themselves. Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out to the Minister that effective communication is not only about speaking, but listening. I have to say it just depends on who is doing the listening. I hope the Minister will be listening later today when I have questions on this very serious situation. I can assure the Minister my constituents will be listening to his answers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Merci, Mr. McLeod. Déclarations de députés. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month along with a number of other Members in the House, including the Honourable Roger Allen, Minister responsible for Youth, I had an opportunity to attend a part of the 2001 Coaching and Volunteer Symposium held in Yellowknife. The jam-packed program for the three days was designed to help coaches and volunteers in areas such as nutrition, injury prevention, and motivating athletes and designing training models.

It was also a celebration of the crucial role sports play in enhancing the wellness of our people and the recognition that the integral force behind the viability of any sporting community is the hours of services provided by coaches and volunteers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank numerous organizers of this event, in particular Rob Meckling and Abe Theil of Sport North for a job well done. It was especially meaningful for me to talk to two delegates from Fort Resolution at this symposium. One of them was a soccer coach and the other was a soccer mom extraordinaire, Brandie Miersch and Marcella Fabien.

I learned that coach Miersch volunteers two hours every day in school coaching. She enjoys it and she feels it is really important that children have a place and time for healthy activity to engage in and to keep them out of trouble. That is true commitment and dedication and one that we sometimes take for granted in the North.

The soccer mom, on the other hand, is in charge of raising money so that the children can travel outside of the community for soccer tournaments. She does a lot of bake sales. It was obvious to me that she felt very strongly that she was doing something very worthwhile. Being invited to a symposium like this and to take part in many of the very interesting and educational sessions was a small reward for all that they give to their community.

Mr. Speaker, I think we are all aware that there are thousands of Brandies and Marcellas in the North who do so much to help our children and youth get involved in healthy activities. I truly believe that this is at the heart of how we will achieve individual and community wellness.

This is also an area that needs greater attention from the Members of this Assembly because it is one that is suffering a great deal from lack of funding and coordination on the part of all decision-makers. Many Members in the House have already stated that this has to be a priority area, and I urge all Ministers and Members to put our thinking caps on and address this area of great importance to us all. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Déclarations de députés. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to rise and speak to the issue of sports and recreation. Mr. Speaker, since 1970 with the start of the Arctic Winter Games, the focus on sports and recreation in the North has slowly shifted away from what was community-based, supportive programs for communities and individuals at the community level to an almost complete focus on the Arctic Winter Games and the cost and the never-ending planning for the next Arctic Winter Games.

As well, Mr. Speaker, the government has slowly backed away from the issue of sports and recreation and quietly has off-loaded that responsibility on Sport North and no other organizations, in most cases without really any adequate funding.

On the other hand, the government continues to build sports facilities, rinks, ball diamonds and such with no focus on the practical running and support for these activities. They have put money into infrastructure but not into developing and creating athletes and sport and recreation programs at the community level.

Mr. Speaker, it is now time for the territorial government to step back up to the plate and look at this very important area. We need a leadership role specifically, I would suggest, through Municipal and Community Affairs. If this is one area that we need a clear vision and strategic plan of how we are going to do that...for 30 years, things have slowly shifted out of focus.

Mr. Speaker, as we work towards a better tomorrow, we do need to keep in mind the critical role that sports and recreation plays in continuing the service that we provide as a government.

Mr. Speaker, in particular, we clearly have to revisit the Arctic Winter Games. They are too big, they cost too much and they are held too often. The international organizing committee, Mr. Speaker, is as secretive and has all of the same problems as the International Olympic Committee. They make decisions in private. They do not keep notes. They make in camera decisions. There are no minutes. It speaks very clearly to the problems we have here. We should not have jurisdictions that exist south of 60 taking part in the Arctic Winter Games. It does not make any sense.

