Saturday 8, 2003, is International Women's Day. Yesterday in the Great Hall, the Status of Women Council of the NWT recognized and honoured women in the Northwest Territories who are dedicated and work hard to improve the lives of women and families in their community. These women are, by their actions, positive role models for all of us and especially for our youth. The five winners of the 2003 Wise Women Awards are: Lena Anikina of Tuktoyaktuk; Edith Squirrel of Fort Providence; Florencia Dacanay of Yellowknife; Janet Grandjambe of Fort Good Hope; and, Lesley Paulette of Fort Smith.

Congratulations from the Members of the Legislative Assembly. Congratulations.

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Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Tomorrow, as you have noted, March 8th, is International Women's Day, a day to recognize the accomplishments of women and to reflect on the challenges that still lie ahead for them. For over 90 years, International Women's Day has been a symbol of women's efforts to shape a better world, Mr. Speaker. In 1977, the United Nations passed a resolution to officially recognize International Women's Day. Unfortunately, there are still far too many challenges ahead for women, with family violence and violence against women among the biggest. I commend Minister Allen for announcing last week his department's commitment to bring forward legislation I have long called for, that of the Family Violence Prevention Act for the June sitting of this Assembly.

In circumstances of family violence, this sort of legislation will more often allow women to stay in their homes, in their home communities, where they have support networks. It will give the police another tool to combat family violence that is long overdue.

In my constituency, Mr. Speaker, there's a women's shelter called Alison McAteer House. In spite of our public declarations in support of zero tolerance for violence, shelters like Alison McAteer House are too busy all the time. They, like the other shelters in the NWT, still turn women and children away because they are full. I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to those frontline workers who deal with victims of violence and who work to support them at shelters like Alison McAteer House.

Mr. Speaker, we have a number of great organizations in the North that work to improve women's lives including the Native Women's Association, the Status of Women Council of the NWT, the Centre for Northern Families, the YWCA, and, as I mentioned, Alison McAteer House and the shelters in outlying communities. They can all be recognized.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to extend my congratulations to the Status of Women Council and the Wise Women Awards program. It is important that we celebrate and recognize those women who have been leaders in their communities and in the North. I would especially like to congratulate the recipients of the Wise Women Awards. It's unfortunate that a former constituent Florencia "Flory" Dacanay passed away this past December before being awarded that recognition. Flory's husband, Angel, was in the Great Hall to accept the award on her behalf. Mr. Speaker, she was a woman devoted and dedicated to improving the lives of those who came into contact with her and she will be missed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker

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Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this being Friday, I would like to take a light hearted approach to my Member's statement today and speak about the IRC or the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Native Hockey Tournament that was held in Inuvik in the previous weekend. Mr. Speaker, there were a number of teams from communities from the Western Arctic region: Holman, Paulatuk, Sachs, Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk, Fort McPherson and Aklavik. In the A division, the victors were Northwind, out of Inuvik and BeauDel Posse also out of Inuvik. and third place was EGT, that's Eddie Gruben's Transport out of Tuktoyaktuk. In B division the winners were Tuktoyaktuk, Fort McPherson came in second and Wietzel Solar Bears out of Inuvik came in third. Sadly, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that the Inuvik Old Dogs of this year weren't able to defend their championship, Mr. Speaker. The old legs and lungs were not quite able to hold back the tide of the youthful, energetic opposition.

I must say, Mr. Speaker, we didn't go down with out a fight. Mind you we didn't fight, we were unable to, but we were able to put up a good rush and in our first game we tied 2-2 against Holman; in the second game, we tied 3-3 and, unfortunately, in our third game, the youthful crew from Fort McPherson beat us 4-3 in a very close game that went back and forth. So I must hand it to the Old Dogs, we went out, we tried and, unfortunately, our legs and lungs weren't there this year. Our team leader said that in training camp this summer, we are going to get back to work and lose some pounds and try to pick up some speed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I ask today to bring recognition to International Women's Week being held this week, and, in particular, International Women's Day being celebrated throughout the world, March 8th. Mr. Speaker, the Canadian theme for this year's International Women's Day is worldwide women surfing the digital revolution. With the advent of the World Wide Web, Mr. Speaker, It has opened up a whole new world of digital communication for people throughout the world.

