The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, smoking represents one of the NWT's most acute public health concerns:

• • we all know that our smoking rates, particularly in our youth and young adults, are alarmingly high;
• • we are also aware of the fact that many infants and children constantly breathe in tobacco smoke in their homes and public places;
• • and we know that many people are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke every day while they work.

The effects of smoking can already be seen in our high rates of respiratory illness and ear infections in infants and children, in our cancer rates in adults and seniors and in the high proportion of smoking-related deaths in our society. The outlook for the future does not look good if today's youth become tomorrow's life-long smokers.

As part of National Non-Smoking Week in January, the Department of Health and Social Services released a discussion paper on options for tobacco legislation in the NWT. This paper presents the various legislation and experiences of other jurisdictions. Research is showing which types of legislative controls can make a difference, and we can use this information to decide what will work best for the NWT.

As indicated in the discussion paper, there are two areas that may bring the most benefit to our communities. The first is to require smoke-free public places and work places to reduce the daily exposure to tobacco smoke currently experienced by any NWT residents. In addition to this obvious benefit, research also shows that this assists smokers to quit and sends a powerful message to the public that smoking is no longer an accepted behaviour. Even though these do not specifically target youth, research has confirmed such restrictions lower smoking rates in youth.

A second area is to focus on making it difficult for youth to access tobacco products, and to ensure that the vendor does not display promotional material for the sale of tobacco.

Research shows that addiction to tobacco starts in the teen years, and that the best way to reduce teen smoking is to prevent it from starting in the first place.

Mr. Speaker, the discussion paper represents preliminary work that will help us explore public interest in tobacco legislation. Should the feedback indicate support to pursue legislation, the department will begin more in-depth research on options for the NWT. The department has already begun to hear from the public. Close to 90 people have sent in their views on our online feedback form, and we certainly expect to hear from more, through our Web site and regular correspondence, over the next six weeks.

Of course, we know that success against tobacco will not be achieved through legislative means alone. It must be complemented by other work, like support programs for those who wish to quit, and education programs. As Members of this House are aware, Mr. Speaker, we have a territorial strategy, Action on Tobacco, which identifies these and other kinds of activities. Examples of the work underway include:

• • partners with the NWT chapter of the Canadian Public Health Association to sponsor the NWT's first ever Quit and Win Contest;
• • sponsoring a territorial conference for youth on smoking earlier this year;
• • developing a tobacco component for the NWT school health curriculum;
• • funding community-based tobacco initiatives;
• • developing a public awareness campaign targeting NWT youth; and,
• • working with federal tobacco inspectors to educate vendors on their important role on preventing the sale of tobacco to minors.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the upcoming visit of Ms. Heather Crowe to the NWT and Nunavut. As Members may know, Ms. Crowe has terminal lung cancer as a result of long-term exposure to second hand smoke in her work environment. Ms. Crowe has chosen to dedicate her time to advocate on the importance of smoke-free places and the dangers of smoking. She has been featured on national anti-smoking ads on television and we are extremely fortunate that she agreed to travel to the North to speak to various groups, including this Legislature and the NWT Workers' Compensation Board. Ms. Crowe has also graciously agreed to have her NWT/Nunavut visit filmed so that we can prepare an educational video of her trip for distribution to other groups and communities.

Ms. Crowe will be in Yellowknife during March 13th to 16th. I encouraged all Members to take in the events planned for her visit, including a luncheon in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly on March 13th followed by a public meeting at 7:00 p.m. that same day in Northern United Place.

Mr. Speaker, without a doubt, the courageous work of Ms. Crowe connects us more personally to the health issues and statistics on smoking that we read about nationally and here at home. It is through the stories of Ms. Crowe and many others that we will continue our efforts to promote the smoke-free society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the 2003 Northern Winter Games demonstration was held January 30th to February 2nd. It was a success this year. More than 100 participants from the Western Arctic region attended from Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Paulatuk, Holman, Fort McPherson, Inuvik and also a youth from Whitehorse.

This year's games were mostly geared towards youth. We did have an 82-year-old elder, Mrs. Eunice Mitchell, who won a couple of events. First place at muskrat skinning...

