Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Minister Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to report that on Saturday, the Honourable Allan Rock, Minister responsible for Infrastructure Canada, came to the Northwest Territories to make some very important announcements. As, no doubt, many may have heard by now, Minister Rock confirmed the Government of Canada's commitment of $65 million to the improvement of resource highways in the Northwest Territories.

Securing these commitments to our highway infrastructure has not come easily. For several years, we have put forward our case that developing the resource wealth of the Northwest Territories made a contribution of national significance to the Canadian economy. We made the point that developing our natural resources was as much in Canada's interests as it was in our own but that the load that resource industries put on our territorial infrastructure was far more than the Government of the Northwest Territories could carry alone. We have been able to convince the federal government that its contribution to improving our highway infrastructure genuinely serves the advancement of Canada's national interest.

Mr. Speaker, this announcement must first be credited to our Premier, the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi. Premier Kakfwi has lobbied tirelessly to convince our Prime Minister and the Government of Canada of the need and urgency of federal investment in the North.

I also want to recognize the crucial support of the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, our Member of Parliament for the Western Arctic. Ms. Cece McCauley deserves special mention as a tireless advocate of northern transportation infrastructure development.

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As well, the Northern Business Coalition has ably represented the private sector of the Northwest Territories in our joint lobbying efforts. Finally, I want to recognize the Members of this Assembly who have helped get our message across.

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Mr. Rock's $65 million announcement on Saturday is made up of separate contributions from a number of closely-related funding sources. Twenty million dollars comes in the form of

firm project approvals under the Canada strategic infrastructure fund that was first established in the federal budget of December 2001. This first $20 million which we are already investing has been approved, according to the resource highway priority identified in the Department of Transportation's Corridors for Canada proposal of May 2002. The Corridors for Canada proposal identified the Mackenzie Valley and Slave Geologic Province as two transportation corridors central to the development of the NWT's resource economy. The Mackenzie Valley projects include the installation of 10 new permanent bridges along the Wrigley/Fort Good Hope winter road system and the reconstruction of the Dempster Highway in the Mackenzie Delta. In the Slave Geologic Province, the approved projects are for the continued reconstruction of Highway No. 3 and Highway No. 4.

The Canada strategic infrastructure fund was enhanced in the federal budget for 2003-2004. Saturday's announcement commits a second contribution of $20 million for the Northwest Territories matching the first. As of Saturday, Minister Rock has committed an additional $25 million for the Northwest Territories under the special category of national priority projects. All of these funds will be allocated on a 50/50 cost-sharing basis consistent with the transportation priorities set out in Corridors for Canada. Federal and territorial officials will work on the details and scheduling of eligible projects over the next several months.

Mr. Speaker, I want to emphasize how important the Department of Transportation's efforts in seeking alternative sources of financing have been in supplementing its territorial appropriation and advancing the construction of new infrastructure; especially at a time when territorial finances fall far short of meeting the demands of an expanding resource sector and rapidly growing economy.

In the term of the 14th Assembly and with Saturday's announcement, we have obtained a total of $90 million in funding commitments for transportation projects in the Northwest Territories. Funding from the departments of Transport and Infrastructure has helped to pay for highway reconstruction projects on the Dempster Highway and Highway No. 3 and No. 4. Transport Canada has contributed $10 million to runway pavement and airfield lighting projects in Sachs Harbour, Tulita, Inuvik and Aklavik. The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development made a $4 million contribution towards the installation of the first seven permanent bridges over stream crossings along the Mackenzie Valley winter road system. Contributions worth $1 million from the Canadian Coast Guard paid for the construction of a breakwater at Lutselk'e and the installation of community docks at Deline and Aklavik.

During the recent exploration boom for natural gas reserves, we have made important new partnerships with the private sector. Exploration companies made direct in-kind contributions to the building of the Colville Lake winter road, coordinating their crews and equipment in a joint construction effort. In the Mackenzie Delta, the oil and gas companies contributed $1 million to the winter ice road program to meet the demands of their exploration programs.

The most exciting collaboration with the private sector is the striking of a public/private partnership with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation to build and operate a permanent highway link over the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence. A highway bridge over the Mackenzie River looks likely to become the first enduring piece of the 14th Assembly's legacy.

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In all the attention given to new diamond mines and a Mackenzie Valley pipeline and the impact of these major resource developments on the transportation system, we have not lost sight of the basic transportation requirements in our small communities. The Department of Transportation has done a commendable job of upgrading and applying a chip sealed surface to the access roads that link communities to all-weather public highway systems. The Dettah access road, the Fort Liard access road and the Hay River access road were all improved and given dust-free chipseal surfaces. Surface grade and drainage improvements were also made to the Jean Marie River and Kakisa access roads. The Department of Transportation also committed to continue working with Municipal and Community Affairs to pave the main streets in our smaller non-tax-based communities.

