Please be seated. Good afternoon, colleagues, and welcome back after a well deserved and very productive break. I wish you all a happy new year, a bit belated but the sentiments are there.

I wish to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and it says:

"Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, the passage of the Appropriations Act, 2003-2004, and the Supplementary Appropriations Act, No. 3, 2002-2003, during the Sixth Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly. Yours truly, Glenna F. Hansen, Commissioner."

Thank you. The next item is Ministers' statements. The Honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will deliver the Budget Address on Thursday, February 13, 2003. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The Honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I watched with anticipation over the past couple of weeks at first as Canadian Premiers met to grapple with issues of health care funding for their respective jurisdictions, and then subsequently as they met with the Prime Minister.

Our government has invested a tremendous amount of effort and resources in ensuring our Ministers and Premier are at the federal/provincial/territorial tables, and ensuring that our issues are represented and our experience is shared on a national level. A lot of preparation work is required to effectively participate when we get there, and to communicate with counterparts in advance and have our officials and Ministers ready to lobby on behalf of the interests of Northerners. So I was very encouraged by the results of this effort, as evidenced by the significant accomplishment of our Premier and the other northern Premiers to achieve agreement from their colleagues on the need to address the needs of northern territories different with respect to national programs funding and initiatives; in this case, specifically, health.

After all, if the provincial Premiers agreed, the concession of a base funding before applying the per capita formula for the territories could only affect the provinces' shares. And if they supported us, how could the Prime Minister find any reason not to support us as well? There was absolutely no downside for him financially or politically. His response was such an affront to the North that it is almost unconceivable. Needless to say, I support the strong position then taken by Premiers Kakfwi, Okalik and Fentie to refuse to sign on. The subsequent national media attention to their position was very effective as well, in further reinforcing our need of special attention given the unique challenges of delivering health services in vast and remote areas.

Ignorance is no defense for Mr. Chretien. As the Premier pointed out, this was the Prime Minister who was very familiar with the challenges in the North, and even if he hadn't benefited from that background, we have done a very good job of clearly articulating and justifying our requests. This latest dismissive stance of the Prime Minister goes far above and beyond indifference. It is more like sabotage, Mr. Speaker.

As a seemingly afterthought gesture, the Prime Minister alluded to a separate process and dialogue with the territories. Later in question period today, I'll be asking the Premier if there have been any developments subsequent to the Ottawa meetings that should give us any cause for hope that Ottawa is getting our message. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate Premiers Stephen Kakfwi, Paul Okalik and Dennis Fentie for their strong, clear and united voice with which they spoke about the inadequacy of the current federal funding formula in health care services for Northerners.

Having seen the outpouring of support shown by the residents and leaders of all walks of life and all over the territories north of 60, a number of things have become more clear to me than ever. Mr. Speaker, the first is the universal access to good, reliable health care. Regardless of where we live, it's one thing that is truly near and dear to our hearts. This is one of the most treasured and precious rights and privileges we have as Canadians. The scarcity of people and the remoteness of where we live should not deprive us of equal treatment. In my experience as an MLA, I know of no other issue that unites our people as this important belief. Any politician who fails to fully appreciate this must do so at their own peril.

Mr. Speaker, the second thing that has become very clear is that the federal government must quickly address the need for a health care funding formula that recognizes this principle. The full implications of the extra costs of delivering the health care services to each and every Northerner must be included, above and beyond the per capita numbers in any new funding formula.

Thirdly, Mr. Speaker, is that when leaders unite and work together, they become much stronger and effective than the sum of their collective whole. And people appreciate this and throw their support behind them. It was something to behold, Mr. Speaker, to witness the three northern Premiers speaking with one voice on behalf of the people they represent. Their collective voice was clear, strong and focused, and I believe very strongly that it will result in something good for all of us. We have already seen it, Mr. Speaker. The attention of our neighbours, including the leaders and the media south of 60, finally tuned in to our message that we have been trying to get through to them for a very long time. For a day or two it was a topic of major discussion in every media room in the country. I realize that we have a lot more work to do, and the Premiers are working with our elected officials in Ottawa to...

