Thank you, Mr. Ootes. We have a full day ahead of us. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is a committed partner along with the Inuvialuit, Gwich'in and Canada in the creation of a new regional government in the Beaufort-Delta. In partnership with Canada and the people of the Beaufort-Delta, we are making steady and measurable progress towards finalizing an Agreement-in-Principle, which we expect to be signed later this year.

For some time, the Beaufort-Delta Interim Regional Council, a body consisting of all regional and community governments in that region, have requested the establishment of a senior level position within the region that will coordinate and focus the GNWT's work in the region and in planning and preparation for the implementation of self-government. Similar requests have also been received directly from the Gwich'in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and one of the MLAs from the region.

Last winter, while attending the Beaufort-Delta Interim Regional Council meeting in Inuvik, I made a commitment that the GNWT would consider a request for such a position after a review of its present operational structure in the region. The Interim Regional Council subsequently passed a resolution at that meeting formally requesting such a position and their involvement in the establishment and recruitment processes.

Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that I have met twice with GNWT senior managers in Inuvik to seek their advice and suggestions on the establishment of a senior GNWT official in Inuvik, responsible for coordinating and planning at the regional level.

Over the course of the summer, GNWT regional managers and officials from the Beaufort-Delta Interim Regional Council office met to discuss this issue. Both groups supported the creation of such a position, which they saw to be an important bridge in continuing the dialogue and building trust amongst all governments in the region.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories intends to establish an executive director position in the Beaufort-Delta, as a pilot project for a one-year term. At the end of the pilot period, we will undertake an evaluation of the position. Based on the results of that evaluation, we will consider establishing similar positions in other regions of the territory.

Mr. Speaker, in keeping with our commitment to work in partnerships with governments in the Beaufort-Delta region, officials from our government will work with the Beaufort-Delta Interim Regional Office on all aspects of the hiring process for this position, including a joint interview and selection process. The executive director position will be a senior management position within the Department of the Executive and will report directly to the secretary to Cabinet.

Mr. Speaker, I expect the executive director position to be a valuable resource to both the GNWT and the Beaufort-Delta to carry out the government and the region's priorities and direction and in the planning and preparation for new governance structures in that region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, here in the NWT, we continue to work hard to ensure that our Income Assistance Program meets the needs of low-income NWT residents. Through regular program reviews, we demonstrate our willingness and commitment to ensure that we have the best program in all of Canada.

Mr. Speaker, as evidence of this commitment, we have raised benefit levels on several occasions over the past several years to address public concerns about the effects of inflation on benefit levels and the adequacy of the support that we provide. We have made strategic investments in our food, clothing, shelter and utility benefits. And we have done so for persons with disabilities, for seniors and for families. Through these investments and the program's focus on helping people make productive choices in their lives, we demonstrate our willingness and desire to help people move from a life of dependence to one of self-reliance.

Over the next several months, Mr. Speaker, the department is once again planning to assess the food benefit that it provides, which includes a personal care allowance for program participants. We are also working closely with Members of this House on changing the way in which we treat the various types of income that our clients receive.

Mr. Speaker, while we have made great strides in terms of benefit levels and on the appropriate treatment of income, one of the greatest challenges that we continue to face is in ensuring that low-income families receive services in a coordinated manner from this government.

To that end, Mr. Speaker, staff from the departments of Education, Culture and Employment, Health and Social Services, Justice and the NWT Housing Corporation have been working on ways to improve the service that they provide to their mutual clients. The department continues to work cooperatively on initiatives with other government departments. These initiatives involve improving the ways in which we provide programs and services to our seniors, to persons with disabilities and to the homeless.

Mr. Speaker, because of our willingness and commitment to improve the benefits and service that we provide, we have developed a program that has had considerable success in helping people move from a life of dependence to one of self-reliance. The number of people requiring income assistance has fallen by almost 40 percent in recent years, and our employment rate has risen to over 73 percent. Our unemployment rate stands at 6.2 percent -- the best in the country.

