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.

---Applause

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.

---Applause

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.

---Applause

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.

---Applause

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.

---Applause

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.

---Applause

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.

---Applause

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.

---Applause

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.

---Applause

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.

---Carried

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.

---Applause

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...

---Applause

...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.

---Applause

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.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, interest is growing among my constituents, with the anticipation of a pipeline being constructed down the Mackenzie Valley. My constituents are also aware that the federal government has committed funds for a pipeline readiness office, for training initiatives, and for a specific First Nations business venture throughout the NWT, all for the purpose of being ready to participate in this mega project.

Mr. Speaker, we also understand that our government has spent considerable time and funds on consultants to look at those areas that a pipeline will impact, including the environment, economic and business development, human capacity, social and other relevant issues. In addition, various government departments have committed personnel along with funds to assist on specific oil and gas initiatives. This government has even gone as far as allocating responsibility for oil and gas initiatives to regional staff who are already strained from various other duties and responsibilities.

Mr. Speaker, we still have many people and businesses in the communities questioning what is happening. What communities will be deemed to be part of the impact area? What is being done to encourage new business start-up and expansion of existing businesses? Mr. Speaker, our communities are waiting for the answers to these questions. Our communities are also waiting for this government to acknowledge the developmental role that it must play in encouraging northern participation in the oil and gas sector. Our communities are also waiting for this government to recognize the way that oil and gas companies conduct business in order that legislation may be revised to enhance access and timing of loan applications in order to avoid missed opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, it is important that this information be provided to the communities with respect to potential social impact, training, economic impact, access to capital, developmental timelines, specific opportunities and industry requirements for doing business. It's imperative that this government starts to assist communities in developing their capacities through cooperation and participation.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of RWED during question period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, want to acknowledge Saturday's news from our partners in the federal government, Mr. Speaker. A veritable hurricane, as Eastern Canada has experienced with the weather, of investment and spending here in the NWT and across the North, Mr. Speaker. We've seen $55 million going to each of our sister territories, the Yukon and Nunavut; $85 million being invested in aboriginal training across Canada; here in the NWT, of course, $65 million for roads, $15 million for municipalities, and I couldn't catch up with some of the other good news that I believe was announced in Rankin Inlet yesterday about the expansion of the telecommunications and the broadband system on a pan-territorial basis. So this is great news.

I would also like to acknowledge the work of Cabinet. Premier Kakfwi's message, I was convinced early on, was the right one and that I was very pleased to see our Ministers, along with the Premier, stick with a consistent message. It was taken up by mayors and chiefs, by a business coalition and by my colleagues here. Just about all of us in the room took our turn going to Ottawa, walking the hallways and the corridors there to impress our message upon the federal government.

Quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, after some two years of doing this and really getting only a trickle of response, I was ready to give up on our message. But my faith, indeed, has been restored.

I would turn to one other aspect of this which, as Mr. Handley pointed out, and Ms. Lee has also indicated, when we put our collective hearts and minds and backs into something that we all believe in, Mr. Speaker, we're going to get results. Can we do the same thing with other equally significant and important things on our agenda, Mr. Speaker, like family violence, like housing, like the social conditions that need so much attention? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address an issue that is of great concern to the residents of Hay River; that being the recent announcement of the location of the new Human Rights Commission office.

Mr. Speaker, the Board of Management of the Legislative Assembly has decided to place the Human Rights Commission office in Yellowknife, much to the chagrin of other communities. Earlier this year, Mr. Speaker, the Board of Management wrote to Members asking them to put forward appropriate locations for this new commission. The criteria was that there was to be professional office space available, good transportation facilities, in-town access to office support services, and computer banking and accounting services readily available in the potential community. At that time, Mr. Speaker, I wrote a letter to the Board of Management emphatically stating that Hay River would be an ideal location for the new commission.

Mr. Speaker, the report prepared for the implementation of the Human Rights Act stated that the office should be placed in a regional centre. Again, I fully believe that Hay River was an ideal location.

Mr. Speaker, the announcement that Yellowknife was chosen to be the best location appears to have been a preordained decision. I do believe they put the cart before the horse on this one, Mr. Speaker. I believe that the assumptions made in this regard were wrong.

