Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to salute the work and service of the Native Women's Association of the NWT.

During this time of unprecedented change and growth in the Northwest Territories, the extraordinary women who make up this valuable association are to be commended for their tireless commitment to issues concerning health care, education, child care, social services and self-development in our communities. For over 25 years the strength and determination of the Native Women's Association and the wisdom and guidance of its membership have been reflected in programs and initiatives such as:

• • The Native Women's Association Training Institute through which many aboriginal women have been able to graduate to a better quality of life, both for themselves and for their families.
• • The Victim Services Program which helps numerous clients every year to face and address their personal difficulties and challenges.
• • The Human Resource Development Program that is opening doors daily for individuals who for many reasons may not have the opportunity to advance.

Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago I was proud to address the annual general meeting of the Native Women's Association of the NWT at which a new board of directors was identified. Today I would like to thank, in particular, the outgoing members of the Native Women's Association board for their work, their sacrifice and their commitment.

• • President Liza Charlo-Pieper of Yellowknife
• • Margaret Ireland from the Deh Cho
• • Ruth Stewart, Mackenzie Delta

Angie Lantz, South Slave

• • Doreen Wesstrom, Weledeh
• • Elder Helen Gruben, North Mackenzie Valley
• • Elder Mary Heron representing the South Mackenzie Valley

It is the policy of the NWT Native Women's Association to alternate its leadership between representatives of the NWT's northern and southern regions. This year Gina Dolphus from Deline, a northern representative, was elected as president. She joins the other newly elected members of the Native Women's Association board:

• • Vice-President, Noelene Villebrun of Fort Resolution
• • Patricia McKinnon representing the Mackenzie Delta
• • Agnes Silverthorn, Deh Cho
• • Cece Heron, South Slave
• • Lyla Erasmus, Weledeh
• • Elder Julie Lennie representing the North Mackenzie Valley
• • Elder Lena Pederson representing the South Mackenzie Valley

Together with existing board members:

• • Secretary Treasurer, Annie Goose from Holman
• • Agnes Kuptana, Holman
• • Dora Duncan, Colville Lake
• • Lena Gargan, Wha Ti

They will chart a course that builds on the accomplishments of the NWT Native Women's Association while maintaining their high level of commitment to the social, economic, cultural and political equality of women in the NWT. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to pay special tribute today to a strong and tireless advocate of women's equality in the Northwest Territories and an individual who has given selflessly for many years to advance issues of importance to the North's women, their families and their communities. I am speaking of Mrs. Viola Beck.

Vi's list of accomplishments, the roles she has played and the work she has done is lengthy. She served as the president of the Status of Women Council from 1999 until earlier this year. She was instrumental in the recognition of outstanding northern women through the annual Wise Women Awards. She was a valued participant in the economic development steering committee and served as chairperson of NWT Family Services. Mr. Speaker, these are just a few small examples of the many contributions Vi Beck has made to the North.

Today, however, after fighting for so many years on behalf of others in the NWT, Vi is waging her biggest battle ever -- against cancer. I would like to wish her well.

Over the years Vi's personal journey, particularly her healing and recovery from abuse, has inspired her and given her the strength to go out and help others. Two weeks ago in a News/North article she expressed her regret that this sickness was no longer allowing her the opportunity to work for others. It was a very telling comment from a woman who has spent most of her life committed to, and working for, the betterment of others.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time today to thank Vi for her work and dedication and to wish her rest and recovery. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Roger Allen will be absent from the House today to attend the funeral of Mrs. Agnes Semmler in Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today on the programs and services that we have in place to support our seniors. Mr. Speaker, the seniors' home heating subsidy program is something that our seniors look forward to, but Mr. Speaker, from the information I have received, almost 50 percent of the people in my communities are either being rejected or told to appeal the decision. In most cases, it is because of income information.

Mr. Speaker, the seniors home heat subsidy helps low-income Northerners aged 60 and over who own their own homes to offset the high cost of heating during the winter months. The criteria, Mr. Speaker, in order to receive the subsidy, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• • Meet the approved household income test;
• • Be a homeowner and principle resident of the home;
• • Must be 60 years and over and a resident of the Northwest Territories; and
• • Must not be eligible for income support or social assistance.