Comfortable and spacious air terminals are especially important in the off-highway communities that rely entirely on air transportation. In the term of this Assembly, new air terminal buildings have been built in Aklavik, Tulita and Wha Ti.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would to mention and thank the department staff, including my deputy minister Peter Vician, who have worked hard to prepare the Corridors for Canada proposal and deliver transportation projects and services across the North.

Mr. Speaker, the term of the 14th Assembly has been a time of steady achievement in the improvement and expansion of the territorial transportation system for both our growing resource industries and our traditional communities. It is a positive record of accomplishment we can justly look back upon with satisfaction and pride. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with this House the good news that was announced in Yellowknife over the weekend by the Honourable Allan Rock, the federal Minister responsible for Infrastructure. Minister Rock has confirmed that under the new Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund announced in the 2003 federal budget, the Northwest Territories will receive $15 million to support community infrastructure needs.

Mr. Speaker, as a result of aggressive lobbying by northern leaders representative of the NWT Association of Communities, the Premier and Finance Minister of the Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada has recognized that per capita allocation of federal funding programs does not begin to address our unique needs. Thus we are guaranteed a minimum of $15 million over the next 10 years, and we will receive an as-yet-undetermined additional amount based on a per capita allocation.

The new municipal rural infrastructure fund is designed to support essential infrastructure needs identified by communities themselves. It is my hope that this funding will enable the Government of the Northwest Territories to respond to concerns that have been raised time and again in this Assembly; concerns like the need for adequate water treatment systems in all our communities, and the need for chip sealed roads to address dust control issues.

Mr. Speaker, working in partnership with the Northwest Territories Association of Communities, with community government and with Members of this Assembly, we can take maximum advantage of this new funding for the benefit of all our residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Minister Steen. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year in the Northwest Territories 4369 calls were made to NWT crisis lines. Almost 700 women and children stayed in shelters. Both of these statistics are indicators of the unacceptable level of family violence that is currently in our communities.

This week is Family Violence Awareness Week, an opportunity to bring the issue of family violence and abuse to the forefront and to renew our commitment as leaders and residents of the Northwest Territories to eliminating this tragic element of our northern society.

There are many different forms of family violence or abuse, Mr. Speaker, and none are acceptable. This year the theme for Family Violence Awareness Week is "Respecting Elders, Respecting Others."

While we often think of abuse as being physical or sexual, there is also psychological abuse -- undermining someone's self-confidence and making him or her afraid. Neglect is another form of abuse. So is taking money or threatening people to get their money. These real examples of family violence are too often targeted at our elders.

People who have experienced family violence often tend to treat others in similar ways. Children may bully other people in the school or the community. A recent bullying conference in Yellowknife was a first step in teaching children how to break this cycle. Schools are no longer assuming that children know appropriate behaviour but rather are teaching it.

We all have a responsibility to promote healthy relationships and we can make a difference if we work together. A good example of this, Mr. Speaker, can be evidenced in the work of the Coalition Against Family Violence. This organization brings together advocates, service providers, agencies, police, lawyers and government, to work together for the common good of ending family violence.

Earlier today, on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I received from the coalition an action plan on family violence. I look forward to working with the coalition and other government departments in the implementation of this plan.

Mr. Speaker, on September 26, 2003, the Ministers responsible for the Status of Women in Canada met in Edmonton and introduced a new action group to develop strategies specifically to deal with family violence in Inuit and other aboriginal communities.

I am pleased to inform this House that the Northwest Territories and Canada will also lead the work of this federal/provincial/territorial action group.

Mr. Speaker, the elimination of family violence will, unfortunately, be a long and challenging undertaking, but progress is being made. I encourage my colleagues, particularly this week but also throughout the year, to continually seek and find ways to support and encourage those people and events that are working together to make family violence a thing of the past. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the work of all teachers, especially those here in the Northwest Territories who assist our children, young people and adults to become the best they can be.

October 5th is recognized internationally as World Teacher Day and this year, as they celebrate their 10th anniversary, the chosen theme is "Teachers - Opening doors to a better world."

Teachers are one of the best parts of our education system. Teaching is so much more than telling us about facts and figures. It is the unlocking of potential, offering new perspectives and assisting in the development of values such as peace, tolerance, respect and understanding. A good teacher challenges us to realize our dreams, instills confidence, critical thinking skills and inspires trust.

Here in the North we have some of the finest, most committed teachers. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize one teacher who is unfortunately no longer with us, but who I feel personified these virtues.

