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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back to the House, as well. It is nice to have you back.

Mr. Speaker, I have often spoken in this House of the need to maximize northern employment. We need to keep our Northerners working and we need to inform our youth and adults of the many opportunities and jobs that will be coming available as the North continues to develop.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw attention to a very worthwhile conference being held in Hay River. Mr. Speaker, on May 5th and 6th, Hay River will be hosting a career symposium. The theme for the symposium is Focus Future. The goal of the career symposium, Mr. Speaker, is to provide career-related information to youth and adults through personal contact with representatives from small business, industry, both the private and the public sectors, and post-secondary institutions. Mr. Speaker, the career symposium will provide career, labour market and learning opportunities for the youth and adults of Hay River, the South Slave and the Deh Cho regions so they may make informed educational and employment-related decisions.

Mr. Speaker, it is anticipated that over 1,500 people will take part in this career symposium. This is a very worthwhile forum for both participants and exhibitors alike. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Ministers of Education, Culture andEmployment; Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development; and Municipal and Community Affairs for their support for this career symposium. Mr. Speaker, I believe the career symposium will be a very worthwhile event and I encourage all Members of this House to attend on May 5th and 6th in Hay River. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it really is good to see you back here. I'm not embarrassed to say that I missed you a lot while you were gone. Mr. Speaker, I think I can title my statement today as general lament to the Cabinet Ministers.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, a Minister stated that he was insulted by remarks that he wasn't doing his job. I thought about this over the weekend and wonder how insulted he would feel if he were trying to advocate, on behalf of his constituents, bringing forward gaps in laws and regulations with evidence that supports the need for a change, only to be told over and over again a big fat no. What's worse is the rationale for the no's is always because things are the way they are and they cannot be changed.

Frankly, Mr. Speaker, I've seen this approach from all or most Ministers. The latest performance by a Minister on amendments to the Territorial Parks Act were deplorable. What about the incoherent answers by Ministers on harmonization? Pushing papers and going to events and going to meetings cannot be an alibi for inaction or an excuse for non-action. If they really thought about it, Mr. Speaker, they would know that behind every issue we bring forward, there are real life stories with real suffering or real injustice being done by the government's action or inaction. People are being excluded from programs when they should be included.

So I have some advice for all Ministers, and I want them to know this in their heart; it is not their job to be the protector of the status quo or to be the mouthpiece for the departments' policies and guidelines. If everything was fine and dandy the way things are, why should we meet in this Assembly, Mr. Speaker? Ministers have to get out from under whatever albatross they've put themselves under. It is their job to know and to follow the policies and legislation under their stewardship, I agree with that. I believe, Mr. Speaker, it is more important that they remain open-minded about the shortfall in their rules, and they should open up to the advice from the Members of this House and the constituents at large that they serve, and be strong enough to change them if necessary.

I say this, Mr. Speaker, because I'm absolutely fed up with answers that say things are the way they are because that's the way they have been before me and they will always be the same after me, no matter what. This has been the case with the whole array of questions I've been asking about the shortfalls in the SFA. I could go on and on and on and I don't want to repeat everything, Mr. Speaker, because I think I will get a chance to ask that question. I really would like the Ministers to consider that everything we are bringing up here has a point and a meaning, and we deserve respect as much as they do themselves. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to report to the constituents in Inuvik that some of their finest have travelled down to Vancouver to take part in the 2003 Western Canada Adult Hockey Tournament. Mr. Speaker, the team won a berth in this event from playing in the Balsillie Cup Tournament last year. We represented the North and our constituency quite well as we won our division in a hard-fought game yesterday. We had to travel through the night to get back here, and many of the people from our constituency will see some of the players get off the plane today in Inuvik, wearing their trophies.

I'd just like to mention the names of those players: Chris Balla, Tom Williams, Donald Kuptana, James Day, Duane Smith, Gordie Kasook, Todd Moran, Neil McLellan, Parker Israel, Daryl Black, Turpine Cockney and I took part in the event and proved that we might be old, but we still can do it. We are bringing the trophies home, and I would just like to let my wife know that I survived. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to welcome you back to the Assembly. This morning, here in the Legislative Assembly, a number of us, and I hope the staff and the people who work here too, took advantage of the diabetes testing program that was put on here in the Great Hall by volunteers and professional staff. It was a pretty simple procedure, Mr. Speaker. They just gave our fingers a little poke, drew a little bit of blood and then in a couple of seconds were able to give us a reading on our blood sugar levels. It is not the real analysis that needs to be done, but it is a good signal and it is very simple and I appreciate that they came into the Legislative Assembly to do that.