While the Internet has brought important social and economic benefits with it, we must be very careful of the risk it poses to women. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken in the House of the need for stricter regulations against the use of pornography on the Internet. Currently, Mr. Speaker, there are over 300,000 pornographic Web sites on the Internet. Mr. Speaker, I believe very strongly that sexual exploitation of women must end. Our society has made some strides towards this goal but far more has to be done. Mr. Speaker, our society appears to have become desensitized to graphic images and that is very disturbing, Mr. Speaker. We need to stand up, Mr. Speaker, and make the point known that sexual exploitation of women cannot be tolerated.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of International Women's Week, I would like to publicly thank all the people who are diligently working to eradicate sexual exploitation of women in our society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Item 3, Members' Statements. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to speak about the student financial assistance policy that currently makes students attending the RCMP training academy ineligible for grants or loans. I have discussed the matter with the Minister and the rationale he has given me is that it is because this program is not recognized as a post-secondary institution. I wish to advise him that I have information that suggests otherwise and I would urge the Minister to reconsider this unfair and irrational treatment.

Mr. Speaker, on the Web site of the RCMP, I find the following and I quote, "The training academy is a designated post-secondary institution in the province of Saskatchewan. The training academy has been certified as an educational institution for the purpose of the Income Tax Act since January 1997." Therefore, incoming cadets are eligible to receive student loans and/or have their loan payments suspended while attending the cadet training program.

Mr. Speaker, another reason for ineligibility given by the Minister is that the RCMP pays for the full training cost. Once again, this is not entirely correct and I would like the Minister to reconsider this position as well. I find other information on the RCMP Web site, Mr. Speaker, and I quote, "Cadets coming to the training academy are responsible for their own expenditures. It is recommended that cadets budget a sufficient amount for the purchase of academic supplies, uniform items, foot wear, equipment, maintenance supplies and spending money during their stay." A recent survey of the cadets indicated that they spend an average of $4,600, which includes a trip home while at the training academy.

Mr. Speaker, the important point is that the student financial assistance is designed to help students obtain post-secondary education and the program should make an effort to include legitimate pursuits in that way and not to find ways to exclude post-secondary education.

Mr. Speaker, I have pursued this a lot in this session and the Minister has stated over and over and over for ineligibility because the rest of Canada does not recognize it. However, on this one, Mr. Speaker, it is clear that we have information that suggests that this is a post-secondary education and I urge the Minister to revisit it and change the policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Nitah.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, this morning is one of the coldest we've seen this winter in Yellowknife. It is a very appropriate day to acknowledge the spirit and enthusiasm for winter shown by one of my constituents and his cheerful band of volunteers. I'm speaking of none other than Anthony Foliot, the widely proclaimed Snow King of the North. Needless to say, I am very proud to be the MLA for the only constituency in the Northwest Territories with a reigning monarch. The people of Yellowknife wholeheartedly welcomed back the Snow King after he took off a couple of years from his construction of the only snow castle in the Northwest Territories. This year the castle is bigger and more impressive than ever, with real castle-like turrets and clear ice windows. Last Friday evening, I had the pleasure, in spite of minus 37 degree temperatures, to attend the official opening of the 2003 series snow castle along with a huge crowd of visitors including our mayor from Yellowknife and our Premier.

The Snow King's festival will run every weekend in March with a new activity planned for each week. Admission to the castle and festivities is free, and the entertainment is sure to be great. Mr. Foliot and his volunteers and the corporate sponsors deserve a big thank you from all of us. The king and his volunteers put in hundreds of hours so they could challenge and enjoy winter. While many of us hunker down by the wood stove, wishing winter would end and the sun would come back, they are out there working and enjoying themselves and dreaming of the enjoyment they bring to many visitors, and they do this with generosity straight from the heart. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement will follow along the lines of my honourable colleague from Inuvik Boot Lake. Mr. Speaker, last weekend was a great weekend for hockey fans in the Beaufort-Delta area. A number of hockey teams in my riding of Nunakput took part in the annual IRC hockey tournament, including a team from Holman. Mr. Speaker, after a number of annual attempts, I am told Inuvik hockey teams finally managed to limit the Gruben's Transport's team to only third place in the event. However, in the B event, it was Tuktoyaktuk in first place, as usual, by a score of 7-5.