Ms. Lee, your time for Members' statements is over. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Ms. Lee, you may conclude your statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I realize we have a lot more work to do and the Premiers are working with our elected officials in Ottawa to deliver this to us. But I do believe that we have definitely started something good here, something we must try to do more often.

We have a lot of other issues in front of us in our territory, and many of them are of the same national importance and magnitude. There's no doubt that while we may disagree on small things, united we can speak more strongly and effectively. By practicing this and showing us how this is done, Premiers Kakfwi, Okalik and Fentie have served us well, and I'd like to thank them and congratulate them once again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today as part of educating our youth, I would like to announce an initiative, sponsored in part by the Deh Gah School. Mr. Speaker, the Fifth Annual Regional Youth Conference will be starting on Friday in Fort Providence. This is the second year in a row that Fort Providence has hosted this conference, titled Honouring our Gifts. The three-day conference will consist of workshops and presentations by well-known key speakers and presenters of both northern and southern role models, including Fort Providence's own Angie Matto, Delphine Elleze and Sherry Landry-Braun. Other presenters are Barry Church, Sharon Firth, Myron Wolf Child, Lisa Simard, Dr. Andrew Corriveau, the Fort Resolution Dancers and the Honourable Roger Allen. These people have developed their gifts to their full potential, and some have built their careers around them.

The Deh Gah Elementary School conference organizers are Julia Elleze, Maxine Lacorne, Melissa Wood, Margaret Thom and Jane Arychuk. These people have committed themselves to ensuring that each participant will come out of this conference with the ability to recognize and honour the gifts they have. The 150 youth participants hail from communities across the Northwest Territories. The programs will give insight to the spiritual, mental, physical and cultural aspects of well-being, which is a basic foundation of traditional teaching.

Mr. Speaker, this conference has been made possible by contributions from MACA; Mackenzie Recreation Association; Deh Gah Gotie Brighter Futures; the Minister of Youth, Roger Allen; Fort Providence Recreation; BHP; the Languages Commissioner, Fibbie Tatti; Shehta Drilling; Territorial Beverages; Nats'ejee Keh, Deh Cho Divisional Education Council; Skills Canada; SAY Magazine; and Rosalyn Smith.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the organizers, volunteers, sponsors and the role models for offering our youth the basic building blocks for self-improvement through this conference. I'd also like to wish all the youth, visitors and presenters a safe and enjoyable stay while in Fort Providence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I may have to lean on your level of tolerance today as this will be a bit of an events statement. Let me begin, Mr. Speaker, by saying how happy I am to be back in this wonderful Chamber, with yourself and the rest of my colleagues, to embark on what I'm sure will be a very ambitious session. I'm sure everyone is fully rejuvenated after the Christmas season and is up to the challenge ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I eagerly await the deliverance of the Budget Address by my esteemed colleague, the Honourable Joe Handley, as well as the federal Budget Address next Tuesday. I sincerely hope that one or both of these addresses will contain some good news that will give us the resources required to deliver the programs and services needed by the people that we represent.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the families of Pat Lafleur, Harold Page, Chuck Williams and Leonard Cardinal, who have recently passed away. These fine people are all long-time residents of Hay River and will be sadly missed. I especially want to send my condolences to the families of Eileen Olsen, who passed away on Monday morning and whose funeral will be held on Thursday. I want them to know that, although I will be unable to attend because of my duties here, my thoughts and prayers are and will be with them.