Mr. Speaker, the problem I see with the program as it is being delivered today, is the whole concept of that information that is needed to classify yourself in regard to your income...(inaudible)...., which is to qualify for seniors heat subsidy program, the applicant's maximum allowed household income for that year, it is line 236 of the federal income tax return, will not be more than what the maximums are set at.

Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that when you file your income tax, it is for the previous year. It is not for the year that we are in. The people who apply for the fuel subsidy program is within the year that we are in. That is the injustice that I see with this program as it is being delivered today.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is appropriate as a government to clear up this injustice to ensure our seniors do enjoy their time that they have remaining with us, but also ensure that the benefit is being delivered fairly. Right now, the way it is being delivered is unjust because of having to deal with federal income tax returns. The program should be based on the year that you apply for, and the income should be based on actual income of the day that you applied for the program.

Mr. Speaker, with that, I will be asking the Minister responsible for this program questions on it later. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a company that has been plowing our waterways throughout the North for the past 68 years. The company I am referring to, Mr. Speaker, is Northern Transportation Company Limited, or NTCL for short.

Mr. Speaker, NTCL's roots date back many years, when two Edmonton businessmen looked north and saw a business opportunity moving goods throughout the Mackenzie River watershed. Mr. Speaker, in 1931, Northern Waterways Limited opened its doors with a massive fleet of one wooden tug and two wooden barges, and offered service between Waterways, Alberta and Aklavik, Northwest Territories. In 1934, Mr. Speaker, White Eagle Mines purchased all of Northern Waterways' equipment and the infant Northern Transportation Company Limited was born.

Mr. Speaker, NTCL has witnessed many transformations, accomplishments and milestones over the years on its way to becoming the dynamic company that it is today. One such milestone was the beginning of the 1937 navigational season, when NTCL introduced the first steel hull vessels into the watershed.

Mr. Speaker, NTCL has had many ups and downs over the years and has survived competition from many other transportation companies. There have been many industrial influences that have dictated NTCL's growth and direction, such as mining, oil and gas, increase in population growth in communities, as well as pressures from the Government of Canada and the United States. In addition, World War II, the Distant Early Warning line, the CANOL project, and the movement of bulk fuels have all played a pivotal role.

Mr. Speaker, the amount of freight handled through Hay River increased dramatically in 1948 with the completion of the Mackenzie Highway to Hay River, and NTCL soon opened a terminal there. The activities of the early 1970s saw the size of the NTCL fleet increase dramatically, and its commitment to serve the exploration industry and resupply the northern communities necessitated that the company improve its retrofit facilities, and in 1973, construction began in Hay River on a massive marine maintenance building and the only in-land sinker west of the Mississippi River.

Mr. Speaker, the ownership of NTCL has also changed a number of times over the years, including becoming a Crown corporation in 1949. There was probably no more important date, Mr. Speaker, as July 15, 1985.

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

Mr. Speaker, July 15, 1985, when the Government of Canada sold NTCL to the Inuvialuit Development Corporation and Nunasi Corporation. Mr. Speaker, the most important date for both myself and the residents of Hay River was June 15, 1995, when NTCL officially opened its new head office building in Hay River.

The company has been formally recognized as the NWT Business of the Year, and also received the Human Resources Canada Certificate of Merit Award for its initiatives and achievements in employment equity.

Mr. Speaker, NTCL is a vital part of Hay River's economy, employing in excess of 300 employees at peak times, and NTCL is a terrific corporate citizen.

Mr. Speaker, NTCL is Canada's only pan-Arctic marine operator with a transportation system that covers 11,000 kilometres. NTCL is now an international company with global dimensions and is continually looking for new opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, Hay River is very proud to be at the centre of NTCL's operations and I would like to wish them every success in their quest for a bright and prosperous future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Members are probably already aware by the pink ribbons they are wearing and the wonderful display set up in the Great Hall, October is Breast Health Awareness Month. The start of the campaign is marked annually by the hugely successful CIBC Run for the Cure, which this year, with the help of six other communities in the North, the city of Yellowknife may reach the $200,000 mark in money raised for the first time.

Mr. Speaker, I believe this tremendous community generosity comes from our growing understanding of the unflinching grasp of this disease, which continues to touch each and every one of us. While still less than in the provinces, the number of incidents of breast cancer in the North is on the rise.

