Thank you for the prayer, Mr. Braden. Please be seated. Good afternoon, colleagues. I understand that Her Honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, is prepared to enter the Chamber to assent to bills. Mr. Clerk, would you please attend to and escort the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories into the Chamber.

Please be seated. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, June 10th to the 16th has been declared National Public Service Week.

As the Minister responsible for the public service of the Northwest Territories, it is my pleasure to recognize the contributions made by the men and women who make up our public service.

I am proud to say that our public service is characterized by high standards of integrity, professionalism and dedication to service.

Employees of the public service are our most valuable asset. Their hard work and dedication allow the government to deliver services to the people of the Northwest Territories efficiently and effectively. These services encompass everything from the delivery of health care, social and community programs, to maintaining highways and managing our renewable resources and educating our children.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all of us, I would like to thank the men and women of the Northwest Territories public service for their many valuable contributions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Mr. Speaker, in my opening remarks to this Legislature at the start of this session, I briefly thanked the members of the Government of the Northwest Territories public service for a job well done. The third week of June is designated Public Service Week and so, today, I would like to elaborate on the important work that is done by our public service and to thank all Government of the Northwest Territories employees for their effort and dedication.

Our government employs approximately 4,000 people. Many of these employees have chosen to make their careers with our government and they have been with us for a long time. The work that our employees do, in service to all residents of the Northwest Territories, is what allows us as legislators to achieve the goals and reach the objectives that we establish for government. Our employees work hard to implement the direction we provide and to meet the needs of the people that we all serve.

This government is dynamic and responsive to the rapid changes and advances taking place in the North. Our employees have handled a great deal of change already, such as division of the Northwest Territories, and they have handled it with patience and professionalism. We will be facing more change in the years to come as self-government initiatives are implemented, as oil, gas and minerals and hydro are developed, and as the Northwest Territories reaches its full potential as a self-sufficient, vibrant and prosperous territory. I have every confidence that our able public service will be there to provide a continued high level of service as we move forward.

As Premier, my travels provided me the opportunity many times to meet and talk with public servants throughout the Northwest Territories, representing all departments, agencies and professions. We are continually impressed by the dedication with which our employees serve the public and the quality of the work they do.

We live in very exciting times and our future is bright. Bright futures favour talented, hard-working people. Our staff have more career choices than ever before. Other employers can offer them exciting northern employment opportunities as well. Our challenge is to retain our staff and provide them with workplaces that are supportive, and managers and supervisors who appreciate their contributions.

Although we presently have no formal process to recognize and honour our staff, we have today assembled a representative group of employees who exemplify the best qualities and achievements in our public service. This group includes three lifelong career employees who will be retiring this year; individuals who have been recognized nationally and internationally for achievements within their professions; and employees who have demonstrated through their excellent work an exemplary attitude and commitment to their jobs and their communities. In alphabetical order, these employees are:

• • Rosalie Adams, Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board, Inuvik;
• • Dr. Chuck Arnold, Education, Culture and Employment, Yellowknife;
• • Gord Bohnet, Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Rae-Edzo;
• • Violet Edgi, Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board, Fort Good Hope;
• • Bessie Erasmus, Municipal and Community Affairs, Rae-Edzo;
• • Doug Howard, Transportation, Yellowknife;
• • George Mandeville, Public Works And Services, Yellowknife;
• • Bob McLeod, Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Yellowknife;
• • Kayhan Nadji, Public Works and Services, Yellowknife;
• • Andy Norwegian, Deh Cho Divisional Education Council, Fort Simpson;
• • Bob Sanderson, Financial Management Board Secretariat, Fort Smith;
• • Faye Stark, Deh Cho Health and Social Services Board, Fort Providence;
• • Julian Tomlinson, Aurora College, Inuvik;
• • Lew Voytilla, Financial Management Board Secretariat, Yellowknife;
• • John Wilderspin, Transportation, Norman Wells; and
• • Ray Young, South Slave Divisional Education Council, Hay River.

To all of you, congratulations on your respective achievements, and thank you for a job well done. Mahsi.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, I would like to congratulate two employees, Mr. Bob McLeod and Mr. Greg Hancock, who recently received national and international recognition for their achievements.

Mr. Speaker, the fur trade industry is important to many residents of the Northwest Territories. At the Montreal Fur Fair, the Fur Council of Canada sponsored a new award entitled Friends of the Fur Trade. This award recognized the work done by Mr. Bob McLeod when he participated on the Canadian delegation that negotiated a European agreement on humane trapping. This agreement set the standards which trappers use today to ensure that fur is harvested in a humane manner.

Mr. Hancock received the prestigious Silver REMI award at this year's Houston International Film Festival for two videos he produced -- the tourism video, Where Winter Begins, and the video called Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur: Fur Fashion Show. This is a remarkable achievement since over 4,300 entries were received. These videos will be instrumental in marketing both our tourism and fur products, and gaining international recognition is really an honour.

Finally, as it is Public Service Week, I would like to thank all the employees of the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development for their contributions and hard work in fulfilling the mandate of this department. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Mr. Speaker, NWT residents will have access to advanced training for the oil and gas industry as the result of an agreement to establish a permanent training site in the Northwest Territories. This is a cooperative venture involving a number of groups that have an interest in developing the gas reserves in the Northwest Territories. The plan was developed by industry and Aurora College in cooperation with aboriginal claimant groups, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

Mr. Speaker, this opportunity is possible because of the GNWT's commitment to Maximizing Northern Employment. We are determined to give Northerners the opportunity to advance beyond entry-level jobs in the oil and gas industry. This program will provide the enhanced level of training for people to access skilled oil and gas positions. It will be delivered in the Sahtu, Beaufort Delta, Deh Cho and South Slave regions. Additional training-on-the-job subsidies will be made available to employers.

