Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Bonjour, mon colleagues.

Speaker's Ruling

Prior to proceeding with the orders of the day, I would like to provide the House with my ruling on the point of privilege raised by the Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee, on Friday, March 2nd.

Upon review of pages 2788 through to page 2790 of unedited Hansard, the Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee, raised first a point of order then a point of privilege. At the time I ruled that Ms. Lee did not have a point of order and reserved my decision on the point of privilege.

Before giving the House my ruling on the point of privilege, I think it is important to remind the House of what is a point of order and what constitutes a point of privilege.

A point of order is a question raised by a Member who believes that the rules or customary procedures of the House have been incorrectly applied or overlooked during the proceedings. Members may rise on points of order to bring to the attention of the Speaker, or if in committee of the whole, the chairperson, to any breach of the rules, unparliamentary remarks, or a lack of a quorum. Members are able, virtually at any time in the proceedings, to rise on a point of order, provided the point of order is raised and concisely argued as soon as the irregularity occurs. Points of order must be raised promptly and before the question has passed to a stage at which the objections would be out of place.

To assist Members, I would like to give some examples of what is the incorrect use of a point of order. It is not correct to use a point of order:

1. As the basis for a further point of order;
2. To gain the floor to participate in debate;
3. To direct a question to the Member speaking;
4. For a Member who has already spoken to clarify a part of his or her speech which has been misquoted or misunderstood;
5. To dispute the accuracy of facts stated in debate;
6. To move a motion; or
7. To request the Speaker to rule in anticipation or on a hypothetical matter.

A point of order concerns the interpretation of the rules of procedure; it is the responsibility of the Speaker to determine its merits and to resolve the issue.

Once again upon reviewing the unedited Hansard on pages 2782 and 2788, I confirm my ruling that Ms. Lee, the Member for Range Lake, did not have a point of order.

To the point of privilege raised immediately after my ruling on the point of order, Ms. Lee indicated that the comments of the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Joe Handley, in replying to Ms. Lee's question, were a breach of privilege. I quote from page 2789 of unedited Hansard:

"That anything that happens in this House somehow infringes and interferes with her ability to do her job as an MLA."

I heard debate on the point of privilege and the Members for Mackenzie Delta, Yellowknife South and Weledeh all spoke to the point of privilege.

The Chair feels that it is important to once again put on the record what are the privileges of the Members individually and the Legislative Assembly collectively. The individual privileges of Members are absolutely necessary for the due execution of its powers.

Improper interference with the personal rights of Members individually, or with the corporate rights of a Legislature collectively, may constitute a breach of privilege.

Among the principal privileges of a Legislature are:

• • Freedom of speech;
• • Freedom from arrest;
• • The power to discipline;
• • The right to have the attendance and service of Members; and
• • The right to regulate its internal affairs.

Contempt of parliament is closely related to, and is dealt with, as a matter of privilege. Contempts, while not breaches of specific privileges, are offenses against the authority or dignity of a legislature. Any act or omission which obstructs or impedes a Legislature in the performance of its functions, or which obstructs or impedes any Member or officer of a legislature in the performance of his/her duty or which has a tendency to produce such a result, may be treated as contempt even through there is no precedent for the offense.

A true question of privilege should arise in the Assembly infrequently. To constitute a breach of "privilege", generally there must be some improper obstruction to the Member in performing his or her parliamentary work in either a direct or constructive way, as opposed to mere expressions of public opinion or criticism of the activities of the Members.

Matters frequently raised as matters of privilege which in fact are not matters of privilege, include:

• • Points of order;
• • Disputes between two Members about questions of fact stated in debate;
• • The failure of a Minister of the Crown to answer a question; or
• • Statements made outside the House by a Member.

Members should note that parliamentary privilege is concerned with the special rights of Members strictly in their capacity as Members in their legislative work.

The Speaker's role when the matter of privilege is raised is to satisfy himself or herself whether or not:

1. a) The matter is being raised at the earliest opportunity; and
2. b) Sufficient evidence of the alleged breach of privileges of the House has been presented to warrant giving the matter precedence over all other business then before the House;

And having done so, to rule whether or not debate may proceed.

Only the House itself, by consideration of a motion on the matter, has the authority to decide whether or not a breach of privilege has occurred.

I apologize for this lengthy ruling, but I felt it was important, as I said, to place on the record the elements and importance of points of order and privilege. I rule that there is not a prima facie case for a point of privilege as alleged by the Member for Range Lake.

