Please be seated. Good morning, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Minister Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce today that the review of the health and social services system is nearing completion. This comprehensive review considered all previous health and social services reports and reviews and in addition, over 350 personal interviews with stakeholders were held. I want to publicly thank all those individuals who took the time to offer their insights, comments and recommendations for change.

We will soon receive a detailed report that will deliver practical, tangible recommendations about how to improve our current system, including how the department needs to change its structure and operations to effectively support the system. This report will be released to Members of this Assembly and the public on June 25, 2001, which is the date that I expect to receive it from our consultant, Cuff and Associates. I now want to outline the steps we will follow after the release and explain how we will respond to the recommendations in the report.

Mr. Speaker, we will first make the report publicly available to all interested parties. We will mail it to key stakeholders and additional copies will be available at all health and social services centres and from the Department of Health and Social Services. The report will also be posted to the department's website for those wishing to access it through the Internet.

Interested parties will have an opportunity to read the recommendations and provide any final comments until August 1, 2001. At that time, the department will prepare its formal response to the recommendations and a detailed system action plan for implementation.

Mr. Speaker, I am committed to tabling the response and the system action plan during the fall session of this Assembly in October. The plan will include specific action items in response to the report's recommendations, with timelines and anticipated outcomes. The action plan will provide the basis for regular reporting to Members of this Assembly and to the public about our progress in implementing improvements.

With the changing dynamics of health care delivery, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, we must be proactive to ensure the sustainability of a high quality health and social service system to meet the needs of all residents of the Northwest Territories. As I stated to Members of this Assembly in February, we all have the same objective -- to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that our health and social services programs deliver the best possible care to all residents in every community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Madam Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to provide you and my colleagues with an update and information on initiatives that have been taken on the human resource management front. Over the last year or so, I believe that significant progress has been made in several areas.

Mr. Speaker, as you may recall, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers and Northwest Territories Teachers' Association, who represent most GNWT employees, faced their most difficult challenges during collective bargaining negotiations in 1995-96. It was at this time that the GWNT was taking difficult steps to reduce its spending. These steps included changes to the compensation package of public service employees. Division of the NWT also created some tension and strain within the public service by causing uncertainty for employees. However, the current environment has become more positive and allowed for a more proactive approach to issues.

Several positive steps have recently been taken to provide a better working environment and more certainty for the public service. Last year, a Staff Retention Policy was implemented. Mr. Speaker, this policy focuses time and energy on how the GNWT can retain its staff in situations where a function is being changed and jobs are eliminated.

A Code of Conduct has been approved and is in the process of being communicated to all employees. Mr. Speaker, this code will ensure that there is public awareness of the high standard of conduct they can count on from public service employees.

Several joint initiatives have also been undertaken with the unions. A working committee that included both the NWT Teachers' Association and the Union of Northern Workers, as well as GNWT human resource managers, finalized a new Workplace Conflict Resolution Policy. This policy has now been provided to employees. Information sessions and training are being provided on the policy. The Union of Northern Workers continues to be involved in planning the communication of the policy.

Mr. Speaker, during the last round of collective bargaining with the Union of Northern Workers, several issues were raised that required greater discussion than could be devoted to them at the bargaining table. Therefore, memoranda of understanding were signed off that allowed for further discussions and exploration of solutions on these items. They included establishing joint union-management committees to discuss casual employees, development of a monitoring process for exclusions from the bargaining unit, reviewing what kinds of issues employees may have with children, and how to deal with violence in the workplace.

Committees have been established and discussions begun on all of these items. In addition, a joint committee was struck about two years ago to examine safety issues in the health care field. Discussions on these issues are proving to be productive and are allowing the parties to build a solid base of understanding on these issues.

There has also been considerable discussion and the involvement of the Union of Northern Workers on job evaluation matters. The union has participated in training on the Hay Job Evaluation method. This cooperative approach has resulted in some progress being made on more detailed procedures for the handling of job evaluation appeals. Over the summer, the union and the GNWT intend to begin to resolve more job evaluation appeal issues.

