Thank you. Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Item 2, Members' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last night I joined about 100 other people from Yellowknife, developers, financiers, politicians and officials with the Canada Mortgage and Housing presentation. I think this is the third or fourth on the Yellowknife housing outlook. I would like to compliment CMHC, Mr. Speaker, for taking the initiative to do this here in the Yellowknife market. They do a good job of analysis and the presentation.

It's a big subject, Mr. Speaker. It covers a lot of ground and, like a lot of things, there is some good news and some not so good news in the views that were given to us last night. The vacancy rates, as we know, are virtually nil. They are going to improve somewhat over this year and potentially next. Forecasts are that they will be in the 1.5 to four percent neighbourhood. That still doesn't translate into a lot of units, even at four percent. That's potentially about 40 apartments. So we are going in the right direction, but if the availability may improve, Mr. Speaker, it doesn't look like the affordability will. However, there are indications that the Yellowknife market is going to come off the double digits rates of increasing rates, but there will still be upward pressure. The time for investment in real estate is good across the country as investors flee the stock markets. So this is a good sign for this market.

On the not so good side are projections that inflation and mortgage rates are going to continue to rise, Mr. Speaker. Trades will be in short supply and building materials will increase in cost. The main barrier to affordable rental housing construction is going to be the availability of land, Mr. Speaker. Clearly all of us in government have a stake in resolving the main barrier to bringing more housing onto this market, Mr. Speaker. All levels of government have a responsibility to get involved and make a difference in this very dramatic shortage in our market. I would like to suggest, Mr. Speaker, that it doesn't stop with just this government. Mr. Speaker, I would like to request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and colleagues. Oftentimes eyes turn towards the territorial government and the city government to where the land situation can be solved, but I would suggest that the federal government and, Mr. Speaker, the aboriginal governments are major stakeholders, major interest holders in the land situation and all four levels of government have a responsibility and an opportunity to get together and make a difference.

Mr. Speaker, my final point is that the cost to the NWT of not acting on lands is going to be significant. I am quoting from a survey that was done last summer which suggests that between now and 2006, we stand to lose some $6.7 million because the housing stock, the trends that see housing constructed, is not going to keep up with the demand. It gets even more dramatic when we look between 2007 and 2011 when our failure to keep up with the housing demand could cost this government in lost federal grants as much as $67 million. The reasons, Mr. Speaker, for government to act on the land question are compelling. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to speak on the issue of the breast cancer screening program being designed by the government. The Department of Health and Social Services is moving towards implementing a breast cancer screening program very soon and I would like to commend the Minister and the department for following through on this important area of prevention and treatment.

At the same time, Mr. Speaker, I recently learned that the department will be placing a strict limitation on how women would be targeted for screening and it has given me cause for concern. In relying on research that has long been challenged by more recent studies and expert opinions in the field, it is my understanding that the government will not allow mammography screening of women under 50 unless she's in a high risk category. Mr. Speaker, this would be a big mistake and extremely short-sighted and I would urge the Minister to seriously reconsider this position.

In talking to a medical professional recently, he has indicated to me that he has seen increased incidence of breast cancer in young aboriginal women from small communities in the NWT that would have been easily treated had the cancer been detected earlier. He has also indicated that the technology in mammography is continually improving and it is a highly effective means of detection at the very early stage of the disease.

Mr. Speaker, this is a highly personal issue for me, not only because I am a woman and will be turning 40 shortly, but I have lost two very close friends from university to breast cancer and they were both diagnosed in their early to mid-40s. I know a number of women in Yellowknife who have been diagnosed with breast cancer as well, and none of these women belong to the conventional high risk category.

My point, Mr. Speaker, is that the evidence is before my very eyes. So to me, the government's insistence that the screening will only be available to women over 50 doesn't make any sense at all and, I would say, is even reckless. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that there is a need for a cutoff somewhere and I understand that the priority should be given to women aged 50 and over, however I must insist that women under 40 years of age be given the opportunity of screening if they so wish. At the same time, there should be a comprehensive public information campaign to let them know this service is available and it is advisable for them to take the test as soon as they turn 40. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I received a copy of correspondence sent by the Inuvialuit Game Council regarding the Wildlife Act legislation. It was sent to the Premier. Mr. Speaker, they are quite clear on their concerns about how they felt the Wildlife Act went, or didn't go, according to what was laid out. Mr. Speaker, it was long ago, just for this Assembly. When they first came in, there was a lot of hope and work being done to get the Wildlife Act done in the life of this Assembly during many committee processes, meetings, business plans, it was said that we would be able to get this done. Money was put aside to consult with aboriginal groups, so we could be prepared and have this legislation finished in the life of our Assembly. So it is with disappointment that we hear that there will be draft legislation tabled, but not pursued.