If I may also express a concern of the Chair, it is that points of order or privilege raised during question period do tend to take up the time allotted for questions and answers. The House may wish to consider, as in other jurisdictions, that points of order occurring during question period are permitted to be raised upon conclusion of question period. I will leave that matter for the House to determine through the appropriate avenue of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Déclarations de ministre. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday afternoon I met with the Honourable Paul Martin, Minister of Finance for Canada, and the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Secretary of State for Children and Youth and Member of Parliament for the Western Arctic.

I am pleased to report that our meeting was very positive and very productive. Mr. Martin, Ms. Blondin-Andrew and I discussed a number of issues. We talked about the NWT's economic prospects and their positive implications for the Canadian economy. Mr. Martin was impressed with the activity that is taking place in the Northwest Territories. He also conveyed his compliments on this government's fiscal position and on what he felt was a sound budget plan.

We discussed the federal/territorial formula financing agreement and have come to an agreement regarding an outstanding technical issue. Finance officials will be finalizing the details as soon as possible. I am confident that this issue will be resolved to the benefit of the GNWT.

We discussed the need for the federal government to play a larger role in investing in and preparing for NWT economic growth and development. Mr. Martin has reviewed the GNWT's Non-Renewable Resource Development Strategy and says that he is impressed. He is prepared to support the initiatives it includes when they are brought forward through federal departments. He also recognizes the GNWT's commitment to move ahead on infrastructure developments. He has agreed to increase our borrowing limit to allow us to proceed with our proposed Highway Strategy. We have agreed that our officials will sit down together to work out the appropriate amount.

Finally, we discussed the need to transfer to NWT governments the responsibility for and the revenues from the NWT's non-renewable resources. He acknowledges the importance of this issue. Although DIAND is the lead federal department, Finance Canada has a major role to play in the discussion of revenue offsets and the formula financing agreement. Therefore, we have agreed to direct officials from our respective departments to undertake preliminary work -- reviewing forecasts of revenue potential, developing principles for revenue offsets and determining a meaningful time line for completing work on fiscal offsets. I would stress that these discussions will focus on how any Government of the Northwest Territories' share of revenue resources will offset our formula financing grant and will not touch on the broad issues being discussed at the Intergovernmental Forum.

To conclude, Mr. Speaker, our meeting was very productive. I would like to thank the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew for her work in preparing for this meeting and for acting as such a valuable advocate for the NWT's concerns within the federal government. Mr. Martin has indicated that he is prepared to meet again to continue discussions on these matters. I look forward to following up on these important issues with him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Déclarations de ministre. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Déclarations de ministre. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today I will table the Aurora College Annual Report for 1999-2000. Aurora College is the higher education and training centre for the Northwest Territories. The three college campuses in Fort Smith, Inuvik and Yellowknife, in addition to distance learning opportunities in many other communities, help to ensure that Northerners have the skills and training they need to move confidently toward the future. The college is enjoying success in many areas.

More than 70 students are enrolled in the Aurora College Teacher Education Program. This is a significant increase over recent years and will be reflected in increased graduation rates by 2003. This year, approximately 100 former graduates are teaching or are in education-related positions in the Northwest Territories. Three of these are new school principals and one has recently become a director of a district education council.

The college also takes pride in its nursing program. In December, 12 students completed the Aurora College Nursing Program and became registered nurses. Their accomplishment will be recognized when they convocate on May 5.

Equally significant is the revitalized social work program currently being delivered at Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith. This program is delivered in partnership with the University of Regina and college graduates will have two years of fully transferable credits to the U of R's Bachelor of Social Work program. Currently, 11 full-time students and 14 part-time students are enrolled in the program.

At Aurora College in Inuvik, training courses related to the oil and gas industry have taken off over the past two years. Currently, there are 26 students enrolled in oil and gas related training, an 18 percent increase over last year. The college has recently hired an industrial oil and gas training coordinator in anticipation of expanding training needs in that industry.

This new position is part of a larger industrial training team that has recently been assembled by the college. Industrial training coordinators are now in place at each campus. Mine training will be coordinated from the Yellowknife campus. General trades training will be coordinated from Fort Smith. This new team will work directly with industry to ensure training programs lead Northerners to employment in the Northwest Territories workforce.

All these activities support the Government of the Northwest Territories' goal of maximizing northern employment. The college is preparing Northerners for the workforce. The Government of the Northwest Territories will do its part by guaranteeing employment to all graduates of the teaching and nursing programs. Term employment within government will also be provided for those graduating from other programs.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate past, current and future graduates of Aurora College. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Déclarations de ministre. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide Members with a progress report on nursing education in the Northwest Territories.

As Members know, one of the objectives of our recruitment and retention strategy is to attract more Northerners to the nursing profession. Nursing is a noble profession and attracts people who are motivated to help others. There are many opportunities in the Northwest Territories for nurses to work in a variety of settings -- hospital wards, community health centres, public health clinics and home care, to name a few.