On a happier note, Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I recognize the Hay River senior ladies' curling team, comprised of Cathy Ryde, lead; Rose Goudreau, second; Linda Carter, third; and my wife, Davida, as skip. These four ladies were excellent ambassadors at the Canadian senior ladies' championships in Lethbridge in January. I want to congratulate these ladies for being very good ambassadors of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Delorey, for your member's statement. I will just remind Members -- perhaps today being the first day we'll be a little bit more flexible -- that time is two-and-a-half minutes -- your rules -- and one topic. But today we will look the other way, so to speak. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you started out by saying that we'd had a bit of a break, I'd just like to inform that while we were on that break from session much work was being done in our constituencies, and I have a number of issues that I will be raising while we're in the budget session. One of them today I want to raise specifically is in the area of what I've been asked to present to this House, in the area of beverage container recovery program. What triggered me to start off with this was the news that I'd heard this morning, that this government probably would not be going forward with its waste recovery and reduction act, which I think is not good to hear and I hope that they will reconsider and try to move forward on that. It's one thing when we talk about the big picture when we've heard Cabinet and the Premier talk about Kyoto and what we must do in all of Canada and what we can do in the Northwest Territories; well, I think here's an opportunity that we can start at ground level and start in communities and start having an immediate impact on our own environment, Mr. Speaker.

Later on today I will be tabling a letter from the Inuvik Recycling Society as well as a petition from constituents in my community and across the North, when it comes to this area, and hope that the government will be able to act on it. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleagues, I know that I stand here with the voice of many residents of the NWT, when I say how pleased and proud we were of Premiers Stephen Kakfwi, Okalik and Fentie of Nunavut and the Yukon, for telling Ottawa and the rest of Canada that the North really does deserve a better break on health funding.

Last week's dramatic story down in Ottawa unfolded like a bad movie. There were three little guys from the boonies, Mr. Speaker, standing up against the big guy from Shawinigan in the showdown over what's right and what's fair. And it could have been a tired old rerun. It's like the story that we've seen played out many times. Remember some of these old clunkers, Mr. Speaker, Infrastructure Investment, or how about Corridors For Canada, and then there was Devolution Delayed? It's the same old story: Ottawa again thwarts the dreams and desires, and leaves the North out in the cold. It could have happened again, but the Premiers stood up and said no. They stood up and said we deserve the same standard of health care that other Canadians deserve. He said that it's not right that 28 of 33 communities in the NWT don't have a doctor. He said we deserve the same standard of health care that other Canadians expect. He said Ottawa's $5 million a year doesn't cut it. He said we've had enough of Ottawa's take-it-or-leave-it attitude. He said per capita funding just doesn't work for the people living north of 60.

So, Mr. Speaker, while we've made our mark on the country with this issue, what we really need to see now are results. I know that our officials are continuing to work in Ottawa to find solutions. I'm impressed that Health Minister Anne McLellan has announced she's going to be here on February 24th to meet with the three territorial Ministers, and even though we might not be hearing much from them, Mr. Speaker, I believe that our northern Members of Parliament and Senators are working on our behalf in Ottawa. We've got their attention, and that is a job well done. Now what we need are results. Thanks, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the most cherished resources that we have is our elders. We've always looked up to them for wisdom, encouragement, and also for support. Yet, Mr. Speaker, one of the alarming things that I found during the break from the last sitting to being here today is that our elders in our communities, especially the ones who are living by themselves and trying to maintain their own home are struggling just to make ends meet. Yet, Mr. Speaker, programs and services that this government delivers by way of fuel subsidies and home support programs are not really meeting the goal that we set, to improve the quality of life for seniors in their homes, in their communities, and in the North.

Mr. Speaker, we spend a lot of dollars and resources on the renewable resources sector with regards to the diamond industry and oil and gas, yet, Mr. Speaker, the resource that we're very much depleting and not taking the advantage of ensuring that the quality of life of our seniors has been considered.

Mr. Speaker, I've raised questions in this House previously regarding the seniors' fuel subsidy. I've been waiting for an answer back from the Minister responsible on this, knowing that the system that they use is unjust, it is not fair, and it does not really meet the requirement of the program.