Mr. Speaker, despite this success, I recognize that much still needs to be done, especially in our smaller communities. We need to provide better support and work more closely with the community organizations that provide an invaluable service to our people. We need to continue our efforts on helping people move toward a life of independence.

Our program clients, our advocacy organizations, our community partners, and Members of this House share in the success I speak about here today. It is through their input and yours that we have, and will continue to have, the best Income Assistance Program in Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in June of this year, we had the pleasure of advising this House that the Social Agenda Working Group had completed its report entitled Social Agenda: A Draft for the People of the NWT. Minister Miltenberger, who leads the implementation of the Social Agenda for the government, informed the House that the GNWT would be developing a detailed response to the report of the Social Agenda Working Group.

I am pleased today to advise the Members of the Legislative Assembly that the GNWT has completed this response, entitled Doing our Part: The GNWT's Response to the Social Agenda, which will be tabled later today by the Minister of Health and Social Services. In leading the government-wide initiative to implement the GNWT's response to the social agenda, Minister Miltenberger will be working with all Cabinet Ministers in co-operation with our partner agencies and organizations.

Mr. Speaker, when members of the Social Agenda Working Group held their conference in Hay River in June, 2001, we formed a partnership and committed to work together to improve the social conditions in which Northerners live. Members of the working group, which includes the GNWT, represent a broad cross-section of aboriginal, public government, and non-government agencies working to meet the needs of those people in our communities who are most in need of support. Improving the lives of Northerners is a cornerstone of this Legislative Assembly's agenda, and so this government continues to strongly support the efforts of the Social Agenda Working Group.

There are some common themes running through the ten recommendations contained in the report of the Social Agenda Working Group. These range from recognizing that governments, social agencies and organizations must fundamentally change the way in which we work together, to trusting community leaders to know best how to affect change in their own home communities.

We all have a personal responsibility to make healthy lifestyle choices. Government can contribute by removing barriers so that communities can better plan and set their own priorities. We understand that doing our part requires system wide changes and, in that vein, we have identified a series of actions -- concrete things that this government can do, within a number of departments, to make changes in areas that fall under our jurisdiction.

Our response is, therefore, aimed at identifying the steps that this government will take in response to the recommendations directed towards us in the social agenda report, to contribute to positive social change for the benefit of all residents of the Northwest Territories.

While we cannot do it all, nor cannot do it alone, we are prepared to make meaningful change in the way the GNWT does business. The Government of the Northwest Territories has a responsibility to work, in cooperation with our social agenda partners, so that we can overcome barriers and make improvements to the system recommended by those who know it best.

The Social Agenda Working Group came together out of a recognition that we can achieve a far greater impact on improving social conditions by working collectively than we can by working in isolation of one another. The response to the social agenda that we are presenting today signals the GNWT's commitment to continue the partnership started in Hay River. Mahsi cho.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Mr. Nitah, I am going to have to stop you here and caution you with a Member's statement dealing with an issue that has already been dealt with in the House here. You are bordering on debate, which you would have had if you were here at that time, which you were not.

If you wish to continue your Member's statement, perhaps explaining as you began to your constituents, where you were and what you were doing. Mr. Nitah, you may continue if you wish, but only on that topic.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. Your time is up for your Member's statement. Mr. Nitah.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I stand in celebration and remembrance of a great citizen of Yellowknife, Wilma Finlayson. A familiar, hard working and rock solid member of this city's business community left us on September 13th, Mr. Speaker, after a brief but final bout of illness due to cancer.

In remembering Wilma, I think the word pioneer comes to mind. She and her husband Doug came to Yellowknife in 1951, migrating north from that other far flung northern outpost at the time, Fort McMurray. They came with their two-year-old daughter Susan to take up the opportunity to buy into the then fledgling Sutherland Drug Store. A few short months later their son arrived.

In the years that followed the Finlaysons established the (inaudible) and their business as a reliable, welcoming and caring part of this community. Friends will recall Wilma's ready smile, sincere laughter and her sense of giving. The business could always be relied on, Mr. Speaker, to have your fundraising raffles, your dance tickets, or donation jar always at their counter.

