Thank you, Mr. Allen. Please be seated. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to briefly outline the process that the GNWT will undertake to formulate a response to the report from the Social Agenda Working Group.

The people of the Northwest Territories are our greatest resource. Continuing development of the North, whether it is social, economic or political development, is dependent upon the strength of our northern community. The social agenda report recognizes the need to develop a long-term plan to improve social conditions and to support healthy, self-reliant Northerners who can fully participate in the opportunities that the North provides.

The report is a result of the efforts of the Social Agenda Working Group. The report includes ten broad-based formal recommendations that apply to all levels of government and the non-government sector. As the lead in developing this government's response, I have formed an interdepartmental working committee to review the recommendations and develop a detailed draft response for review and approval.

While the working group's report includes multi-sector recommendations, the Government of the Northwest Territories can only respond to those items within its mandate and authority. Since many of the recommendations call for shared action and require a broader, multi-party response, we are committed to discussions with other parties.

Mr. Speaker, I intend to meet with members of the Intergovernmental Forum, the Special Joint Committee on Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs and the legislative committees to determine the best approach to take.

Mr. Speaker, even though we recognize there are fiscal limitations, there are things that can be accomplished within the existing resources of the GNWT. We can support projects that test new approaches, such as multi-year and block funding of wellness programs, integration of the interagency concept and one-window service centres, and cooperation with other funding agencies to integrate our approaches to project support.

The GNWT's response to the social agenda report will build on the linkages with extensive activities that are underway through existing GNWT strategies and initiatives, including the Health and Social Services System Action Plan, Active Living Strategy, Early Childhood Development Strategy, Housing Initiatives and the Seniors Action Plan.

We have many opportunities before us, Mr. Speaker, and with the support of this Legislature, I look forward to releasing a detailed public response to the Social Agenda Working Group's recommendations, and an implementation plan by early fall.

Our response will represent the GNWT's commitment, but we will continue to work in partnership with other levels of government and non-government organizations to advance the Social Agenda and bring about positive social change for the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Public Service, Mr. Handley.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, June 9th to the 15th has been declared National Public Service Week. As the Minister responsible for the Public Service of the Northwest Territories, it is my pleasure to recognize the contributions made by the men and women who make up our public service.

Every day we count on the energy, commitment and abilities of our employees to provide high quality programs and services to the public of the Northwest Territories. These services encompass everything from the delivery of health care and social programs to educating our children and managing our resources and maintaining our infrastructure. I am proud to say that our public service continues to be characterized by high standards of integrity, professionalism and dedication to service.

Mr. Speaker and Members, please join me in thanking the men and women of our public service for their outstanding work in celebration of National Public Service Week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The Chair recognizes the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Ministers' Statements 46-14(5), Social Agenda Working Group Report, and 47-14(5), GNWT Response to the Social Agenda Report, be moved into committee of the whole for discussion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. We have a motion. The motion is in order. All those in favour? Thank you. All those opposed? Thank you. The motion is carried. The Ministers' statements are moved into committee of the whole for discussion.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of my colleague for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Floyd Roland, and myself, and with the concurrence of the respective families, I would like to take this opportunity to make my Member's statement in memory of the following three individuals from the Beaufort-Delta who recently passed away.

I am speaking of the late Lawrence Simon who passed away in Whitehorse in May of this year. He worked for the Council of Yukon First Nations as their board coordinator. Lawrence was adopted by the well-known and respected Gwich'in elder Sarah Simon. He is survived by his wife, Rosie Elias, eight children, and his maternal mother, Catherine Mitchell of Inuvik.

As well from Inuvik, the late Roderick Darryl Simon, also known as Kaliak, who recently passed away in a drowning accident. Kaliak just got on permanently with the Department of Transportation. Prior to that he worked for ISGL and Westwind Recreation in Inuvik. He leaves behind his wife, Erin Alunik, and two young children and his maternal mother, Dorothy McLaren. Kaliak was predeceased by his adopted parents, Sadie and Isaac Simon.

As well from Inuvik, Donald Charles Smith, also known as Danny. He was one of the early reindeer herders, a railway worker and a special constable. Danny is survived by his wife, Fabie, and eight children.

Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of knowing Lawrence Simon, Danny Smith and the family of Roderick Simon. I would ask this House to join me in sending our condolences to their family and many friends here in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Our condolences do go to the families. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to acknowledge and thank those students from Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk who took part in the Queen's Golden Jubilee Story Contest.

Mr. Speaker, elementary school students from across the NWT were invited to write stories about what they would show Queen Elizabeth if she visited their community. Four grade 6 students from Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk won awards.

Kate Ann Jacobson and Dana Panaktaluk tied for second place in the grade 4 to 6 category.

Ryland Anderson won third place and Nolan Felix received an honourable mention.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues in this House to join me today in congratulating these students and thanking their teachers as well for encouraging them to participate in the contest. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is the number one issue for Canadians and for the NWT, along with the rest of Canada. Talk to constituents, read the paper, look at the help wanted ads, health care is the number one topic and concern of perhaps everyone but the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Whether the Minister realizes it or not, the foundation of the NWT health care system is approaching a crisis. The Minister can reorganize the department and tinker with the board structure, but the foundation of the health care system, the doctors, nurses and allied health care professionals, may not be there to operate it.