It has expanded too far and it consumes all of the energy of government and all the focus of the planning organizations. Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, clearly there is a need to take a look at the broad issue of sports and recreation. It should not be focused around one primary activity that sucks up all of the resources and energy of the government and people of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we should be looking at the least of three to four years for the Arctic Winter Games. If not, the possibility of even focusing on our own territorial games in the summer and winter and backing away from that very expensive process that now exists.

I will be asking the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs later today how he intends to deal with this very critical issue. Thank you.

-- Applause

Merci, Mr. Miltenberger. Déclarations de députés. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we are all aware, Giant Mine pensioners were notified last February that their former employer, Royal Oak Mines, had under-funded their pension plan. This resulted in the former workers losing approximately 25 percent of their pension payments as of April 1, 2000.

Mr. Speaker, last March our Legislative Assembly unanimously supported a motion to urge the Government of Canada to take immediate action and restore the full pension entitlements earned by these workers.

Despite the obvious unfairness of the situation, federal Minister Robert Nault has advised us that the Government of Canada will not provide any money to make up for the pension shortfall.

Mr. Speaker, the recent announcement that the financial state of the fund has improved and pensioners will now receive 91 percent of their entitlement is certainly welcome. It still leaves pensioners significantly short of what should rightfully be theirs. More importantly, this does not make up for the fact that the laws of our country did not provide relief or protection for the innocent workers or widows in this case.

Mr. Speaker, I call on our government to let the federal government know that we support the private member's bill that was recently given first reading in the House of Commons in Canada. The bill was introduced by MP Pat Martin. It proposes to change the Federal Bankruptcy Act so that unpaid wages and payments with respect to pension are given first priority over claims of ordinary creditors.

Mr. Speaker, I also believe that our territorial legislation should be changed. As is the case in Ontario, our government could create a Pension Benefits Act that establishes a fund to guarantee the payment of pension entitlements.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to bankruptcy, employees and pensioners across the Northwest Territories and across Canada must know that their pension benefits will be protected. As a government, we must guarantee that workers always receive the entitlements that they have earned. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 3, Members' statements. Déclarations de députés. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories, especially our small, isolated communities, has seen a major increase, especially in the cost of fuel. In the constituency I represent, in the community of Aklavik, they are paying 74 cents per litre for heating fuel and as high as $1.25 a litre for gasoline.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister mentions subsidies that they are going to offset of some $350. Yes, Mr. Speaker, the cost of heating fuel has skyrocketed, the other costs associated with goods and services and also property taxes have increased. Communities are trying to find new ways and new initiatives of how to offset the high cost of diesel fuel in our communities.

I think one of the things that communities are considering is if it is possible for the Housing Corporation to consider a new initiative by improving the ability of private household owners to use wood as an alternative heat source and diesel fuel where there is a real resource sitting on our doorstep. I think it is important as a government that we start developing our resources, not only the non-renewable but the renewable resources to allow people to have the ability to have a second source of heat within their homes. I think it is important as a government that we have to find unique ways of dealing with the high cost of energy in our communities, especially the costs to heat our homes.

It is important for this government to start looking at new initiatives. We have agencies and groups out there with regard to the Arctic Energy Alliance that are doing work on behalf of this government, but they are looking more in the way of energy. I think we also have to try to find ways to improve the homes of the residents that we serve and also give them the opportunity to find alternative ways of dealing with the high cost of energy, especially heating fuel in the Northwest Territories. So at the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Housing to consider the new initiative of putting woodstoves in people's homes so they can use the renewable resources around them. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 3, Members' statements. Déclarations de députés. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Greetings to my constituents in Inuvik, my wife and children. Today I rise to speak on the issue of what I see as a major about-face. Mr. Speaker, when we first came into this Legislative Assembly, we were told that on the royalty revenue-sharing issue, that we would hear some good news by June. We were told in fact maybe the fall. The latest update, Mr. Speaker, we were told 2003. The timing is quite coincidental with when this Assembly ends its days.

On the issue of fee increases, we were told that revenues we tried to raise on our own were small and virtually had little impact, so they were not a good idea. We were told on the taxing of our people in the Northwest Territories, that as well had little impact because the federal government would take much of that back.