If you go into that store today, the thank you notes on their bulletin board will be a testimony to the groups and individuals that they have helped.

With the sudden death of Doug in 1975, Wilma carried on with new business partners, and that included the operation of one of the first sport fishing lodges on Great Slave Lake, still running today. We know that as Trophy Lodge, Mr. Speaker. Friends say that this is where Wilma really shone. She was a natural hostess with a rare gift for making you feel welcome and for making you feel like you were the most important person in her life, whatever your story or your situation.

She was a prairie girl, one of 15 children on a farm near Sully, Saskatchewan, and those prairie values stayed with her, especially her passion for curling and the success of her beloved football team, the Saskatchewan Rough Riders.

Of course her good humour and inner strength helped her with her first battle with cancer in 1999. She remained active and involved in the community until she succumbed last month in British Columbia. Friends and relatives gathered there a few weeks ago, and yesterday here in Yellowknife, in celebration and remembrance of a friend and a fellow Northerner.

Her legacy lives on in her family and that familiar business we still know as Sutherland Drugs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to draw the attention of this House, and in particular that Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, on the plight of the Northwest Territories post-secondary students with disability. As the Minister is well aware, Mr. Speaker, I along with a number of others concerned have been working on behalf of a young man with disability in Yellowknife who was denied access to student financial assistance for post-secondary education.

This, Mr. Speaker, in spite of the fact that he was admitted to a reputable vocational college in Alberta that would go a long way to ensure that he would be free from relying on the government for livelihood, and most important have a chance at becoming the best he can be.

I am happy to advise you, Mr. Speaker, that with the help of his family and supporters, he was successful in having his denial reversed. The student financial assistance appeal board determined that, "Based on the evidence, the transitional vocational program is a post-secondary school education for the purpose of the regulation."

Mr. Speaker, I believe strongly that this is a just and honourable decision and one that is in accordance with the spirit and intent of the act and the regulation. Unfortunately, I am not sure if the Minister and the department are in full agreement with this decision, Mr. Speaker. I say this because I have received communication from the Minister's office and the department that appears to question the validity of this decision or, at the very least, attempts are being made to limit the scope of the appeal board's decision in its application.

Mr. Speaker, everyone involved in this specific case is concerned about the amount of time and effort that has to go into applying and appealing for the benefits under this program that should be available to them by the just application of the law. We are acutely aware in this House that this -- well, the group is aware -- that one success will be in vein if other students in similar circumstances have to fight each time to get to the same decision, Mr. Speaker.

We are well aware, Mr. Speaker, not every student with disability going through this process has the level of support and determination as the ones in this case. The important point is that this should not be necessary. The law is already in place by the act, the regulation and the appeal board's decision. It is the Minister's job to make sure that the decision applies to everyone under similar circumstances, no matter...

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, may I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I urge the Minister to show his leadership in deference to the work of the appeal board once and for all, and take steps to direct the department to uphold the appeal board's decision. It is a duty and obligation of the Minister and the department to do this just thing, so that no one else under similar circumstances has to go through this process to have access to the program that they are entitled to. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in times when we are facing issues that are controversial, it is important to focus on those issues that have a positive impact on people and land as well. Mr. Speaker, as many people may be aware, the Horn Plateau, or E'dehzhie, as it is also known, is an area of great cultural and ecological significance to the people in the Deh Cho. It has received protection under the Protected Area Strategy. Protection of the Horn Plateau is an example of positive impact and recognition and protection placed on it has a special meaning to the aboriginal people who gather there.

What this protection means is that over the next five years, no development will take place in that area. During that five-year period, the area will undergo extensive study and assessment to determine if it should be protected indefinitely.

Mr. Speaker, this important decision was not done in isolation, but was a combined effort undertaken by the people from the Deh Cho, the North Slave, the Government of the Northwest Territories, the federal government, and an organization called the World Wildlife Fund, Canada. It was a people's vision combined with a belief and effort that saw a need to protect a piece of land that was abundant, not only in wildlife, but also with the history of the people who have used it over centuries.