Mr. Speaker, fortunately for all of us, early detection and advances in treatment through education and research, are helping to keep the rate of survival on the rise as well. When breast cancer enters a woman's life, it causes long-reaching effects into the lives of families, friends, and communities. More than anything else, the woman and her family reach out and rely on the help of those who understand the full characteristics and implications of this disease in all of its manifestations, physically and emotionally.

Two organizations in the North in particular worked very closely to provide information and support in this way. NWT Breast Health/Breast Cancer Action Group and the Canadian Cancer Society. The action group began their organized activities in 1997. This is a dedicated group made up of those who had been affected by breast cancer, either directly or through a loved one. With funding from Health Canada, which will last until March, 2003, their work is in development and dissimination of materials for youth by northern women and health care professionals in every community.

Their written, oral and visual and very unique materials created specifically for the northern women by northern women are being used by groups across Canada and as far away as Africa.

The action group also works in conjunction with many organizations that have an interest in breast health and breast cancer. One example is the development of guidelines and protocols for clinical breast exams and breast self-examinations developed by the Department of Health and Social Services in consultation with the action group.

The Canadian Cancer Society, whose work includes breast health and breast cancer began their work in the Northwest Territories eight years ago. Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Cancer Society, whose work includes breast health and breast cancer began their work in the Northwest Territories eight years ago. In addition to providing materials to every community in the North, the society provides all-important peer support training whereby recovered Northwest Territories cancer patients are taught how to give one-to-one emotional support to a newly diagnosed person.

The society has also just launched the Cancer Connection, a toll-free service whereby trained volunteers can provide emotional support by telephone to cancer patients in any community in the Territories.

Mr. Speaker, together these two organizations are addressing the information and the emotional needs created by the devastating disease of breast cancer. In honour of the Breast Health Awareness Month, and on behalf of everyone in this House, I would like to express my appreciation and recognize these organizations for the tremendously important contribution they make on a daily basis, for every woman and family and friends touched by breast cancer.

In particular, Ruby Trudell of the action group and Arlene Yaeeyko of the Cancer Society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a significant event in the history of the Anglican diocese in the Arctic happened in September. I am speaking of course of the retirement of the Bishop of the Arctic and the new Bishop of the Arctic being appointed, Andrew Atagotaaluk, who was installed as the first Canadian born and first Inuk Bishop of the Arctic.

This move was made possible by the retirement of long-time Northerner, Bishop Christopher Williams. He is a resident of Yellowknife, he and his family. Bishop Chris has been instrumental in the evolution of the Anglican Church in the North and I am sure if asked, he would agree that Bishop Atagotaaluk's installation was the cumulation of this evolution.

Chris Williams interest in the North was peaked in college when he saw a little ceramic igloo in his friend's dorm room. It was in fact a bank, one of many sent by the diocese of the Arctic to supporters in England in an attempt to raise money for the mission's work in the Arctic.

Chris Williams left his home near Manchester, England and travelled to Canada in 1960 when he began his ministry under then Anglican Minister John Sperry of Coppermine. Chris Williams went to Spence Bay and then to Salluit, Nunavik. It was in Salluit that Chris met and married Rona Aitken, a Scottish nurse posted to the tiny Inuit community.

Over the next few years the family grew to include son Andrew and daughter Judy. Chris was soon spearheading the translation of the Bible's Old Testament into syllabics so that Inuit could read the Bible for the first time. This huge undertaking had another happy result; one of the many translators working on the project was Andrew Atagotaaluk who found God while working on the translations.

He felt the calling to become a minister himself, enrolled in Arthur Turner Training School in Pangnirtung, the first step in the journey which led to him becoming the first Inuk Bishop of the Arctic. Now that he has retired, Bishop Chris and Rona Williams will continue to live in Yellowknife, and now that he has the time he is taking up interests he never could do before because of his heavy travel schedule. He is taking up gliding and has joined the Choral Society. He is active in the Seniors' Society and will be appearing as an actor in a play called the Christmas Journey which will be on the NACC stage in November. Please help me send congratulations to both people, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Mr. Speaker, I would like to follow up on the comments by my colleague, Ms. Lee, on the actions that came out of Yellowknife residents and the efforts of volunteers across the Northwest Territories, almost 1,000 I understand, who ran for the cause of breast cancer awareness.

