The Speaker Tony Whitford

Good morning. Order, please. By the authority given to the Speaker by Motion 4-14(6), I hereby direct that this House shall sit until the orders of the day are concluded with item 22 on the Order Paper.

Speaker's Ruling

Colleagues, I want to make my ruling on yesterday's Point of Order by Ms. Lee. I indicated that I would return to the House on the Point of Order raised by the honourable Member for Range Lake. I did indicate at the time that the chair was concerned with the timing and timeframes that the Member, Ms. Lee, was raising in her Point of Order, but did allow the Member the opportunity to address her Point of Order.

The chair was concerned that if recent events or occurrences were going to be used to provide a new context to earlier events or statements, the House could potentially face numerous such points of order. This would set a precedent that is undesirable and indeed would be unmanageable from a procedural perspective. It is regrettable that the Member was not allowed to raise her Point of Order in a more timely manner or was not able to raise her Point of Order in a more timely manner. The essence of a Point of Order is to bring to the House's attention an infringement of the rules immediately to enable the House to address it.

Therefore, as the point is based on comments made over a week ago it was not recognized immediately and not raised at the time of the alleged transgression. Therefore, I cannot allow the Point of Order to proceed.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak about an important day to all aboriginal people and Northerners, June 21st, National Aboriginal Day. Last year was the first time that National Aboriginal Day was celebrated as a statutory holiday in the Northwest Territories.

There is some history to National Aboriginal Day, Mr. Speaker. In 1982 the National Indian Brotherhood proposed that June 21st be a national aboriginal solidarity day. It was not until 1996 that it was declared a national celebration by the former governor general, His Excellency, the Right Honourable Romeo Leblanc.

To date, the Northwest Territories is the only jurisdiction to recognize National Aboriginal Day as a statutory holiday. I am very proud to be a Member of the legislature that worked to pass the National Aboriginal Day Act as it gives recognition to aboriginal peoples and the diversity of their culture and heritage. Recognition of the rich culture and heritage of the Dene, Metis and Inuvialuit is important for this country and for our territory.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to report that last year's celebrations across the Northwest Territories were a huge success. Communities across the North showcased pride in their culture through a range of events such as traditional games, drum dances and cultural displays. This year aboriginal peoples and their culture will again be recognized and celebrated June 21st. I ask all Members to join me in encouraging the people of the Northwest Territories to participate in National Aboriginal Day activities in their communities.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the many volunteers who have helped plan National Aboriginal Day events like canoe racing, traditional games, fishing derbies, music, artwork, scavenger hunts and storytelling. Mr. Speaker, not only has this holiday become a celebration for aboriginal people, it is also a celebration for non-aboriginal people across the country. As Governor General Adrienne Clarkson said, it is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate our respect and admiration for First Nations, the Inuit, the Metis, for the past, the present and the future.

Mr. Speaker, I hope we can join together to make June 21st a successful date. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Minister Handley.

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, June 15th to the 21st has been designated as National Public Service Week. As the Minister of the public service in the Northwest Territories it is my honour and pleasure to stand in the House today to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions made by Government of the Northwest Territories public service employees. It is the public service employees who make it possible for the Government of the Northwest Territories to deliver services to the Northwest Territories public. These services range from wildlife conservation to healthcare to policy development to maintaining highways to educating our children.

As you can appreciate, delivering these services requires a great variety of skills on the part of our public service employees. Public service employees continue to show the desire to refine and improve their skills and continue to provide superior levels of service. We have a public service that exhibits a high degree of professionalism and commitment while doing their work.

Mr. Speaker, it is important that we recognize the work of the public service and that we say thank you. Please join me today in expressing our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the public service and in celebrating National Public Service Week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Handley. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Minister Handley.

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, as Members of the Legislative Assembly are aware, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation has assumed responsibility for studying the potential for Northwest Territories hydro development in partnership with aboriginal organizations. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Akaitcho Regional Investment Corporation, the South Slave Metis Economic Corporation and the Northwest Territories Energy Corporation Ltd., a subsidiary of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. These corporations have agreed to work together to examine possible business opportunities related to hydro-electric potential of the Taltson River. This includes the current opportunity to supply the potential De Beers Diamond Mine with hydro-electric power.