The foundation for developing a well-trained, highly competent northern nursing workforce is a strong nursing education program, developed and delivered here at home. Over the past two years, the Department of Health and Social Services has partnered with Aurora College and the Northwest Territories Registered Nurses Association to fully develop nursing education in the Northwest Territories. The shared vision of these partners is a flexible and progressive range of programming that allows both first-time students and experienced nurses to pursue a full range of nursing education, from basic through to advanced, without having to go south.

I am pleased to report, Mr. Speaker, that we have made significant progress towards that vision.

Members already know of the successes of our current nursing program offered at Aurora College. The Legislative Assembly was there to applaud the first graduating class of 1998 where every single student passed their national nursing examinations on their first writing of the exam. We have recently seen the same level of excellence with the class of 2000. Mr. Speaker, this high calibre of academic achievement is seldom seen elsewhere in Canada. Since the program began, Aurora College has graduated 57 nurses, with another 12 to graduate this year. I am happy to report that almost all of these graduates are working in the Northwest Territories.

There are also new developments in nursing education. This fall, registered nurses will have the ability to pursue their bachelor's degree in nursing through studies offered at Aurora College. This additional level of education has been made possible through an agreement between the college and the University of Victoria. Also this fall, Aurora College will offer registered nurses access to an accredited 16-month nurse practitioner program in partnership with the Centre for Nursing Studies in Newfoundland. Together, these advanced studies offer our nurses the ability to increase their skill levels and competencies so that they can better meet the challenges of nursing in the Northwest Territories.

In addition to these advances in educational programming, we have also established initiatives to help new graduate nurses successfully make the transition into the Northwest Territories nursing workforce. Under the Maximizing Northern Employment Initiative, new graduates will be guaranteed employment, as well as on-the-job orientation and mentoring. Ensuring that new nurses have effective support, training and backup during their first few months of employment and the opportunity for ongoing professional development will also help with retention.

Mr. Speaker, these are indeed exciting times for nursing education in the Northwest Territories. With each year, there will be more northern nurses graduating from Aurora College to fill the vacancies. The introduction of the Bachelor of Science nursing degree program and accredited nurse practitioner program provides northern nurses with ongoing opportunities to enhance their skill levels and knowledge base.

With the fast-paced development of new technologies and treatments, lifelong professional education for nurses is a necessity. It will be important for us to continue to support investment in quality educational opportunities for all nurses, and to ensure that our young people are encouraged to consider the wonderful opportunities offered by a nursing career. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had time and reason to reflect on a number of things over the weekend. One of them being what transpired in the House last week. I thought of the very first statement I made in this House on Wednesday, January 19, 2000, and it really says what I would like to say today. If you do not mind, I would just like to repeat it.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure I speak for all Members in the House when I say what a singular honour and privilege it is to be elected by the public at large and to be given the mandate to serve them in this Legislature.

As I walk through the halls of this great place of meeting, I hear the voices of my constituents, which guide me now and will continue to guide me throughout the days and months to come. I hear the voices of moms and dads talking about their children's education, of the teachers', doctors' and nurses' working conditions. I hear the voices of laidoff Giant Mine workers talking about the fairness in the settlement of their pension and severance packages.

There are so many more voices, Mr. Speaker. Voices of small and large business owners and stakeholders, voices of women and men, youth, aboriginal and non-aboriginal, the weak and the sick, whose voices we must hear and act upon. Mr. Speaker, I understand my mandate for the next four years is to bring life to these voices and to work with my colleagues in and out of this Chamber to find solutions to their concerns.

I also appreciate that behind you, Mr. Speaker, and the 18 other Members of this House, sit 42,000 voices of our Territory, which also must be heard and be brought to life.

As I begin this task in earnest today, it is with a firm belief that it is our collective task to set the course of the path for our new Territory towards unity and prosperity, not necessarily because we have a common interest in all issues, but because it is in our common interest to work together for solutions.

Mr. Speaker, I want to tell this House that this is the credo that I live by everyday. I will continue to live by it for the rest of the Assembly. I would also end by advising you that we had the occasion to meet this morning and had a very productive discussion on what transpired in this House last week. I am happy to report that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this Thursday, March 8th, people around the world will celebrate International Women's Day. For over 90 years, International Women's Day has been a symbol of women's efforts to shape a better world. Mr. Speaker, in 1977, the United Nations passed a resolution to officially recognize International Women's Day. There are a number of important women's organizations in the North that contribute significantly to our social fabric, like the Status of Women Council and the NWT Native Women's Association. In Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, we have groups like the YWCA and the Yellowknife Women's Centre, both of which contribute tremendously to our society.