---Applause

...and second place in caribou hide skinning. The best man of this year goes to Abe Mitchell and the best woman goes to Jean Gruben from Tuktoyaktuk. We had a record-breaking event. Matthew Anikina from Tuktoyaktuk broke the Alaskan high kick record and he went to the height of seven feet, four inches. The best overall categories, eight to 10 years of age, girls, Francis Esau from Sachs Harbour; boys, Miller Kasook of Inuvik. Eleven to 13 years of age, girls, Christina Esau of Sachs Harbour; boys, Greg Elias of Inuvik. Fourteen to 16 years, girls, Heather Okheena of Holman; boys, Craig Gruben of Tuktoyaktuk. Seventeen and over, girls, Katy Smith of Inuvik; and, Phillip Jacobson from Inuvik for boys.

Every year, these kinds of events bring our communities together and it's good to see the youth playing and challenging themselves with traditional games. It is also an honour to have our elders still participating despite their age. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak about our small northern businesses that are investing in our people and in our communities. Resource development in the NWT has impacted our overall economy in the past several years. This impact has caused our government and the federal government to focus on training for jobs resulting from this development. It is important that in addition to training, we also have programs in place to support and encourage small business to grow and prosper by taking advantage of development opportunities in the North. There has been very little discussion on the role this government and the federal government will play to ensure that business opportunities are captured by our northern residents and existing businesses. In the past, we've seen a trend where southern firms negotiate one-sided joint ventures with associations or with our northern partners.

In many instances, these ventures provide minimal, if any, real return to our northern partners. Our Aboriginal northern entrepreneurs are finding it difficult to negotiate agreements due to limited human and financial human resources. As an example, Mr. Speaker, one such resource is gaining access to capital. It is no secret that the chartered banks are reluctant and most unwilling to work with small businesses in the North and more so if that business operates outside the larger centres such as Yellowknife.

If it weren't for lending agencies such as the NWTD, Business Credit Corporation, Community Futures, and the Metis-Dene development fund, businesses in the small communities would not exist today. These businesses not only provide employment but also provide important services. Mr. Speaker, this government must put some emphasis and focus on the development of our Northern business community. This assistance can be delivered by developing and offering programs that are identified by our business communities. This may mean developing new and innovative lending programs and they result in having the use of this government's position to ensure access to business opportunities through revising existing legislation. However it has to be developed with consultation and cooperation of the business community. At the end of the day we must try to continue to provide employment for Northerners. Therefore, as a body elected by northern people, it is this government's responsibility to provide the resources and support required to increase and maximize northern businesses and northern business opportunities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last Friday evening I flew home to Hay River to attend the Hay River Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting. Mr. Speaker, I listened to an enlightened speech given by Randy Ottenbreit, the manager of the Mackenzie Gas Project with Imperial Oil Resources. In addition, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Honourable Jim Antoine for also attending and delivering a message on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

One of the highlights of the evening, Mr. Speaker, was the awarding of the Alf Mansell Citizen of the Year award. It was awarded to my constituent Mr. Lloyd Brunes. Mr. Speaker I have known Lloyd for some 25 years and I can attest that he is indeed a very worthy recipient of this award. Lloyd has been a very dedicated volunteer in Hay River for many years, Mr. Speaker, even when he was holding down a full-time job as superintendent of public works for the town of Hay River for some 25 years.

Mr. Speaker, Lloyd is a long-serving member of both the Royal Canadian Legion and the West Channel Fishermen's Heritage Committee. He is also presently serving his third two-year term as a member of the Hay River Housing Authority board of directors. In addition, Mr. Speaker, Lloyd has contributed his wealth of experience and knowledge for many years to the Hay River Flood Control Committee. Mr. Speaker, Lloyd is the chairperson of the Hay River Community Health Board. In addition, he is the president of the Hay River Seniors' Society and he is also an executive member of the Northwest Territories Seniors' Society, having served as their president for the past two years. In addition, Mr. Speaker, Lloyd is also currently serving his second two-year term as the Northwest Territories' representative to the National Advisory Council on Aging.

Mr. Speaker, at the chamber of commerce dinner when Lloyd was honoured it was mentioned that, and I quote: "Whether or not he is doing his share does not seem to be a consideration with Lloyd, but whether a job has to be done and he can do it. He is deserving of recognition for just being a good neighbour and is known for helping wherever he sees the need, whether it is delivering some fire wood or hanging a door." Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree more. Mr. Speaker, I would like my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Lloyd Brunes as a very worthy recipient to the Alf Mansell Citizen of the Year award.

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Item 3, Member's statements. Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.