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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly recently received a report from the Northwest Territories Council of Persons with Disabilities entitled the draft disability framework and action plan. From this framework, an action plan will now be developed.

Mr. Speaker, the framework document was accompanied by a report from focus group meetings held in December, both in Inuvik and Yellowknife, to talk about the framework. This framework is the result of much hard work and dedication to the cause of persons with disabilities and a remarkable partnership including government and non-government organizations monitored by Aboriginal organizations. They were asked to take on this task by the Premier in 2001.

Mr. Speaker it looks like this hard work will see real results. The framework document calls for an integrated collaborative approach between the Government of the Northwest Territories, NGOs and Aboriginal organizations in setting strategic direction for programs and services. The vision of the framework is full citizenship; it was guided by the values of quality, inclusion, accessibility and participation. It outlines the major needs, current status, the goals, priorities and promising practices for each priority area. The priority areas are set out very clearly. They are called building blocks and they are education, employment, income, disability supports and housing.

The framework document points out a number of solutions, Mr. Speaker, some of which will need funding and others that will need only changes in policy or legislation. For example, among the recommendations to address issues related to income, they recommend separating entitlements for income supports from entitlement for health and disability related supports. As well, Mr. Speaker, we need to see the income support program re-examine the income exemption limits. Many persons with disabilities are employed but they should not be penalized because they are not consistently able to work. To improve employability, the government should negotiate with the federal government to get cost-shared funding for employment support. Respite care is needed for the families of persons with disabilities. So is training for families, caregivers and school staff who work with them. Mr. Speaker, a coordinated client-centred case management system must be put into place so that we meet the needs of individuals. The NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities needs to be involved as we move toward that goal. Mr. Speaker, I commend the Premier for having appointed a Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities. Persons with disabilities are not asking for a living standard above any one else, just the ability to have one that is fair. The Minister must now continue to work with the partners to make this all happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about the second annual Power Up young women's conference that was held in Yellowknife on February 3rd, organized by Skills Canada NWT and Nunavut. The idea behind this fantastic event is to have Grade 8 girls from schools across the NWT and Nunavut meet female mentors that work in non-traditional trades and occupations. The girls get to network, talk to their mentors about their careers and take part in hands-on workshops. This year 235 girls from 17 communities in the North attended the conference. I also attended the conference, as a mentor, Mr. Speaker. This is the second year I have done this and I cannot stress enough how valuable an event like this is for our young women.

Not too long ago, many young women did not actually consider the option of a career as a pilot, a carpenter, an aircraft maintenance engineer or a firefighter. These were just not things that came to a girl's mind when she was contemplating career choices. Fortunately, times have changed and these young women's conferences are helping to change them. We know, Mr. Speaker, that there are all kinds of career possibilities out there for those young women, they just need to learn and become more aware of what those are. The event gives them a host of career choices they may have never considered and it allows them to meet and talk with the female mentors in these professions.

I should also note, Mr. Speaker, that on February 10th, a young men's conference was held for the first time. Mr. Speaker, I thought the event last year was fantastic, but the event this year had gone up a whole new level. Knowing the organizers, I know it will get even better next year and that is attributable to the small staff at the NWT/Nunavut Skills Canada office in Yellowknife. The hard work of executive director Allyson Stroeder and her able assistants, Barb Kardash and Erin Mohr. They are the ones who got the numerous sponsors on side, found the mentors and volunteers to help out, and dealt with the logistics of hosting over 200 young women for a one-day event in Yellowknife. These ladies deserve a big pat on the back for their hard work.

Mr. Speaker, I know we have a real skills shortage in our territory right now and our young women can be whatever they want to be. I applaud the young women's conference for doing so much to spread this message. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to draw attention to something I am sure Yellowknifers and people across the Northwest Territories are going to be hearing more about in the coming months and years, and that is the movement in the tourism industry towards something called cultural tourism.