Mr. Speaker, significant progress has also been made recently in developing a northern workforce. I spoke earlier of working towards creating more stability within the NWT Public Service. Initiatives like Maximizing Northern Employment are critical to this goal. The enhanced Summer Student Program, Graduate Student Hiring Program, and the Guaranteed Employment for Graduates of the Northern Nursing, Social Work and Teaching Programs will serve to ensure that more Northerners obtain experience and jobs in the North. These initiatives also recognize that the GNWT must take active steps to encourage Northerners to further their education. Mr. Speaker, over the long term, this will serve to improve the NWT labour market and reduce reliance on imported labour.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to providing you with further updates in the future. We will continue to build on the progress made to date. I know the result will be an improved public service and continued work with our employees' unions to proactively address issues. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today is the last day of the week to celebrate the commitment, the dedication and the recognition of the value we place on seniors in our society. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all that the people who have gone before us, have done for us and the measurable debt we owe them. There is a need to work very hard and long as a government to make sure we do not neglect or betray the trust that has been placed in us by seniors.

We all have seniors in our communities, parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. We would not be here today if it was not for what they have done on our behalf, the sacrifices they have made and the price they have paid to raise the families, us as their children, as they expect us to raise our children.

As I pay tribute to the seniors in the Northwest Territories in my constituency, I would like to single out, if I may, Mr. Speaker, a special occasion in my constituency that is occurring today. That is the 65th wedding anniversary of John and Saraphine Evans. That is a tremendous milestone. I am sure the Speaker will concur, as the nephew of this fine couple, that these people are role models for us all. They have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They are a part of the fabric and history of the Northwest Territories and I wish them every blessing and all of the continued happiness and good health that is possible to bestow on them.

I would also ask my colleagues to recognize that particular accomplishment, especially given the regrettable trend for many marriages to barely last ten years. Here we have a couple who has put in a long, very productive life together. I wish to pay tribute to that accomplishment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Indeed, congratulations are certainly well-deserved on 65 years. Item 3, Members' statements. The Chair will now recognize the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My colleague, the MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake and myself, on behalf of the constituency of Inuvik Twin Lakes, wish to extend our congratulations to the Samuel Hearne Secondary School class of 2001.

Last week, 19 students marched through the gate into the gym of Samuel Hearne Secondary School, listening to the words of congratulation and advice to receive their grade 12 diplomas.

The class of 2001 includes Benjamin Anderson, Evelyn Bernhardt, Katherine Charlie, Diane Day, Mary-Anne Kasook, Cheryl Kirby, Meeka Kisoun, Lana Lokos, Jenna MacNeal, Kevin McKie, Kristine McLeod, Mike Orbell, Sherry Rioux, Fred Seabrook, Danette Smith and Rachel St. Amand.

Another graduate is Shawna Roland, who is completing her studies through home school correspondence.

Some of these students walked away with more than their diplomas. Kristine McLeod received a bursary for being the top female student from the Royal Canadian Legion 220 McInnes Branch and also won the RCMP All Ranks Mess Bursary.

Diane Day won the Pat Petrie award for consistent effort. Kevin McKie and Fred Seabrook shared the legion's bursary for the top male student. Evelyn Bernhardt won the George Irlbacher award.

I wish all the graduates the very best, and I encourage them to further their education and to become our future leaders and professionals for the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All week along I have been talking about education, and today I would like to talk further about the education of our children. I have been talking up to this point about how we need to put more money into the student support. We need to put more money into PTR, and we need to make sure that more money gets into the education system.

There is another critical factor that will have a profound effect, Mr. Speaker, and that is parental involvement and interest in the success of our children. I had a constituent stop me this week, Mr. Speaker, and tell me what an affect they felt the teacher was having on their child's education this year. We talked for some time about their child and how well he was doing this year, but what struck me was the parent's interest and involvement in their child. I think that really, more than anything, is one of the most critical factors. I think parents have to realize that without a quiet place to study, without nutritional meals, without early bedtimes, without taking an interest and reading to children and helping them with their homework, their children are really up against it, Mr. Speaker.

I think, in fact, children and teachers are fighting a losing battle if they do not have this parental involvement.