Mr. Speaker, just as we started this session, in my question to the Minister responsible for FMB, he stated that the chief of staff position was probably a DM position, as I read it. An about-face, Mr. Speaker. We were told how things would work out when we sat down as Members of the 14th Assembly that some things were not a good idea and we should not move forward. They justified those reasons to us, yet today, Mr. Speaker, in this budget today and what this government answers in questions today, we get different answers than we were given a year ago.

We see fee increases across the board coming with this new budget. We had this government propose new taxes and we had the Premier state that the chief of staff position was an executive assistant position, but the Minister of FMB told me in an answer that when it is classified, it will probably be a deputy minister position. About-face, Mr. Speaker. How much more will we take as Members of the 14th Assembly? Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Déclarations de Députés. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to address an ongoing issue that is of great concern to residents of Hay River. Mr. Speaker, the issue that I refer to is the Hay River District Education Authority's request to form their own district education council. Mr. Speaker, Minister Ootes has stated that he will not approve the DEA's petition at this time due to several factors. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has stated that there are financial implications and member communities to be considered. In addition, the Hay River DEA was told that a pending Government of the Northwest Territories review of regional administration structures would have to take place before any change could be brought about.

Mr. Speaker, this brings to mind a similar incident that is relevant. Mr. Speaker, when the Department of Transportation undertook to create a new North Slave region, there was not an exhaustive community consultation process commenced as there was in Hay River surrounding the area of the DEA petition, at considerable expense to the Government of the Northwest Territories, I might add.

The new North Slave region has financial implications as well, Mr. Speaker. Although the Department of Transportation has ensured us there will be no loss of jobs in Hay River and no negative impact to the South Slave region, I suggest, Mr. Speaker, that due to the reduction in the economies of scale and the reallocation of funds, Hay River and the South Slave will realize negative impacts. Mr. Speaker, it appears to me that when the initiative is raised by a community that will better serve that community, they encounter a lot of roadblocks. They are always studies or reviews to be done at great expense which provide incredible delays to process.

However, Mr. Speaker, it appears that when government departments undertake to do something, it is just steamrolled ahead with little consideration given to the concerns of the affected communities. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will have further questions for the Minister responsible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the heels of my colleague from Hay River, I would like to also address the area of community partnership. Community governments are a very vital part of the way our society receives government, receives services, a very critical part of the whole democratic structure that we strive for, and indeed that we enjoy as Canadians.

Community governments, Mr. Speaker, are in law, creations of this government and in that respect there is, in an old-fashion sense, a duty, a responsibility on this Assembly, a stewardship. I think in a more modern sense, we are more comfortable if we look at in the sense of being partners with the communities.

Today, in this very rapid pace of growth and opportunity that we face in virtually every region of the Northwest Territories, I think it is incumbent on this government to look more closely and take more to heart that spirit of partnerships with our communities, colleagues and constituents at the community level.

In Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, a couple of opportunities present themselves where we could be doing a better job. One of them is on the opportunity that the city has to use the site of the Yellowknife Correctional Centre for a major community development. Here is something where, in a sense of timing and preparation, we could be working more seriously with the community government to help prepare for that.

We have also, I think, seen a few opportunities for development on the capital planning site, Mr. Speaker, next to the Explorer Hotel. Opportunities, I believe, that because of very stringent conditions that we have, some developments may have been cast aside. Inuvik is a town that is going through a very major development right now and will need the support of a partnership from this government to help capitalize on things.

The power review, Mr. Speaker, presents some very interesting opportunities for community involvement. I would like to seek consent, Mr. Speaker, to conclude my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To conclude, the power review, I think, presents some very significant opportunities for this government to foster developments in the energy and the environment fronts with communities in areas such as residual heat, local investment, and if we are really to live up to the spirit of Towards a Better Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker, to work on integrated services and planning in the true sense of partnership. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to talk today about government programs with poor uptake, or government programs that are not very well subscribed. I would like to start at the federal level because we have talked quite a bit in this House about programs that are offered by the federal government that we might be able to tap into, housing, for example. We know there is money out there for homelessness, Mr. Speaker, but we find when we get to the nuts and bolts of the issue and talking to the department that there are so many criteria in getting any funding that it just ends up being too onerous to access.