This week in Yellowknife, several local groups and individuals have planned events throughout the week in celebration of women in our society in honour of International Women's Day. The events began last night with a potluck feast and also include a daily art display at Centre Square Mall.

On Thursday, the Status of Women Council of the NWT will be presenting the 2001 Wise Women Awards. The awards recognize and honour women who dedicate their time and energy to improving the lives of other women and families in their community.

Mr. Speaker, although there are only five award winners from various regions across the Northwest Territories, each of the 25 nominees are positive role models and have displayed qualities that make them an inspiration to us all.

I would like to salute a woman who lives in my constituency, Deleigh Rausch, who is one of the nominees. She is a very active volunteer in our community, most notably with the Girl Guides of Canada, and very deserving of this honour.

Mr. Speaker, I hope everyone will find a way to take part in some of the activities this week in recognition of International Women's Day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we talk a lot about health and the well-being of people and residents of the Northwest Territories, especially in our small communities. Mr. Speaker, one of the most important activities in all of our communities, with the isolation and long winters, is possibly curling. Yet, Mr. Speaker, the community of Aklavik does not have a curling rink since the one they had has been condemned.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important, knowing that recreation probably plays one of the most important roles in our lives when it comes to health and well-being of our residents. In order to have healthy people, we need to have healthy bodies and healthy minds. I for one feel that it is essential that wherever possible, we support recreation facilities and the opportunities for people to compete, not only within our communities and within the regions, but also at the territorial level.

Mr. Speaker, sport is a fundamental aspect of all our lives, as children, as adults and even as elders. Elders still play an active role in regard to the curling activities that take place in our communities, such as community and family bonspiels. I feel it is essential that this government makes the effort in assisting the community of Aklavik by trying to meet their goals by allowing them an opportunity that most communities take for granted. It is important that we invest in the health and well-being of our communities, knowing that the cost of health and the social well-being of our communities has a lot to do with good health, good recreation activities and also good living.

Mr. Speaker, I for one feel that the community of Aklavik's request to this government to find ways to assist them in building a curling rink knowing that they feel left out, knowing that Fort McPherson, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk and other communities within the region have curling clubs and are actively participating in territorial and regional events.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of MACA questions in regard to supporting Aklavik's endeavours to get a curling club. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, March 3, 2001, there was a full slate of meetings in the community of Fort Smith. Attending the various meetings were the Premier, the Deputy Premier, the Minister of RWED and Finance, Mr. Handley, and the Minister of Justice and Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Mr. Speaker, the meetings started as soon as the plane came in from Yellowknife with a brief meeting with the mayor and SAO. We then moved into the very important meeting with the Premier, Deputy Premier and the Minister of Finance with the South Slave Metis Tribal Council. We then had a very healthy lunch at the Western Arctic Leadership Program, followed by a public meeting where the Premier made a very positive statement about Taltson. This was followed by a short meeting with the Salt River First Nations Band. The folks got on the plane at four o'clock, after about five hours of continuous meetings.

Mr. Speaker, the focus of most of the meetings was the need to proceed with the Taltson project and the need to garner political support to let the people in the public meeting know what the plans of the government were on this very important issue. I think that goal was achieved. There is a sense now that we have to move forward to get the detail and the facts that we need to put on the table so that the public, the aboriginal governments and the territorial government can sit down and start looking at how we move ahead.

I would be remiss, of course, not to acknowledge the fact that while the Deputy Premier was there, she had the opportunity to take part in the graduation over at the SALT program where there were some classes being graduated out of the Pentecostal Sub-Arctic Mission school. We had the benefit of her being able to do that. The Minister of Justice also took the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to tour the justice facilities and see how things were running in that part of his mandate.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Ministers for coming down, as well as the staff they brought with them, for giving up their Saturday. They were very important meetings, very important topics, and I think it was worth the effort. I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank them for coming to Fort Smith to take part in these meetings and help move that critical Taltson project along. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this weekend I had the opportunity to go home and on Saturday afternoon, I had a couple of meetings with constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I met on Saturday afternoon with the executive director of the Inuvik Transition House. I have raised this issue in the past in the previous Assembly and raised it with this Minister during, I believe, the Department of Health and Social Services' budget review. Mr. Speaker, the transition house provides a much-needed service in the community of Inuvik and for the region. It provides shelter for women and children who end up in the unfortunate situation of having to leave their homes from either the community of Inuvik or other communities surrounding Inuvik.

