The Speaker Tony Whitford

Colleagues, before we begin with orders of the day, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep and heartfelt appreciation to the Members of this House, to the staff, to the people of Yellowknife and people across the North for their prayers and expressions of condolences to my family and I on the recent loss of my wife Elaine. Her contribution to the North and people of the North will continue to be remembered in many ways. I want to say thank you for allowing me the time off to be with my family and thank you to Deputy Speaker Krutko for filling in for me and I want to thank you for your genuine kindness that has helped ease our loss over the past few days. Thank you.

Today is Commonwealth Day. The Commonwealth is home to more than 1.7 billion people, a unique family in 54 countries, with many faiths, races, languages and cultures, spread across every continent and ocean in the world. The dynamic and vibrant network of partnerships that exist among its people give the commonwealth its unique strength in promotion, democracy, development and cooperation.

The second Monday in March is observed annually by all members of the Commonwealth. This day is used to promote understanding about global issues, international cooperation and the work of the modern Commonwealth. Each year, there is a different theme. This year's theme for Commonwealth Day 2003 is Partners in Development. Development is about people, their quality of life, and the choices available to them as they strive to reach their full potential. It is about finding new ways to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, education and jobs, healthcare, transportation, safe living conditions, good government and a stable economy.

Commonwealth Day is celebrated in different ways. Many cities, for example, host multi-faith observances. The largest is held at Westminster Abbey in London and is attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, head of the Commonwealth parliaments, and legislatures mark the day with speeches and events.

Today, the Royal Union flag, also known as the Union Jack, will be flown along with the Canadian flag on all Government of Canada buildings and establishments across Canada to mark Canada's membership in the Commonwealth of nations.

Commonwealth Day is an opportunity to remember the values, traditions and aspirations we all share as Commonwealth citizens. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the more than 4,000 public service employees who work for this government are the backbone of our programs and services. It is their efforts, skills and abilities that allow us to deliver top quality programs to Northerners. Today, I would like to speak about two initiatives that allow the government as a whole to better support our employees so they, in turn, can continue the work.

The first initiative is the introduction of a new employee recognition program to promote and recognize the efforts and achievements of public service employees. In last year's recognition survey of all government employees, staff suggested ways to improve the frequency and nature of recognition. This program is based in the results of that survey and provides a broader approach to employee recognition.

In addition to improvements in the existing retirement and long-service awards, there are new parts to the program.

Departments are able to implement their own employee recognition program. Department recognition may be formal or informal and will recognize outstanding achievements of employees or teams that support departmental goals. Service application awards have been created to recognize the commitment of long service employees who are leaving the GNWT and are not eligible for retirement.

As well, I am pleased to announce that the Premier's Award for Excellence will be given on an annual basis to teams or individual employees for outstanding achievements that have had a positive effect on government. In honour of those achievements, the Premier's office sponsors an annual award event in June during Public Service Week. Recipients are chosen through a simple process that is available for anyone wishing to nominate an employee or team. The process for nominating individuals will be available shortly.

Awards will be given to employees or teams whose achievements demonstrate excellence and innovation in meeting the objectives of government. Examples of the types of achievements that could be recognized are:

- creative solutions resulting in improvement to government-wide systems or processes;

- exceptional performance on an ongoing basis;

- outstanding commitment to complex projects or ongoing activities;

- unique contributions that demonstrate excellence and innovation; and,

- personal milestones that support government objectives.

Mr. Speaker, the government is also taking steps to assist employees with strong management and leadership potential to gain the skills and experience necessary to take on progressively more senior management roles in the future. The management assignment program will get underway later this month and will provide individuals with assessment, training, developmental assignments, coaching and mentoring to help them develop their professional skills.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize and appreciate the dedication of our public service. These programs demonstrate our appreciation and the government's commitment to supporting those who are carrying out the programs and services necessary to serve the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back. Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling proposed amendments to the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, the Hamlets Act, and the Charter Communities Act. These proposed changes, along with the amendments to the Settlements Act which are still under development, will modernize the legislation governing municipal governments in the NWT.

The process leading up to these proposed amendments began in 1995 when my department, in partnership with the Northwest Territories Association of Municipalities, initiated the municipal legislation review. Phase one of this review was completed in 1997 and led to several housekeeping amendments to fix specific problems with the existing municipal legislation and also the Property Assessment and Taxation Act.