In Yellowknife, the event has been going for a number of years and I want to compliment a constituent, Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Terry Chang who is one of the founders and pioneers and great promoters of this event and fitness causes in general.

The money that we raised through this event and I understand it is something in excess of $175 per participant, which is one of the best rates in Canada, Mr. Speaker, goes to benefit a number of projects in the Northwest Territories. One of them is a video that is in wide circulation now on breast cancer awareness. It features a number of self-help bits of information and stories from survivors that I think is especially important in helping people to deal with this devastating disease.

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to be a part of the Run for the Cure along with 20 Members of this Assembly. There were I think nine MLAs and 11 staff members who were out there. It felt good to be able to do something positive in relation to this.

It is a disease, Mr. Speaker, that affects a number of us every year. I have a personal understanding of this, because my father was first diagnosed with this disease and a few years later he ultimately succumbed to cancer. We all understand the work that goes behind making a difference and we are all pleased to participate in it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Mr. Speaker, January 1st, 2003 is quickly approaching. A date that should be of interest and concern to all Northerners who possess guns, as all guns must be registered by January 1st. To add to the concern, the offices of the Canadian Firearm Centres both in Yellowknife and Hay River have closed. What does this say about the federal government's commitment to ensuring timely access to information and services?

The Canadian Firearm Centre has indicated that it is preparing to send out reminder letters to hundreds of thousands of gun owners who have yet to register their firearms. They are encouraging gun owners to register via the telephone or Internet. Mr. Speaker, not all residents have access to telephones or to the Internet. Not all residents understand what consequences of not registering their guns might be. Not all residents retain English or French as their first language. Not all residents can read or write, and not all residents have access to someone who will assist them with the registration of their guns.

Penalties for not acquiring a licence can result in fines, imprisonment and seizure of guns. Possession of non-registered guns can lead to charges under the Firearms Act or the Criminal Code. Our correctional institutions are already filled. Are we willing to build more jails? Maybe this would serve as an opportunity to argue for more infrastructure dollars from the federal government.

Mr. Speaker, this whole process directly contravenes both Treaty 8 and Treaty 11 where the government promised that ammunition would be distributed annually to the Dene. The Firearms Act itself states that nothing in the Act shall be construed as to abrogate or derogate from any existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal people of Canada under Section 35 of the Constitutional Act, 1982. These arguments are important to many of our constituents, yet we allow them to be slowly eroded.

Mr. Speaker, during question period I will ask this government this question -- what action and support is this government willing to provide to those aboriginal people and all the residents of the Northwest Territories to ensure they do not start the New Year as criminals due to failure to register their guns. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about the critical state of repair of the Hay River Centennial Library. The Hay River library was built in 1967 and serves as the literary centre of our community, along with housing the territorial library services branch providing cataloguing, storing and circulation of territorial books and records.

The government released a technical status evaluation report in September 1998 and again in November 2001. In both of these documents, the building was identified as being in drastic need of repair. There are items identified for maintenance and repair that were rated as unsatisfactory, requiring a priority action with service life of zero years. The priority item I am most concerned with is the roof and the roofing membrane which was reported in 1998 with a zero year's service life.

The summary of the evaluation report indicates that the roof has reached the end of its duty cycle and should be retrofitted in the very near future before leaking begins to deteriorate the structure and finishes. Low levels of insulation and the absence of continuous air and vapour barriers are resulting in poor thermal efficiency and uncomfortable conditions for the building's occupants. In the Minister's response to my recent correspondence he confirms that limited service life was found in the roof system, which urgently requires upgrading and membrane replacement. It is also noted that there have been zero capital dollars spent on this building during the past five years.