Mr. Speaker, they have struggled for many years. As long as I have been a Member of this Legislative Assembly and the 13th Legislative Assembly, I have always worked with them to try and ensure they had enough funds to make it through the year. They have had a lot of volunteer support from the community to help them make the year end.

Mr. Speaker, the concern continues to grow that they will either not make the year end or they will run into problems very early into the fiscal year, as the dollars do not flow immediately after April 1st. Mr. Speaker, when we look at the Transition House in Inuvik and compare it with other shelters in the Northwest Territories, the Inuvik Transition House is under-funded compared with other facilities when you compare them bed for bed.

Mr. Speaker, I have tried to raise this issue before the health boards were transferred the funding from the department but to no avail. I think at this time, hopefully with this Minister, we can work towards achieving some balance here with other shelters in the Northwest Territories. Without this much-needed facility, Mr. Speaker, we will be paying much more as a government when you count transportation and other factors in there.

At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to acknowledge a constituent in my riding who has recently received an award from this government. Every year, the Department of Education provides community language awards to recognize the work of individuals and groups that have worked towards the preservation and use of official languages in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the selection is made based on recommendations from the language communities in the North. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, the Honourable Jake Ootes, has announced the winners for the year 2000. This year, Miss Margaret Vandell from Fort Providence has received this award. Margaret has dedicated many years of her life to teaching the youth the advantage and significance of their language and culture and its relationship to the land. She has passed on stories of the elders and researched legends and names of historical sites.

Mr. Speaker, Miss Margaret Vandell is a valued and respected role model in our community. Although she has now retired, she, along with her husband, Norm Vandell, still continues to contribute their time to the youth of Fort Providence. They help the school every year with the spring and fall camps and she is the elder in residence for Deh Gah Elementary and Secondary School. Margaret also works with the children through the circle program and does traditional counselling. Mr. Speaker, lately Margaret has been very busy spending a lot of time with her own grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, this lady is very worthy of this award because of her commitment and dedication for so many years to preserving and maintaining the language of the Deh Cho Dene.

As the MLA for Deh Cho and on behalf of the people of the Deh Cho, I would like to say thank you and congratulations to her. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Merci, Mr. McLeod. Déclarations de députés. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I jut took a press release off the fax from the Stanton Regional Health Board and it is entitled Stanton Making Progress Toward Opening the Surgical In-patient Unit. I think what it signifies for the Members of this House and our constituents is that in fact, Stanton has been unable to reopen the surgery ward full-time for March 5th, which was originally the publicized date.

We all know the history. There was an amalgamation of surgery and pediatrics, which probably did not take place with the proper consultation. There were concerns from constituents raised. For instance, you could be at the hospital having surgery needing your rest beside a bed that had kids who obviously do what kids do, running around and being active, which nobody would criticize, but it clearly did not seem to be a good amalgamation.

Now we are trying to scramble to get surgery reopened, but since there was no hiring taking place for the past few months with the assumption that there would be a closure, we are obviously up against it. So the published date of March 5th will come and go without reopening.

It leaves the question unanswered, I guess, as to whether or not this was a reasonable date given that for spring break typically the operating room closes, as does surgery. So one wonders if we were going to simply reopen for a week only to close for two and then reopen on a full-time basis, Mr. Speaker.

If there is any hope, I guess lately it is that there have been media reports across the country that nurses seem to be coming back to Canada after testing the waters in the United States and not finding that it was to their liking. I hope we can see some of the benefit of nursing coming back, Mr. Speaker.

However, I think we all know that the real hope is that northern nurses, northern residents trained in the North, will be able to find employment at Stanton. I am glad to see the press release suggests that these northern nurses will certainly be welcomed. I think it is important, Mr. Speaker. I hope this is not just lip service. I hope there is a commitment to using northern nurses because we all know that it can be a revolving door, the recruitment and retention, and we have a much better shot if we use people who grew up in the North, who are trained in the North and who are certainly capable and qualified.

I am interested in hearing from both the board and the Minister what the updated time lines are and I will pursue that further. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Déclarations des députés. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to address an issue I have raised in this House on a few occasions. The issue is that of the South Slave region and how Hay River fits into the region. Mr. Speaker, I would like to compare this fit to a marriage, as it has often been referred to just that.

Mr. Speaker, I know from 30 years of marriage that it takes two to tango. In order to make marriages work, you need commitment, trust, communication, cooperation and a sincere willingness to make them work.

I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that when all of these qualities that I have just mentioned are not present, the end result is a bad marriage and inevitably, bad marriages usually end up in divorce.

Presently, Mr. Speaker, Hay River is in a marriage with the regional government structure in the South Slave. Mr. Speaker, from Hay River's perspective, this marriage is not working now, has not worked in the past and from all indications will not work in the future. Mr. Speaker, this marriage has been referred to in the past as a marriage made in hell. Mr. Speaker, this was at best a shotgun wedding.

