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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize some very deserving organizations and individuals in Hay River. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the efforts of the Hay River Cooperative Play School, which has been operating in Hay River for some 27 years.

The Hay River Cooperative Play School just held its eighth annual talent auction and managed to raise approximately $20,000 that will go towards purchasing a building for the play school in the future.

Another organization, Mr. Speaker, that I would like to recognize is the Hay River Community Health Board Foundation. Mr. Speaker, this foundation has gone out and raised some $60,000 and purchased a hematology analyzer for the Hay River Hospital. Both of these organizations, Mr. Speaker, should be able to access much more money from this government to put infrastructure in place that they need, such as in the hospital and looking after early childhood development.

It continually amazes me, Mr. Speaker, that a community the size of Hay River is capable of raising the types of funds that they do. I would like to commend all of the businesses, individuals and service organizations for their generosity.

Another organization, Mr. Speaker, that deserves recognition today is the Hay River Track and Field Organization. As we speak, there is a track meet going on in Hay River that has attracted some 1150 athletes, coaches and individuals.

Mr. Speaker, it is with the foresight of a man by the name of Mr. Guy Turvey that this whole track meet in Hay River came into being. Mr. Turvey could be looking at one of his last years at the track meet in Hay River, but his legacy will live on for a long time. I would like to commend all of the workers, the volunteers, the organization and the athletes that are taking part in Hay River in this very worthwhile event. I was very gratified to see some 900 athletes assembled in the floor of the arena in Hay River the other night when we went over for the opening. Our future leaders, our future workforce, they are all taking part in a fantastic territorial event. I would like to wish all of the athletes the very best when they wrap up today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the 2000-2001 school year is coming to an end, and today, on behalf of my constituents of the Deh Cho and myself, I would like to say congratulations to the youth who have succeeded in furthering their education in high school and in college. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the graduates from my riding. However, I would like to add a disclaimer that many of these students are still writing their exams, but I am confident that they will pass.

This year from the Hay River Reserve, we had:

• • Clifford Fabien graduated from high school;
• • Lori Fabien from Fairview College;
• • Alana Lamalice from Acordia College;
• • Victoria Martel from Grand Prairie College;
• • Andy Cardinal from Grand Prairie College;
• • Wanda Salopree from Grant McEwan College;
• • Derek Fabien from NAIT;
• • William Fabien from NAIT;
• • Jennifer Lafleur from Lac La Biche College;
• • Kathleen Graham from the Indigenous Environmental Resources Program in Manitoba;
• • Rosemary Martel, Deborah Chambaud, Denise Sabourin, Jona Sabourin, and Kathy McArthur from the Adult Education Program in Hay River; and
• • From Fort Providence, the students are:
• • Carl Squirrel, who went through the leadership program in Fort Smith;
• • Scotty McLeod, who also went through the Western Arctic Leadership Program in Fort Smith;
• • Kari Hergott from Brentwood College;
• • Louie Mckenzie from Deh Gah School;
• • Georgette Bouvier from Deh Gah School;
• • Curtis Sapp from Deh Gah School; and
• • Neil Bonnetrouge, also from Deh Gah School in Fort Providence.
• • From Enterprise, we have:
• • Tracey Napatchie from high school in Hay River; and
• • Andy Cadieux from the Information Management and Library Technology Program at Grant McEwan College.

Mr. Speaker, I want to pay special recognition to one of the graduates from the Reserve. Lorie Fabien took her second year at Fairview College this year. She took the transitional vocational program and she was presented with the Fairview District Association Award for People with Special Needs. I want to thank the Department of Health, the Deh Cho First Nations and the people from the Hay River Reserve who provided the assistance that enabled her to take this program.

Mr. Speaker, all of these graduates have generated a great sense of pride in their communities. They have demonstrated to their communities that receiving a diploma is something special. Mr. Speaker, the people of the Deh Cho are very proud of all of them. I wish them much success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a legacy of Yellowknife's gold mining history over the last six decades has been the production of arsenic trioxide and the adverse health risks that accompany this industry. Yellowknife residents have had concerns about arsenic levels in the city for many years, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to note that progress is being made on how to manage this serious issue.

I would like to recognize the ongoing work of the Yellowknife Arsenic Soil Remediation Committee, sometimes known as YASRC. It is a coalition, Mr. Speaker, of all levels of government, community, aboriginal and mining groups whose task is to determine at what point arsenic levels pose real threats to our public health and environment.

The other day in this House, the Minister for RWED noted that the improvement in air quality in the city has greatly improved now that the Giant roaster has ceased operation. This is good news. In fact, at the May public meeting hosted by YASRC, it was underlined that in regard to arsenic levels, the drinking water in the city of Yellowknife is not a problem, and ambient air levels are also not a problem.

This committee has retained Canada's leading expert in the field to determine the health risks from arsenic around the city and develop soil remediation guidelines for use for residential, recreational and industrial land uses. In fact, according to the committee, guidelines will be presented to the public in September, Mr. Speaker.

Yellowknife MLAs have continued to draw to the attention of the federal government its obligation at the Giant Mine for the immense problem of some 265,000 tons of arsenic trioxide stored underground there. There is still a long way to go in this process. The federal government has identified resources to advance the planning and this is a positive step, not only for Giant, but for dealing with the environmental issues at Colomac as well.