I know that in my life as a child, certainly without my parents having a strong influence, I would have been playing road hockey with my brother and friends late into the evening and would have been eating candy four meals a day, Mr. Speaker. I think we have to consider exactly how important parents are in their children's education.

None of us are happy with the graduation and success rate of the kids in the Northwest Territories to this point. We can do better and we know that. In fairness, Mr. Speaker, in the south, we are oftentimes talking about third and fourth generation of high school graduates. In the Northwest Territories, often we are working on first and second. In southern Canada, parents clearly have a different experience with the education system and with graduation themselves.

Mr. Speaker, I think this is one of the reasons a program like the Aboriginal Head Start Program has been so successful, and continues to be. It requires the involvement of parents. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage parents...

Mr. Bell, your time has expired.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, in conclusion, I would just like to take this opportunity to encourage parents to take an active interest in the education of their children. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I received a letter from a constituent of mine who is currently attending the nursing program at the University of Alberta. She has completed her third year of a four-year degree program, but she is finding it difficult, Mr. Speaker, to find employment in the Northwest Territories, especially in the field of nursing.

Her frustration lies with the hiring policies of the health boards with regard to undergraduate nurses. Under the hiring practices, each health board may choose to hire nursing staff with degrees rather than hiring staff who are working towards degrees. The student feels that she competes with nurses of similar education in regard to this field, and she feels penalized for wanting to attain a higher education program with regard to the University of Alberta than in the Northwest Territories.

She can retain work in Alberta as an undergraduate nurse with the province of Alberta, yet in the Northwest Territories, we complain about the shortage of nurses and the problem of attracting aboriginal people in that field.

Mr. Speaker, this government has to restructure its policies and goals to ensure that those students who want to continue on to become registered nurses will have the opportunity for employment in the Northwest Territories and to be able to help us resolve the problem of shortages of nurses in our communities.

We need to have jobs for those students once they have completed their programs and are working towards completing their programs so that they can come home to work in that field.

Mr. Speaker, there are programs in other areas, such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and also the Calgary Regional Health Centre, which allow for the hiring of undergraduate nurses in the hospitals in Alberta. Yet, Mr. Speaker, that is not being practiced in the Northwest Territories. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will ask the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, what is the policy of this government when it comes to undergraduate students? Thank you.

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.

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 Member has been raising this issue in this House. As a result, he has made us aware that there is the potential for an all-weather road route following the old seasonal winter road into Lac La Martre. As a result of this, I had the opportunity to take a helicopter trip with the department and review this route some time this winter, and there is potential for an all-weather route using that particular road.

However, taking it further from there into Wekweti or into Rae would require quite a bit more engineering. We are just doing preliminary looks at this time. The department is thankful for the Member for bringing these routes to our attention and the potential for them to become all-weather roads.

At this point in time -- I do not want to stir up any false hopes here -- but we are looking at what the Member is suggesting. Thank you.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from one department to another, this territorial department versus the Alberta department, we have not carried out any official discussions on this. I am aware that the other departments within this government have been approaching and had some discussions with Alberta on sharing. I believe the Minister of Finance mentioned in the last day or so that there was some discussions on possibly sharing costs on an all-weather road. The end result was that there is nothing firm coming out of this at this point in time.

The Member is asking if I would commit to this. I have no problem committing to this. We have a committee with Alberta right now which discusses this, and we have a meeting planned for sometime in mid-summer with the Alberta government as to the possible sharing of ways that we can both share costs to enjoy more benefits from the resource development. Thank you.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I presume the Member is referring to the comment where he actually thought the strategy had some merits. Based on that, I am paying attention to what the Member is saying about the strategy and we are proceeding on that basis.

However, I would like to point out, as I said in the last day or two to the Member for Deh Cho, the strategy is not written in stone and it is there to be amended. It is subject to the aspirations and priorities of this Assembly. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Steen. 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 Health and Social Services and it is regarding the policies of this government when it comes to hiring, especially in the area of hiring undergraduate nurses.

Realizing that these nurses have almost completed their course to be permanent nurses, registered nurses, yet our undergraduate nurses, some of whom have completed up to three years, cannot even get summer employment with a lot of our health boards in the Northwest Territories so that they can continue in that field and conclude their courses.