Mr. Speaker, this important decision reminds us what our priorities as a government should be -- that is, to ensure the best interest and integrity of our land and our people are protected at all levels. When something as positive as protection of an area so pristine, so filled with history and life, and so great occurs, it is important to recognize and acknowledge those people who have spent many hundreds of hours working to make the important event come to life.

For this, I wish to thank those who have worked so hard in protecting our lands for future generations. Without their foresight and efforts, our lands and our way of life would fully disappear. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to draw attention to an issue that affects a great number of businesses in the Northwest Territories -- that being the lack of skilled labour, Mr. Speaker. Labour shortages continue to plague small- and medium-sized business owners. Small businesses continue to create jobs at an increasing rate. However, the shortage of qualified tradespeople may actually worsen as our economy grows stronger.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend Karen Cooper, manager of the Hay River Career Development Centre, and her excellent staff for playing host to the 2002 apprenticeship forum held in Hay River on October 2nd. The apprenticeship forum was attended by a variety of stakeholders, Mr. Speaker. There were employers, young apprentice, GNWT representatives, post-secondary representatives, and educators, to name a few. The forum was a wonderful venue for stakeholders to share ideas and discuss solutions to our labour shortages.

Mr. Speaker, I was quite appalled to hear shop teachers saying that their yearly budget is $4,000 with 30 kids in their classes. One teacher mentioned that his budget is $16 per student for the entire year. This does not include anything for resource materials. It is only for materials, not for any capital items. This is as a result of our formula funding arrangements for schools.

Mr. Speaker, in Hay River, our high school was built in the 1970s and our shop area has never been upgraded. How are you to teach kids about the trades and develop their interest in the trades if these educators are dealing with such antiquated equipment? I give these teachers credit, Mr. Speaker, for working under these conditions and continually trying to motivate kids.

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business surveyed their NWT members only a year ago, and 83 percent of the respondents say that their highest priority is the shortage of qualified labour. That really says something, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, at the apprenticeship forum, it was stressed to delegates that they need to talk to their MLAs about this situation and really make them listen. Well, Mr. Speaker, I have heard them and I hope that the Minister responsible and this government is listening. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to thank the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine, for offering me the opportunity to travel with Mr. Antoine to the World Diamond Conference in Antwerp, Belgium, October 7th and 8th.

Mr. Speaker, our diamond industry, although young, has placed us on the world map in regard to the diamond industry in the Northwest Territories. For myself, Mr. Speaker, the highlight of the trip was meeting the former vice-president of the United States, Mr. Al Gore, and having an opportunity to speak to Mr. Gore on issues that affect the Northwest Territories, especially the Arctic.

In our discussions, which were about 15 minutes, I had an opportunity to talk to Mr. Gore about the Arctic National Refuge and what his position was on the matter. He fully supports not opening up the refuge to oil and gas development.

Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, I was amazed at Mr. Gore's information and knowledge about the Arctic and the effect with regard to global warming, and how it is affecting the Arctic, the people of the Arctic, and the world as we know it.

Mr. Speaker, in our discussions between myself and Mr. Gore, we spoke about the effects that we are seeing in the Arctic with regard to what the people in the Arctic are seeing in regard to the weather patterns and the effects on our ability to move, hunt, trap, fish. Yet, Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that ourselves as government, that we take the time to reach out to world leaders and make them aware of the effects other countries have on ourselves here in the Northwest Territories.

In our discussions with Mr. Gore, I made an attempt to access more information in regard to global warming from video tapes that were developed from the people in Sachs Harbour to what we are seeing in regard to our wildlife boards, our wildlife patterns that are out there. Mr. Speaker, most importantly, is the intelligence and the opportunity that we take when we travel to different places around the world.