I understand that these repairs will be identified in the 2004 capital funding list which I believe will delay these upgrades and repairs until 2005 or 2006. The 1998 technical status evaluation report clearly indicates that the repairs were rated as mandatory at that time. That was over four years ago. My constituents are impatient with the government's lack of action and intention given the condition of the library building and I will be referring to the issue of the aforementioned repairs in my questions to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment in question period today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our Territory last year saw economic growth of more than 20 percent. The diamond industry, together with exploration for natural gas, has largely driven this impressive growth. We are now poised to see tremendous economic impact form the development of our petroleum resources, but we must act now.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Premier Kakfwi and Mr. Handley's continued efforts to convince the federal government that our need for infrastructure funding of the full $133 million is critical to our viability and unquestionably beneficial to the whole of Canada's economic well-being. The Corridors for Canada proposal that the Premier presented to the federal government showed the Northwest Territories could contribute an estimated $65 billion to the national gross domestic product. The federal government, on top of that, would also retain most of the $17 billion that would accrue from royalties and taxes.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has clearly failed to recognize the critical juncture the Northwest Territories is at.

By doing so, they are dooming us to fewer jobs for Northerners and are dealing self-reliance for the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I also applaud the Premier and Minister Antoine's efforts, first in continuing to put pressure on the federal government to support pipeline development in the Northwest Territories and, second, for their efforts in Washington opposing the Energy Bill. We need a level playing field. We need security for the partners and for producers. It was good news indeed to hear that the bill that would have subsidized Alaskan gas has failed for now.

However, Mr. Speaker, we still have some serious challenges. The Intergovernmental Forum has not progressed as quickly as we had originally expected, and now we hear that the federal negotiator has no mandate to negotiate fiscal issues.

Mr. Speaker, the Aboriginal Pipeline Group has told producers that they are in danger of rescinding support for the pipeline if they cannot get the loan guarantees. We cannot hope for further progress by these groups unless there is security in their plan. The Government of Canada must come forward with the loan guarantees they so critically need. Everything that can be done on our part, on the part of the partners and producers, is in place. It is up to the Government of Canada to do their part.

Mr. Speaker, I support the government's position that the future of development in the Northwest Territories rests with our success in funding our infrastructure and offering security to producers and partners in the pipeline process. We must maintain our position and continue to pressure the federal government to respond. Our economic future depends on it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like today to join my colleagues, Ms. Lee and Mr. Braden, in recognizing the efforts of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. I refer specifically to the October 6th Eleventh Annual CIBC Run for the Cure this year, Mr. Speaker -- good weather, great turn out. As Mr. Braden indicated. I think all of the local MLAs were in attendance and also present were the Premier, Minister Allen and a lot of staff from the building. Eight hundred and fifty participants in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, and an additional 200 in Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Simpson, Norman Wells and Inuvik, as well as Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet.

Mr. Speaker, indeed breast cancer affects all of our lives because it affects our mothers, our sisters, our daughters and our friends. An estimated 20,500 women in Canada will develop breast cancer in 2002, Mr. Speaker, and that is a seriously staggering number.

I would like to take this time, Mr. Speaker, to recognize the top fundraisers for this year's Run for the Cure. In the team challenge the Ecole St. Joseph School Huskies raised well over $7,000. In the women's challenge the Girl Power team raised over $6,000. In the community challenge the NWT Reps 2002 Team raised over $3,000 and we should be especially proud of the corporate team challenge, the GNWT Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Speaker, raised over $11,000. We will have to make sure that the Assembly gives them a run for their money next year. The top two individual fundraisers in Yellowknife were Dale Sooley who raised $10,550 -- an amazing amount of money -- and Kathy Wind who raised $4,816.

Mr. Speaker, when you compare us to other jurisdictions and other cities of similar size, it really is amazing per capital the amount of money we raised. I think Ms. Lee said that the total is coming in near $200,000. That compares to cities like Regina that were under $200,000 or Kelowna in and around the same amount of money and that is really great to see, Mr. Speaker.

I think that because of the number of participants in this event, the number of volunteers and indeed the entire amount of money raised we can tell that this is a very important issue to all Northerners, so I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and all of the participants and volunteers who took part in this year's Run for the Cure. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Today I wish to mention in this Assembly the names of the other students from Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk who took part in the literacy contest last spring by writing letters to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. All of these students were in the grade 4 to 6 categories. Mr. Speaker, third place went to Ryland Anderson, and Nolan Felix qualified for an honourable mention as well. Other students who had their stories featured were Kristen Lucas, Samantha Adam, John Taylor, Travis Anderson, and Chantell Nogasak.