Anastasia Koebel, or Stacey as she was better known, moved to the North with her husband Dan to teach in the community of Tsiigehtchic in 2000. She and her family were accepted and fit into the community in many ways. When they were short a principal at the Paul Niditchie School, Stacey, although she was a relatively new teacher, stood ready to accept the challenge.

Starting in the 2000 school year, Stacey taught grades 4, 5 and 6, as well as the term principal position. The Koebels increased their family with the birth of a son, Jack, in 2003. When she returned from her maternity leave, Stacey taught the special needs class and assisted wherever she was needed in her school.

At 32 years of age, Stacey passed away this June while doing what she loved - teaching. Her memory will live on through her students as well as a unique bursary that has been set up in memory of her outstanding contributions to education in the NWT.

Her family has put into place a memorial fund designed to help support other young teachers reach their dream of being able to teach in Canada's North, as Stacey was able to fulfill hers.

I can think of no better day to recognize the accomplishment of this dedicated young woman's life, Mr. Speaker, than World Teacher's Day. This one teacher, Mr. Speaker, represented the qualities of so many of our teachers: dedication, concern and commitment to their students.

Mr. Speaker, colleagues, please join me in acknowledging the commitment of Mrs. Anastasia Koebel, as well as each of our teachers here in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to waive the rules and have the remainder of the Ministers' statements concluded. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Minister, you may conclude yours plus the others that are on the agenda.

Mahsi, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later today at the appropriate time, I will be tabling the latest status report on the Health and Social Services System Action Plan which was initiated a year-and-a-half ago. However, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the steps taken to complete and support the actions identified in the plan.

To ensure that services and supports are available where and when they are needed, we must have a strong, stable workforce. For this reason, the recruitment and retention of frontline workers has been, and will continue to be, the top priority of the department and authorities. Through the action plan and related initiatives, steps have been taken to support our health and social services professionals.

As Members will recall, Mr. Speaker, through the interim health profession plan, $8.2 million was invested to create 42 new positions, including 24 nursing positions and 13 physician positions. These were key to improving community health services while also addressing workload issues for frontline professionals.

The plan represented a turning point for two new professions in our system, as resources were identified to introduce three nurse practitioner positions and two midwife positions. We have also taken complementary steps in our legislation to strengthen and formalize the roles of nurse practitioners and midwives in our health care system. The Nursing Profession Act, approved in this House a few months ago, paves the way for nurse practitioners to practice in the NWT. The Midwifery Profession Act will hopefully be enacted during this session of the Legislative Assembly. The introduction of these professions will improve primary care by expanding the scope of services available at the community level.

Another important element of the action plan is the mental health and addictions strategy. Through this strategy 16 new positions have been added in the communities and regions to provide increased counselling and clinical supervision. In addition, funding is available to upgrade the salaries of existing workers.

Also, Mr. Speaker, a recruitment and retention plan was developed for allied health care professionals, nurses and social workers. This plan guarantees professional development opportunities for our current workforce, provides consistency in how we financially compensate professionals for their experience, and encourages NWT students to return to the NWT following graduation.

We have also responded to the need to offer competitive compensation to frontline workers, particularly those professions that are experiencing shortages or are hard to fill. We have been able to offer very competitive contracts to the physician workforce and the government is undertaking a major review of all nursing and allied health worker job classifications to ensure fair and equitable compensation for these professions. Also, Mr. Speaker, we are nearing completion of a comprehensive human resource plan for the health and social services system.

The pressures of national and international shortages in the health professions will continue to exert pressures on our workforce. That is why we will sustain and look for new ways to stabilize and develop our workforce; it is why our workforce will continue to be our number one priority.

Mr. Speaker, we have also taken steps to improve how our network of services and facilities work. The development of an integrated service delivery model that describes the types of services we provide and how we provide them will define professions, shape staffing models, identify staffing requirements, and establish a common vision and philosophy of service delivery among all who work in our system.

Closely linked to this work is the development of a collaborative service networks between the various service providers. We recognize that not all services can be provided in all communities, so these agreements between facilities and service providers ensure all residents have access to more specialized services.

As Members of this House know, board trustees are the voices of the communities and regions. To provide support to the health and social services authorities, programs have been developed to provide orientation to new trustees. Mr. Speaker, we have made alignments in the organizational structure of the system to improve service delivery to residents, including the recent announcement of the establishment of the new Sahtu Health and Social Services Authority.

Mr. Speaker, 36 of the 45 items identified in the action plan have been completed, and in about six months' time, the developmental work of the remaining nine items will be completed. It was recognized at the outset that this plan was ambition but the tasks were kept at the top of the priority list, and the commitment was kept to provide updates to this House as well as to the public through status reports every six months.