Mr. Speaker, again I'd like to state, this is a quality of life issue. If we cannot improve the quality of life of our seniors, what are we doing here as legislators? I think we can talk bread and butter issues with regards to what we're doing, but I think we have to see it reflected.

There are a lot of seniors who do not want to take part in public events, sit on public boards, on the band councils, on the local elders' councils, et cetera, because they're penalized for doing that. And if this government is putting in policies that are penalizing our seniors for being active in our communities, there's something wrong with these policies that we're putting in place.

So, Mr. Speaker, with that, I will be asking the Minister responsible for the seniors' fuel subsidy questions on this matter later. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty, and welcome back from your short stay in the hospital in the last few days. It's good to see you're back. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues today, I'd like to express my extreme disappointment with the federal response to the Northern First Ministers on health care renewal funding; especially, Mr. Speaker, when First Ministers from all provinces had agreed that the territories needed special treatment and not financing on a per capita basis. I think Mr. Roy Romanow had already laid out the reasons to support such an approach to funding in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I was a Member of the 13th Assembly, and at the time, in the late '90s, Canada faced a deficit. And we weren't asked to help cut the national deficit, we were told we would help, and we were told by how much. The federal government unilaterally cut our transfer payments. And they didn't cut our transfer payments then on a per capita basis. The impact that we felt was in the area of $150 million. Mr. Speaker, this led to lay-offs, cuts in salaries and benefits of employees, and cuts to programs, including cuts to health and to education. So Canada, with disproportionate help from Northerners, has now wrestled the deficit to the ground and runs a surplus. So you might say, Mr. Speaker, that Canada in the '90s reached into our pocket and yanked money out when they faced a deficit. Now they have a surplus, and every time we get to be part of a federal program, they want us to get it back in little dribbles on a per capita basis.

Mr. Speaker, I know I've talked to a number of my constituents and I supported the actions of Premier Kakfwi and the other territorial leaders last week, and I think this was the right move. It's time that we got tougher with the message that we deliver to Ottawa. Canada, the federal government owes northern residents more attention and a fair share of nationally funded programs. And we must work together to get that message delivered. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we eagerly await the Finance Minister's presentation of the budget this week, and I know the public does as well, but we've been told, I think quite clearly, not to expect any surprises and not to expect any quick-fix solutions. We know, Mr. Speaker, that we're struggling with a widening gap between our expenditures and revenues, and it's certainly going to take a better deal from the federal government if we hope to turn this tide.

Mr. Speaker, I think that these are the facts and I don't believe they're in dispute. However, there has been quite a bit of discussion recently about whether or not if indeed the Prime Minister gets it or not. Does the Prime Minister understand our unique challenges, Mr. Speaker? I can't be sure, but I'm certain he does get this, Mr. Speaker, he gets the sad fact that we only have one MP. So let's not sell the man short. I don't think that one could stay at the top for that long without recognizing the political realities of the game.

How do we make a compelling argument for change? The answer, I think, at least part of it, Mr. Speaker, is to start to build alliances and start to build partnerships. I think that that's something that indeed our Premier and the other Premiers of the territories have begun this week on our behalf. It's good to see.