Mr. Speaker, it is important that we continue to promote literacy in the NWT schools, and I wish to commend those students who took part in this contest. I also wish to pass on my sincere thanks to the teachers and staff of Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk, and especially the parents for their support in making this project a success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize Melanie Simba, who is here as a chaperone for our two pages from Kakisa. I would like to thank her and welcome her to the House.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to recognize my constituency assistant, Sherry Landry-Braun, and I would like to welcome her aboard.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Ruby Trudell, who I hope is still up there. I saw her earlier. She is the coordinator of the Breast Health/Breast Cancer Action Group in Yellowknife, and also my neighbour. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, I said I had hoped not to have to bring up the issue of the NWT Power Corporation again, but unfortunately, I was unable to ask my last set of questions, which I believe may go to the crux of the issue of confusion and fallout from the sequence of events from the past few months, which have led to the resignation of the board of directors of the Power Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, my question today is for Minister Handley. A comment attributed to Mr. Handley states that there was some confusion in what the Executive Council minutes meant. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask Mr. Handley, was he confused about what the Executive Council minutes meant? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was some lack of clarity in it. As a result, the Premier had lawyers in the Department of Justice provide clarification. That clarification was provided early in October and settled the matter. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when did Minister Handley become aware that the NTPC board of directors was confused about the Executive Council minutes and what they meant? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I do not think the Power Corporation board of directors felt there was any confusion in their minds until they received direction from Cabinet sometime around October 8th, I believe it was. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Obviously there was some confusion in the minds of the NWT Power Corporation board of directors because they have clearly and public stated that they firmly believe they have the support of the Minister and of Cabinet in applying for the rate zone. My question again is when Minister Handley became aware of this confusion, what did he do? What steps did he take to clarify the confusion about what the Cabinet decision meant? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the issue of what the wording actually meant was relayed to me, then I immediately directed the Power Corporation to withdraw their single-zone application. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is probably a very key question, because I believe that the public has a right to know the answer to my last question in order to understand Mr. Stewart's resignation and his comments in the media. My question is, what did Minister Handley tell the chairman of NTPC when he approached him in July to say that they wanted to proceed with a single-rate zone. What did the Minister tell him at that time? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it was actually at the end of September, or sorry, the end of June, following a Power Corporation board of directors meeting, that Mr. Stewart informed me that they intended to file a single-rate zone application. My feedback to them was that they have the authority to file the application that they were choosing to file. I was not going to argue with him. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Premier. I indicated in my Member's statement that the deadline to register guns is January 1, 2003, a date that is quickly approaching. In the Northwest Territories, we have many hunters and trappers who depend on guns. Also, at the same time, we have in our communities very little access to phones, and there are not too many trappers who have access to the Internet.

I would like to ask the Premier if he can tell me, prior to January 1, 2003, what action and support is this government willing to provide to those aboriginal people and all the residents of the Northwest Territories to ensure that their guns are registered? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Members are aware, the federal legislation passed some years ago. It is federal legislation. It is the responsibility of the federal government to make information available and provide assistance, so that all people across Canada are aware of the law, the requirements to be in compliance with the legislation and assistance that may be required. There were special provisions, I think, that were provided for aboriginal people. Some years ago, the Government of the Northwest Territories had offered to work with the federal officials to make sure that our people were not unduly burdened with this draconian piece of legislation. The specific assistance that we provide at this time, I am not aware of. I will be passing this on to the Minister of Justice so that we can get proper briefing from the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we are all in the same situation as the Premier. We do not have a lot of information on this proposal because the firearms centres in both Hay River and Yellowknife are closed. It is very difficult to get access to information.

Most of our communities, the smaller communities, have limited access to phones and Internet. I would like to ask the Premier if he could tell me if we could at least provide some assistance through this government to have people gain access to phones or the Internet system in the communities.

We do have government offices. Currently they are not mandated to allow people to use their phones to make calls to the firearms centres in the south. I would like to ask the Premier to answer my question.

Mr. Speaker, many Members of this Legislature, previous Premiers and Ministers, for many years they have lobbied very, very hard against this piece of legislation. We said many, many times to then-Minister of Justice Allen Rock, do not do it. It is a bad piece of legislation. It is going to create an enormous burden on the tax payers. It is going to be cumbersome, hard to implement and very costly and provide very little benefit to the people of Canada.