The progress to date represents the collective efforts of frontline workers, professional associations, communities, board trustees and Members of this House. Steps have been made in building a system of services and supports that is stable, accessible and of the highest quality, and a foundation has been provided to the next government to management the change and challenges ahead. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Minister' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to advise Members on recent developments in the Northwest Territories sports and recreation system.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that over the course of the last few months, Northwest Territories sports and recreation partners and MACA staff have been working hard to develop a new governance and financing model for sport and recreation service in the Northwest Territories. They have made significant progress and we are on the verge of moving forward with two important advances in this area.

In the very near future we will finalize the design of a new Northwest Territories sport and recreation partners' council, and implement revisions to the Western Canada Lottery Act regulations.

The Northwest Territories sport and recreation partners' council will be structured to bring together the major sport and recreation partners and regional representatives in a common forum to set policy and make decisions on the allocation of resources. The council will report to the Minister of MACA and will be accountable to its membership for streamlining decision-making, improving program coordination and identifying new ways to access resources.

The council will be supported in its activities by an updated set of regulations under the Western Canada Lottery Act. The changes to the regulations will both ensure that the proper controls are placed on these lottery programs, while allowing the lottery to seek out new opportunities to increase revenues, so that ultimately communities and participants in the sport and recreation system will benefit.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table a document titled "The Northwest Territories Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity System." This document, along with the discussion paper I circulated to all Members on the changes to the Western Canada Lottery Act regulations, spells out the government's commitment to supporting community, regional and territorial sport and recreation services.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the next steps in this process and to working with our partners and communities to continue to improve sport and reaction services in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The chair recognizes the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for North Slave, that Minister's Statement 89-14(6) be moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration.

Thank you. We have a motion. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. All those in favour, please signify. Thank you. All those opposed? The motion is carried.

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Minister's Statement 89-14(6) will be moved into Committee of the Whole. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following the very exciting news over the weekend and the Minister's statement today, I would like to take this opportunity to give my unqualified, unfettered, unequivocal recognition and appreciation for the $80 million the federal government will be investing in our NWT highway and transportation system.

Mr. Speaker, any way we cut it, this is great news indeed. Eighty million dollars is a huge sum of money for us, and one that is very timely to be coming our way for the purposes that it is.

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This really is a concrete and tangible example of what we as leaders can achieve for the benefit of the people we serve when we put our collective heads and political will together into a well-laid-out plan and sell it aggressively and cohesively. It's time for everyone...

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...who played a part in it to give themselves a pat on the back. I would particularly like to congratulate the entire Cabinet, especially Premier Kakfwi, on a job very well done.

A special recognition should also be given to the NWT Business Coalition, Chambers of Commerce and NWT Association of Communities who worked tirelessly on this cause. I would also like to recognize the federal government; everyone from Prime Minister Chretien on down to all responsible Ministers, including Minister Rock, who have taken the time to hear our case and act on it. A particular thanks must also go to the Member of Parliament for Western Arctic, Ethel Blondin-Andrew, who, as our representative and an important bridge between the federal government and the NWT, has played a crucial role in delivering this very needed money to the North.

Mr. Speaker, I would be completely remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to give one more plug for the urgent need to complete Highway No. 3. It's no longer an option of setting priorities, it's a matter of safety for Northerners. It's the most travelled road in the North, but it is literally crumbling. I'm sure the government agrees with me that there are now no road blocks in completing this highway as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize that October 6th to 12th is Family Violence Awareness Week here in the Northwest Territories. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, family violence continues to be a tragic reality for far too many. It is hoped that by drawing public attention to the issue it will become a priority for all citizens of the Northwest Territories to support the victims of family violence, and to make to known that our society will not tolerate abuse.

Mr. Speaker, recently the Standing Committee on Social Programs, of which I am a member, had the opportunity to examine the Protection Against Family Violence Act. We heard from many concerned citizens and organizations, including the NWT Seniors' Society and the NWT Status of Women Council, that this legislation was desperately needed. Presently in most communities in the NWT, the only immediate option available to victims of family violence is to call police and leave the home. It was recognized, Mr. Speaker, that this is an unjust situation, where the victim is the person required to leave the home in order to escape violence.

One thing that the new legislation will do is allow the justice of the peace to make an emergency protection order that can require the abuser to leave the home for a period of time. This will provide an immediate intervention in violent situations and will, no doubt, save lives.

This legislation is an important step in the right direction, as it provides the tools to protect victims from an immediately threat. However, Mr. Speaker, there is still a large role for individuals and groups to play in the constant advocacy for better services and solutions.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the NWT Status of Women Council for publicizing this significant week. I would also to extend thanks to the government, particularly Minister Allen, the Minister of Justice, for this very important legislation. The Prevention of Family Violence Act will make a difference to the lives of many women, children, elders and men in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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