For myself, Mr. Speaker, this is the opportunity of a lifetime and I am glad the Minister is giving me the opportunity to travel with him on this trip. I do look forward to corresponding with Mr. Gore in regard to global warming and the effect on the Arctic and the people of the Arctic. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Business Incentive Policy review. Mr. Speaker, the government has claimed that the revisions they propose to the Business Incentive Policy are in the best interest of northern business. Yet I keep hearing from the northern business community that they have serious concerns regarding these proposed changes to the policy.

It seems, Mr. Speaker, that there are several fundamental problems with the proposed policy. I think that the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development must take another look at it based on the comments made by Members and northern business before Cabinet moves to adopt the policy.

The Minister has said that this government's procurement practices are intended to maximize benefits for residents of the Northwest Territories. However, we have heard concerns raised by northern business that the proposed new policy will not assist them as much as the current policy.

Business people I have talked to were surprised to hear about the proposal to impose caps, especially when the department says that business proposed that cap.

They failed to see why it would be in their best interests also to allow a Minister to decide arbitrarily whether a particular bid may be ineligible in determining Northwest Territories content.

Mr. Speaker, a lack of enforcement of the current policy has always been a concern of northern business. The new policy contains no real new commitment by the government to monitor the method in which it implements the policy.

So this proposed policy will provide incentives for businesses that employ northerners and file taxes in the Northwest Territories. This represents a significant change in the basic philosophy of the program. The existing program is set up to encourage the establishment and development of northern-owned business. The new program would be silent on business ownership. This change in the underlying philosophy should have first been discussed by Members of this Assembly, but it was not.

Mr. Speaker, before considering whether to maintain the current BIP or to change it, we should also know what the costs and benefits of the current policy are, but we do not. In the June sitting of this House, I asked the Minister of Public Works what the cost of BIP was to this government. He pulled a figure of $33 million out of the air. Then, he later wrote to me to indicate that the cost to his department was more accurately only $43,000. I am somewhat disturbed, Mr. Speaker, that the very public way misinformation was presented and then no offer was made to publicly retract it. That is a matter for another day.

Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is that we do not have good, baseline information on which to make decisions. The new policy is not ready for implementation without serious change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I found it of some concern that it is being reported to our residents and to southern media that as a result of the concern and the issue raised in this House over the last week about accountability that we were having problems with our style or structure of government, that being consensus, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, for the record and for the constituents of the Northwest Territories, it is unfortunate that when maybe two Members of this House have referenced to some degree structure or concerns with the structure of government that we are now being told, or it is being told, that we are debating the structure and the style of government of this Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, for the record, there has been no debate as far as I have been aware about consensus government and if it needs to be changed here in the Northwest Territories. If that debate is occurring, it is occurring among the very few.

Instead, Mr. Speaker, I think we must once again for the record state that the issue at hand was not one of the structure of government and if that structure is causing us some concern with how we get our work done here in the Northwest Territories. I say, Mr. Speaker, that it was through the consensus style that Members of this House were able to get information that they could bring the government to bear on the aspect of accountability.

Mr. Speaker, for the record, let it stand that we are not debating consensus government here. The debate that took place was around accountability, and let's not deflect from that. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The condolences of the House do go to the Rabesca and the Smith families, the passing of a pioneer, as Mr. Rabesca was. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Arctic Tourism organization is an industry-driven organization responsible to over 200 tourism operator members and to the government of the Northwest Territories. The NWTAT is responsible for pan-territorial tourism marketing, industry education and the development and marketing of aboriginal cultural tourism of the Northwest Territories locally, nationally and internationally.

Their vision statement is to develop a dynamic partnership between industry and government in support of our vital, viable and sustainable industry by marketing tourism and providing support to tourism operations to communities in the Northwest Territories.

This weekend, Northwest Territories Arctic Tourism will be hosting their AGM conference which will take place in Yellowknife. The keynote speaker will be Senator Nick Sibbeston. This will be the second annual tourism conference to be held in the North and I understand that the registrations have so far outnumbered their first conference.