Next week, stakeholders will be meeting to consider the approach for managing the arsenic problem at Giant Mine. Stakeholders and the public have a vital interest in what is going on. I compliment the governments and the stakeholders for opening the process to the general public.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud the efforts of these officials. We must keep in mind the federal government has been the major beneficiary of the development of our resources. It is their obligation to ultimately manage this environmental hazard. We must consider continuing to seek long-term commitment of federal resources to implement a permanent solution that addresses the arsenic problem to the satisfaction of residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise to speak on an issue that we see happening on a yearly basis in many communities in the North. This morning, I want to speak about the changing faces in Inuvik.

Mr. Speaker, with the increased activity, we have seen many new people come into the community and the region, new people who have taken the opportunity to come work in the North. Some have moved from other places in the Northwest Territories, some from southern Canada.

Mr. Speaker, as well at this time of year, we see some people leaving the Northwest Territories, whether it is individuals who have come up to teach our children, to work in our hospitals and health centres, or to work in the trades area. There is a whole field, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have been in touch with my wife back home. She has informed me that we are losing some of the people who have been involved in teaching our children. I am aware of a long-term resident who is leaving Inuvik. It is a difficult time, Mr. Speaker, when you have long-term residents who have put in time and have put much of their livelihood into the North, trying to help us to be better in our communities, to help our children, to be more involved and take control of the communities we live in.

Mr. Speaker, there are too many to name and I know we will have difficulty replacing some of these individuals, whether it is in the hospitals or in the schools, or in the trades areas. I would just like to say to them that their input into our community, into our children, has not gone unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, they have helped us out. They have helped us make our children more productive in school, as well as taking care of our children in the hospitals and health centres. I think it is important that we recognize their input in the North. Sometimes people get overlooked because of the fast pace of activity in communities. I think there is a time and opportunity to thank all of these people who have come north, who have challenged the seasons, who have lived through the winter and the darkness and lived through the 24 hours of sunlight. I wish them all the best in their travels and hope that they return to visit us once again. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to advise the House and my constituents that I will be away from the House for the rest of the session. This is because I have accepted a personal invitation from the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to take part in the 640th Wilton Park Conference, entitled Democracy, Parliament and Electoral Systems, which will be held between June 11th to 15th in the United Kingdom.

Arranged by the CPA in conjunction with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, this conference will be attended by approximately 50 invited delegates from 41 countries around the world. There will be politicians, diplomats and academics from every continent and from countries such as Nigeria, Spain, Russia, Israel, Switzerland, and the United States, as well as the European Union.

Mr. Speaker, not only as a parliamentarian but as co-chair of the Special Committee on the Implementation of Self-Government and the Sunset Clause, I know I will learn a lot from this experience. More importantly, it is my strong belief that we live in one of the most unique places in the world in terms of our geographical, political and constitutional landscape. I would not hesitate to say that we have a lot to tell and teach the rest of the world about how we work out issues here. I will tell them of how proud we are of the fact that we handle, on a daily basis, world-class challenges and opportunities. We have a unique form of consensus government. With a peaceful division of our Territory only two years behind us, we are working through land claims and self-government negotiations at seven tables. All of this for 42,000 people in 33 communities, while at the same time, we work through a number of megaprojects in diamond mining and oil and gas.

Mr. Speaker, may I add that this is the first time the NWT branch has been invited to this conference, which is steeped in history and convention. It is my understanding that the discussions from the Wilton Park conferences are well-documented and referenced around the world. I look forward to making them available on my website once they are finalized following the conference.

For the record, I would also like to note that the expenses of my travel and accommodations will be covered by the CPA.

Finally, I...

Ms. Lee, the time for your Member's statement has expired.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and colleagues. I would just like to advise the House that I will make my position known on any important decision items arising out of this House for the benefit of my constituents and my colleagues, through my website. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. I would like to wish you a safe and pleasant journey. I am sure we will hear about your meeting when you return. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This morning, I have the privilege of recognizing June Putz, who is ably replacing Betty Low this week, due to compassion leave. Welcome to the gallery.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to welcome all the people present in the gallery who have come here today. I understand there are people from the transportation industry and from the advertising industry here in Yellowknife for a series of meetings. Thank you for taking the time to come see the Legislative Assembly at work.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize our pages, who have been here over the past week. This is their final day. They are the NWT Cadets. They are from several different communities in the Northwest Territories, Richie Campbell from Norman Wells, Jack Miller from Inuvik, Rae-anne Bourque from Fort Smith, Michael Rowe from Fort Simpson, Mathew Scarborough from Hay River, Jean Marc Arsenault from Hay River, Jackson Mantla from Rae-Edzo, and Ms. Crous from Yellowknife. Thank you for the service you have given us this past week.

-- Applause

I also hope that it has been a learning experience. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past year, the department has had some discussions and meetings with federal officials on what programs they have available to us to access funding for an all-weather road over and above the existing highway systems.

As Members know, we have had some success with the federal government in putting some funding forward to upgrade our winter roads in the Sahtu. We have also had some discussions with the federal government on possibly joint venturing or cost sharing for a road in the Beaufort area as well.

Beyond that, we have not had any discussions with the federal government towards any other all-weather roads. I would presume that the Member is referring to a road in the Dogrib area. We have not had any discussions with the federal government on this at all. Thank you.

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