Diabetes is something that is fast becoming recognized as a very, very serious problem across North America, but especially here in the NWT, Mr. Speaker. It is estimated that about one in 20 of us has Type 2 diabetes and the Canadian Diabetes Association says that for every person who knows he or she has diabetes, there is one who does not. So there are many people who are not aware that they may have this life-threatening, if not life-changing disease. Here are some of the questions that everyone should consider. Are you over 45 years of age? Are you overweight, particularly around the middle? Do you get enough exercise? Are you Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian, or African? Is there a history of diabetes in your family? If you said yes to two or more of these factors, your risk of having diabetes increases. If you are 45 years old, you are advised to get your blood sugar level checked every one to three years.

Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. Its onset may be delayed by a healthy lifestyle, some healthy lifestyle choices, such as diet, weight control and exercise. Diabetes can be managed through monitoring, testing, lifestyle and sometimes the use of medication. It's very simple. The professionals tell us to eat properly, get enough exercise and don't smoke.

Mr. Speaker, diabetes prevention, early detection and management are all areas that we can do a better job of. I want to acknowledge the work of Paul Hanna of the NWT Diabetes Association for taking the initiative and helping out nurses Mary Deans and Kerry Mitchell of the Shopper's Drug Mart. Mr. Speaker, it can start with each of us getting a very simple test, and that was demonstrated this morning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the weekend of February 28th to March 2nd of this year, the annual IRC hockey tournament was held in Inuvik. When it comes to bragging rights for 2003, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to provide the House with some details of the winning team. The team was sponsored by Northwind Industries. The majority of the players come from the electoral district of Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Northwind Industries is a local contractor to the oil patch and is the sponsor of the winning team. The team members are: Captain Tim Gordon, who was also MVP of the tournament; team members Corey Wainman, Raymond Wainman, Josh Campbell, who was also top defenseman of the tournament, Gary Gordon, Phillip Harry , Scott Gordon, Joel Lennie, Thomas Anthony, Charles Martin, Dwayne Seward, Mickey Ipana, Greg Connell, Patrick Blake, who was also top goalie of the tournament.