The memorandum of understanding has three specific objectives: to develop detailed business plans that provide for profitable business opportunities; to establish a corporate entity or partnership arrangement that will represent the interests of the Akaitcho and Metis corporations in business opportunities; to develop a detailed memorandum of intent that represents a commitment of the parties to pursue business opportunities that may be available through further development of the Taltson River system. This agreement provides for opportunities to displace diesel generation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Northwest Territories. It provides for opportunities for aboriginal governments to generate revenues and also for opportunities for people in the South Slave region to participate in and benefit from development.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate these three parties for taking this important first step toward the development of hydro-electric potential in the South Slave region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Handley. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Bill Erasmus, the national chief of the Dene Nation, who has announced that he will be stepping down from his position at the 33rd Dene National Assembly scheduled for early July in Aklavik. Mr. Speaker, Members of this House are quite aware that holding public office is a special privilege and honour. It would be fair to say, however, that public office also demands sacrifices, particularly from your family. Chief Bill Erasmus has served the Dene of the Northwest Territories as their national chief for 16 years. As someone familiar with the pressures of that position, I know that represents an incredible commitment from both him and his family.

To give you some idea of what that means in political terms, Chief Erasmus has served the equivalent of four terms in this Legislative Assembly, he has seen five Premiers, many other Ministers and Members of this government, seven Ministers of DIAND, countless chiefs sitting around the Dene Nation table representing communities from across the Northwest Territories. As national chief he has dealt with all the leaders with a sense of dignity and respect.

Through his entire career Chief Erasmus has been a strong and tireless advocate for the Dene of the Northwest Territories and for aboriginal and treaty rights throughout the country. I would note that Chief Erasmus leaves his position with all regions again sitting around the Dene Nation table. This is an important legacy and one that he should be rightly proud of.

Even with his hectic and demanding schedule it is important to point out also that he has excelled in his important role as a dedicated father and husband to his son, Lonny, his daughter, Sarah, and his wife, Reanna. I ask all Members to join me today in thanking and acknowledging Chief Erasmus, his work over the past 16 years not only for the Dene, but for all residents of the Northwest Territories. I am sure the future holds only good things for Bill Erasmus, but I am also certain that he will find ways to continue serving his people in the North in new and exciting ways and I wish him and his family the very best on behalf of the Cabinet. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, again.

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to briefly update Members on recent decisions the government has made concerning its response to the recommendations of the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act. The committee's report made some very detailed recommendations that may result in changes to government structures and responsibilities under the Official Languages Act. These are changes that will affect this and future governments. We believe it is necessary to consider these recommendations very carefully.

At the same time, the committee has made some very useful recommendations on matters that will be relatively easy to address. Earlier this week Bill 28, An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act, was read for the first time. The government's intent in introducing this bill was to make some of those simpler changes right now while still considering how best to implement the rest of the committee's recommendations

Yesterday, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and I had an opportunity to meet with the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight to discuss this bill. During that meeting, Members expressed the desire to see the government address the recommendations of the special committee in a more comprehensive and integrated way. Following consultation with Cabinet, government has agreed that we will not proceed with second reading of Bill 28.

Instead, we will take advantage of the next few months to prepare a new bill for introduction in the fall sitting of the legislature. This bill will address the establishment of an aboriginal languages board and the reassignment of responsibilities for languages promotion consistent with the special committee's recommendations. We will also ensure that, as with all legislation, while one Minister is responsible for implementing the act, the act applies to all government departments, boards and agencies.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to supporting official languages of the Northwest Territories. We recognize the value of the work being done by the special committee and will continue to work on implementing its recommendations and we look forward to working with all Members on this important task. We will continue to advise you of our progress. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Minister Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned yesterday in the House, I rise today to announce interim changes to the medical travel policy. Mr. Speaker, over the last year during sessions of this Assembly many Members have raised their concerns with this government's medical travel policy and supplementary benefit programs.

During the winter session I made a commitment to come before this House to describe what actions the government will take. We all know it is a reality that from time to time people must travel in order to access medical care. This is particularly true for northern regions and jurisdictions in Canada, as travel often involves great distances requiring air travel.

Mr. Speaker, the current medical travel policy is not perfect. The many concerns expressed by this House and public demonstrate that this policy has gaps. There is a need to address some of these gaps on an interim basis until a comprehensive review of supplementary health benefits has been completed over the next several months.

I am, therefore, pleased to announce, Mr. Speaker, the following changes to the medical travel policy. The medical travel co-payment will not be collected for a patient during medical travel either within the Northwest Territories or to a southern destination if the patient's family's income is less than $80,000 and the patient or the family with income of less than $80,000 will also be provided the same benefits for accommodation and meals as currently offered under schedule 3 of the policy.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, under the medical travel policy there is no provision to provide meals and accommodation assistance to patients who travel south for treatment. Now, those families earning more than $80,000 will be eligible to receive an accommodation allowance of $50 per day and a meal allowance of $18 per day.

Mr. Speaker, these interim measures apply to individuals who do not have third-party insurance coverage. It will reduce the financial burden which families experience when they must travel to receive insured health services.

These changes will be implemented immediately, Mr. Speaker, and will remain in effect until a review of the supplementary health benefits is completed. We will be advising the public, health professionals and administration within the Health and Social Services system of these changes to ensure that those requiring medical travel have this coverage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.