-- Laughter

The fact that this marriage is problematic is not news to this government. In fact, it has been brought to their attention on numerous occasions.

Recently, the government undertook a review of the regional structure. By their own admission, things were simple until they got to the South Slave region. Mr. Speaker, the fact that it is problematic and difficult to deal with is not a reason to do nothing. As in most problematic marriages, there are always available services, such as marriage counsellors. Through these services, some marriages may be salvaged. Mr. Speaker, I suggest this government play the role of marriage counsellor, but approach it from a perspective that something has to be done, as the present arrangement is doing nothing to enhance its vision of community empowerment and regional capacity building. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the concurrence of my good colleague from Inuvik Boot Lake, I would like to talk about an annual career fair to be held in Inuvik later this month.

Career Fair 2001 will be held at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex on March 19th and 20th of this year. The organizers of this career fair are expecting possibly 40 booths, which will have representation from the oil industry, post-secondary institutions and both the public and private sectors. Over 500 people are expected to attend this fair. Over 400 of these will be youth coming from the community of Sachs Harbour, Holman, Paulatuk, Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson. Former professional hockey player and PhD candidate Joe "Pinto" Dragon from Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development will also be in attendance to give a motivational talk to the youth. I wish the organizers all the success in the career fair and hope they will have a good stay in Inuvik. 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, over the last little while, we have heard many news reports on the return of the oil and gas industry to the Beaufort Delta area. Much of this activity is taking place in and around Tuktoyaktuk. For instance, the seismic companies are cutting 1,500 kilometres for three-dimensional seismic lines within a radius of ten miles around Tuktoyaktuk. I am told anyone who wants work gets hired, skilled or unskilled.

Mr. Speaker, shortly this flurry of activity will shut down for the season and all this equipment will be stored in the outlying camps, such as Swimming Point. Mr. Speaker, this particular camp is a prime example of cooperation, good planning and investments by aboriginal organizations and businesses.

Originally this camp belonged to Esso Resources and was located in Tuktoyaktuk, where it stood vacant during the recent downturn in the oil and gas activity. Last summer, this 110-man camp was purchased through a joint venture of E. Gruben's Transport and the Inuvialuit Development Corporation. These two Inuvialuit firms set up a firm called Arctic Oil and Gas Services, or AOGS. This containerized camp was relocated to Swimming Point and set up to serve as a logistics support base for Petro Canada's operations in the Beaufort.

Utilizing mostly Inuvialuit firms, this camp was made fully operational again by December 11, 2000. Employment at the campsite was 70 percent Inuvialuit, including many managerial positions. Mr. Speaker, this campsite consists of an airstrip, large storage yard for pipe and bulk material, as well as an office complex and a huge modern workshop.

Mr. Speaker, this government has to encourage more of these types of cooperation between the exploration companies and aboriginal groups if we are to see a pipeline up the valley in the near future. There are great expectations out there now.

At the end of the last oil and gas boom in the Beaufort, the exploration companies left and the oil and gas stayed in the ground. This time around, the people of the Beaufort are hoping the decision-makers get it right. The oil and gas people will stay and only the gas will leave the country. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question 370-14(3) asked by Mr. Krutko on February 22, 2001, regarding the timing for response to a non-compliance order respecting the colour of water in Tsiigehtchic.

The Department of Public Works and Services has initiated further testing of the water to confirm the source of the problem and the type of treatment that will be needed to correct it. Based on the information obtained, Public Works and Services will provide recommendations to Municipal and Community Affairs on the capital investment required. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a great deal of pleasure for me to acknowledge many of our pages who are serving with us in the gallery and have been for the week, Mr. Speaker. They are pages from one of the schools in my constituency, Mildred Hall School. I would like to acknowledge them: Dominika Dombajova, Tanchay Desjarlais, Tyler Gould, Colin Matthews, Geraldine Maloney, Michael Kowakzyk-Squires, Katherine Meyer, Alyssa Hoeft. Of course, we have Vital Manuel serving with us as well. He is here on a consistent basis, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Indeed, welcome to all of our pages. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, I raised the issue of how some income support clients in the Northwest Territories are unduly affected by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment's decision to clawback $125 in federal fuel payments without notice.

Mr. Speaker, the lack of notice caused huge hardship for some families. I would like to ask the Minister, can he advise what action his department is considering to address the impact on clients as a result of the clawback? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This funding is considered unearned income and therefore is taken back, Mr. Speaker, but this issue came to our attention immediately upon issuance of cheques. I took some action on Friday to help alleviate the situation, Mr. Speaker.