Mr. Speaker, I did speak to an owner of an ideal office space in Hay River, and he informed me that DPW was way off base when they reached their conclusion as to the appropriate location. Mr. Speaker, DPW stated that this particular office space in Hay River would not be up to spec as far as being wheelchair accessible within the timeframe. Mr. Speaker, the landlord stated that it would have taken no more than 60 days to have the office space up to spec, which was well within the aforementioned timeframe.

Mr. Speaker, I don't believe the information and arguments put forward by the Board of Management justifies the decision to assign the Human Rights Commission office to Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, had the Human Rights Commission office been placed in Hay River, I do believe staffing would not have been an issue for this new commission, and there would have been an upheaval to no one. Mr. Speaker, this would have been a perfect opportunity for this government to follow through on their commitment to empower communities.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I would just like to state that it appears that the vacuum that I have brought up on many occasions in this House has successfully sucked up another one for Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the most important fabric of our communities is our community family units. We have large aboriginal families, we have grandparents, great-grandparents, and we go back, in some communities, over 150 years. Yet, Mr. Speaker, it's those small aboriginal First Nations communities that continue to face the circumstances of children being taken away.

We saw the symposium that was in the hallway with regard to the hostels across Canada. Yet, Mr. Speaker, we have a practice in this government with regard to apprehending children from our communities, especially in the communities I represent.

I've raised this question time and time again with the Minister, and every time I request information, one thing that jumps out at me is the number of children that are continuing to be in care. Mr. Speaker, information I received from the Minister on March 31, 2003, stated there were 43 children in the Mackenzie Delta receiving care under protection services. Mr. Speaker, one thing that alarms me is the latest statistics that I received; from August 31, 2003, that number has increased from the 43 in May to, now, 56 children.

Mr. Speaker, the thing that scares me the most is the number of children that are in permanent custody. We have over 17 children out of the 56 who are classified permanent custody, which is technically short for Lords of the State. Those children will now find themselves being institutionalized for well into their adult lives, as we've seen through the hostel systems, the corrections systems, and First Nations children and people find themselves being institutionalized in a system we call social justice.

Mr. Speaker, I have asked the Minister time and time again to establish a plan of care committee with the communities I represent, especially working in the community of Fort McPherson. The community has approached the Minister on this matter, to establish such a committee to ensure that we have a mechanism to deal with these matters in our communities and not have someone from outside deal with them.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I have seen what has happened through the federal justice system with regard to the Youth Justice Act, which we had to find alternate means of sentencing for youth criminal offences than strictly jail. I feel that this government has to do more than strictly apprehend children. We have to find alternatives to apprehension.

Mr. Speaker, the most important part of life is to ensure that our families are healthy, our children go along and watch their parents grow old, and also for our children to do good in life. But by taking our children away from our communities, away from their families, and most importantly being institutionalized, is not going to achieve that goal.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services questions on this matter later. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Each year the Canadian Association of Firefighters, or CAFC, recognizes men and women who promote the fire services in their communities. During the annual conference held in late September in Ottawa, Fire Rescue Canada selected a number of fire chiefs that represent the fire services industry in Canada.

This year the Award of Excellence in the Volunteer Fire Department category was presented to Mr. Al German, who is a full-time fire chief of the Inuvik volunteer firefighters department. Mr. German has been involved with the fire service for 18 years and has held the position of fire chief in Inuvik for approximately seven years. He has been instrumental in the development of the Inuvik regional fire training school which now boasts a burn house, a smoke house, tank farm, in-house structural rescue facility and vehicle extrication pits.

As current president the NWT Fire Chiefs Association and provincial/territorial director to the CAFC, he is also instrumental in securing certified fire service training for all communities within the NWT. I hope Members will join me in congratulating him on his award. Thank you.

