Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. I wish to provide my ruling on the point of order raised on February 19, 2003, by the honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Prior to addressing this specific point of order, I would like to make some comment on the purpose of a point of order, just to refresh Members' minds on this procedural point as fortunately, we have not had one for sometime. A point of order is a question raised by a Member who believes that the rules of customary procedures of the House have been incorrectly applied or overlooked during the proceedings. Members may rise on points of order to bring to the attention of the Chair any breach of any of our rules or unparliamentary remarks uttered in debate. Members are able to do so at virtually any time in the proceedings, provided the point of order is raised and concisely argued as soon as the irregularity occurs or as soon as practicable thereafter. As a point of order concerns the interpretation of the rules, it is the responsibility of the Speaker, or Chair in Committee of the Whole, to resolve the matter.

I would now like to provide my ruling on the point of order raised by the honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley, with respect to remarks made by the honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty, on February 19, 2003, in raising the point of order, the honourable Member referred to Rules 23(h) and 23(j), which states: 23, "In debate a Member will be called to order by the Speaker if the Member:"; (h), "makes allegations against another Member, a House officer or a witness;" (j), "charges another Member with uttering a deliberate falsehood."

The statement in question was and I refer to page 278 of unedited Hansard and I quote Mr. Lafferty: "Mr. Speaker, I have to say the Minister is a total stranger to the truth."

Members will recall that I permitted debate on the point of order and the Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty commented and I quote from page 350 of unedited Hansard: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has put a point of order on the Table. The definition of what one thinks or what one says differs for everyone. The words I used were to say that he didn't know the truth and he was travelling a separate highway from the truth. I could have used those words. What he is saying in this House and the truth are different. I am not calling him a liar. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

Mr. Handley then indicated that he might have to raise a further point of order respecting this reply by Mr. Lafferty.

Notwithstanding Mr. Handley's reference to Rules 23(h) and (j), while considering my ruling, I took into consideration the use of the language by the Member for North Slave and I referred to Marleau and Montpetit and I quote from page 526: "In dealing with unparliamentary language, the Speaker takes into account the tone, manner and intention of the Member speaking; the person to whom the words were directed; the degree of provocation; and, most importantly, whether or not the remarks created disorder in the Chamber. Thus, language deemed unparliamentary one day may not necessarily be deemed unparliamentary the following day."

Unparliamentary language is determined largely by context and has as much to do with intent as impact. To be unparliamentary, the language must have the character of being abusive and insulting; it can also involve a charge of deliberate misrepresentation, it is always difficult for the Speaker to know the intent of words spoken by Members.

In applying the context of the proceedings on February 19th, I find that the statement of the Member for North Slave does question the integrity and motives of Mr. Handley. It relates directly to representations attributed to Mr. Handley, and invites, if not demands the conclusion that the statements by Mr. Handley, to the effect that the department is doing a very good job and the highway is safe, are not true; that Mr. Handley has not spoken the truth in the House.

I further find that the same conclusion is suggested in Mr. Lafferty's response to the point of order with respect to the words "...he was travelling a separate highway from the truth." Using a clever analogy does not detract from the substance of the statement. Although the matter was not raised as a point of order, the comments were made and I wish to address them.

I, therefore, rule that the honourable Member for Weledeh has a point of order with respect to both sets of remarks by Mr. Lafferty. Accordingly, I inquire of Mr. Lafferty whether he is prepared to withdraw those remarks from the record, and further, whether he is prepared to offer an apology to the honourable Member for Weledeh. Mr. Lafferty, I have made my ruling.

Mr. Lafferty, are you withdrawing your statement?

Mr. Lafferty, you have heard my ruling, I am requesting that you withdraw those statements or there could be consequences to not withdrawing at this time.

Mr. Lafferty, a clear answer, yes or no, do you want to withdraw your comments from the record? Yes or no?

Mr. Lafferty, with regard to your response and not withdrawing your statements, I have to refer to Rule 25(4): "A Member named under Ruling 25(2) or (3) shall be suspended from the Assembly for the remainder of the sitting day. A motion without notice may be moved to increase the length of suspension of the named Member and shall be decided without amendment or debate." At this time, I would like to ask you again would you withdraw your statement, yes or no? If not, you know what the consequences are. Yes or no?

Mr. Lafferty with regard to our rules, I have to ask you to leave this House for the remainder of this day. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to provide information to Members about our NWT team which will be competing at the 2003 Canada Winter Games. These games are being held in Bathurst and Campbellton, New Brunswick, February 22nd to March 8th.

The Canada Winter Games are the country's primary multi-sport event. The 2003 Canada Winter Games will include 3,200 participants from all provinces and territories competing in 21 sports over the two weeks of the games.

The NWT is sending 70 participants from 10 communities. Week one will include badminton, cross-country skiing, women's curling, speed skating and squash.

In week two, Team NWT will compete in biathlon, men's curling and figure skating.

In addition, two artists from Hay River and from Yellowknife are taking part in the national artists program, which is part of the cultural component of the games.

On behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to thank the coaches, volunteers, territorial sport organizations and Sport North for their dedication and commitment in working with our young athletes in the past few years to prepare for the event.

For many, it will be the experience of a lifetime and the height of their athletic careers. For others it will be a stepping-stone to higher goals as they pursue excellence in their sport. I am sure that all the athletes who have been selected to represent the NWT at the Canada Winter Games will be excellent ambassadors for the North.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will continue to work with our partners to ensure that young athletes from the NWT who work hard and strive to meet the standards to compete at this level will continue to have the opportunity to participate in the Canada games.