What we decided to do was, because the amounts were relatively small, we decided that the money would be, and it is a one-time solution, that the clients would receive a rebate but we pay it over a number of months, rather than taken all at once, Mr. Speaker. This would be keeping with the regulations that we have in place, which we must do. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I understand the Minister correctly, that is very welcome news. I would like to confirm that clients who have had this federal payment taken will have it restored, and then taken back in increments over a period of months. Could the Minister confirm that and advise how this will be managed, how the clients will be advised and repaid this amount? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, it is being done in the event there are hardships amongst some of the clients, so they have an opportunity to have some time, Mr. Speaker. The fashion in which we will do this is we will offer an opportunity for the clients to take it over ten months or less, and it will be a decision made by the clients. They cannot take it or repay it over a shorter period of time. Notification should be going out to them as we speak, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to hear that. It is good news. It shows the department is listening and is prepared to correct a very hurtful situation. On the broader issue now of what should and should not be applied as unearned income and therefore taken from income support, the Minister advised us that a review process is underway. What criteria are being used in considering these criteria? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned to Members last week, I have directed the department -- I did so previously and reconfirmed the direction the week before last -- that I want to have a look at some of the shortcomings and the gaps that are in the Income Support Program so that we can have a look at that.

Departmental officials will bring forward a report to me in that area. I will share that report with the Members for discussion purposes and proceed from there. For example, I did meet with some of the NGOs on Friday in Yellowknife. Some things come to light when we speak about certain matters. The issue of payments from sources other than the GNWT that come unexpectedly, how are they treated, and so forth. These are all areas that we need to have a look at. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has indicated that he is talking to people outside of the department in the field and on the front lines, and that is great. Will there be further opportunity for these people to have input in this review and bring something in that is really going to make sense in the long run? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want the opportunity first, Mr. Speaker, to have the report back to me and be able to discuss it with my colleagues on the other side, rather than a full-fledged public debate on this. I think it is best that we gather the information, see where the gaps are, have some discussions with the MLAs. I think that is the appropriate process and then work our way from there with some recommendations, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As in my Member's statement, my question will be directed to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know if she would be prepared to look at the funding situation for the shelters across the Northwest Territories.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been raised in this House numerous times that the people who work in the area of family violence prevention are underresourced, and currently within the department we are working on the Addictions and Mental Health Strategy. The broad framework for this has just recently been shared with the Standing Committee on Social Programs last week. Under this strategy, we plan to address the issue of family violence prevention and consider the resourcing of that. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to hear that there is some work in there, but specifically to transition houses and shelters, as I referenced the one in Inuvik in my statement. When the responsibility was transferred from the department down to the health board, even at that time the funding allocation for the shelter in Inuvik was much lower than those across the Territory. That is the issue I would like the Minister to address. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the information that I have before me today indicates the number of beds in the various communities and the variety of services available. It does not have a breakdown of the funding that is provided to each of these activities, each of these shelters. I would undertake to look at a comparison on the basis of beds and see if in fact the Transition House is underfunded. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Supplementary question, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have had opportunity to review information that the Transition House has provided me. Hopefully that would be the same information the Minister would be able to look at. If she does find there is a difference there, will she commit to review that and adjust it? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are certainly committed to fairness and equity in terms of these programs. Based on the size of the facility, the number of beds and the number of clients it serves, we would look at and consider a request actually from the Inuvik Health and Social Services Board, if more funding is required for the Inuvik Transition House. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister stated that the request would have to be through the health board. So is the advice then that the staff at the Transition House make the request through the health board and then the health board to the department?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, that would be the process and procedure to follow. We will try to be of any assistance we can to the department in preparing for such a submission. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. 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 MACA. It is with regard to my Member's statement and the importance recreation plays in our communities, especially in Aklavik where it has been three years since they last were able to curl because of the curling rink being condemned.

