Thank you, Mr. Roland. Good morning, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later today I will be giving notice of motion for first reading of a bill to amend the Adoption Act and the Family Law Act. These amendments reflect the requirements for equality under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Human rights legislation across Canada, including our own proposed NWT Human Rights Act, list sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination. As well, various courts across the country, including the Supreme Court of Canada, have ruled that legislation that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation violates the Charter and has been found to be unconstitutional.

As a result, courts and Legislatures have been granting many of the same rights and responsibilities under the law to same-sex couples that are enjoyed by opposite sex common-law couples. This includes such areas as the right to spousal support, the right to equal division of property and the right to adopt.

Mr. Speaker, in the Northwest Territories, individuals involved in same-sex common-law relationships do not, in most cases, currently have the same legislated rights and responsibilities as do individuals in opposite sex common-law relationships. In order to ensure that our legislation complies with equality provisions under the Charter, and to avoid any costly legal challenges, we will be addressing this concern in two phases.

In phase one we will be introducing a bill to amend the Adoption Act and the Family Law Act. These amendments will change the definition of spouse to include, in addition to married couples, those who have lived in a conjugal relationship for two years. The definition will be gender neutral. As a consequence of these amendments, nine other acts that use the definition of spouse found in the Family Law Act would also be affected.

These amendments will ensure that those individuals living in a same-sex relationship will have the same rights and obligations under this legislation that are currently provided to those living in a common-law relationship. Specifically under the Family Law Act and the Adoption Act, they would be able to seek spousal support, division of property, restraining orders and be allowed to adopt.

Phase two of this project involves a review and amendment of all the remaining 35 pieces of legislation that use spouse or an equivalent.

Mr. Speaker, developments in Canadian law over the past ten years have resulted in the extension to unmarried couples many of the same rights and obligations that have been enjoyed by married couples. In addition, the courts have ruled that discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is unconstitutional. These two developments have meant that laws that treat unmarried couples differently based on their sexual orientation have been found unconstitutional. By amending our NWT legislation to provide equal treatment under the law for individuals involved in same-sex relationships as for individuals in common-law relationships, we are simply bringing our legislation in line with the development of the law across the rest of Canada. This process will in no way impact on the institution of marriage in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As outlined by the Minister of Finance two days ago in the Budget Address, this government plans on investing an additional $1 million in the area of day care during the upcoming fiscal year.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT's economy is vibrant and generating new jobs. This activity translates into increased opportunities for northern residents. While part of this government's role is to create an environment for investment and growth, we must also take steps that allow our residents every opportunity to benefit from this prosperity. The goal, aptly articulated in Towards A Better Tomorrow, is one of the principles behind the decision to invest additional funds in this area.

Our plan, Mr. Speaker, is to invest new money in two critical areas. First we plan to increase the daily contribution we make to licensed day care programs. As an example, if the base rate for an infant space is $9.00 per child, we plan to increase it to $14.40 per child. As you can see, Mr. Speaker, this is a full 60 percent increase.

The second area, Mr. Speaker, where we will make a substantial increase is in the area of day care subsidies for low-income parents. Our present system does not cover parents who need day care services during the summer months, or parents who work shift work. If we are going to assist these Northerners in taking advantage of the opportunities before them, we must improve their access to day care services. It is our hope that this increased investment will do just that.

Early childhood is a priority for this government, Mr. Speaker. Investments in early childhood will help to realize our goal of a healthy, self-reliant territory as envisioned in Towards A Better Tomorrow. This investment will give NWT families greater access to affordable quality childcare and a greater opportunity to realize their own career dreams while making a productive contribution to society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the course of this Assembly and in the past, all Members have spoken at one time or another about the cost and devastation to the people of the North who have suffered through alcohol and drug addictions. The evidence is in our homes and schools and jails from fetal alcohol effect. We see the trauma from sexual abuse and molestation in residential schools. Spousal assault and victims of family violence are ever-present. It is not a pretty picture. In this respect, Mr. Speaker, we do not have a healthy society.

To capitalize on and benefit from the economic opportunities facing us, we have to make some significant process in dealing with the effects of these situations in our society.