Mr. Speaker we hope to see this team in this year's Labatt's hockey tournament here in Yellowknife. As MLA, I wish to congratulate them on a fine win. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize in the visitors' gallery today the grade 7 and 8 students from the Weledeh Catholic School here in Yellowknife. Welcome.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to welcome two schools to our Legislature today. Mr. Handley has recognized the Mildred Hall students, pardon me, the Weledeh Catholic School students and their teacher that's here with them is Trent Hamm. I would also like to welcome Mildred Hall students and their teacher Janet Arthur. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize from Edmonton, Mr. Bill McKeown, executive director for the Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut division of the CNIB. As well from Yellowknife, Christina Vernon, the regional director for the NWT and Nunavut CNIB. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize one of the pages in the Chamber, a constituent of Great Slave, Sam Gardiner who is celebrating today his 13th birthday. Thank you. Happy Birthday, Sam, from all the Members of the Legislative Assembly.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. I would like to take this opportunity to say hello to my mother in Fort Smith, Thebacha. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to my Member's statement. Mr. Speaker, a recent scientific study supported by Health Canada has shown that exposure to Trihalomethanes, or THMs, in the drinking water increase certain types of cancer and also has an effect on miscarriages. Also the United States Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges the risk of THMs and has recently lowered its acceptable level from 100 parts per billion to 80 parts per billion and the Canadian government is presently reviewing it.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to know whether the government has reviewed any data on cancer and miscarriages in the NWT and has investigated the connection between that type of cancer and exposure to THMs?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department is aware of the issue of THMs and the concerns that they are high. The most recent studies as of January 17th indicate that the level of THMs, according to the information I have from environmental health, are within acceptable limits. I would be happy to share this information with the Member. I just got it off my e-mail today. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have grave concerns with the effect of THMs as there has been a major outbreak in Fort McPherson with THMs. It has exceeded the national standards and it has for almost two-and-a-half years before anything was done to clarify this problem. I would like to ask the Minister, given that the scientific studies have demonstrated the connection between exposure to THMs and various types of cancers and the effect on pregnancy and the complication it does have on women, does the government have any data regarding the cost to the territorial health care system and the result of THM exposure? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, let me just restate that our information is that the level of THMs is within acceptable limits. This testing was of January 17th and it's something we want to continue to monitor. I am not aware of any direct scientific evidence we have that has indicated a direct link to any miscarriages that may have happened in the Member's riding and the existence of THMs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister will he table an independent study in the community of Fort McPherson where they have had exposure to THMs, and can he tell me exactly have there been any increases in bladder cancer, colon cancer, miscarriages and any birth defects?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will pull together the information the Member has requested with regard to bladder cancer and birth defects, miscarriages and such and whether there may be any relation, direct or otherwise. We will get the numbers that we do have in terms of these types of illnesses. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with regard to the newest articles and what has been stated in the press across Canada, there are 200 women who are suing different municipal jurisdictions because of THMs. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services who has the responsibility here to ensure that the health of the people in the communities is taken care of. THMs is not a laughing matter. There's scientific proof that it has a direct effect on people's health. As the Minister responsible for health, are you going to do anything on this matter or are you just going to give me lip service?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the testing as of January 17th indicates that the levels of THMs are within acceptable limits. The Member has asked for some information and we will pull that together. We will track it to see if there is any clear evidence that this has become the significant health problem that the Member may be assuming that it is. Our information clearly states that the level of THMs at present are within acceptable limits. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the income support program has two areas that could potentially be looked at in terms of what the Member has stated. One is the area of earned income. We provide, on a monthly basis, Mr. Speaker, $400 that an individual could earn beyond the amount of income support the individual receives. The other side of that is the unearned area, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of areas there that would be considered unearned income. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for income support clients, the unearned income portion is not exempt, Mr. Speaker, so there is no dollar amount specifically attached to that, but there is to the earned income portion, as I stated. An individual could earn $400 beyond the income support and that will be exempted, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is an area called unearned income. I don't have that amount and that would be very difficult to assess how much that would impact on the department, Mr. Speaker, without doing a lot of work on it, which we can do. I don't have that type of information here.

Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member has asked if we could provide information on the amount of dollars that would be affected by unearned income. I will instruct the department to give me that information as quickly as possible, so that we can pass it on to the Members, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, it's my understanding that this government has a program that's combined with the Canada Child Tax Benefit Program. Our contribution is through an initiative called NWT child tax benefit. I would like to ask the Minister if he could tell me what the intent of this program is, what is their goal? What are we trying to accomplish with this NWT child benefit?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the National Child Benefit Program was a national program in which federal money is passed to individuals in the Territories with children. We have developed, in parallel to that, an NWT child benefit program to help the working poor to ensure that the children of working poor have an opportunity to provide some extra funding, but all the money originally came from the national program. We supplemented that for different programs we have developed, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see that this program that's in place is a program that would target the reduction of child poverty to ensure families are better off as a result of working. I wonder if the Minister if he could tell me if this program is working or not.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We believe it's working, Mr. Speaker. It provides a number of areas of support to the territorial support programs for various children's programs throughout the Territories. That's provided to the regions and, in turn, the communities. In addition, there is money that goes directly into the hands of the working poor. So we feel that it does supplement their incomes, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am certainly glad to hear that and I am totally convinced that families that have income low enough to qualify deserve to hang onto dollars. However, I am quite concerned when these dollars are calculated as part of income to be assessed for rent that we are defeating the whole purpose of the target of omitting child poverty. Does the Minister agree that by calculating it as part of income for rent, that on one hand we are paying it out and on one hand we are taking it back? We are really not helping them at all.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, the funding that is provided by the federal government, we supplement that and we redirect it into a number of areas including the territorial workers' supplement which aids children and the territorial child benefit. So we have that as the income support side of the program, Mr. Speaker, and I am not sure that it does affect the housing income people, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out to the Minister that when we make contributions to families with low incomes through the NWT child benefit, we are trying to improve the quality of life. When we take that money out of a program, any program that calculates this as income, especially a program such as harmonization, we are defeating the whole purpose. The end result is neutral. So does the Minster actually believe that these programs work together or are they conflicting programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the program will provide for the working poor an opportunity to have a rent reduction based on the amount of money earned and that's the total amount of money the family received. Anywhere up to $3,833 is the limit and below that, they can receive a reduction on their rent, Mr. Speaker. So it works in harmony with each other. Any funding that is provided, the child benefit portion is part of the family's income, but it really depends on the total income of the family. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat. I addressed this question to him earlier in the session with regard to mandatory days off during the Christmas period and the Minister informed me that it is an agreed upon process through negotiations with the UNW. I am also aware now, Mr. Speaker, that the UNW has approached the government on a couple of occasions to put alternatives on the table. The Minister didn't say that. I would like to know if they have worked with UNW to try to come up with some alternative measure so that employees' money stays in employees' pockets? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The honourable Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, the provisions for the mandatory leave without pay days is in the collective agreement. I am sure that when we come to renegotiating the collective agreement, that both sides will look at this issue and determine whether or not they would bring forward any proposed changes.

Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe that proposal will meet the same destiny as the other ones the UNW has brought forward. I asked the Minister if he's worked with them or worked with the proposals the UNW has put in front of them. Thank you.

The honourable Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that each time we get together to discuss the collective agreement, that there will be proposals brought forward on this and other matters. I know there were proposals brought forward in the past and there were discussions made. Since the mandatory leave without pay days was introduced, there have been some changes, so we are continually working with the union to make this a good program for our employees and for their members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on the issue of mandatory days off, the Minister had answered thequestion if it's accepted. I will ask this question: Is it accepted that the government is taking what equals to 10 days pay from an individual, if they leave the government prior to December 19th?

The honourable Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure how the Member arrives at the 10 days, but employees have 1.92 percent deducted from their biweekly pay cheque and that's what is used to annualize the cost of this leave program. I haven't done the calculation, maybe it comes to 10 days, but that's an agreement that's in the collective agreement. When we renegotiate, if the union wants to bring something forward, then we would be obligated to have a look at it. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's 1.92 percent, correct, to cover the five days that would have been leave without pay, but if an individual leaves before December 19th, that's the five days they would have off leave without pay, plus the 1.92 percent off of their paycheque throughout the year. Is that not correct?

The honourable Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if I understand the Member correctly, then yes that is correct and that's the provision we have negotiated in the collective agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have often spoken in this House about what we can do to improve programs and services for our senior citizens. One example of a government program that I think needs improvement is the Housing Corporation Senior Citizens' Home Repair Program. I believe the income thresholds of $37,500 for a combined household in order to qualify is too restrictive. Many of our seniors have worked for many years in order to retire comfortably, yet when they retire they find that they are not qualified for government programs for seniors due to income thresholds imposed by the government.

I believe the more fair and equitable route, Mr. Speaker, would be to take a sliding scale on income in order to qualify for the seniors citizens' home repair program. When I brought this issue up on income thresholds for seniors in the last session in October, the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation stated that his department is working with the Department of Education to review how they have incorporated a sliding scale into the program. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation to state what progress his department has made since I last brought this up in October with regard to instituting a sliding scale for the seniors as Education, Culture and Employment did for the seniors' fossil fuel subsidy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated earlier, we haven't changed our policy as of this date. We feel we cannot compare the Seniors' Fuel Subsidy Program with the way we deliver the Seniors Home Ownership Repair Program on the income tested. We feel there has been some discrepancy in the development of that procedure. However, I indicated earlier that we were looking very closely at increasing the income threshold, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like the Minister to inform me if he or his department has met with the seniors' society in Hay River to talk about the Senior Citizens' Home Repair Program since I brought this up in October. Has he met with the senior citizens in Hay River? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I haven't personally met with the seniors' society in Hay River, although the President of the NWT Housing Corporation did meet with the NWT Seniors' Society in October to convey some of the progress and work we are trying to contemplate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister please inform me, when that $37,500 cap was put on the Senior Citizens' Home Repair Program, when that was instituted and how often is that figure reviewed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated earlier, I don't have a specific time or date that it wasinstituted. However, we are evaluating the current guidelines and we will certainly look at increasing the income threshold. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Your final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to continue looking at this situation and take a sliding scale into consideration in developing a new program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.