---Applause

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

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's always difficult to follow Mr. Lafferty, but I would like today, if I could, to recognize, like a number of my colleagues have, Family Violence Awareness Week. I think it's important to do so. I would also like to recognize the work of the Status of Women Council and the Coalition Against Family Violence for getting us kicked off over the lunch hour today. It's important, I think, Mr. Speaker, for us to ensure that this remains the highest priority and we continue to give this our fullest attention in order to do what we can to combat family violence.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister today talked about the almost 700 --that's an amazing, staggering statistic, Mr. Speaker -- women and children who stayed in shelters in the past year. What he didn't mention was that many more were turned away because the shelters were full.

I think it's taken us some time, but legislatively we're now starting to make the shift. We're making a philosophical shift, we're recognizing that maybe it should be the abusers who are removed from the homes, Mr. Speaker, not the victims, not the women and children who have to uproot their lives and many times leave their community. This is important; it's an important shift for us to make and I'm happy to say that we're doing that.

I'd like to remind my colleagues that we, as a group, endorsed a proclamation in 2001 naming Family Violence Awareness Week an official week, and there are a couple of "whereas" clauses I'd like to remind my colleagues and remind the public of.

Mr. Speaker, whereas violence and other forms of abuse can cause serious problems for many individuals, families and communities;

And whereas all levels of government need to work together with community groups to increase awareness of violence and support healthy family and community life;

Whereas Family Violence Awareness Week is a time to talk honestly about how family violence harms our families and our communities;

And whereas community leaders, families and individuals wish to encourage those who are healing from violence and to speak out against violence.

Mr. Speaker, it made sense to us then, it makes sense to us now. We can't continue to sweep Family Violence Awareness Week under the carpet. It's important that we carry forward this momentum into the life of the next Assembly, and continue to ensure that this is our highest priority in dealing and coping with family violence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Indeed, the condolences of the House go to the Yukon family. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to make my statement to congratulate all those members of the Inuvik Native Band and the Nihtat Gwich'in Council who were officially sworn into office on October 1st of this year.

The role of the Inuvik Native Band and the Nihtat Gwich'in Council have supported and worked on behalf of and for many of my constituents in Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Mr. Speaker, today it gives me enormous pleasure to congratulate Mr. Richard Nerysoo as the chief of the Inuvik Native Band. Councillors who will serve under his leadership are: Ruth Goose; Herbert Blake, Jr.; Dwayne Debastien; Elizabeth Hansen; Linda McLeod Lennie; Robert Charlie; and, Melba Mitchell.

Serving as elected members of the Nihtat Gwich'in Council are: Ruth Goose; Herbert Blake, Jr.; Richard Nerysoo; Tom Wright; Elizabeth Hansen; Dwayne Debastien; Denise Kurszewski; and, Linda McLeod Lennie.

Mr. Speaker, it's important that I recognize the outgoing chief, Chief James Firth, for his many years of dedication and commitment to the political, economic and social changes that affect our people in the Inuvik region. I had the privilege of serving under Mr. Firth's leadership, so I am very familiar with his sincere approach to the path toward change.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to a continued working relationship with the newly-elected chief and council and the council of the Nihtat Gwich'in. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay public tribute to two influential Northerners who have passed on. Both Pearl Hodgson, wife of our former Commissioner Stuart Hodgson, and Mark de Werdt, former justice of our Supreme Court, died in British Columbia in September.

Mr. Speaker, as many people know, when I first moved to Yellowknife in 1967 to work with the territorial government, I was the executive assistant to Commissioner Hodgson, and in this way I got to know the Commissioner's wife, Pearl. She was a very gracious lady and an active volunteer here in the Northwest Territories. In her role as Commissioner's wife, she hosted many distinguished guests, including members of the Royal family. In fact, she and Stuart became good friends of Prince Charles, and Pearl was one of only seven Canadians invited to Prince Charles' wedding to Princess Diana. Pearl Hodgson was also a devoted wife and mother, and a wonderful friend to all who knew her.

Mark de Werdt was also a long-time Northerner. He moved to Yellowknife to practice law in 1958. Over the years, he served in many legal capacities including both defense and Crown lawyer, magistrate and finally justice of the Supreme Courts of both the Northwest Territories and British Columbia. He and his wife, Ann, retired to British Columbia in the 1990s, although he continued to come north as a deputy judge from time to time.