Mr. Speaker, the centrepiece of this exciting new training initiative is a plan to train drilling rig floorhands at a permanent training site to be developed near the town of Inuvik. This summer, Aurora College, using instructors certified by the Petroleum Industry Training Service in Alberta, will begin training floorhands on a drilling rig supplied by Akita Drilling.

The projects will create numerous jobs for Northerners and establish a northern infrastructure for future training in the oil and gas sector in such areas as drill rig floorhands, kitchen helper and camp attendant, truck training and drill sump research.

I should say, Mr. Speaker, for those who may be unfamiliar with the terminology, that a floorhand is a member of a drilling crew that also includes tool pushers, drillers, derrick men and motormen. Drilling companies usually promote from within. Floorhands are often groomed to move into more serious positions in the drilling rig operation. So while some individuals may be satisfied with the rewards of being a good floorhand, opportunities do exist for Northerners with the motivation, aptitude, leadership and teamwork skills to move from floorhand into a position requiring additional skills and training.

The training program lasts twelve days -- six in the classroom with a heavy emphasis on safety and six days on the rig itself working 12-hour shifts. This training is scheduled to run from July 30 to August 22. It is modeled on a similar program delivered by the Petroleum Industry Training Service for aboriginal trainees in British Columbia.

Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to announce this training and research initiative. This program, developed in partnership, will benefit both employers and potential employees in the NWT. That is exactly what maximizing northern employment is meant to be. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I rise today on a controversial issue raised by the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development in an interview he did yesterday regarding the possibility of three dams on the Mackenzie River. I have received several calls from my constituency wondering what is going on.

I feel that before any statements are made or any ideas are put on the table, we should consult the people who are going to be affected, especially when we have for years been battling the Bennett Dam project in BC, where we have seen the effects up and down the Mackenzie Valley and the Mackenzie Delta regarding water levels.

Yet, Mr. Speaker, there has not been any consultation. This idea has come out of thin air. Mr. Speaker, we have seen what has happened in other jurisdictions in Canada, such as Quebec and the Quebec hydro projects, and also the effect of the Bennett Dam.

Mr. Speaker, I for one feel that there must be a time for debate. There must be a time to ensure people will continue to have water resources in the Northwest Territories. For us as a government to take such a hard stand at this time shows that there is definitely...

A point of order. Mr. Premier, what is your point of order?

Point of Order

The point of order is that the Member is referring to statements he believes he heard outside of the House. I believe there were statements by CBC, but definitely not by the Minister. In any case, we are not privy to what the Member is talking about. Thank you.

I think the honourable Member is making a statement on an item that was publicly broadcast. I believe it is not confidential information. It is out there in the public. I will seek...just a minute, Mr. Kakfwi. I am not finished yet. I will seek some advice on it.

-- Interjection

As I was saying, this Member's statement is a response to what his constituents may be saying. In the Chair's opinion, there is no point of order. I will allow the honourable Member to continue with his Member's statement. Mr. Krutko, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regard to this issue, I think we as a government have to seriously separate the economics of what goes on within this government and environmental protection, ensuring that we have a department that is not joined at the hip, that they are two separate institutions who are responsible for protecting the wildlife and environment, and also ensuring that the quality of air in the Northwest Territories, the water and our environment is protected.

We as a government have to seriously look at the implications of these mega-projects regarding the accumulative effect of having so much of these developments taking place, on our water and on our air, and the effect on the people of the Northwest Territories, especially the aboriginal people, who depend on the wildlife, the fish who depend on water.

I feel that we have to seriously consider this issue in light of all of the projects that are taking place. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister questions on this matter later.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to raise an issue concerning the fishing industry on Great Slave Lake. As we know, Mr. Speaker, the fishing industry is an important industry, both from a traditional point of view and from an economic point of view.

We also know, Mr. Speaker, that this industry is heavily subsidized by this government. I think this government puts in approximately $390,000 to both the summer and winter fishery combined. The current methodology to support this industry through subsidies is both outdated and ineffective. I think that is recognized by both government and the fisherpeople themselves, Mr. Speaker.

In the past few years, the fishing industry has not been able to utilize all of the subsidy because of the cost of fishing and getting around the lake to catch the right quotas to access the subsidy.

On May 31st, Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to meet with the Fishermen's Federation in Hay River, with representatives from RWED, Lloyd Jones, Paul Wiedrick, and Mike MaGeean. The purpose of the meeting, Mr. Speaker, was to look at the subsidy program and try to come up with a program that would be more effective to the fisherman, and give them some incentive to improve on their industry and to improve their equipment.

The new program that was talked about, Mr. Speaker, is more of a support program that I think will give the fishermen more incentive to do just that, increase the number of fishermen on the lake and better their equipment that they are using.

Also, Mr. Speaker, the new program that was talked about is a program that would be administered by the Fishermen's Federation themselves, giving them more buy-in and making it more beneficial to the fishermen.

I hope that RWED will continue to work with the fishermen in working through the details of this new program, and I look forward to some more talks with the Fishermen's Federation on this.

As we speak, Mr. Speaker, the fisherpersons in Hay River are doing last minute touch ups to their boat and their equipment, to head out for the summer fishery. At this time, I would like to wish them all the best in the summer fishery. I would also like to encourage this government to continue to work with them to better this industry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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