In the health area, we know there is a little bit of money out there for FAS/FAE, but it ends up being so little money after the administration is factored in that it is hardly worth the effort and it turns out that many of the projects have to be national in scope.

Mr. Speaker, given that we are very aware that there are federal programs that we just cannot tie into, it amazes me that in our budget we want to discuss increasing business investment and point to the fact that we provide incentives through the income tax system for Northerners to invest in northern businesses. We point out specifically the Risk Capital Investment Tax Program which provides a credit equal to 30 percent of eligible investments up to a maximum credit of $30,000.

Mr. Speaker, when I first heard the Minister discuss this, I did remember hearing about it in the past, and I thought, "That is a great idea. I am going to go on the government website and look into this." Well, it turns out that when you look at the companies that have been able to register and are eligible, there are a grand total of three companies, Mr. Speaker, in the last three or four years since the inception of this program.

It is pathetic. You wonder why, but when you dig into it you realize that the conditions on registration for a business, the fees, the disclosure, all of these things are so incredibly difficult. There are so many hoops to jump through that make it almost useless for any small business. There is a whole section on what you cannot use the money for, if you are able to raise it. It also tells you that you might be able to issue shares and offer up minority interest in your business, issue equity in effect, but what about debt? It is not really clear. If you are not looking to dilute the ownership of your business, can you offer a guaranteed rate debt instrument? I am not really sure. Maybe you can, Mr. Speaker.

My point is, we do admit that there has been a limited uptake in this program, but we suggest that we plan to market the existing program more aggressively. There are certain things, Mr. Speaker, that we are not going to be able to put a shine on and I would suggest that this is one of them. I hope the Minister will look at the other option he mentioned, which is examining the revision of this program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to extend my thanks to the Canadian Forces for their contribution to northern life, and my congratulations to the northern members for the recognition they recently received. Earlier this month, 23 Canadian decoration and Canadian peacekeeping service medals were presented to members of the Canadian Forces serving in the North.

One of the people being honoured is Major Bob Knight, who was recognized for 32 years of service. Among other duties, he has served overseas in eight peacekeeping missions. The sacrifices of the families of serving Canadian Forces personnel who serve long periods of time away from home and families were also recognized.

Mr. Speaker, the Armed Forces play a very significant role in the Northwest Territories. They provide supports to reach, to serve and to rescue operations and maintain a sovereign presence in the North. The Armed Forces and their members contribute to the development of our youth through the Cadet and Canadian Ranger Programs.

There are two cadet organizations operating in Yellowknife involving nearly 100 young people. These young people aged 13 to 18 years old, develop their self-esteem, physical fitness and leadership and instructional abilities through their involvement with the cadets. They can participate in marksmanship and biathlon competitions, map and compass exercises and many other activities. They become better citizens and contributing members of society.

There are many other benefits to Northerners from having members of the Armed Forces in our midst. The Armed Forces, including their members and families, pump more than $25 million a year into the northern economy. They participate in events like the Midnight Sun Float Plane Fly-In, the Yellowknife International Air Show and Caribou Carnival, forming an integral part of our community. These are just examples in our community, Mr. Speaker. There are many more. I want to thank those members who serve in the North. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Déclarations de députés. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize Kim Beaulieu from Hay River. She's here acting as the chaperone for the pages that were brought in from the reserve. Thank you for coming. Also Mr. Greg Nuli from Fort Providence. He is the president of Shehtah Drilling. Welcome to both of you.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a moment to recognize a northern author, journalist and a broadcaster who is well known and a person who gets around the Territory to do many stories on the Northwest Territories, Mr. Lee Selleck.