Justice de Werdt died of cancer in Vancouver. He has left behind him not only a grieving wife, four sons and other family and friends, but also a long list of notable accomplishments and the respect and affection of a great many people in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, including me, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in saying thank you and goodbye to these two fine people who contributed so much to the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Roland on October 1, 2003, regarding consolidating contracts for computers.

Mr. Roland asked how many computer purchase contracts have been awarded this fiscal year to companies outside of Yellowknife. In 2003-2004, there have been 10 tenders for different products. These contracts have been awarded to three different Yellowknife firms.

The total value of the contracts is $610,632. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Ms. Bea Campbell, a Fort Smith constituent and friend who is the president of the NWT Seniors' Association. She's accompanied by Barb Hood, the executive director of the NWT Seniors' Association, and with them is Jane White a new resident of the NWT from British Columbia.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to introduce a constituent with the Salvation Army, Major Karen Hoeft, who is also a tireless community volunteer. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, recognitions of visitors in the gallery. I would like to take this opportunity to say welcome to all those who are here to see their government. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for a number of years now the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment has been telling us that Aurora College would be moving ahead to offer a baccalaureate or bachelor degree programs in a limited number of areas. I believe that teaching degrees and nursing degrees that they planned to offer in particular. Can the Minister confirm and outline the college's plan to move into baccalaureate degrees in the next year?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have had plans for several years to offer a teacher education degree out of our system, through the Aurora College system, and additionally we have been working with Health and Social Services to offer a degree in nursing, and also we've been working with the University of Victoria to offer a degree in social work through the college system. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I remember hearing the previous Minister say that we would soon be delivering degrees for teaching. Can the Minister confirm that we will actually be starting third-year programs in nursing next year?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Speaker, yes, the intent is to offer a third year, starting in 2004-2005, for nursing. There are still some hurdles to come, mainly in the area of space and so forth. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister advise whether or not the program will be part of the base funded operation of the department, or will they have to be looking for new money each year in order to continue offering the program?

Thank you, Minister Dent. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are still some process issues that need to be ironed out, and we hope to be able to accomplish that in the next couple of weeks. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Your final supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are a number of people who are in the program, and they got in the program, particularly from smaller communities, expecting they'd be able to finish their degree here in the North. The Minister is, I think, raising some question about whether or not that's going to happen, saying that they haven't answered of the questions. Is the Minister confident that we will see years three and four of the nursing baccalaureate program starting at the beginning starting next year in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Minister Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, if the Member is speaking about the nursing, we already have everything in place for the teacher education program. With regard to the nursing program, it is our intent to proceed next year, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement today stated that there were still a lot of questions in my communities regarding the pipeline and I just wanted to know if this government has been working on putting a process in place to ensure that all communities are provided with information regarding the impacts and opportunities. I would like to pose that question to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

Thank you. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Minister Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's important that the communication links be developed early to take advantage of all the opportunities. Mr. Speaker, regarding this project, there's a lot of anticipation for business start up and for new businesses to get involved and some to expand. However, we all know the monies and dollars for business development within the territorial government is very restricted and the capital does not go a long ways. I'd like to know if this government is looking at new sources. We've heard that there's new dollars for training, there's new dollars for infrastructure. However, I'd like to know if this government is looking at new sources for business development for capital for northern companies. Thank you.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I hope the strategic plan's going to include some new dollars. Along with communication and capital funding, I think it's important that we look at how this is all going to be handled within the department. Because now we recognize there's only so many regional staff allocated to economic development. It's very limited and we have to consider travel, training, holidays. I would like to ask the Minister if he would be looking at committing additional staff to advance the northern participation on this project. Thank you.

Thank you. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Minister Antoine.

Thank you, Minister Antoine. Your final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, communities in my riding and up and down the Mackenzie Valley are being bombarded by visits from the oil companies and exploration companies. They're all coming into the communities and requesting meetings. We really have nobody out there working with them. When the diamond industry moved into this area, a whole new division was created for them. I believe it was under Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and it was exclusive to the diamond industry and issues in that area. I wonder if something comparable could be done for oil and gas to help out the smaller communities. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Minister Antoine. Before we go to the next question, I'd like to direct your attention to the presence in the visitors' gallery of the Grades 8 and 9 of Ecole Alain St. Cyr School here in Yellowknife with their teacher, Jean Gravel. Please welcome them.