The theme of this year's session will be "Let Your Spirit Soar." Once recent initiative of Arctic Tourism was a trip to Germany. As most of you know, I had the opportunity to represent the Northwest Territories when Minister Antoine was unavailable to go with the group at that time. Northern tour operators and representatives from organizations like Blachford Lake Lodge, Nahanni River Adventures, the Norweta, Simpson Air, Arctic Nature Tours, Canadian North and Kellet Communications and Mack Travel were part of the delegation that went to Germany. We made presentations in Munich, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt.

Mr. Speaker, German people are fascinated with the northern culture, the outdoors, the beautiful scenery and the wildlife. The northern tour division is focusing on packaging a fly and drive program which would see tourist fly into the North and renting vehicles or motor homes to travel.

The mission was a success and was a very good value. I am sure we will experience the value to the Northwest Territories in the years to come. To enter a marketplace you must understand the needs and what the people are looking for. Many key contacts were made and I believe that having the operators share their products and services personally was very effective and certainly even for myself as a long-time Northerner, it made me want to see and experience more of the North.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the very good work of Northwest Territories Arctic Tourism. Mr. Speaker, just on a personal note, this was the first time I have ever had a stamp in my passport. Flying is not one of my strong points so I would also just like to thank God that He gave me the opportunity and the safety on this trip. It was very difficult for me to board a plane for ten hours. I would be remiss in not saying that I was very thankful I was able to do that. It was a great experience. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have tabled a document in this Assembly that reflects a number of people in my riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes who still retain the basic land skills and continue to use hunting and trapping to supplement their lifestyles, diets and economies. This also applies to those who come North to live amongst us. They have learned to appreciate our vast land and the abundance of wild game, fish, and fur.

For many of us as Members of the Legislative Assembly, as Members from small ridings, we may have grown up in such a setting. Many of us were not only taught the way to survive on the land, but developed skills that we took out of formal education schooling, in a log house somewhere out in the bush.

Mr. Speaker, our traditional times are going to the wayside, simply because it is no longer affordable to trap for a living. Mr. Speaker, with a new trapping season ready to begin, I would like to let the trappers in my riding and others across the Northwest Territories know that I am in support of this lifestyle. I stand in this House today to applaud you.

With that in mind today, I want to showcase my vest made from local sealskins harvested offshore of Sachs Harbour on Banks Island. The lady who made this vest for me is Ms. Edna Elias who is not only a seamstress but entrepreneur, former school principal and interpreter. Her partner Sydney and her spend a good part of the summer harvesting these seals to make these vests, so I can promote it.

The embroidery also signifies the artwork that symbolizes the town that we have in the North. The renowned artists, some of them down from Fort Smith, carved the pendant of the eagle I am wearing today. As you can see, Mr. Speaker, I am wearing two important pieces of art, one which is made in the most southern part of our Territory, the other from the most northern part.

Mr. Speaker, the promotion is intended to display what fine products can be made from wild fur at a very affordable price. It also shows that smaller companies can still be developed in the most remote communities of our Territory, using locally harvested products. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues in this House to work with their constituents to promote our finest furs and to encourage people to continue to trap and support an industry that needs revival. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me a great deal of pleasure today to introduce a number of people who contribute a great deal to our education systems in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker, and that is the chairs of the district education councils and the chairs of the district education authorities here in Yellowknife.

I would like to introduce them by name, Mr. Speaker and the divisional education they are from.

First we have Alex Illasiak of the Beaufort-Delta; Jean-Francois Pitre, of the Commission Scolaire Francophone Division; Martina Norwegian from the Deh Cho Divisional Education Council; Karen Balanuik of the Sahtu Divisional Education Council; Anne Pischinger of the South Slave Divisional Education Council; and Mildred Wilke of the Yellowknife District Education Council; and Larry Purcka of the Yellowknife Public Denominational District Education Authority.