Yesterday my colleague, Mr. Lafferty, the Member for North Slave, spoke passionately about the need for treatment and prevention facilities here in the North. Members of the Beaufort-Delta communities have on numerous occasions spoken about the lack of support in this area as evidenced by the closure of the Tl'oondih Healing Facility.

Mr. Speaker, just off the Detah road sits a substantive 28-bed facility built in 1991 with financing from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. It is an ideal place for healing and self-reflection.

In 2000, Mr. Speaker, the Somba Ke Healing Lodge was founded as a non-profit organization. The ironic situation seems that while the facility has survived, it has survived just barely with help from a number of organizations, but the GNWT Department of Health and Social Services and others should be there as well.

Corrections Services Canada, the federal agency, sends inmates from southern Canada. The Aboriginal Healing Foundation has provided substantial support. When I was there last week, I even encountered a group of Japanese tourists who were using the facilities.

Mr. Speaker, the current status of Somba Ke may be described as uncertain and troubled. Some of its healing programs are delivered to inmates from Corrections Canada and those programs are well regarded. There is a need for additional program definition and development.

Yesterday the Minister of Health and Social Services tabled his action plan for health and social services. Mr. Speaker, the Somba Ke healing centre can be part of the solution for improving quality services. I urge the Minister to positively consider what role the Somba Ke healing centre can play in his action plan in this region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, climates are changing and nowhere more than the Northwest Territories and the Arctic. Mr. Speaker, we have to have a position to deal with global warming. Our Minister will be attending a conference next week in British Columbia.

Mr. Speaker, I do not think we really understand what this government's position is on the Kyoto agreement, global warming and what we are doing to take on the challenge of the effects of global warming in the Northwest Territories.

We have seen the effects in the weather, the effect it has had on our transportation system, our winter roads and also the environment of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I think as a government, we have to know what our position is. For the Members on this side, we would like to know -- do we actually have a position from the Government of the Northwest Territories regarding the Kyoto agreement and global warming?

We, the people in the North, are going to be greatly affected to a point that whatever happens in other parts of the world will have a major effect on the North, the people of the North, the animals and the environment. Mr. Speaker, it has been some time since we as a government have stood up to the rest of the world to say enough is enough. We have seen the effects. We are the ones being affected most greatly, yet we continue to hear the countries of the world, such as the United States, one of the highest producers and users of energy and they have the greatest effect on global warming.

As a government and as Canadians we have to set the examples. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development to really see, do we have a position on this matter and what stand is he going to take when he attends this conference next week in British Columbia.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning I would like to take a couple of minutes to talk about a topic that is very near and dear to my heart and that is sports. Mr. Speaker, a number of my colleagues and myself have been anxious to get to the TV sets these days to watch the Olympics and the goings on there. We have been entertained by some very exciting games in different sports.

I know that I want to congratulate the ladies team last night for coming out on top of the U.S. team in ladies hockey.

-- Applause

After going into that game, having lost eight consecutive times to the U.S., I am sure there was a lot of pressure on these girls. I guess we have been witness to quite a number of negative happenings when you mix politics and sports. We have seen that in a number of sports in the Olympics in the last couple of weeks.

I think that far too often, Mr. Speaker, we put too much importance on medals and the colour of medals being presented. I know that a number of athletes have been to the Olympics and different sporting events and have put in personal bests and have not come away with medals.

I think that we should be putting more emphasis on our athletes who do personal bests when they are in competition against other athletes and not worry about what colour medals they are getting.

I want to congratulate all Canadians who have taken part in the Olympics and who have represented Canada to the very best of their abilities. I also want to congratulate all the athletes across the North who have qualified to compete in the Arctic Winter Games. I know it is very important, having been involved in the games before, that the athletes receive support from families, from friends and also from government representatives.

I will not be personally going to the games this year, but I do hope that some of my colleagues will have the opportunity to attend and give our athletes some support and encouragement.