Mr. Speaker, I think this government has to adopt a policy that clearly allows for the ability to allow for undergraduate nurses to be employed in our health care system. It is happening in other jurisdictions across Canada where they allow for undergraduate nurses, and have guidelines and policies that they use regarding the responsibilities of those undergraduate nurses in the health care centres and hospitals across Canada.

I am going to interrupt the honourable Member. I would like to remind Members that question period is question period. Member's statements are Member's statements. Honourable Members, your rules are that you would like questions to be short and answers to be short because of the time limit.

I will ask you to please abide by those rules that you have established. Keep your questions short and to the point, and we will get as many in during the hour as we can. Mr. Krutko, your question.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am leading up to the question. I am just trying to get the information out to the Minister so she is aware of the policies that are out there.

I would like to ask the Minister, what is the policy of the government of the Northwest Territories when it comes to undergraduate nurses?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our department has quite a number of initiatives that speak to retention and recruitment. I believe what the Member is referring to would fall under that category.

All health boards hire students during the summer. Although the government and the department is not the direct employer, we do encourage the health boards to hire summer students. We assist the students in health-related fields to find work during the summer, either with the department or with the boards. We are very aware of the need of many of the students to work during the summer and we do everything we can to facilitate that. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it sounds great, but I would like to ask the Minister the question I asked earlier, what is the policy of this government when it comes to undergraduate nurses? Do we have a policy in place to force the health boards to ensure there are opportunities for undergraduate nurses to be employed in our health centres?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is the policy of our department to provide funding to health boards to supplement the salaries of summer students to offset the cost to the board. We also provide assistance to the students to get to their place of employment. In the instance of the student from Mr. Krutko's riding that he refers to, we would be pleased to work with her to help her identify a work placement for the summer and then provide the necessary support to see that she can get there. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister consider drafting a policy similar to the one regarding undergraduate nurses at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, so that we can have a policy of our own?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, without the advantage of having the document Mr. Krutko refers to, it is difficult to say whether such a policy would be suitable in the North. One of the challenges in the North and one of the things that makes us different is that we do not have the same volume of nurses working in any one location. Sometimes undergraduates and student nurses need mentorship and a different type of supervision during the course of their work. Whether or not a policy that is available in Edmonton or Calgary could be applied to the North, I am not sure. I certainly will commit to the Member to look at this policy and see if it is something that could be adapted for use in the North. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we do share our health care system with Alberta. We transfer our patients to Alberta. They are treated in Alberta. Undergraduate nurses are taking care of them in Alberta. When will the Minister adopt a policy similar to Alberta and implement it in the Northwest Territories so we have a health care system that is consistent with other jurisdictions we share a health care program with?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a department, I want to say that we are very committed to removing obstacles to northern-trained -- not just northern-trained, but nurses who are from the North. Any way we can see to improve our ability to attract, recruit and retain northern nurses, we will seriously look at. If our policies could be updated and changed based on precedents set in other jurisdictions, we would be pleased to look at that. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment some questions regarding the seniors' fuel subsidy. I would like to resume that line of questioning today. I was not satisfied with the answers I received. Judging by the number of phone calls I received yesterday, the people of the North are also not satisfied with his answers.

I would like to repeat a question I asked him yesterday. In November of 2000, he indicated that he would review the threshold limits for the seniors' fuel subsidy. I would like to ask him if he has done that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Speaker, no, we have not reviewed that, but we are looking at the whole area of seniors' needs and requirements. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for that answer. I would like to ask the Minister what kind of time frame can we expect some results from his investigation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we are also looking at areas of persons with disabilities at the same time. I think we probably will need several months in order to gather appropriate information. We are probably looking at some time late fall. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I thank the Minister for his answers. I would like to ask the Minister if he would consider including a mechanism that would allow for automatic adjustment for the threshold limits for the fuel subsidy, rather than having to go through this process every time there is a problem with that program? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we can certainly undertake to look at that possibility. We are looking at that for income support, the food basket area, doing an annual adjustment and an annual survey. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Finance. It is about the tax credit he announced would be coming forward. I am concerned about the highway toll and the actual cost of it. Some groups are now starting to come out in support of it, thinking that the cost will be offset by the tax credit. I tabled a document the other day in which Mr. Handley says, "The net increase for average citizens in the North should be nil." I am worried the department will move to a position of, we recognize the credit will not entirely offset the cost, but it is reasonable to ask residents to contribute to this highway infrastructure because they will get the benefits. Will the Minister confirm that the net should be no increase for the average citizens of the North?

