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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member's statement today comes on the heels of Stats Canada information released showing that our population count, by their estimates, is down in the Northwest Territories by almost six percent. Obviously, Mr. Speaker, this is a concern to all of us in this House and should be a concern to all our constituents, given that this obviously means, if they are correct, we will see a reduction in transfer payments which will mean less money for programs and services for all residents of the Northwest Territories.

I did ask questions of the Minister of Finance a short time ago in relation to our raised projections for liquor tax and I had questions about whether it meant that we had higher employment rates in the Northwest Territories and people had more disposable income, or if in fact it meant that more people had moved to the Northwest Territories. He did speculate on this that he believed that likely it was in fact both, and in quoting him, Mr. Speaker, he said that there are more people here, whether they are staying here full time or just on work assignments here.

I think that raises another issue, Mr. Speaker. I think maybe it is time for us to take look at the fly-in/fly-out work force. It is possible that we have a larger problem than we had first estimated. I know the Minister of Finance has directed his Bureau of Statistics to conduct a detailed review of census operations in all communities to, in fact, determine if some mistakes were made. I think that is a good idea, but I think it also makes sense for him to have a look and set out a process to analyze whether in fact we do have people working here, but not making this their primary residence.

I think he could analyze the number of tax filers in the Northwest Territories over the last few years to see if, in fact, it would bear out the kinds of trends that the Bureau of Statistics is showing. I hope the Minister will in fact take that up and I will have questions for him further to this Member's statement. Thank you.

-- Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to rise today to congratulate the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development on the new program he announced to encourage youth to become involved in entrepreneurial activities. Mr. Speaker, I relate to this very much because I believe that many of our youth do have a natural entrepreneurial spirit. I remember as a child playing Monopoly and thinking it was just the greatest thing in the world and it was not long until that translated into playing Monopoly in real life, starting at a very young age. I think at 20 years of age I started buying real estate.

I just think we need to recognize our youth and create the opportunities that they need to display this entrepreneurial spirit and get started in small ways. It may not seem like a lot of money having been devoted here at $50,000 but it is amazing, through hard work and sweat equity and pouring whatever earnings they do have back into their businesses how these small beginnings and these seed amounts can actually turn into some very valuable and substantive businesses which contribute to the northern economy.

I would just like to thank the Minister for his foresight in this particular initiative and encourage young people to become aware of this and access this program. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Dent on February 25, 2002, regarding the percentage of production that BHP Billiton now provides to diamond polishing firms in the Northwest Territories.

BHP Billiton is not obliged by any legislation or agreement to provide a percentage of production to diamond polishing firms in the Northwest Territories. However, BHP Billiton has indicated they will provide up to 10 percent of diamond rough production value for local manufacturing.

The Ekati mine production for 2001 equalled $527 million US. This converts to approximately $850 million Canadian. In 2001 the full allocation available to the three territorial diamond manufacturers was valued at approximately $85 million dollars Canadian, or 10 percent of Ekati's production.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Dent on March 4, 2002, with respect to the distinction between the affirmative action policy and employment equity.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to moving from an affirmative action policy to an employment equity approach. While both affirmative action and employment equity have an end goal of attaining a representative public service, there is a significant difference in the two approaches.

Under affirmative action hiring priority is given to those covered under the policy; indigenous aboriginal people, indigenous non-aboriginal people, disabled people and, for non-traditional and management positions, women. The hiring priority is applied to all competitions regardless of the current representation levels in the region, department or occupation.

Employment equity is based on the philosophy that employers will hire a representative work force because it makes good business and operational sense to do so. This approach will apply not just to hiring, but also to the development and promotion of individuals within the public service. Employment equity consists of specific efforts directed at specific groups of individuals or occupations. This will include programs like succession planning and graduate employment. Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. 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. There are three people I would like to introduce in the gallery, Mr. Speaker. Genevieve Harvey, Maryse Perraud and Carmen Roberge. They are with the language services of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Welcome. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Premier and it relates to the Ministerial Administrative Procedure Manual and the policy on ministerial travel that he tabled yesterday. The new policy proposes that eight return trips per year will be added and the policy is no longer limited to home travel. Can the Premier advise this House why the government felt it necessary to change the policy?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The new administrative procedures for ministerial travel have been based on the model used by Members of Parliament. We felt that would provide flexibility, fairness and consistency. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier advises we are following the federal policy, but he does not tell me why it is necessary to follow it here in the Northwest Territories. What was lacking in the existing policy that this policy adds that is essential?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, the staff drafted the revisions and are responsible for applying and adhering to the procedures and are probably the best people to ask the questions of. I am not an expert in these policies. I have a sense that Members will only get frustrated with the answers I will give.

I can tell you that these were recommended by our staff to ensure that the Ministers can travel, be accountable and have the same flexibility that other Members of Cabinet across this country have and what is allowed for federal Ministers will be used.

There were older procedures or policies. That is exactly my point. I do not know what the terms are, but they are technical terms and it is important to stick to them. I would suggest, not to waste a lot of time, that the Members see that this is moved into committee of the whole so that appropriate staff can help address this. We do not need to get all worked up about it.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier is right, I am getting frustrated by the answer. The Premier seems to say that staff advised that this is the way to do things. It is a political decision. The politicians are the ones who have adopted this policy. I want to know why the politicians felt it was necessary to tell their staff to do this.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of ways we can travel as Ministers. There is home travel and that has certain guidelines to it. We have moved from home travel to what we call non-portfolio travel that basically provides greater flexibility and accountability within the existing resources and establishes clear guidelines for the type of travel that was not addressed by current procedure. You can tell I am reading from briefing notes. If it is not clear, I cannot take total responsibility for it unless I am mumbling some of these words.