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of concerns raised by the game council. They have been consulting with the aboriginal groups on areas they have issues with or the process used in trying to draft legislation and what was used or not used, who was able to come to the table and take part in that. I am aware the Minister, during the business plan or the draft main estimates portion of his department, referenced that they have come up with a system now that should be able to move it along. That's something that I will have questions on later during question period, trying to find out if it is something that will be addressing the issues of concern raised by the Inuvialuit Game Council. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about government support for the northern business community. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we heard Mr. Handley - actually many days - talk about the importance of jobs in our communities, in terms of how they contribute to the circulation of money, in other words the spin-off effect, where one job leads to another and another and so on. He's noted that the salaries circulate in local economies stimulating economic activity and growth. Mr. Speaker, the Minister and the government often talk about the need to support our northern business and the need for business development in the North. It's a constant theme we have heard, but is it any more than talk?

A few days ago, we spent a considerable amount of time talking about $1 million plus contract for computers that went south. Northern suppliers believe they could have filled the order. The Minister of Public Works justified the award in part because it would save money. He even complained that Members told him he should do things less expensively, so we shouldn't complain when he saves money.

Not long ago, Mr. Speaker, the government proposed changes to the BIP. When they were rolled out, the business community saw little to cheer about and told the government that. Nevertheless, the push to implement changes was brought forward, even though there was no economic justification for the changes presented. Again, we heard the new and improved BIP would save us money. At the last minute it was put off.

Mr. Speaker, last summer, the government waived the BIP on the second phase of the correctional centre, again to save money. When the smoke had cleared after the bids came in from that project, it is impossible to say there had been any significant savings. In fact, we may have lost money. Mr. Speaker, the government has never made a meaningful effort to figure out what the benefit of supporting northern business might be. Without quantifying the economic impact, how do we know which Minister is saying the right thing? We have Minister Handley talking about how important it is to support northern business and not even mentioning the $17,000 per person we get in transfer payments for every man, woman and child who lives here. Then we have Minister Steen suggesting that his top goal is to save money, even if that means sole-sourcing contracts to southern suppliers. Mr. Speaker, last year Cabinet approved waiving the BIP, again saying it was most important to save money. No wonder there is a crisis of confidence among business people in the NWT when it comes to the GNWT. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Dent. You may conclude your statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, a recent survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found a significant number of business owners in the NWT felt that the Government of the Northwest Territories did not understand entrepreneurship. Mr. Speaker, we need to get our act together. The government needs to do their homework, so we all know the value of supporting northern business. We need a cost-benefit analysis that is reliable. Only with good information will we be able to really prove that Mr. Handley was right when he talked about the importance of northern business in all of our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, rail transportation to the North is a topic we don't hear a lot about and it's not very often talked about in this House. However, today I would like to bring some attention to rail transportation in the North. As we all know, rail transportation in the NWT was put in place back in the mid-60s when Canadian National built a rail line to serve Pine Point Mine. It's kind of ironic that CNR would build a railway to service a CP mine, but that's what took place.

Back in those days, Mr. Speaker, the railway was known as the Great Slave Lake Railroad and I have many fond memories of the Great Slave Lake Railroad, having worked for them for some 30 years. Mr. Speaker, although Pine Point Mine no longer exists, rail transportation is still a very important link to our infrastructure in the Northwest Territories and the role that it will play in future developments that we have going on in the Territories right now.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the privilege of attending a meeting in Hay River on that very issue, rail transportation to the Northwest Territories and the role it will play in future developments, specifically the Mackenzie Valley pipeline or the mining industry, the role that it plays in the resupply of many northern communities and for the mines right now.

Mr. Speaker, there were many representatives at that meeting yesterday. There were representatives from Transport Canada; from Alberta Transportation; Northern Alberta Development Council; the economic development officer for the county of Grand Prairie; the mayor of Grand Prairie was there; the mayor of High Level; the chair of the Mackenzie Municipal Services Agency; the vice president of Mackenzie Northern Railway, which is now known as Rail America but operates under Rail Link in Hay River right now; the mayor of Enterprise; the mayor of Hay River; representation from NTCL and representation from our very own Department of Transportation. I would like to thank the Department of Transportation of this government for initiating that meeting yesterday and starting some talks between railway people and different businesses.

One of the very important topics that was discussed yesterday with the representatives from Alberta was the need to work together and the acknowledgment that whatever development happens in the North, whatever is good for the NWT, is also good for Alberta. It is very important that we are aware of everything that is happening and support each other in that endeavour. One of the other representatives there was a guy from Hay River, who is an entrepreneur promoting a passenger train to go from...

Mr. Delorey, your time for your Member's statement is up and, like railroads, we must keep on time. Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Members' statements. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You many conclude, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. When I was involved with the railway, we tended to be a little over our time as well. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, one of the guys that made a presentation there yesterday is Mr. Glenn Pangborn from Hay River and he has been promoting a passenger train to the North from Edmonton to Hay River in the year 2004 to celebrate 40 years of rail transportation to the North. It would be a tourism venture that would transport some 300 passengers to Hay River via passenger train. I think it is a very worthwhile endeavour, Mr. Speaker. I know the government has showed some interest in supporting this endeavour and I would like to encourage Mr. Pangborn to continue with his endeavours with this passenger train and I would like to encourage this government to lend some support wherever they can for this project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.