Mr. Speaker, next week, starting on Saturday, there is a team from the Northwest Territories that is going to be representing the Northwest Territories and the Yukon at the Scott Tournament of Hearts in Brandon, Manitoba. Mr. Speaker, this team consists of Monique Gagnier of Hay River, Kelly Kaylo of Yellowknife, Cheryl Burlington of Yellowknife, Sharon Cormier of Yellowknife...

Mr. Delorey, the time for your Member's statement is over. Mr. Delorey.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Also, Kerri Cooley makes up the fifth player on this team. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to inform the House that I as well am going to be part of this team. I have been coaching this team off and on this winter. I have also been coaching my daughter, Monique Gagnier, for probably the last 18 years or so.

-- Applause

It gives me great pleasure to be able to go to Manitoba and represent the NWT and Yukon as part of this team. I also want to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to advise my constituents back in Hay River that I will be absent from the House from Monday, February 25th to March 1st so that I can coach this team in Manitoba. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Our good wishes go along with the team. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last April, the Government of Canada created the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. Roy Romanow was appointed to head up the commission. The end goal, Mr. Speaker, is to examine the state of public health care in this country and recommend ways to be made sustainable well into the next century.

The commission recognizes that providing practical and realistic recommendations will be an enormous task. To achieve this, the commission is analyzing submissions from health care providers, stakeholder groups and concerned Canadians who offer their views on challenges and opportunities facing public health care in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, this spring the commission will be visiting the Northwest Territories to hear from Northerners. I have every expectation that our government will be making a formal presentation highlighting our challenges. I also hope that the Standing Committee on Social Programs will be invited to contribute its views to the submission.

Mr. Speaker, we should urge all citizens of the Northwest Territories concerned with protecting our health care system to get involved and be heard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the transportation and storage of ammonium nitrate in and through the community of Enterprise.

Mr. Speaker, this issue has been raised in the House before by Keelen Simpson, who was representing Hay River South during the Youth Parliament. She certainly demonstrated the importance that this issue has to all ages to the people in the North.

Ammonium nitrate is normally used as a chemical blasting agent, but it is also used as fertilizer. By itself, it is not dangerous but it can be detonated under high heat, confinement or severe shock. For example, if ammonium nitrate is mixed with diesel fuel and ignited, this can result in an explosion.

Mr. Speaker, any time there are dangerous goods being transported or stored within a community, the community council should be notified well in advance -- no exceptions. At the very least, the local fire department should be notified.

How dangerous is ammonium nitrate? It was a key part in a bomb used to destroy the federal government building in Oklahoma City in 1995, killing 168 people and wounding hundreds of others. How much ammonium nitrate was used? Less than two-and-a-half tons. Many times this amount is being transported on just one truck. These trucks, Mr. Speaker, frequently travel through or stop in the communities in my riding.

I have discussed this issue with the government on many occasions. However, they always explain that under our Dangerous Goods Act, it is not required to consult with the community, as the government does not consider ammonium nitrate to be a dangerous good.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that the highway patrol officers are charged to monitor dangerous goods that are being transported on the highway system. However, we have to ask ourselves who is monitoring the storage and the handling of these chemicals when they are in our communities without our knowledge and without our permission?

Mr. Speaker, given the potential dangers of ammonium nitrate, I find the government's position on this matter very distressing. Clearly when proper procedures are not established to adequately notify communities, we have a disaster in the making. We must take action now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the issue of bravery. Mr. Speaker, I have been informed that 29 recipients will be receiving the medal of bravery this year and in fact, two of those individuals come from my constituency of Inuvik.

Mr. Speaker, the late Mr. Ernest Gordon, or as we have known him in our community as Ernie Gordon, and Mr. Brian McDonald, who still lives in Inuvik, will be receiving the medal of bravery. Mr. Speaker, this centres around the actions that took place on August 6, 2000. Mr. Brian McDonald attempted to rescue Mr. Ernest Gordon, who lost his life trying to save a ten-year old girl from drowning in Campbell Creek near Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