-- Applause

Welcome, Mr. Selleck. Mr. Selleck is no stranger to the Legislative Assembly. He has been here many times. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for the Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Transportation. In July 2000, the Minister stated that the traffic accident statistics for the Hay River Reserve access road did not suggest that the road is dangerous or hazardous. There were only two injury accidents but not one fatality. I wish to ask the Minister to reconsider that statement because my information is to the contrary. So it concerns me that the Minister does not seem to be on top of this very serious situation. I would like to ask the Minister where he is getting his information about usage and traffic accidents?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as far as I know we receive our traffic accident information directly from the RCMP. In some cases, we have some of our own people right on the site. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated in my Member's statement, the department does their own highway traffic counts and they also put a disclaimer on the information that they collect. They stated that in 1999 only 46 percent of the potential data was usable. I have to ask the Minister how he could come before this House and state the traffic accident statistics for the Hay River access road do not suggest that the road is dangerous or hazardous utilizing this information? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the information we have with regard to the road condition is the information we receive right on hand from our supervisors and our people who inspect the road conditions. We also receive reports on the road conditions form the RCMP who were actually investigating the accident. That is the information we based our report on. Thank you.

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

Thank you. I take it from the Minister's statement that a lot of this is the fault of the RCMP with their information. My question to the Minister would be if the Minister could provide this House with a report with what the plans are for the department and what the options are to improve the traffic data collection, since the present equipment in his department is so outdated and unreliable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not understand where the Member gets the opinion that the information we have is unreliable. We feel the information we have is reliable and is professional and is accurate to the best of our ability and that is what we bring forward to the House. So I do not understand where the Member comes to this conclusion that the information is unreliable, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I find it difficult to understand the Minister's comments. The information I am using is material published from his own department. The stats I am using is his information. However, my final question to the Minister would be out of the 13 access roads, the Hay River Reserve ranks as the third lowest when it comes to maintenance with only seven cents in annual maintenance costs per vehicle being spent. How does the Minister justify that?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not clear on the question. Could the Member either rephrase it or repeat it?

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Mr. McLeod, perhaps you could ask a shorter question and I will redirect it for you. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will rephrase my question. How does the Minister justify the fact that out of 13 access roads noted by the department's own 1999 summary of maintenance, the Hay River Dene Reserve ranks the third lowest with seven cents in annual maintenance costs per vehicle kilometre?

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Minister Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to ensure the Member gets the proper information, I am going to take the question as notice and pass it on to the department to respond.

Thank you. That final supplementary has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Premier. Earlier today, I spoke about a private member's bill, Bill C-203, which has been introduced in the Parliament of Canada. This bill would ensure that people receive their salary and pensions before ordinary creditors in the case of a bankruptcy. I was wondering if I could find out if this government will consider letting the federal government know that we support the passage of this bill?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Deputy Premier, Madam Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of this government having taken a position at this point in time on the bill that the Member refers to in the federal House, but we will certainly undertake to research what it is about and make a decision about whether or not it is something we can support. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think this is an important bill. I appreciate the Deputy Premier's offer to research the bill and then make a determination about support. Will the Deputy Premier commit to a timeline that would see this House being advised before we recess on March 6th about whether or not the government will support this bill?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can indicate to the House that the Premier has been concerned about the issue of the Giant Mine pensioners here in Yellowknife. He has undertaken to communicate with Minister Nault on this. He has been advised by Minister Nault that there is also a review of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, which is in the process of holding consultations. This is another act in the House of Commons which would address the protection of pension plans as well.

I am aware that the Premier has undertaken these communications and is very concerned about this matter. Yes, we would commit to researching this particular bill that may be before the House now and get back to the Members before the end of this session. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Questions orales. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, in looking at the possibility of a new initiative the department can consider, the possibility of providing wood stoves so they can have an alternative source of heat in their homes. The high cost of fuel has driven a lot of these people to reconsider the whole question about home ownership. I think it is important as a government that we find new ways and new initiatives to try to assist whenever possible for those people in those homes to stay in those homes. If there is a way to deal with some of these problems that they are having, more power to them.