-- Applause

Not with us today, Mr. Speaker, are Violet Camsell-Blondin of the Dogrib Divisional Education Council and Earl Jacobson of the college. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is not very often that I get to recognize a constituent of mine, but today I would like to welcome a very special lady in the gallery, a true Northerner who has been around for a long time and a member of a very big family in the North, Ms. Bertha McBryan. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize a constituent of mine from Aklavik, Mr. Alex Illasiak. Alex has been involved with community activities, involved with the church, local boards and agencies such as the education board and involvement with the Inuvialuit organizations. Also, Alex has put in many, many years of public service to assist the people of Aklavik and the Mackenzie Delta. At this time I would like to thank you personally for all the hard work you have been doing. Keep it up.

-- Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Ann Pischinger. She is a constituent, a friend, a next-door neighbour. While she looks after education, she works for public health for the Fort Smith boards as well -- a very busy lady. I would like to recognize her and thank her for being here.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Although she is not my constituent, I would like to recognize Susan Marie today in the gallery. I would like to thank her for all the hard work that she does on the preservation of northern arts and crafts and information on traditional garments. I recently had occasion to buy one of those beautifully tanned hides that Mr. Antoine spoke about from Trout Lake. I am looking forward to talking to someone like Susan about traditional garments. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member from Hay River South stole my thunder, but I too would like to recognize Susan Marie, a very creative and remarkable artist and social activist, and a women leader -- a woman I admire. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased today to recognize a constituent, Cindy Gilday. Ms. Gilday is the senior advisor for community relations at Diavik Diamond Mines. She is accompanied by a visitor from Australia, Ms. Cara Peek, an exchange student. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Any further recognition of visitors in the gallery? I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all the persons who have come to watch the Legislative Assembly today and certainly to welcome Mrs. McBryan, a true pioneer in the North. Further, to extend a special welcome to our Australian student who is here to observe some of the aboriginal activities that are taking place within the industry, I believe it is. A young lady, a law student -- an aborigine law student from Australia. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The Chair heard a couple of questions there, but the Minister responsible for RWED can choose which one he would like to answer. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions this afternoon are for the Minister of Finance. Earlier today, the Honourable John Manley presented an economic fiscal update to the Standing Committee on Finance in the House of Commons. In that, he announced that Canada had achieved an $8.9 billion surplus in the last fiscal year, and was projecting a $3.5 billion surplus this year. What can residents of the Northwest Territories expect the impact of those surpluses to be directly on the finances of this government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Finance announced that the surplus for last year was $8.9 million, that he anticipated a surplus for 2002 of $1 billion, but that included a $3 billion contingency fund, and that for next year, it would be up as high as $3.1 billion. In the same statement, he also was clear that any of the surpluses would be used to pay down the national debt. Although he talked in the paper about northern...developing Canada as a northern tiger, he did not make any commitments at this time that would directly benefit the North. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Minister Manley noted that this was the fifth annual surplus that Canada had achieved. He talked about the importance of reducing debt and balancing the books because, as he said, keeping the budget balanced and reducing debt are crucial to achieve a better standard of living and quality of life for Canadians.

I cannot help but contrast that with recent comments from the Minister of Finance for the Northwest Territories. When does the Minister expect that we will be returning our books to a balanced budget?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, given the priorities of our government, which are primarily to support the economic development and the opportunities we have, and to continue to meet the social development needs of our people, then I expect that we will continue to see demands on our resources outstripping our revenues. Now, we want to turn that around as quickly as we can, but we are not going to be able to do it within a year or two. It is probably going to take us several years to see us move to a positive budget. The formula we have with the federal government, the financing formula, ends in 2004. We are in the beginning stages of negotiating that. I do not expect that we are going to see a turnaround until we have a better financing arrangement with Canada. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Minister Manley said in spite of the plan to put the surpluses to bring down the debt, that would not stop new government spending. What they would do is review the effectiveness and efficiency of existing policies and programs and ensure they are cost effective. As he said, governments of all levels must constantly reinvent themselves and strive to find new ways to meet the needs of Canadians in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

What is this government doing to re-examine the programs and policies that it has to ensure that they are cost effective and still meeting the needs of Northerners?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, we have a deputy minister who is responsible for looking at all of our expenditures and at some potential revenues for our government. There are a number of areas he and a team of deputy ministers are working on, both looking at making our government more efficient and cutting down on the cost of delivering the services that we have.