The legislation went anyway. We did offer on a couple of occasions to find ways to work with firearms testing and to date I am advised that our government is no longer assisting in any aspect of this legislation. It costs a lot of money to register guns, to issue licenses, to set up this registry.

The costs, we knew, are going to be much higher than the federal government led people to believe and we know the last figures that came out a year ago were proving that point.

This government is not spending any money or any resources to assist the federal government in getting people to comply with their legislation. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I do not know that I agree with the Premier's comment that this is a bad piece of legislation. I do not think that is something that is debatable anymore, but the process is very clear. The methodology that is set out to register guns is practically non-existent, even people that have access to phones, people that are well-educated, are having problems.

I cannot understand why this government would sit back and allow our people in the communities, especially the trappers and the people that depend on the land for existence, to supplement their food, to end up in a situation where they have a criminal record.

I will ask again if the Premier would consider appointing a department or some personnel to provide assistance. I do not believe we can sit back and stand idle while our people are getting in trouble. We had planned to intervene, we have time and we have the resources. Why can we not assist the people in the communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do recognize the tremendous difficulty people are going to have in registering their guns and acquiring licenses. Many of our people are now having difficulties getting ammunition to go hunting.

I have gone through the problem of registering the firearms I have, as well. And the paperwork that is made is not adequate, I think for many of us, because many, many people in the Northwest Territories have more than just three or four firearms in the house. The paperwork does not even provide for that.

Again, as you know our government is not getting much assistance from the federal government to meet the needs we have on roads and infrastructure and training to get ready for oil and gas and more diamond mines. We have been lobbying for two years. You add on the burden that we are facing of trying to get our people ready to meet the requirements of firearms legislation and it is just another cost that is going to be added on.

Right now, we are not cooperating with the federal government in trying to overcome the difficulties that this creates. At some point or other they have to be accountable and they have to accept full responsibility of this piece of legislation that all of us, as law-abiding citizens, have to comply with.

It is unfortunate. I agree it is not a northern attitude, to walk away from our people and deny responsiblitiy. At the same time there is no half measure. Either we are going to help all our people register their firearms, do their paperwork and accept that responsibility; there is really no other measure to take. I do not think at this time we are prepared to accept that responsibility. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot believe I am hearing the Premier that he will allow a lot of people in the North because this government is unwilling to deal with a situation that they did not have a lot of say in.

I guess at the very least I would like to ask the Premier if he would meet with the representatives from the federal government to encourage them to provide these services, to either open up their firearms centres in Hay River and Yellowknife, if he would meet with them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe it is our duty to pass on the concerns of the Members on behalf of their constituents to our Member of Parliament, to the Prime Minister and to the federal government to make them aware of the hardship and the difficulty that they are creating, because they will potentially make a criminal, even out of my mother, who is almost 84 years old and still has a 22. I do not believe she intends to register it, but she needs it every time she goes out and she has had that since she was quite a young girl.

We do have a looming difficulty that is coming up in our communities and in our families. We certainly will draw the attention of the federal government to this major concern that is developing in our communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have a lot of very experienced operators in road maintenance and road repair working out of our office and our garage facility here in Yellowknife for Highway No. 4 and Highway No. 3. I have offered the Member a number of times to go down with him to the garage and let's have he and I sit down and talk with these people who have that expertise and experience and who are working on that road almost every day.

The offer is open and I would enjoy listening to the debate between the operators and Mr. Lafferty. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, certainly I take all correspondence, all suggestions that we get from MLAs and from other people very seriously. With regard to how to grade a road, for example, I choose not to try to use my expertise for that one, but rely on the guys out there who have a lot of that expertise. I do not know that I have ever directed them to grade the road this way or that way. They know their business. If there is a difference with others, I would enjoy hearing both sides and would make a decision or give directions following that. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, again I make the offer to the Member to come with me sometime, we will go over to the garage, talk to the guys, I will listen to the debate back and forth -- because Mr. Lafferty has more expertise on how to grade roads than I do. I have guys out there who know it very well. Following that discussion, I will give direction, but up until now, I have not directed them grade the road differently, other than to do it the best way they know how. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, yes, we would have copies of all the correspondence. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes. It is regarding my Member's statement. Mr. Speaker, right now, there are roughly 30 elders who reside in their own homes in Fort McPherson. Yet, Mr. Speaker, the information that I was able to get from the department is that 15 people have applied on the program. Mr. Speaker, that is less than half the people eligible. Out of that, 50 percent of the people who did apply were denied, and basically asked to require them to appeal. The appeals process, Mr. Speaker, is 30 days. Yet, Mr. Speaker, under the existing legislation, it requires that in order to determine the household income, you must use tax returns or pay stubs as the means of getting that information.