As well, Mr. Speaker, we know the business coalition, a group of business leaders here locally, have begun to seek that out by reaching out to their Alberta business colleagues and have realized that the message in Ottawa has been falling on deaf ears and they recognize that it's time for another approach. So I hope we've begun the course that will lead to some fruitful results, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to congratulate as well as my colleagues, our Premier and the Premiers of the other territories for their hard work this week. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Mr. Speaker, this past year, the Weledeh constituency has suffered the loss of some of our well-respected elders. Most recently, elders who lived in Ndilo and Dettah and who have passed on include Michel Sikyea, famous for the million-dollar duck; Celine Tsetta; and, Phillip Crapeau. It's important that we recognize and celebrate the contributions that they've made to the people of the North. As elders, they were our natural leaders. They shared their wealth and wisdom with younger generations and helped to prepare them for their role as leaders in the communities. These elders offered guidance to the parents and children living in the communities. They also played a big role in the area of preserving and teaching Dene culture and helping younger generations to grow and benefit from not only the traditional lifestyles, but from new development in the North. Most importantly though, they help to confirm Aboriginal rights. They did this each in their own way and those are rights that we enjoy today. Our elders who have passed on are not forgotten. By making this Member's statement, I hope that in a small way, I am helping to record their names in history. This Member's statement is made in memory of elders Michel Sikyea, Celine Tsetta and Phillip Crapeau. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a few people in the Gallery. First of all, my mother, who usually watches me on television, but today she chose to join me. My mother Taejeong Lee and another gentleman who is here from Korea. He has been volunteering with the seniors and he will be returning to Korea. He came to learn English and he's been a great help to the seniors. His name is Danny Lee in English, but actually his name is Hyuk Joon Lee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure this afternoon to recognize Nicole Firth, my constituency assistant, and also Mr. Harold Cook, my new executive assistant. Welcome to the Gallery.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two former constituents of mine who now reside in Alberta. Larry and Thelma Babiuk, who are in town awaiting the birth of their newest grandchild.

---Applause

Jak sja majesh (sic). Item 5, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I have a number of people I would like to introduce and I would like to introduce my wife Margaret, who is in the Gallery today. Also, in the Gallery is Katherine Youngblut, Ed Jeske, Esther Braden, Nancy Gardiner and Barb Hood. Barb is the executive director of the NWT Seniors' Association. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. Any further recognitions of visitors in the Gallery? I would like to take the opportunity to thank people that are in the Gallery for coming to see your Legislative Assembly today, our first day. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sorry, I thought you had seen me. I would like to recognize a very hard-working, dedicated constituent who keeps me on my toes all the time, Major Karen Hoeft. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Yes, indeed. She would not have gone unnoticed. I was just about to recognize her. Any further recognition of visitors in the Gallery? The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

I would like to take this time to recognize my assistant Sherry Landry-Braun and also Mr. McLeod's assistant and also former Inuvik board member and someone who I have worked with in the past on the Mackenzie Delta Regional Council some time ago, Mr. Harold Cook.