Mr. Speaker, phase two of this process began in 1997 with the circulation to all community governments of the discussion paper Empowerment Through Community Government Legislation. This paper was intended to facilitate discussion of comprehensive issues within municipal legislation. The paper stimulated a great deal of discussion during subsequent consultations over the course of the following two years. The proposed amendments I will be tabling later today are the direct result of this process.

Highlights of these proposed amendments include:

• • broader bylaw-making powers for local governments;
• • limits on municipal liability for certain matters and activities;
• • greater ability of councils to set their own rules for procedure;
• • simplification of the financial reporting requirements;
• • expanded corporate powers including expanded borrowing abilities; and
• • increased ability for municipalities to enter into agreements with government bodies other than the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to highlight the fact that these documents are still drafts as consultation and development continue. Just recently, officials from MACA met with representatives of the local government administrators of the Northwest Territories for a day-long technical review and comment session. This session was extremely productive and may result in a number of possible further amendments to this proposed legislation.

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, amendments to the Settlements Act are still under development and I anticipate that all four municipal governance bills will be ready for introduction to the Legislative Assembly in June 2003. Tabling this proposed legislation now provides us with the opportunity for informal consultation and input on this important legislation prior to introduction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' Statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Vince Steen Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to provide an update to Members on our NWT Team's results from the 10th Canada Winter Games recently concluded in Bathurst - Campbellton, New Brunswick.

Team NWT consisted of athletes, coaches, artists and mission staff from 10 NWT communities participating in the sports of biathlon, badminton, curling, cross-country skiing, figure skating, speed skating and squash and the national artist program, which is part of the games.

During the two weeks of competition I am extremely pleased to report that the NWT won three medals and finished ninth overall, our best placing ever.

---Applause

Our medalists were:

• • Mike Argue of Yellowknife who captured two medals in cross-country skiing, a silver in the men's ten kilometer classic and a bronze in the seven-and-a-half kilometer pursuit race; and
• • Sarah Daitch of Fort Smith who won a bronze medal in the women's five-kilometre pursuit cross-country skiing race.

Other notable performances included:

• • fourth and eighth place finishes for biathlete Lindsay Bolivar of Yellowknife;
• • a sixth place finish for the women's cross-country skiing relay team in the four by five kilometre relay; and
• • three top 10 finishes for biathlete Brendan Green of Hay River.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government of the NWT, I would like to pass on congratulations to these individuals and all team members who were ambassadors for the NWT.

In the continuing tradition of the games, these young people represented us well and have now become role models who will go on to encourage many others to follow in their footsteps and reap the benefits of participating in sport. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Steen. It was a fine performance and the Territories are very proud of them. Item 2, Ministers' statements.

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Jim Antoine will be absent from the House today to attend the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada annual conference in Toronto. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back. Mr. Speaker, the issue of Trihalomethanes, better known as THMs, is again receiving attention on newscasts across North America, THMs are formed when chlorine combines with organic matter in the water supply. Mr. Speaker, water problems are not new in my constituency. There are water problems in Aklavik with regard to H. pylori and also in the community of Tsiigehtchic where colour and odour are a major problem. Mr. Speaker, the community of Fort McPherson is one of the communities that has had a major outbreak with THMs in its water supply.

It has been known for some time, Mr. Speaker, that THMs in drinking water can lead to higher rates of bladder and colon cancer, and they are also associated with miscarriages and low birth rates. Recent studies have shown that exposure can also come from breathing water vapour and also by exposing your skin through bathing and showering in this water.

Mr. Speaker, this government needs to take proactive measures to reduce the levels of THMs in the drinking water of our communities. This government must take steps to ensure public confidence and public awareness of the potential harm that THMs can cause. This government must educate the public about the importance of personal water filtering systems and other methods of lessening THM levels, not only in our treatment facilities, but also in our homes and in the means of transporting water in our systems.

Mr. Speaker, water is an important component in our daily lives. Yet, Mr. Speaker, this natural resource in the NWT is not immune from THMs, as elsewhere in Canada. Responding to this, the government must ensure the water is safe to drink and to bathe in. This great injustice cannot be done to our citizens of the NWT when the questions are unknown and the effects are comparable to what we see in southern Canada. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, a great injustice is being done when the citizens of this territory can no longer have faith in the safety of their drinking water. At all costs, the faith that we put into the government and into the people we trust to protect us must be restored. Mr. Speaker, there are major lawsuits in southern Canada right now on the THM problem, which is now being detected in miscarriages in women. So at the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services exactly what this government is doing about the effect of THMs on our people in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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