---Applause

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow up to my colleague, Mr. Delorey's Member's statement today, I have some questions for the Minister of Public Works and Services. As Mr. Delorey indicated, we supply a committee of this legislature with information about Hay River and asked that Hay River be considered for the location of the new Human Rights Commission office.

Mr. Speaker, I hope the Minister can understand our surprise when we received a letter indicating that Hay River was not being considered because there was no appropriate office space. I've been contacted by several constituents who do indicate that they have office space available. I would like to ask the Minister, was Public Works and Services involved in providing information to a committee of this House with respect to the availability of space for a Human Rights Commission office? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Public Works and Services, Minister Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes, we were involved. We were asked by the Board of Management to do a review of what housing and office facilities were available within a number of communities - that would be Fort Smith, Hay River, Fort Rae, Yellowknife and Inuvik. Public Works and Services phoned the landlords and got information from them on what's available, how long it would take to bring them on stream if they were, in fact, identified as the community that the facilities would be built in and that information was passed back to the Board of Management. We didn't put any recommendations to favour any one community to the Board of Management. We just gave them the information as it came to us from the landlords. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I find that very interesting. I'd like to know how the Department of Public Works and Services would have determined who they would contact in these communities and what the criteria was for what they were looking for because certainly the only contact in Hay River that's referred to in the letter indicated that they would be able to meet the requirements of what the Human Rights Commission office was looking for and other landlords in the community indicate that they have never been contacted. So, how would they have determined who they were going to contact and what would they have said as the outline or scope of what they were looking for? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Public Works and Services, Minister Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the information I have is that they received certain criteria that the Board of Management would need in order to address the needs of the commission and we used that in a questionnaire to the landlords and that's what we used to establish the information that we passed on back to the Board of Management. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, I would like to suggest that in the case of Hay River, the information collected by Public Works and Services was in error. I'd like to ask the Minister, seeing as there were only certain people contacted in the communities, what's the policy of the Department of Public Works and Services in these instances? This could be frightening for the future. Would it not have been better to advertise in local and territorial newspapers for expressions of interest? Outline the criteria so that anybody could have responded to this proposal? Thank you.

Mrs. Groenewegen, the chair is having some difficulty with the question. Perhaps you'd like to rephrase the question. It sounds like you're asking the Minister his opinion and that's not allowed under the rules of the House. Perhaps you can rephrase the question to a question, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Speaker, why didn't the Minister responsible instruct his officials to publicly advertise to give everyone who was interested in providing this office space fair and equal opportunity to provide a proposal on this space? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Public Works and Services, Minister Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Member suggested, it would have been one option. However, Public Works and Services advised that if a community is picked by the Board of Management it would be at that point that Public Works and Services would put forward a request for proposal to the landlords in that particular community. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Steen. Your final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That seems like a rather backward way of going about it. However, since they seem to have gotten the information incorrect that they supplied to the Board of Management with respect to Hay River, I would like to ask the Minister if he'd be prepared to direct his officials, both at headquarters and at the regional level, to attend in Hay River next week to be shown and toured around so that this will not happen in the future as to what is available in terms of vacant office space in Hay River because it is significant and it is that there's several landlords who have very good space that qualifies. Would the Minister be prepared to ask his officials to visit our community and see those spaces? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Public Works and Services, Minister Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I'd be prepared to do that. I'll ask the department to visit the Hay River business community and put together an estimate of the amount of office space and price-wise and that's all we received from them in the first place. So, I'll ask them to put it together again. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, my question's for the Minister of Health and Social Services. It's with regard to my Member's statement and the information I've received in the increased numbers of children who are being apprehended through the Child Protection and Family Services Act. Mr. Speaker, there's been a major increase from some 43 children at the end of May and at the last week of August, it was almost at 56 children. In two of my communities, there are 22 children in Aklavik and 33 in Fort McPherson. I'd like to ask the Minister, exactly what is his department doing to ensure that we see a decrease in these numbers and to work with our communities to establish child planning committees in those communities?