---Applause

Thank you. Further recognition of visitors in the Gallery? Last call. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker, my questions are regarding the federal health care funding and are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, listening to the media reports, something that the federal health Minister Anne McLellan is saying is bothering me somewhat. She has been recorded to say that she will be meeting with the three Premiers to implement the accord. There is no mention of her willingness to consider what's been the demand of the territorial Premiers to revisit the funding formula. So I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, what is his knowledge of what his counterparts are willing to do for the territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The honourable Minister responsible for...It was directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. The Premier has the option of taking that call. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning, I spoke in conference with Premier Okalik and Premier Fentie of the Yukon and we have sent a letter to the Prime Minister indicating our desire to bring resolution to the outstanding issue of funding with regard to health in the three northern territories and moving on to find some way to throw our support behind the accord if it can be brought to some satisfactory resolution. It has been almost a week now since we've indicated our dissatisfaction with the accord and particularly with the funds that were allocated to the territories. Since then, our three northern Members of Parliament and very senior political staff in the Prime Minister's office, including the Clerk of the Privy Council, Alex Himelfarb, have been assigned to try to find some possible remedy in the short term and long term. Minister Anne McLellan has indicated that she is prepared to come north to meet with our Ministers. We have indicated that we welcome her visit and that Ministers will be prepared to meet with her and that first we need to bring this matter between the Prime Minister and ourselves as three Premiers to some acceptable conclusion in the next week or so before such a meeting or visit should happen. We have sent a letter to the Prime Minister restating that we are anxious to resolve this issue; it has been a week. We'd like to have it resolved within a week, and Minister Anne McLellan's indication that she wants to visit and meet with our health Ministers is welcome, but it should happen after we have resolved this outstanding issue with the Prime Minister. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure whether or not I can put an optimistic or pessimistic interpretation into the need for this letter. Could the Premier advise us more clearly about where we are in terms of why this letter was necessary? I was told we are in the stage of trying to prove to the federal counterparts or the Prime Minister that we need a separate deal. Or is this letter concluding or reaching to the end, having convinced them of that? Are we at the front end of this or at the end?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following the meeting with the Prime Minister and the Premiers, the Prime Minister indicated, in response to a question in House of Commons, that he was aware that per capita funding is simply not acceptable or workable. It does not quite do the job in relation to the three territories. Therefore, we're looking at a different arrangement, in that no meetings would be arranged in the future. We understood that to mean that he's accepted that, per capita, as he proposed in the federal accord, was simply not acceptable and that he was not prepared to come up with a different arrangement. It has been suggested by the Premiers and by the Romanow Commission that the territories need more than per capita, and what we have proposed is a special fund set aside, above and beyond the money that was allocated and to be allocated on a per capita basis; that we would set up, through a special allocation from the federal government, a health fund that would see approximately $20 million to $25 million base funding per year on top of the per capita that we would get, which you know is about roughly $4 million to $5 million for the Northwest Territories. It is the letter's way to indicate to the Prime Minister, that we are waiting to hear some suggestions on how this issue is going to be resolved and we appreciate his indication that he is prepared to meet with us to resolve it and that it is not a matter that can be delegated to Anne McLellan or the Minister of Finance, John Manley. It is a matter to be dealt with by the Prime Minister and the Premiers of the three northern territories. We want to indicate that we are looking for a resolution to it on a timely basis that can make us all look like we are looking out for one of the most fundamental needs of all Canadians, that is a good health care system. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. I just want to remind members, I suppose, that the Speaker does have a full list of Members seeking to ask questions. If the question is too long, and the answer is too long, it does take time into the question period. So, if we could just limit the length of time of response, it would be greatly appreciated by other members. Supplementary question, your final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I take your advice. It is still not clear to me. We are aware of the territorial position, we know about what the Prime Minister said, and we know that the meetings have been ongoing. I would like to know, have we passed the stage of convincing them, and are we working out the details of the separate funding or are we not there yet? Could the Premier confirm that? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our staff has been sitting in Ottawa all this week, awaiting word from the staff of the Privy Council, Alex Himelfarb, and the staff from the Prime Minister's Office. I believe I have been asked by the Prime Minister to come up with some remedy, some short-term solution and to start work with us on a long-term solution and how to address the difficulty we face when dealing with our formula financing arrangement, in particular the per capita funding with which the federal government disburses most funds that are made available to jurisdictions across this country. We have achieved one thing. That is, the Prime Minister has acknowledged that per capita funding is not acceptable to be applied in the case of the territories. As of last Thursday, there was word from the Member of Parliament, the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew who has been working with the Member of Parliament for Nunavut, and the Member of Parliament from the Yukon, that they would be receiving word perhaps Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. As of today, all we know is that these federal officials are asking for more time, trying to come up with some solutions. In the meantime, we've indicated our willingness to meet with the Prime Minister. We have asked the Minister of Health, Anne McLellan, to come north but to schedule it for a date after the Prime Minister and ourselves, as Premiers of the three territories, have come to a resolution regarding this issue. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Your final supplementary, Ms. Lee, I erred in allocating you a short supplementary.

That's okay, I'll give up.