Mr. Gordon was picnicking with his family when his daughter's friend was caught in a strong current. Although he could not swim, Mr. Gordon managed to reach the child and grab hold of her, but he too was carried away by the rushing waters. He was struggling to keep himself and the little girl afloat when Mr. McDonald arrived at the scene. Alerted by the cries for help and realizing the gravity of the situation, Mr. McDonald battled the current until he reached the victims some 12 metres out. Unable to haul them both in, he took the child from Mr. Gordon and encouraged him to continue treading water until arrival of another swimmer, who was on his way with a flotation device. Although exhausted, Mr. McDonald was able to return to shore with the little girl, but sadly, Mr. Gordon lost his struggle and drowned moments before help arrived. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the winter edition of the oil and gas review, the Premier summarized what we have known all along about the role of the federal government in the economic development of the North. He indicated that the federal government does not seem to take an active interest in developing the resources that they have up here, and if they have, he indicates that he has missed it.

There are many ways for Northerners to benefit from economic development. These include requirements for agreements for training, employment and the use of northern supplier services and manufacturers.

The most recent evaluation made by this government of that agreement was completed in May, 1990. A lot of things have changed since then, Mr. Speaker. We now have increased oil and gas development, the closure of the gold and zinc mines and the establishment of a growing diamond industry. The former federal Industry Minister, Mr. Tobin, on his last trip here to Yellowknife was boasting that the NWT has the fastest growing economy in the country. This growth is in areas that will require services in fields that are either emerging or changing, and Northerners need access to financial resources if they are truly going to derive the benefit from northern development.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, one of the big beneficiaries of our economic activity, the federal government themselves, do not seem to want to come to the table. I know we have attempted, through our Non-Renewable Resource Development Strategy, to engage the federal government in our desire to benefit from our resources. Other jurisdictions in Canada have enjoyed the success of the benefits of economic development agreements with the federal government. Why is the North being ignored on this front? I believe this is completely unacceptable.

Later today, I will be asking the government what the status is of an NWT-Canada economic development agreement. I want to know what the government has done lately in this matter and I want to see some tangible action on this front. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning all. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all the Members of this Legislative Assembly and family members to the third Mackenzie Delta Good Time Dance to be held tonight between 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., and also another one tomorrow night at the same time.

Mr. Speaker, it is customary for the people of the Mackenzie Delta to celebrate through dancing on special occasions. In this instance, the reason for celebrating is the gathering of all our Members here in the Assembly, where we continue to work in the best interests of all the people of the Northwest Territories. Finally, Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Delta Good Time Band will be providing fiddle music. We invite all members of Yellowknife and those citizens who are visiting the city to come and join us at the Con Mine rec hall for two nights of square dancing, jigging, reels and a number of waltzes. Hopefully we will see you there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like today to acknowledge the support and assistance that has been provided to us over the past week by our pages. In particular, I want to recognize two young people from my constituency who have been working with us this week. These are Eric Crapeau and Curtis Beaulieu, both from Detah. They are grade seven students, very active in sports and very strong academic students. I think they are good examples of the quality of many of our small community schools. I encourage all of these young people to continue on with their education. They may go on to professions. Who knows, maybe some day they will have a different role in this Chamber. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of RWED. In going through the budget the other day, notable in its absence was any mention of manufacturing. Mr. Speaker, we all know that diversity in our economy is critical, so I am wondering if the Minister can tell me what he is doing to promote the manufacturing industry. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to hear that that work is going on. I was getting concerned. It seemed like a review and overhaul of the BIP has been underway for some time. That may not speak specifically to manufacturing, but it is nice to hear that work is underway. Can the Minister indicate when he will have this report back from the Business Advisory Panel? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Bell. No further supplementary? Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask some questions regarding the issue of ammonium nitrate transportation and storage in the communities. It is difficult to identify the appropriate Minister. When this product is on the highway system, it is an issue affecting the Department of Transportation under their regulations. When it is stored in the community, it falls under MACA. When there is a spill, then it falls under the jurisdiction of RWED. I will ask my question to the Deputy Premier, who is also the Minister of RWED.

Under the Dangerous Goods Act, the government is not required to notify communities prior to storage or transportation of ammonium nitrate in our communities. I would like to ask the Minister when the government will establish a procedure to adequately notify communities when dangerous goods, including ammonium nitrate, are being transported or stored in our communities? I would like to ask him when can we expect to see some policy regarding that?