Mr. Bell, I regret to inform you that the question you are asking may be out of order because of the nature of it. It is apparently on the order paper for today. We will disregard that question. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my statement, I addressed the concern citizens have about the arsenic situation in and around Yellowknife, specific to the Giant Mine work. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development what involvement and what initiatives this government is taking in terms of that long-term management process? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the responsibility for the arsenic situation at Giant Mine rests with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, with the federal government, as a condition of the sale of the mine. They hold the responsibility. The Government of the Northwest Territories participates primarily because as a government for this Territory, we have great concerns about what the department may or may not be doing, what their plans are, what they may be in the future and so on. We do not have an official role or responsibility. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of clarification. My understanding is that indeed it is the federal government's responsibility for the underground areas, but this government does have some involvement for managing things on surface and for reclamation there. This is where I would like to find out specifically what involvement and what processes this government has responsibility for. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, this government's responsibility is for clean up and reclamation on the lands that are not covered by the water licence. There is still some debate between our department and DIAND on exactly where that begins and were it ends. We argue that, at minimum, DIAND is responsible for everything from the mill and its impact to everything that flows down from there, including the tailings ponds and reservoirs and so on. Our responsibility is for other structures that may be sitting on the mine property, but not directly connected with the water licence. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In relation to the mine, my understanding is that the Miramar Giant company still plans to continue mining until some time later this year, when the plans are that mining at that property will stop for good and then we can go into a reclamation process. I am wondering, at this stage, are there any specific moves that the GNWT has in relation to the complete stoppage of work at Giant Mine later this year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the arrangement between Miramar Giant Mine Limited and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs expires at the end of December this year. At that time, Miramar Giant Mine Limited has the option of either negotiating an extension -- and determining what the terms of that extension might be is something between them and DIAND -- or simply saying no, we do not intend to continue mining from that site anymore.

I have spoken to the manager and he has told me that they have not yet firmly made up their mind exactly what they will do. Until we know that, it is very difficult for us to do more than simply continue to monitor what they and DIAND are doing. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Education and it is with regard to the class size in our schools. Mr. Speaker, I have a letter from a concerned parent whose child attends the Range Lake North School, who is saying that next year's class size could be up to about 30 students per class. Most of the classrooms at the Range Lake North School are built for 24 students, not 31, suggesting possible problems regarding safety. My question to the Minister is, what is the department's responsibility in making sure that there are not too many kids in the classrooms? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I should take a moment to explain the process of funding that we provide to education boards. We fund the district education councils throughout the Northwest Territories and the two DEAs in Yellowknife, the district education authorities, the board, in other words. We do that on a pupil-teacher ratio. The boards themselves decide how to allocate that within the school system and create the classes. The principals of the schools then make up the class sizes. If there is a safety concern within a class and it is overcrowded, then of course we will look at that issue. I have a concern about this. This is an issue that Ms. Lee is bringing forward, and we will certainly look at seeing if there is an issue here with regard to safety. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the basic principles behind the way school boards are funded. My question is how much room does the department and Minister have to make sure that class size or the money is spent in general, corresponding ways as it was meant to be? For example, special...

Thank you, Ms. Lee, we have the question. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We as a department provide a block funding to the various organizations. We expect the money that we provide will be allocated into the areas. We have an accountability framework through the budget process to ensure that it is applied in the fashion in which the money is meant to be used. If we take the Yellowknife school boards, there is an overall PTR that they report back to us. That is our area of control, Mr. Speaker. The school boards themselves decide on the allocation per classes. I believe in Yellowknife, for example, the two boards are averaging 16 to one. That is a blended rate with the money they get from us and from the city. Thank you.

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