That's okay, you don't have to ask it. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes. It is in regards to my opening statement. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the system that we have used is based on last year's tax returns and yet, Mr. Speaker, I have asked questions to the Minister. The program we are delivering is for this fiscal year. Yet, Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the cost of maintaining the cost of the home and also the cost of living is high in a lot of our communities. Mr. Speaker, our elders are struggling just to maintain a home this year on a fixed income, such as a pension, but yet, we are still not able to get that program. So, I would like to ask the Minister, exactly what is his department doing to look into the possible changing of this policy, to ensure that we are able to look at doing the calculations for the seniors, to apply the program to the fiscal year that we are in. I asked the Minister that previously, and I would like to ask the Minister if he has had a chance to look at that and has he had a chance to make a decision on it.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we recognise the need to be concerned for our seniors in the territory and we have, over the past three years, addressed a number of issues for the seniors. We met with some of the constituents of Mr. Krutko a couple of weeks ago, and it was a very fruitful meeting. Some issues were brought to the table that are of concern to the seniors. One, of course, has been the assessment based on previous year's taxes. Mr. Speaker, we have our work on that and we are moving forward to changing the system, Mr. Speaker. There were some concerns identified, however I think we can overcome those concerns. So we should be moving forward on that particular aspect of the program fairly soon, Mr. Speaker. The concern, of course, was perhaps the previous year income was lower than its current year. So there would be one or two individuals involved and that is the hurdle that we are trying to ensure that we can address to the benefit of all seniors, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a senior, you get one year older and you are assessed for one year previous. We should cherish the time they have with us. So I would like to ask the Minister again, have you looked at the possibility of changing the program to let seniors use this current year's information to do the assessment process?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I personally don't disagree with the assessment being on the previous month or previous two months. As I mentioned, we are just completing the work on that. We should be in a position to move forward on this before a very short period of time. Once it is, it will be instituted. We wanted to make sure that someone who had a lower income last year wouldn't be penalized if we took the previous months, if that month was high income. So we had to take care of that particular detail, Mr. Speaker. That is what we were working out right at the moment, so it should work to the benefit of those seniors.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a large number of my seniors in my community who maintain their home aren't eligible for this program because the way it was assessed from last year. I would like to ask the Minister will he consider retroactively implementing this program for those seniors who may not have been able to qualify using the last year's income results knowing they may qualify this year? Would you make the program retroactive from September 1, 2002?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will look at that. It was a question that arose and we don't know the implications of that at this particular time. I don't have that at my fingertips, but we will certainly look at that possibility. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with regard to the overall programs this government delivers, especially the seniors' program, it's been there for several years yet we don't see their amounts increase. We see inflation increases, cost of living increases and every time there's a hike in the fuel rate, our power rates go up. Would you consider reassessing this program to look at the amounts that are being used? Are they adequate or inadequate and are they meeting the cost of living in the NWT for today?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, seniors are of concern to me and we did have a meeting on this and it's a program I have been continually looking at. I have also worked on it for the past two years and made substantial changes, Mr. Speaker, because one of the issues that arose was the minimum amount that a senior would have as income. We raised that from $35,000 to graduate up to as much as $50,000 depending on the area they are in. With respect to the cost of fuel, Mr. Speaker, the cost of fuel is not relevant because we supply a certain amount of fuel. In more colder climate areas, we increase the amount of fuel as well that seniors can receive. So, Mr. Speaker, we have addressed a number of areas already. Naturally, we are always concerned about the issues for our seniors. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger. They centre in the area of recruiting health care professionals in the Northwest Territories. In the last fall session, I believe we injected some $400,000 into this area and just before Christmas, I believe over $8 million was dedicated to recruiting and hiring professionals. I would like to ask the Minister, Mr. Speaker, what progress has been made in that time in hiring new health care professionals for the NWT?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we've been attempting to put the funds to good use. We've made arrangements to make job offers to all the graduates of the nursing program coming out of Aurora College. We are taking steps to try to find people to fill positions, doctors specifically, that funding has been identified for. We are still struggling in a lot of the key areas of allied health professionals because there is a national shortage of physiotherapists, x-ray technicians, lab technicians and these other kind of specialized areas. We are going to be working with all the employees to take advantage of the training that's there because we want to focus not only on recruitment but retention as a key issue. So the staff and all the authorities in the department have been working very aggressively to put into place all the funds and resources we have been allocated. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today's job board, the internal GNWT job board that comes up on the Internet, listed some 17 positions still vacant or being sought at Stanton territorial health authority, and ten being recruited in Inuvik region. Mr. Speaker, I was wondering, outside of this Internet job board what other recruiting initiatives or venues are we looking at? For instance, are we going overseas to see if immigration could help us with this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a whole page of initiatives that I would be happy to share with the Member, but overseas recruitment is one area we have made some investment into. Last year, we went to the Philippines. We've also had some strong indication that there may be potential in places like New Zealand. So we are looking at all options in terms of trying to fill these positions in the North. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In discussion with a number of authorities and managers across the NWT, the issue of housing for health care professionals has been listed as a specific barrier to our ability to attract and recruit people. Is the Department of Health and Social Services looking specifically at housing as something that we should be addressing to help improve this?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are two focuses to that question. In the smaller communities that don't have market economies and market housing, we tend to have housing attached to the nursing station or part of the nursing station. We are striving to make sure that the rents are competitive as well as the buildings and housing is in good repair. In the market communities, specifically Inuvik and Yellowknife where the cost of rent and accommodation is extremely high, we have been talking with housing and looking at ways that will allow us to work with the communities to build housing. There is some housing available right now. For example, working with the foundation that is arm's length from the government that would allow us to work and develop housing because we know there is money available in the budget through the salaries to pay rents, to offer rental accommodations at an affordable rate. So we are looking at doing that. We recognize as well that there are implications beyond health, that in some cases, education suffers from the same kind of problem. So we want to work with education as well to come up with a broad government response. Thank you.