The territorial government funds 60 medical physicians. Fifty-one are now staffed, Mr. Speaker. The NWT Medical Association advocates that there should be as many as 83 positions staffed in the NWT. That is 32 more than we have now. Whether we need 73 or 83, the point is that we are not even close to the number of our fully funded positions.

Mr. Speaker, recruitment and retention plans are not cutting it. Can the Minister substantiate that the medical system, whether it is here or in Tuktoyaktuk or Fort Smith, has the health care professionals that should be in place? What additional costs are we facing by not adequately managing the basics of our health care system? The Minister is quoted as saying that we rank up there fully well in terms of benefits and salary, but why is the intensive care unit at the Stanton Regional Hospital closing? Why are waiting times to see general practitioners increasing? Why does it take so long to see other health care specialists?

Many existing professionals are being called upon to do unreasonable overtime. There are limits in the number of hours that truck drivers or pilots can work. Is there a limit on the hours we ask our health care employees to work and still provide competent service?

Doctors are telling us that we are not going to attract new recruits or even MDs on even a temporary basis. While we do not have to be at the top end of the salary and remuneration scale, Mr. Speaker, we do have to look at where we sit relative to all the jurisdictions.

The Minister needs to focus efforts on immediately resolving the situation with doctors, nurses, and allied care professionals. Unless there is prompt action, the Minister can count on continuing questions concerning health care in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I wish to raise the issue of consultation and the impact it has on our communities when not undertaken properly and consistently. What is the meaning of consultation? How do we achieve it? What are our obligations to aboriginal communities when resource activity takes place?

Mr. Speaker, this issue was important enough to be recognized and considered by the Supreme Court of Canada. In that decision, the Supreme Court stated there is always a duty for consultation, for which the nature and scope will vary with circumstances. It went on to state that consultation must be done in good faith with the intention of substantially addressing the concerns of aboriginal people whose lands are at issue.

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to review a report entitled, Aboriginal Communities and Non-Renewable Resource Development, a report prepared by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. The report used the North as a case study because we illustrate the many complex issues affecting aboriginal communities throughout Canada.

The report touched on many issues, one being the importance of consultation in aboriginal communities. Four important principles for successful consultation were identified in this report, which I feel are important enough to bring to your attention:

1. 1. Consultation should occur early in planning;
2. 2. Parties' expectations need to be clarified at the outset;
3. 3. Differences in language and culture must be taken into account; and
4. 4. Adequate funding for aboriginal participation is required.

It is important that this government support our communities when support is requested on the matter of consultation. We have to take the issue of consultation seriously because when we do not, we hear and see the negative impacts it has on our communities.

With potential increasing resource development activities in the North and the impact it will have on our lives, our communities, our land and our waters, it is important and imperative that we ensure any consultation process consider these four principles.

Consultation requires a systematic approach that allows for full and effective participation by all parties. It is important that all parties in the consultation process understand the roles and responsibilities, and these roles and responsibilities should be clearly defined in order to avoid uncertainties.

When an imbalance of resources required to address issues must be considered, where necessary, adequate resources and support from this government must be made available in a timely manner. 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 about an issue that is looming in the community I represent. It is not something that is new but it comes around in cycles, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, economic booms have their own side effects and some of them are not positive ones. That is what we are finding in the community of Inuvik. It is in the area of housing, Mr. Speaker. As the business community has become very busy and as the market has tightened up, rents have increased and there has been difficulty for those trying to find accommodations in the community of Inuvik.

I was recently contacted, Mr. Speaker, by someone who was given notice that their rent would rise or go up by approximately $500 a month come September. Mr. Speaker, that is a huge increase for someone in a one-bedroom apartment. It is these kinds of messages that go out. It seems like the community is successful and everything else, but with the housing market tightening up, we are having more and more of a difficult time keeping professionals and keeping long-time residents in their own units. Those who were able to take care of themselves and support their own needs are now going to be in the position of having to go to Education, Culture and Employment for income support to find out if they could qualify, for example, for hardship allowance.

I do not think any intention was out there for success to bring this kind of impact to any communities but, Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of the Housing Corporation to find out if there are any things in place that would protect those who find themselves in a rental market from increases, and what is there for them to look at when these things come around? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is not everyday I get to rise and make a good news statement but today, I will make a good news statement.

It is my distinct pleasure, Mr. Speaker, to have attended and taken part as the emcee for the 9th Annual Hay River Play School Auction held in Hay River on May 11th. Mr. Speaker, the parents of children attending the Hay River Play School have undertaken this event for the last nine years in order to raise funds for a new building for the Hay River Play School. The present building was in deplorable condition and the state of the building was causing the parents grave concern for safety reasons.

Mr. Speaker, the Play School Auction this year raised approximately $21,000. This is truly a testament to the hard work of all of the parents. My sincere thanks also go out to the numerous citizens and businesses of Hay River who donated goods and services to the auction.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, it gives me great pleasure to publicly thank the Honourable Roger Allen, Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, for his department's generous donation of two housing lots in Hay River to the Hay River Play School.

-- Applause

These two lots were made available so they may build a new building to house the play school.

Mr. Speaker, this has been the dream of the play school parents for a number of years. The parents have single-handedly raised tens of thousands of dollars towards this initiative. With the equity in the existing property and building, they will be able to reach their goal. I am pleased to report, Mr. Speaker, that plans are currently underway for the new play school and construction is to begin this summer. This is very welcome news for Hay River, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to commend the parents of the Hay River Play School for their diligence and conviction in seeing this project a reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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