Mr. Speaker, the program that is at hand allows a person to apply to the household income test, which means you have to file under the Income Tax Act, line 236, which, Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the income tax is filed for the previous year. The program we are talking about with regard to the seniors' home heating subsidy is for this fiscal year.

I would like to ask the Minister, in regard to this injustice, what is the department doing to ensure that the program is being delivered on the year that it is basically implemented?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for the question. The Member raises an area of some concern. I understand that concern. We are doing our best to address it. Mr. Speaker, I would like to comment that the number of applications in Fort McPherson, my records indicate that there are 20, eight were approved, five were denied, six were incomplete applications, and one was in progress. However, with regard to the question that the Member has raised, what we try to do with the Income Support Program, and what we do do across the Territory, of course, is to apply it consistently. An issue has been raised with regard to individuals living within the homes of seniors. Our assessment, of course, is based on the total family or home income, not just for the seniors. That is how we do the assessment at the moment, Mr. Speaker. We do that through the income tax returns.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the problem at hand, the way I see it, is that the federal income tax, the information that is being required right now, is the federal income tax returns. In most communities, a lot of that information is usually sent out to Revenue Canada and basically, once it is processed, you get it back. In most cases, because of the information that is required from his department to someone who may be a family member, a niece, a nephew who may be living with their grandparents, is always being questioned. Yet the income that they may have earned may have been earned in Alberta, out in a camp, or out of the community, but that is not taken into question.

I would like to ask the Minister exactly, will you do a review of the program, ensure that the assessment is only done on the household income for the year that basically the applicant is applying on?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is correct. The assessment for the household income is based upon tax returns, and those tax returns may be out of date. It could happen, Mr. Speaker, that we have situations where children, nieces, nephews move in with elders into their home, and yet this particular year, they do not have any income. I agree with the Member, that the assessments need to be done on the basis of current information, not one year ago when these individuals may not have any money left, in any event, or it may have been spent for other purposes, because we do not track the expenditures, so I do agree with the Member on that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, under the program, it requires that receipts must be immediately notified to the department if there is any change with regard to the status in regard to the income of the household. We are already covered under that section, so I would like to ask the Minister, will we look at a different approach of assessing income based on, say, a six-month requirement, where every six months you have to go in and update your income based on a new process than depending on Revenue Canada tax returns?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the application process needs to be more timely, Mr. Speaker, because fuel subsidies, no doubt individuals apply at the beginning of the year, hypothetically September or August, perhaps even as early as July, so I think we need to use a narrow time period in order to do the assessment, rather than every six months, because individuals may move in after...I think when the application is done, that is when the household assessment needs to be done, in my opinion.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if he can do a thorough review to ensure that this injustice has not turned away seniors in our communities from applying on this program because of the problems they have seen with the amount of information that is required just to fill out an application.

Could the Minister have his department do a thorough review on the number of people who may have applied who may not be applying today because of the problems they are seeing with the application process?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have our department look at this issue immediately so we can make some changes in this. I totally agree with the Member that income for a family should be current information, not outdated information. That is my first step and we will look at seeing how we can address it for those individuals who may not have applied, but that is a little more difficult other than through the process of perhaps making it known we are concerned about this and advising our staff regionally, community-wide and so forth that we are looking at changes in this process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Public Service. Mr. Speaker, recognizing the importance of maintaining a strong, confident public service, this government some time ago adopted a staff retention policy. This committed the government to the retention, retraining and development of existing staff as required to provide job security, career development and to maintain a skilled, stable and confident public service.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the staff retention policy is still in effect. I found it on our Government of the Northwest Territories web site, dated November 1, 2000.

Can the Minister confirm that the staff retention policy is still in force as shown on the web site?