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

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question follows on my Member's statement earlier, regarding the Waste Recovery Reduction Act. Unfortunately, it seems that we have come to a certain point within this work that it seems to have come to a halt. There has been some work being done, from my understanding, which is a bit disappointing because a couple of weeks ago, we reviewed some information from the department and corresponded back with them to say that this could be dealt with during this sitting. In fact, in correspondence from the Inuvik Recycling Society, they've informed me that they had made comments on the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development's discussion paper of May 2001. So this has been an ongoing matter for quite some time. So I would like to know from the Minister if he is still prepared to bring forward legislation during this sitting, so that we can hopefully have it done within the life of our government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Knowing that we have four to five weeks of session scheduled, does the Minister think that it's possible to have it introduced during this sitting?

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would he be able to inform Members of this House as it's prepared to be brought forward so we will be able to address it as committees to make sure that we have a public consultation on this process? We know there has been previous consultations, so will he be able to inform us as to when he will be able to come forward closer to that date? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the formula finance agreement is up for renewal in a year. Can the Minister advise the House whether or not negotiations for a new formula financing deal have yet commenced?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, yes. Discussions with regard to the new financing formula we are hoping to negotiate have begun at the officials' level and I have had some discussions with the finance Minister as well.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in line with the questioning and the theme of the day about per capita transfers, has the Minister reminded the federal Minister of Finance that the federal government unilaterally cut our funding in 1996-97 and for subsequent years. Has he demanded that that funding be reinstated outside of the formula financing deal?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I have raised that issue on a number of occasions with the Minister of Finance and his officials. We are concerned that that five percent cut was made to our base. It is certainly one of the items on the agenda as we proceed with our discussions on the new formula.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it may be early days in the negotiations, but since the Minister has raised the issue with the federal Minister of Finance, can he advise the House what sort of reception he got on that topic?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, we certainly haven't gotten anything conclusive from the finance Minister or from his officials on the five percent. That is one item. We are also looking at other items that all inter-relate and will be part of the formula that achieves a balance for us. Those other ones are per capita and the provincial local expenditure ratio between us and the other provinces and the other one is tax effort adjustment. So as we look at the five percent, all those factors we look at as a package to see what mix would give us the best rate of return on the investments in the North. Thank you.