I would like to ask the Minister a question regarding my Member's statement. Is there a possibility of looking at a program so people are able to access wood stoves as another alternative source of heat within their homes, so they can use the renewable resources that are out there? It would also generate a viable economic opportunity for the people in the communities. Will the Minister consider looking at that?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to advise the Member that wood stoves are a standard option in home ownership programs that was reintroduced as far back as 1997 and it continues today.

Also, in light of the question regarding the high fuel costs, the Housing Corporation has looked at a number of other heating sources. We have looked at heating that is very fuel-efficient and low-cost maintenance. There are a number of other options that we have been considering in the last year. We hopefully will continue to introduce that to potential homeowners across the Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister stated that it is an option. I think that my point is the people who do not presently have wood stoves in their homes and who depend on a furnace as their heat source. Is there an option that they could possibly put in wood stoves to assist, to bring down the high cost of heating their homes by using wood as an alternative source? Will the Minister consider looking at people who presently do not have a wood stove having that option to put in a wood stove to try to find a way around the high price of heating their homes at the present time?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, definitely we will look at it very closely. I believe we are forced to consider those options because of the high cost of fuel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are directed to the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs. It is a follow up to my Member's statement on the issue of sports and recreation, and the pressing need for the territorial government to play a leadership role in revisiting what has happened to sports and recreation in the North and the need to put a high priority on this and take away from our almost exclusive focus on the Arctic Winter Games and start paying attention to the communities and the many hundreds of volunteers who donate tens of thousands of hours of volunteer time at the community, often with little or no support.

Could the Minister indicate if his department intends to look at this very critical area? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise the Members of this House that we have been developing a sport policy, a revised sport policy. We have done it in the context of our Sport North agreement. We have had a number of symposiums to address the key questions that have been raised not only by the Members of this House but by the public. Hopefully by the June session we will be coming forth to this House with a strong indication of the future of sports and recreation in the North, as well as youth. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is good to hear the Minister is reviewing the policy. I would hope it would be broad enough yet detailed enough to speak to the whole area of sports and recreation. Could the Minister indicate whether that will also include a detailed review of our current involvement in the Arctic Winter Games and a possible change in our undying commitment to this endless process? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we have been working diligently to address the questions. It has been raised on several occasions. Again, I must advise the House that we are committed to participate in the Arctic Winter Games until the year 2004. I have concurred with many of the public's requests to look at changing the games format from two to four years. It allows us to develop areas across the Northwest Territories. I have committed to that philosophy. I recognize that it is a lot of work, as the Member has said in his Member's statement. It is cumbersome. It is long drawn out. Once the games are over, we start planning for the next one. We are definitely looking at changing it and changing how we approach sport across the Northwest Territories in that context. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is very gratifying to realize I am not the lonely voice I was in the 13th Assembly when I raised this issue. I would like to ask the Minister if he could indicate to this House the type of consultation that has taken place and possibly will take place as they finalize the document he indicated he wanted to bring to this House in June? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, back in late May, the sports and recreation partners reviewed the legacy and the new direction. They held a conference in Hay River. That is the first step. We have also had, as Ms. Lee indicated earlier, a coaches symposium in Yellowknife just recently. Again, in the latter part of March, there will be another symposium held in Inuvik that will deal strictly with cross-country skiing and the impact the test program has had upon the Northwest Territories. Also, taking the comments of this House last February and which are ongoing from other Members, we need to definitely take some new direction in terms of sport and recreation across the North.

It is important that we acknowledge the input from yourselves as well as other Members and form a new direction as we see we need it here. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister for a commitment that he will ensure there is community consultation on this very important issue, because that is where it is critical the attention be focused in terms of sports and recreation, and that the many volunteer groups who operate at the community level are consulted on what we need to do as a Territory to move ahead with a vision for the future of sports and recreation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to add on to the comments or the question raised by the Member, that I have been travelling to every community across the Northwest Territories, except for two or three in the Beaufort Delta.