Mr. Speaker, that has been an exercise that has been going on for several months and will continue. I think we will be pleased to provide regular updates as the efforts progress. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is this review a desk sort of review, or is there going to be a meaningful cost benefit analysis of some of the programs and services that the government has been providing over the years to ensure that they really are still cost-effective and meeting the needs of Northerners.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I think where there appears to be a need for a good, thorough cost-benefit analysis, then that will be done. This is not just simply a desktop review, but I think one that is seriously aimed at finding more efficiencies in government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger, regarding an issue I raised in this House about a young gentlemen, about six months old, Mr. Donovan Arey Junior. He was diagnosed with a serious heart disease back in August. He has been in Edmonton for some time, and then the family returned home to Aklavik. The direction that was given by the doctors in Edmonton is that the family has to relocate to Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, the challenge that they are having is trying to find accommodation for the family. The family encompasses six people; four children and the mother and father.

I have been working with the Premier, the Minister of Finance, and also the Minister of Health and Social Services in trying to get some movement on this. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services exactly what is the status of the emergency request by the family to relocate them to Aklavik.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very reluctant to stand in this House and discuss specific issues. There was general concern raised while we were talking about specific families and their children and medical situations. I would like to ask the Member that he is aware of the work we are trying to do but I am not in a position to discuss it in this House. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we all know, this is a medical emergency. All I am asking of the Minister is, what is he doing to ensure that this medical emergency is being dealt with? How soon can this emergency be enacted by finding accommodations for the family to be able to move to Yellowknife and have access to the hospital here in Yellowknife?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Before I get to the response, Mr. Minister, if you will just permit me, the Chair is very concerned with the angle of the camera that is in the gallery. I would ask the camera to be removed from the House. The camera was looking down straight onto the Minister. Thank you. The House will resume again here. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this particular situation has been given immediate attention as we speak. The department, the authority are working with the family, myself and the deputy minister on this particular issue, to try to make sure that it gets resolved in a timely way.

We are looking at the steps that are necessary, at least on an interim basis to make sure that the folks are close to the required medical attention. We are also going to be searching for a longer term solution. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister give us an idea of the timeline? What are we talking about here? A couple days, a couple weeks? It is an emergency, how soon can we deal with this matter?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would hope that we would be nailing down and concluding interim arrangements so that by early next week we would be able to take the steps to have the patient close to the necessary medical facilities. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe the seriousness of this matter... The family went back to Aklavik on October 16th. It is going on well over two weeks. Supposedly he was going to be there for a week. The doctor only allowed them to be there for a week. Mr. Speaker, it looks like we may be going onto three weeks.

I would like to ask the Minister, can you move any faster than having to wait to next week?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are working with the family, the family has indicated that they will not move unless there is full accommodation for the whole family so we are in a tight market situation in Yellowknife trying to come up with a way that we can make sure we can get the family out here and the patient in question close to the necessary medical facilities as soon as we possibly can.

This issue was brought to my attention a couple days ago. We have been working on it since then at the highest levels trying to make sure that we get this resolved. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I read with interest a story in the September 25th edition of the Yellowknifer that stated that Yellowknife Catholic schools are planning to start construction as early as next year on a $1.45 million trade centre. The building to be used for the trade centre is the old driver training centre and there are negotiations to have this building turned over to them from our government.

The article stated that they will be sourcing dollars from a number of other partners, one being our very own Department of Education. Would the Minister please state what level of funding his department will be providing for this centre for the Yellowknife students? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to my understanding there has been no commitment for a level of funding that has been approved as of yet by us. I am not sure that there is any request in the works. Our position I think will be to look at the program, but normally how we do this is to suggest that the various DECs, DEAs that are looking to expand programs have to take those out of existing funding, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister then please indicate exactly what his department is doing to promote the trades to our young people in the Hay River area and the surrounding communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.