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

Thank you. The honourable Minister is using his Deputy Premier's authority to transfer that question to the Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly answer on the transportation of dangerous goods. The storage, as you know, is one that does not fall particularly within Transportation's jurisdiction, but more with RWED.

On the transportation of dangerous goods, there are different categories. Ammonium nitrate is classed as a dangerous good. All the trucks that are carrying it are properly flagged so they can be identified as carrying a dangerous good. Ammonium nitrate is not as dangerous as some people think it is when it is stored, or even when it comes in contact with some diesel fuel.

However, in order to assure residents who have concerns, I will take it upon my department to ensure that we let communities know when we are transporting it and also when we are moving it on the rail or trucks. We will, as a courtesy to those people and in recognition of their concerns, let the community leaders know when we are moving these products. Thank you.

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

Thank you. I am not sure if my supplementary questions can be directed to the Minister of Transportation. However, I will ask him anyway. When these chemicals are being transported and stored in our communities, when they are unloaded into our parking lots and empty storage grounds, I want to know, who are the officials out there monitoring and ensuring that they are properly stored, that they are fenced in, locked up and all of these other procedures that have to be followed?

I realize on the highway system there are highway toll officers. Who is out there in our communities monitoring this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct. When they are transported or stored on a truck, on a flatbed, then they are the responsibility of Transportation. When they are stored in a yard, then the responsibility of ensuring that they are properly stored and secured rests with the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, which is responsible for environmental protection.

Now because of the concern with these goods, our department is working very closely with the other departments involved to ensure that any concerns the communities have will be alleviated in the future and ensure that these things are properly transported and properly stored. Thank you.

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

Thank you. Given that answer, I would like to ask for some clarity on whether the Minister plans to meet with the communities and go through the response procedures and emergency measures?

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I would be pleased to meet with the representatives of the communities along the route where these goods travel to explain to them how the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act works. I certainly want to talk to my colleague, the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, to either have him or his officials come along as well to deal with storage and transportation at the same time. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this issue is difficult, as indicated earlier, because it affects several different departments that have different degrees of responsibility when it comes to dangerous goods. I would like to know if this government could look at streamlining this whole handling of dangerous goods and storage in the communities. I do not believe this is the best way to handle this whole issue by having different responsibilities in different areas.

Would this government look at a one-stop shop kind of process, so that communities can go and have their questions answered, know the regulations and know who is policing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, yes, we will look at that. It may be difficult to try to amalgamate the transportation of dangerous goods legislation and the storage of dangerous goods legislation and provisions. I am sure that between the two departments, we will be able to come up with a good common language explanation on how this works and have that in place for the next trucking season. 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 question is for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. It is regarding this government's position on the Kyoto agreement and what has happened with global warming.

There is a meeting that is going to take place next week with the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers on the environment. The issue they will be discussing is the area of global warming.

I would like to ask the Minister, does this government have a position regarding the Kyoto agreement and global warming?

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the ways that industrial nations are trying to get around the Kyoto agreement is using things which are known as carbon sinks, and they say, "Well, we can generate pollution but we also have carbon sinks. We have this much forest, this much vegetation, and because of that it generates oxygen." That is what the argument is. Does this government have a position on carbon sinks?

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

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

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, the whole idea of carbon sinks is for those nations to continue doing what they are doing right now, which is to continue to pollute the atmosphere and do nothing to react to global warming. I think this government should have a position about carbon sinks because that is the cause of global warming. We cannot find loopholes in the environment. The environment in the North is sensitive as it is, and for them to come up with the idea of carbon sinks is probably going to have a greater effect, or there will be less action taken on global warming.

Does the Minister have a position on those jurisdictions who want to use that as the basis for their argument, such as Alberta?

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, can this government table our position on the Kyoto agreement and the position on global warming in this House?