I have been receiving back comments and that is where we are deriving the changes from. So if it requires further consultation then I would certainly consider that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are presently in negotiations with the federal government about our ability to administer this program on their behalf within the current financial arrangements that exist.

If these negotiations proceed as we expect they will and turn out favourably, we will undertake to continue to administer this program to status Indian and Inuit recipients, who qualify for it in the Northwest Territories.

We are hoping that the additional administrative support that the federal government has agreed to will enable us to do that without having to subsidize the cost. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The Honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the $1 million that we have referred to really relates to two issues.

One is the administrative costs that are incurred to deliver the program that we are not compensated for. The other is the actual disallowance of certain things, which we try to claim for.

We estimate that the cost to the government for the administrative functions, which we are not compensated for, is between $400,000 and $500,000 at least. There is a great deal of involvement at a number of levels of our government in terms of administering this.

As far as the specific areas in which there has been disallowances and we have not been able to collect, they include transportation, boarding home costs, ground transportation, the Larga Boarding Home costs, co-payments, vision care and dental care.

These, together, add up to the other portion of the unfunded amount from the federal government. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The Honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have become aware of this discrepancy in the fee schedule that exists between what is paid to dentists in the Yukon and what is paid to our dentists here in the Northwest Territories.

This has been brought to our attention by the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Dentists. This fee schedule is not sufficient and it is causing problems in the practice of dentists here in the North, and it is making it difficult to recruit dentists who want to set up a practice here. It also makes it difficult for them to sustain themselves in their overhead, when they are here, if these fee schedules are inadequate.

I am concerned with the stance that has been taken by the federal government on the provision of dental services and I do believe this has the potential to undermine the ability of our residents to access dental services as providers find it increasingly difficult to justify the services when revenues are not keeping pace with the costs.

I have been in touch with the dental association. We have set up meetings between a representative from Health Canada with them, and we will continue to monitor this and I think that we should expect no less than what they are prepared to pay for people under a similar program in the Yukon Territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I might suggest that it would be difficult to find any organization that would be willing to take on the administration of the NIHB Program under the current circumstances.

If we can iron out these difficulties with the federal government, we will continue to perform this function. If we cannot, I have committed in this House, and will commit again, that we would undertake to commence consultation with aboriginal beneficiaries immediately in order to ensure a smooth transition, even if it resulted in the federal government, if no aboriginal organizations were interested in it, giving the obvious required subsidy that has had to go into it in the past.

Even if the federal government were going to take it on and put structures in place to administer it, we would certainly be very attentive to a smooth transition and a consultation process with the beneficiaries. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 6, oral questions. Questionnes orales. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the Hay River DEA's petition was not approved by the Minister of Education, one of the mitigating factors for the denial provided by the Minister was that the fact that the Government of the Northwest Territories was instituting a total review of boards in the Northwest Territories.

The review of the Department of Health and Social Services boards undertaken by the Department of Health and Social Services, which was to be completed by June 2001, may possibly be delayed further due to the recent financial difficulties encountered by the health boards.

Will the Minister of Education please advise if this possible delay of health boards review will affect the DEA's petition even further? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Issues such as the request of Hay River are never easy to handle because there are many circumstances that usually enter into making decisions of this nature.

As I pointed out at the time, there were a number of issues. Two main ones being, financial and the other being that the government is currently undertaking a review of regional administrative structures to consider the effectiveness of boards and how they deliver services and so forth and in consideration of future self-government directions.

As well, there is the issue of the health boards being under review. So those all have to be taken into consideration when any decision is going to be made on this with regard to future action. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier in the year, the Minister told the Hay River DEA that the financial calculations provided by DEA as to the financial impact of their petition differed from the Department of Education's calculations. Due to the discrepancies, the Minister promised to have officials from his department meet with the Hay River DEA to go over these figures. To date, the department has not yet met with the Hay River DEA to review these figures. Would the Minister please advise as to when this may be taking place? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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