The Aurora Arts Society, Mr. Speaker, a group of volunteers here in Yellowknife from the arts and music community, came together over the last couple of years and with the assistance from our government -- I know RWED was a supporter -- has done an extensive research project and development piece here, which has laid the groundwork in the capital city for this exciting new approach.

Cultural tourism is something that in the modern tourism industry, Mr. Speaker, is a business as defined by our group here in Yellowknife: fostering, promoting, developing, and delivering year-round activities that reflect the unique arts and multicultural heritage of our community. This goes beyond what we might consider our traditional or usual ideas of culture or heritage. This goes into the history, the complexion, the stories and backgrounds of our entire region. Here in Yellowknife and in the North Slave, we have a history in aviation, in mining and in transportation, as well as the Aboriginal and other cultural communities that are part of this region, Mr. Speaker.

As a result of this study, community leaders in the business and in the arts community from Aboriginal and other levels are coming together. They are looking at this as a way for the tourism industry to really come into its own and mature and grow. Mr. Speaker, I am really pleased to see this because this really is a way for us to put a whole bunch of advantages and products and ideas together and really make them work together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to take this opportunity to respond in part to the Minister of Health's statement, "Taking Action On Tobacco". I think that certainly there are many government initiatives, but this one correctly identifies the problem, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has said that we know our smoking rates are too high, particularly in our youth and young adults, alarmingly too high, higher than most of the country, Mr. Speaker. It talks about what we might be able to do in order to take on that challenge and try to turn the tide on smoking. I think one of the important initiatives is legislation that will prevent smoking in public buildings and in the workplace. I see the Minister has indicated Ms. Crowe is coming to the North to tell her story and I know it is a compelling story of her lung cancer and it's attribution to secondhand smoke in the workplace.

But, I think there is another important piece here, Mr. Speaker, besides legislation, which will be important, despite the fact already that you could make the case that it is a harmful substance and doesn't have any place in the workplace -- and possibly Worker's Compensation and insurance should take that into account -- but I think programming is the other key piece, Mr. Speaker. This is something, I think, over the years where this government, not unlike many other governments, has really fallen down. Where we have come up short, Mr. Speaker, is in having a comprehensive plan that is linked across departments.

This is not solely the responsibility of the Department of Health, Education has a large role to play and certainly the Ministry of Youth has a large role to play. This is a department, the Ministry of Youth, that we set up and created some three years ago and to this point, in my mind, it has simply paid nothing but lip service to this. There is no budget for the Ministry of Youth and a lot of these initiatives could be tied in under this department. We talk about developing an anti-tobacco component in the NWT school health curriculum. That's a very good idea but we can't do that while at the same time, not promoting physical education in all of our schools and making sure that is a priority.

We have a great opportunity here at this time with Canada Winter games going on, Mr. Speaker, to use some of the role models and athletes who certainly are heroes to our young people, have them tell their story. I find it amazing to believe that someone can be competitive at that level and smoking at the same time. I'm sure it is not the case, Mr. Speaker. So I urge the department to work with other departments in developing the initiative. Let's not make the same mistakes we've been making for the last 10 years. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my Member's statement today, one of the concerns that is outlined by the draft disability framework is the access to employment assistance for persons with disabilities, which is a federal program. The Government of the Northwest Territories has not been a signatory to the program, which expires March 31, 2003. Can the Minister outline to this House why the GNWT has not participated in this program which would have gotten federal money for persons with disabilities in the Northwest Territories?

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't have all the details or background of the lack of our participation in this particular program. However, we are looking at revitalizing our discussions with government to see if we can't participate in renewal of this particular program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if the Minister cannot tell us why we haven't participated in it, can I ask the Minister to commit to tabling in this House the reasons for the GNWT not having signed onto the existing agreement?

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that part of the reason for not participating in this particular program is that it is per capita based and again it recovered from our particular transfer payments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, knowing that, can the Minister outline what approach we are taking to make sure we access these funds without them cutting into our base transfer and not getting them just on a per capita basis? Thank you.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The concern has been there on the part of all Ministers and MLAs on the per capita funding that we've used. As we are all aware, the Premier had an opportunity with other Premiers to bring this to the attention of the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister indicated that he also wants something done about the per capita funding issue because it does impact on our government and our funding here dramatically in terms of low funding for our population base. We are bringing this to the table when we are discussing it with the people who are negotiating this particular agreement. Additionally, we are looking at just the issue Mr. Dent has mentioned and the fact that we don't want it taken out of our capital base.