Mr. Speaker, in the five-year capital forecast, it is not going to be until the year 2004-2005 that they are looking at a replacement. What is the possibility of moving up that capital item to 2002-2003 in the five-year capital plan?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if we go back to Hansard on pages 28, 35, 36, 37, we outlined some of the processes we can use in terms of how we can push the specific project up. I think it spells out the intention of us to work closely with the municipality to achieve that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not have Hansard with me and I do not believe the people in Aklavik have received the Hansard yet, so I ask the question again, is it possible to revise the five-year capital forecast to move up the curling rink in Aklavik from 2004-2005 to 2002-2003?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have set out a method in how we can achieve that. We had stated on Friday that we would look at it, if they want to exchange one capital project for another. For instance, we said if we wanted to exchange moving up their curling rink for a piece of heavy equipment they have on their five-year capital plan schedule, we are prepared to consult with the community to see if that is a feasible exchange. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister commit to work with myself and the community of Aklavik to work into the five-year capital plan having this curling rink constructed during the period of 2002-2003?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if we can commit to that level of detail, but I am willing to sit down and consult with the Member as well as the community to see if we can. I am sure if it is possible, we will do that. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if he is available to meet with the community of Aklavik in the last week of March, so we can sit down and start the deliberations and discussions on how we can do that?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I am more than prepared to set up a schedule of dates to meet with the communities in his riding to work out not only the idea of a curling rink, but all those outstanding issues we should be addressing. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Allen. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today goes to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister is aware, the Metis Nation has been responsible for administering Metis health benefits. I got a call from somebody who has been trying to register his newborn. He sent away an application two months ago and in his words, it appears it sort of went into a black hole. I am wondering if it has something to do with the fact that the Metis Nation office is on the verge of closing down, if it has not already. I was wondering if the Minister could advise at all if she knows anything about this administrative problem? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, there has been some confusion around the delivery of Metis health benefits of late because a question did arise over which Metis organization should be responsible for validating the membership eligibility and providing information to members. So in the interim, the department has continued to have the insurance delivered by Alberta Blue Cross, but the membership is being maintained by the health services administration office within the department until some of the other issues around this are resolved. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that information. I wonder if, for the benefit of people outside of here, because I will be contacting the person who called me, but I wonder if the Minister has any plan to make this information public by way of public announcement or something? I am sure there are a lot of other people who are affected. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is a very good suggestion and I will talk to the department about perhaps public service announcements, either through radio or television, to make beneficiaries of Metis health benefits aware of this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I could just take it one step further, Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the Minister could make available to us in the House the phone numbers and sections of the department, just because government departments are very big and it would just save us some work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will undertake to provide all of the Members of the Legislative Assembly with the contact numbers and names for constituents who may be enquiring of them about their Metis health benefits. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are addressed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and it is with regard to the devolution of the Student Financial Assistance Program from Yellowknife, headquarters, to the regions and communities. The Minister has always steadfastly refused to contemplate that, making references to capacity and improving the current system.

When we did the budget for Aboriginal Affairs, the issue came up during the discussion on the budget. I was led to understand that the reason for not wanting to devolve SFAs was because it may be part of self-government talks. Therefore, it was thought to keep it consolidated and easier to parcel up, that should be part of the programs agreed to through self-government agreements. I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment if in fact that is the case. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have discussed this a number of times. I have indicated that we have made moves already to ensure that the career centres in the various regions have the ability to assist students. We have trained our career centre staff on our CMAS system, that is our computer system that Education uses for student financial assistance. We have made a significant step already, Mr. Speaker, towards ensuring that there is regional capacity to deliver this program, other than cutting cheques.

Mr. Speaker, as well, there is the opportunity shortly for students to apply on-line, which is the coming way to do business as well. We are making moves more and more towards ensuring that the services are available regionally. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like the Minister to confirm either yes or no. Is the reason that they have refused all these years to devolve the program because of the need to keep it together for self-government talks as opposed to the reasons that the Minister has pointed out, as they give incremental autonomy to the regions? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, that was not the reason that it was not devolved, Mr. Speaker. It was a case where it was best handled at a central point for the time being. As I stated, we are now making the moves towards that. As we go, there is no doubt that discussions for self-government are entering into the picture as part of all issues with regard to program delivery of the territorial government, be it education or health and social services. It becomes part of the self-government negotiations as we go. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to ask the Minister if he could be specific in terms of a time line when the program will be fully turned over to the communities, the larger centres that have the capacity through their career centres to do the work, to cut the cheques, so that applications do not have to be vetted and addressed at headquarters but can be dealt with in the communities where the students are. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ability is there now for the career officers to assist students and to input and draw up students' names off the computer system, Mr. Speaker. There is not yet an ability to cut cheques at the regional level. I think that is the question the Member is asking, when will that be done.

Mr. Speaker, that is still premature for me to answer at this particular point until I have the opportunity to ensure that this is working very well at a regional level from an advice side, from an assistance side and from an inputting side. Thank you.

Merci, Mr. Minister. Mr. Miltenberger, your final supplementary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is not a new issue. The problem comes not with the information at the regions and the way things are pulled together or addressed, the problem comes that it all funnels up to what are seen to be anonymous people sitting at headquarters making decisions on students' lives. I would like to ask the Minister, will he commit to coming forward with a clear plan of when he will devolve that particular service out to the regions and communities where it belongs so that the students can get the best possible service? Thank you.