Mr. Speaker, speaking to the individual awards in the A division, top score went to Kelly Ovayuak of E. Gruben's Transport of Tuktoyaktuk. In the B event, top score went to Daniel Nogasak of Tuktoyaktuk. Most valuable player was Sandy Adams of Tuktoyaktuk and top defence, Albert Banksland of Holman.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate all the players for their efforts in sportsmanship and I wish to acknowledge time and effort the organizers put into making this a successful event year after year. Of course, we must not forget the kindly sponsors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I stand to recognize a number of government employees who have reached a milestone in their careers. On February 19th in Hay River, the government paid tribute to 27 employees for their record of long service with the GNWT.

Mr. Speaker, we often take for granted the work of these people. Their professionalism contributes to the building and makeup of our communities. They teach our children in the schools; they run our offices; they maintain our highways; work with adults, youth and victims of the justice system. They keep government facilities and infrastructure in order. These are the people who work for the residents of the Northwest Territories, both day and night, all year long and some of these employees have been performing these duties for many, many years.

Today, I would like to recognize several Hay River South constituents who have achieved long service status with the Government of the Northwest Territories.

In the Department of Justice with five years: Joel Bowker, Darren Dragon, Brenda McAllister, Glen Pangborne, Orrell Sheets; with 10 years of service: Jacqueline Haley; with 15 years of service, Larry Dragon, Robert Haley, Robert Seeley, Raymond Simon; and 25 years of service, Bertha Calvin.

In Education, Culture and Employment with 30 years of service, Alison Kilgour.

With the South Slave Divisional Education Council with five years of service, Sandra Wilkie; with 15 years of service, Darrel Budgell, Doris Camsell, Gerrard Carrol, Linda Gallagher, Brent Kaulback, Dorothy Lirette; with 25 years in our education service in Hay River, Carol Grimm.

In the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development with 30 years of service, Al Helmer.

Mr. Speaker, I salute these people and thank them for all of their dedicated support and service to the Government of the Northwest Territories for contribution to a strong, dependable workforce, which goes towards what makes our communities and territories what they are today and particularly, in Hay River, in my opinion, a very wonderful place to work and live. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lafferty.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like today to take a minute to look at what is happening in our backyards and the remote part of this country in the mining industry. Mr. Speaker, we continue to see through the Con and Giant gold properties, production in the neighbourhood of 120 ounces of gold a year and diamonds that are now valued at about half a billion dollars a year. Mr. Speaker, these are significant developments. They are driving our economy causing the NWT to be a leader in Canada and economic growth. We've also seen a number of significant things in and around the diamond industry as we look at this fast maturing industry in the Canadian mineral field. We saw in the last few months, the approval by 52 countries of the Kimberly Process, which will help secure the confidence in the market through an international certification process. We've seen training programs, many of them fostered by and supported by this government. We've got used to some new corporate names in our communities, Mr. Speaker, names like Sirius and Arslanian. We are just getting used to those and new names are coming in. We are going to be getting used to names like Beny -Sofer and Sons, Rosy Blue, E. Schreiber Inc., Backes and Strauss, Laurelton and one that is rather familiar to us, Tiffany's.

Mr. Speaker, we are seeing what was a promising part of our economy with dozens of people employed in the sorting, cutting and polishing field. This will mean hundreds of people in the very near future. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to just take a minute to acknowledge what is going on here. This weekend and next week in Toronto takes place Canada's major national mining program, the Prospectors' and Developers' Association of Canada. This is where the risk-takers, the diggers and the people who put their fortunes at risk looking for minerals gather to see what is going on, and I wish them all the best in the future here in the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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