Final supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would hope that the federal government would certainly want to make sure that we were able to get more money into the hands of persons with disabilities. You would think they would be embarrassed to know that it wasn't possible, even if we signed this because of a reduction in our transfer payments. Could the Minister outline what sort of timetable we are looking at for concluding these negotiations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that the federal program expires within a month and that we are in negotiations now. I can't tell the Member how quickly we can conclude that. However, there is a meeting of Ministers planned in April of labour market Ministers, in which this particular issue can be taken up in discussion with the Minister of Human Resources Development Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I spoke about northern games and along those lines, I would like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs some questions in the area of sport and recreation. We know that the department has been working with sport organizations throughout the territory. There have been some meetings held. I would like to know what state those discussions are in and when we will be able to see some final products on sport and recreation policies in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe the issue right now is related to the ability of all the sports partners to get together in early March or after the Canada Games are over with. At that time, there will be discussions centred around the establishment of an NWT sports board. It would involve all the major sports partners in the Northwest Territories, including Sport North.

Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This has been an ongoing matter for quite some time now. Is it the intention that this meeting in March shall be the final meetings and that we will form some concrete policy out of that? Thank you.

Minister of MACA, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, that is the intent. I am hoping to have some recommendations from the sports partners. We would then follow up with the establishment of the board through the policy and we are already drafting up some of the policy as to what the abilities of the sports board would be, presuming that everything goes as planned. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister inform us if this will be the last meeting on this and then move forward from there to find the timelines. Will something be in place by the end of this government? Thank you.

Minister of MACA, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe I've indicated to the standing committee that we are hoping that we are going to have a draft policy ready for review by the standing committee in April or May at the latest. Then we will put the policy in place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services in response to his Minister's statement today, "Taking Action on Tobacco". Mr. Speaker, it would appear the Minister plans to undertake a fair amount of consultation with the public on this matter. Mr. Speaker, I believe about 45,000 people a year die in Canada as a result of direct or indirect issues around tobacco smoke. It would appear to me that this is a bit of a public safety issue. We implement other legislation around public safety issues, seatbelt legislation, legislation about people riding in the back of pick-up trucks. If someone pulls you over and you have your baby in a vehicle and they are not in a car seat, you are going to get a $200 fine. Can this Minister consider smoking in public places to be a safety issue? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member raises a very pertinent and germane point. It's something WCB is looking at as well. In my mind, it is clear that this is a health issue and a public safety issue, especially when it comes to secondhand smoke. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage the Minister in the work he has undertaken in this area and I would like him to take the approach as we would as a government on any other public safety issue. I think we have been too long, too quiet and too lenient on this hazardous situation which does exist for people who are sometimes not in a position to defend themselves against the effects of secondhand smoke. I would like to ask the Minister if he could see any opportunity for perhaps even curtailing some of the public consultation and taking the responsible and appropriate action of going straight into the preparation of legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I agree that this is a serious health problem that has been too long unaddressed and I am going to try to move as quickly as I can, along with Cabinet, to make sure that the pieces are in place so if we don't have a chance to complete anything in the months remaining of the 14th Assembly, then the 15th Assembly will be ready to go in the very early days to deal with the issue of legislation, should it be moved forward. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a follow-up to my Member's statement, I am hoping the Minister of RWED can hear me. I have a bad cold. I would like to ask, in light of the fact that we have had a lot of development in the different sectors and mega projects over the horizon, I would like to know what his department is doing to assist our northern entrepreneurs to prepare for this development.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if he could expand on the fact that he stated there will be no new programs, so we will have to rely on existing ones. However, the existing programs are severely under funded. Can we count on, at some point, seeing new money being put into existing programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

04

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister has indicated, they have to live with the existing programs that they have currently and we will have to live with the money that's also budgeted. We are not looking at any new dollars. Would the Minister look and consider changing and expanding the criteria that these programs operate under? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, my first question was to the Minister regarding new initiatives and in his last answer he has indicated he is going to consolidate all the programs under one roof. I would certainly interpret that to be a new initiative. So when the Minister states he is going to consolidate all the existing programs and pool all the dollars, can he tell us if that would result in new dollars being available to the regions?

Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services, following up on my colleague for Hay River South's questions about anti-smoking legislation. I guess maybe this would be a question for the Minister Responsible for the WCB, but since the Minister of Health and Social Services has already addressed it, I am wondering why the WCB legislation already in place wouldn't prohibit smoking in the workplace since it seems to be a harmful substance and that, in effect, could do what we are trying to do with anti-smoking legislation already. Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If it pleases the Speaker, that's a question of WCB legislation policy. I know it's being looked at. I don't have the specific background material, but it has been done in BC, for example, where the WCB declared tobacco a hazardous substance. So the potential is there. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Okay. I thank the Minister for that. I guess I will keep the questions to anti-smoking and the programs and save those questions for the WCB Minister. I think this is related, Mr. Speaker. I wonder how the Minister of Health and Social Services is working with the Ministry of Youth to coordinate the delivery of programs aimed at curbing youth smoking. Clearly pamphlets and posters aren't enough, so what is he doing with the Ministry of Youth to coordinate this programming? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first, let me just make the point that there are a number of options in terms of legislation. We have to come up with, as a territory, the best way to proceed to the most comprehensive way possible with legislation to make sure we have safe public spaces and buildings.

With regard to the Minister Responsible for Youth, we have had initial meetings and, as the Minister of Health and Social Services, I have indicated an interest and a willingness to flow some money from health promotions into the Ministry of Youth so we can have hands-on active kinds of solutions to working with youth. We are also working with the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to try to coordinate the committee resources, so we can, as the Member pointed out, not just do posters and ad campaigns, but do some actual real work with youth and combine that money with the money that's there so we are as effective and as collaborative as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to hear that and I would encourage the Minister to continue to work with his colleagues in this government to make sure we get the best bang for our buck. We know we have limited resources. As well, it would be important for him to consult with his federal and provincial colleagues. I am wondering if the Minister has had any discussions in this area at FPT meetings. We know there are other jurisdictions doing some good things. I use the Quebec example. I think they have made incredible headway in curbing smoking rates. I am wondering if this Minister has had a chance to consult with his colleagues on best practices. Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Yes, I have, Mr. Speaker. I have taken the opportunity to talk with some of my fellow Ministers. One jurisdiction really caught my eye and the efforts they have undertaken, as well as British Columbia, with the rather elegant solution of using existing legislation. So there is a lot of good work being done out there. This is an issue of growing public concern and it's not going to be one that we can avoid, so we have to be proactive and come up with the best legislation possible. We don't want to reinvent the wheel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6, oral questions. Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, during our last session in October, I questioned the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment about the department's financial contributions to the career and technology centre that Yellowknife Catholic schools is planning. While I applaud the efforts of the Yellowknife Catholic school board in advancing the trades sector in our schools, I am concerned about the level of funding committed by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in other communities. Mr. Speaker, the potential price tag for the trades centre was $1.45 million and that has since increased to $1.8 million. Last October, the Minister told me in this House: "To my understanding, there has been no commitment for a level of funding that has been approved as of yet by us. Our position I think will be to look at the program, but normally how we do this is to suggest that the various DECs and DEAs that are looking to expand programs have to take those out of existing funding." I would like to ask the Minister again, what level in funding, in actual dollars, will the department be providing to the centre for the Yellowknife students? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a very good question and I am glad it's been raised. We have the Yellowknife Catholic school board who is interested in developing this centre. Initially, they asked for the property, Mr. Speaker, and we acceded to providing that property to the board, but with the understanding that they would take the program from there. My initial understanding is they would develop the program from within their resources. I have the extra area of concern, Mr. Speaker, or extra area of benefit in this community. We also have the Sir John Franklin High School where a lot of trades programs are offered. All of these programs though, Mr. Chairman, are done on the basis of board allocation and school allocation to their funding. There is no extra funding, to the best of my knowledge, for those programs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's been well publicized that the first $1 million for this project will be committed by the Yellowknife Catholic schools and the remaining $800,000 will be garnered through various partnerships, one being Education, Culture and Employment. I would like to ask the Minister to expand a bit. As there are no financial commitments, what kind of partnership is your department going to be supplying? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do have to emphasize that we haven't indicated that we would provide funding support beyond providing the property for this particular project. To the best of my knowledge, we have not made any commitment financially on this project nor indicated that we would support it because we have, as I said, in this community alone, two schools to provide this training and we don't want to duplicate, for one reason. Our position has always been that the cost of this must be taken out of the allocation provided through the DEC. In future, we are looking at -- as I mentioned the other day to the honourable Member -- different pathways, and we want to be fair throughout the territory if we are ever able to obtain funding to support the industrial arts strategy or program, or whatever you wish to call it, that we wish to pursue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware the Minister keeps committing that there is no finances going into this project, but I read with interest in the January 31st edition of the Yellowknifer that the department officials were to travel to Edmonton and then on to Abbottsford, BC, with a contingent from Yellowknife Catholic schools and Skills Canada to tour career and technology facilities in other locations. I assume this trip took place, Mr. Speaker, recently and that the officials were successful in gathering some useful information. Would the Minister please indicate if his department has ever done or would be willing to do an assessment of Hay River as a potential regional trade centre, given the strong manufacturing and private enterprise sector that exists in Hay River? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not aware of the department having participated in the trip to Abbotsford. I know there's been some media publicizing on this that we were prepared to participate in YCS program, et cetera, but there is no commitment on that, Mr. Speaker. That is speaking not from our side as a government, but from the Yellowknife Catholic school board side. So to the best of my knowledge, we did not participate in that particular trip. Secondly, I would be prepared to look at what we can do in terms of industrial arts development in the Hay River schools, just the same as we would be in Fort McPherson and other locations. We are very interested in pursuing this whole program, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again the Minister is stating that there is no financial commitment, yet keeping in mind that the GNWT has already donated the old driver training school to the Yellowknife Catholic school board, surely that's worth something. I would like to get a commitment from the Minister that he would be willing to work with his department and with the Hay River entities to identify a suitable location to promote the trades in Hay River. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said, we are extremely interested. We are moving forward rapidly on our program of alternative programs for our students. We need to do that. It's essential and we would be glad to work with the DEA, DEC, Hay River and South Slave to see what we can do in order to move forward. We don't have a budget for this particular program, but in whatever way we can help out, we are interested. If the DEA is interested, naturally we are there to be supportive of that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services and it's following up on the Minister's statement on taking action on tobacco. Mr. Speaker, the Minister mentions the event that was held in the past. I think it was the Quit and Win Contest. When I first heard about it, I thought it was a great idea to get the promotion going and the media play of the contest and so on. I thought it was a highly successful event, not just for the winners, but for everyone who thought about it and is to take part in it. I am just wondering if the department has done an evaluation of the program and whether or not there is any plan to continue with that program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In evaluation of the program that's being done, I know a decision has been made to run it again this coming year. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that event, while the idea might have been simple in some ways, did require lots of organization and necessary resources have to be put into that. I am interested in hearing more positive responses from the Minister than what he just gave, Mr. Speaker. Could he indicate whether or not he supports this initiative at all? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I support any initiative that will help even one Northerner to quit smoking. Thank you.

We have a technical glitch here. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, further to his statement, I am wondering about the visit by Ms. Crowe. The statement states that she will be visiting Yellowknife during March 13th to 16th. I wonder if the plan is all booked up or would there be schools that she will be visiting or could schools ask for a visit from her. Is that possible? Thank you.