Mr. Speaker, the Canada Winter Games are a national celebration that will bring together people from across our country. Our participants will certainly benefit for years to come from the experience and friendships they will find at the games.

I invite all Members to join me in wishing the best of luck to Team NWT and all the participants in the 2003 Canada Winter Games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to inform this House and my constituents that I will be leaving later on today to travel back home to attend the funeral of Mr. Cliff King being held tomorrow. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Similar sympathy goes to the family from the Legislature. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a government, we take on many different projects, some of them very new, some are pilot projects that we try out to see if they work or not and very often, Mr. Speaker, we keep throwing money at some of these projects whether they are successful or whether they show any signs of success. But every once in awhile, a project comes along that shows signs of great success and tremendous possibilities for growth. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring attention to a project, a new initiative taken on by the Housing Corporation that the manager in Hay River, Tom Makepeace, and his staff did a tremendous job on and worked for in conjunction with Diamond Jenness School in Hay River.

---Applause

This new initiative that I refer to is a program whereby the Housing Corporation provides materials and labour dollars to shop students at Diamond Jenness Secondary School. Mr. Speaker, the shop students are required to construct a one bedroom or two bedroom house for the Housing Corporation that will in turn be turned over to a Northwest Territories Housing Corporation client. This is a fabulous idea, Mr. Speaker. Not only does the Housing Corporation have to provide a minimal investment, the 10 shop students get invaluable hands-on construction training, and not only training in construction of the house. They also do all the wiring, they do all the plumbing, and they only bring in trades people to inspect their work. Mr. Speaker, the labour dollars are provided to the high school to fund a half time position to supervise the students while they are building the house, thus creating employment. In addition, a local trades person is brought in to inspect the student's handy work. Mr. Speaker, it is not often, that I get to stand up in this House and applaud the government but I believe that accolades are very warranted to Tom Makepeace and his staff for this fantastic endeavour. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak on the issue of the Northwest Territories Business Incentive Policy and the proposed revisions to that policy.

The BIP was put in place 18 years ago as a means of giving a competitive advantage to northern companies bidding on government contracts for the supply of goods and services. The intent was to enhance the growth of northern companies in the belief that this would create direct and indirect employment and many other positive effects on a northern economy. I believe, to a large extent, the Business Incentive Policy has been successful in accomplishing that. Granted, many circumstances affecting the northern economy have changed since then.

In communities like Yellowknife, government contracts are not the major contributing factor to succeeding in the construction sector, for example, as they once were. Much activity is now driven by the private sector. Many northern and aboriginal companies have grown and are quite successful and competitive. The argument is made that this maturing makes the BIP less important and relevant. The capital budget of the Government of the Northwest Territories is shrinking and some would argue that this reduced amount makes it incumbent upon the government to get more for their limited resources, suggesting that without the BIP this would be better achieved.

Mr. Speaker, I agree that times have changed and it is good to examine government initiative and policies from time to time to ensure they are still accomplishing what they were intended to. However, there has been some very critical information missing in the recent discussion and consultations about the BIP. We need a clearer picture of what the Business Incentive Policy is actually costing. Then, we need a clearer accounting of what we are gaining from that premium. Without that information in hand, I believe it would be premature to make any substantial changes to the policy. We can't proceed on anecdotal piecemeal information.

I'm also concerned about the scope of the proposed changes. I think minor adjustments may need to be made to address areas which could improve the outcome of the policy. But, the kind of sweeping and wholesale changes that are being proposed cannot be done in the absence of a clear articulation of the costs and benefits. I hope the Minister will act to put in place an effective monitoring plan over the next year. When and only when that information becomes available would I support revisiting revisions to the Business Incentive Policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on the Minister's well wishes for our athletes going to the Canada Winter Games, later today I will be recognizing in the gallery two remarkable young athletes from my riding about whom I have spoken before in the House. Mr. Speaker, the records of Amy Wittlinger and Andy Wittlinger are indeed impressive. In the 2002 Northern American Indigenous Games in Winnipeg, Andy and Amy were major contributors in amassing 25 swimming medals for the NWT. Andy won nine individual medals and two medals as a member of a relay team. Amy won seven individual medals and two as a member of a relay team. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, Andy and Amy combined to break five NWT swimming records.

Amy's and Andy's accomplishments go beyond the indigenous games, Mr. Speaker; they have also attended the Alberta Senior championships for the past three years and have had numerous top 10 finishes. In April, 2002, Amy competed at the Edmonton Keyano International Asia Group Meet in Edmonton, Alberta against swimmers from 33 clubs across Canada and the United States and several other countries.

Amy and Andy also have very supportive and hard-working parents, who deserve a lot of credit for their success. We know that athletes succeed by working hard to obtain the maximum potential their talent could bring. It is also true that their road is much more meaningful and easier with the support of family, friends and community. Their parents, Chris and Fred Wittlinger, have been there every step of the way to support these remarkable athletes.

Mr. Speaker, Amy and Andy are both young leaders giving time back to the Yellowknife Polar Bears Swimming Club. They are qualified coaches and are currently helping the younger age group swimmers with the club. Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to ask my colleagues in the House to join me in recognizing Amy and Andy Wittlinger later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can't quite see them now, they are just walking in. I would like to recognize Andy Wittlinger and Amy Wittlinger and Chris Wittlinger from my riding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

I would like to welcome you to the House and all the best at the games. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Bell.