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

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

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

Mr. Speaker, clearly the $2.5 million that is in the budget for the 2002-2003 year was not enough money to improve all of the public highway access roads to a standard that everybody would want. We have a number of these roads. The allocation has not been finalized in terms of how we would allocate the $2.5 million this year. I intend to meet with each of the representatives here who have public highway access roads in need of repair to work with them on the allocation of that money. Thank you.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, in principle, yes, I would be willing to move money from one project to another, if the need is greater. I have made a commitment to the Members that before we do that, we would consult with all of the Members who would be impacted by any kind of movement of money like that. Thank you.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, at this point, I intend to continue to use the highway strategy that has been developed earlier. Even within that strategy, there has been occasion where it is needed to move money from one project to another.

We have changed our fiscal projections in terms of money for highways considerably when we decided not to proceed at this point with the trip permit fee. So how we implement that strategy will certainly be different than was contemplated a couple of months ago. Thank you.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that 50 percent -- maybe the Member said 15 percent, I am not sure which. Fifteen is probably closer, but in terms of dollar amounts toward improving Highway No. 4 or Ingraham Trail, as it is commonly called, the amount that is going on that road is a fairly small portion of the total allocation for roads this year. In comparison, on Highway No. 3, for example, we are spending over $10 million this coming year on improvements to Highway No. 3. We intend to continue with Highway No. 3 as being a priority. That is a highway with heavy traffic and it continues to be our priority now as it was in the highway strategy. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I talked about the importance of an economic development agreement for the Northwest Territories. Not so long ago, this government expended a tremendous amount of time, energy and resources into developing a Non-Renewable Resource Development Strategy that covered quite a range of different initiatives and issues, and I believe was actually encouraged to do so by the federal government.

Out of the $200 million plus that we indicated to the federal government that we needed in order to access opportunities for our people, I would like to know how much we have received to date. Thank you.

I am not sure, Mr. Speaker, who has the lead on the Non-Renewable Resource Development Strategy right now. Thank you.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is not a very large amount of money. I know that in some of the areas, our government has stepped into that gap, Maximizing Northern Employment, looking for training opportunities, transportation infrastructure. What additionally would this government be prepared to do to address the void created by not having an economic development agreement where people could access financial resources to develop businesses to service the non-renewable resource sector? Thank you.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister indicates, this government does not have the adequate resources to meet this need in a way that a Northwest Territories-federal economic development agreement could.

He has referred to the Premier's attendance on a trade mission where he may have the ear of the Prime Minister, but we need to be kept apprised of the tangible actions of this government to address this void.

I agree we do not have adequate resources within this government to do that and that is why we have to keep this on the radar screen of the federal government. What are their plans? What has been done? What other future plans are in the works to secure this agreement for the Northwest Territories again? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware of the coalition of leaders and business people who are going to Ottawa. I am very pleased to hear that the Minister is going to take the time and go down there and support them in those efforts. That is what he said.

I would just ask the Minister if he would commit to keep us apprised of those results on a regular basis, so that this very important area does not fall between the cracks or get out of our range of vision.

It is extremely important, I know there are many initiatives the government is undertaking and it is easy for things to go by the wayside, but this is extremely important. Will the Minister commit to keeping this House apprised of the progress?

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

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question at this time will be directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services in response to his Minister's statement today on the Adoption and Family Law Act.

Mr. Speaker, in the previous Assembly, this issue had arisen as well and created some controversy. Mr. Speaker, I want to go at this from an issue I raised yesterday in the area of traditional knowledge and healing, and how some of it is appropriate and how some of it probably is not appropriate.

This is an area where I see there might be some appropriateness in developing legislation that this government would go forward and seek some input from those in the Northwest Territories to see if legislation of this type would indeed be accepted.

Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services is, has he consulted the aboriginal groups of the Northwest Territories with this matter? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in all the newspapers of the Northwest Territories over the last two weeks, there has been a notice from the government that we intend to move on this particular legislation. That has been done, as I indicated, for the last two weeks in all of the newspapers. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unless the aboriginal groups have direct subscriptions and have a letter of invite to comment before this government develops this proposal, that is a rather empty suggestion out there. Has he in fact consulted any groups in the Northwest Territories with this proposed legislation?

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.