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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Jim Antoine will be absent from the House today. He is attending the Ministers of Agriculture meeting that is taking place in Vancouver today. Thank you.

Any further Ministers' statements? Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity today, in anticipation of Father's Day this Sunday, to recognize fathers. My own father, who passed away six years ago, was not perfect. He did not do everything by the book of good parenting. He was outspoken, highly opinionated, but was very real. I never wondered what he was thinking. He was quick to share his thoughts. He was principled and honest, and probably the most important thing he blessed me with was his approval. Being from the old school, being British and having been raised by a single father, he was not overly affectionate, but he gave me a sense of who I was and where I belonged. He made me feel safe, protected and in his own way of showing love I felt loved. He instilled confidence in his words, planted self-esteem and self-worth. We can never overestimate the power of our words. They can build up or they can tear down. I believe the real blessing of a father are the often repeated words of encouragement and approval.

Mr. Speaker, I was also blessed with a husband who turned out to be an amazing father. He has set an example for my children that I can find no fault with. He knows how to listen, he knows how to pray and I give Rick most of the credit for the stability and happiness that I see in my children's lives. He manages to balance his work, community service and parenting around my agenda, which has not been all that typical, shall we say. On Father's Day and every day I thank God for my husband and father of my children.

I would also like to recognize my colleagues in this House who are fathers and who spend many days...

...and many hours away from their children in order to serve their constituents. I hear stories and see much pride when I hear my colleagues speak of their children and their grandchildren.

Today I would especially like to recognize my colleague from Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell, as he celebrates his first Father's Day with the recent arrival of his sweet baby daughter, Emily Grace.

---Applause

I know that she will change his life forever.

Mr. Speaker, to all fathers in the Northwest Territories and to you, Mr. Speaker, happy Father's Day.

---Applause

Thank you for that warm, comforting statement. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to give an update on some events in Inuvik that are upcoming during the month of June. It is a good thing to have the official opening of the new hospital. The patients and the staff have now moved in there, but this coming week there will be the official opening of the facility. Many people's hard work went into that and seeing it through a number of different Ministers, and the community itself working hard to ensure that moved ahead.

As well, Mr. Speaker, this week coming up in Inuvik is the Inuvik Petroleum Show 2003, once again sold out and bringing a lot of people into the community and sharing their stories and ideas in business. That is a good thing for us in the community of Inuvik as we continue to work on the increasing economy through the gas play that is happening up there.

What I do not want to neglect is, hopefully this is the last day of this summer sitting, and I would like to recognize the Pages who have come down from Inuvik, Mr. Chris Smith and Miss Kayla Larocque, who have done a good job here and have done well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Roland. I see you have taken a page out of Mr. Nitah's book. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Minister Handley.

Mr. Speaker, it has been a busy week and, as we finish off this week, I would like to give my appreciation to those people who provide support to this House and to my office, as well as those in my constituency who call, e-mail, stop me in the street to indicate their support. Naming names is always a little risky as I really do not want to miss anyone, but today is Friday the 13th and I feel lucky.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, in no order of importance, I would like to express my appreciation to the Clerk and his staff. To the guys, J.T. and Andrew, from Pido Productions, who man the cameras and microphones in their tiny booths. I would also like to note the Hansard women, Michele and Janet, who are probably the only people who still have not slept last night. As well, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Pages and our Sergeant-at-Arms, Nicole Latour-Theede. Mr. Speaker, the tireless effort by Mark Aitken and his team of drafters, as well as the Law Clerk here in the Assembly, hats off to you people who really pour it on in the crunch, like Liz Snider and Alan Cash and Terry Pierce, our Cabinet and Financial Management Board Secretariat advisors.

Mr. Speaker, we as a House have accomplished quite a bit at this sitting with legislation that received third reading. I need to thank Lew Voytilla, Shaleen Woodward, Sylvia Haener and the Financial Management Board Secretariat as a whole. Also Peter Vician, Russ Neudorf and the Department of Transportation staff, as well as Penny Ballantyne, Andy Wong, Mike Triggs and the staff from Workers' Compensation Board.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I need to mention the support from Kevin O'Keefe and Heather Riviere who try to keep us all organized and, let me tell you, that is a task in its own. As well, as always, those who provide invaluable advice and to my office staff, Hilda and Lisa, who show up for work somewhat on time.

Mr. Speaker, special thanks to Mr. Lafferty for spending so much time on Highway No. 3 yesterday. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to say thanks to my wife who has enjoyed the solitude of our home out at the lake with only the dog for company lately. Thank you.

---Laughter

---Applause

Well, Minister Handley, thank you. It is indeed lucky for you that it is Friday the 13th. That should have been a Ministerial statement, but again, a page from Mr. Nitah's book. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to rise and recognize the 2003 graduating class of Diamond Jenness High School in Hay River. Mr. Speaker, there are 42 students graduating this year. This will be the largest graduating class ever for Diamond Jenness. Of these 42 graduates, 21 have been attending school together in Hay River area since kindergarten, which is also a new record.

Mr. Speaker, this group of fine young people have achieved this milestone through a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication and perseverance. Graduation, Mr. Speaker, is truly a time for celebrating this most important milestone. It is my sincere hope that their well-deserved success will serve them well in all their future endeavours.

Mr. Speaker, it will be my pleasure to attend the graduating ceremonies on June 28th in Hay River. Time does permit me here to list the names of all the graduates, Mr. Speaker, but I would like to thank Ms. Lynn Philips, a constituent of mine who while being a fine teacher is also the grad 2003 advisor.

Mr. Speaker, in addition I would also like to recognize the parents of the graduates who put in countless hours fundraising and organizing a safe, fun and truly memorable dry night of activities for the graduates. They are to be commended.

Mr. Speaker, while this time of year is a time of celebration and joy for the graduates, it also brings back some sad memories of a time a number of years ago when I lost a nephew during graduation celebrations on our highways. I would like to pass on to all the graduates that, although it is a time for joy and celebration, we must keep safety in mind and the celebration should not include being on the highways drinking and partying and I want to wish all the graduates a very safe and joyous summer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak about the upcoming National Aboriginal Day to be celebrated by my constituents in Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, this is not only a day for aboriginal people to celebrate, but for all people of Inuvik and the surrounding communities to join in to express their cultures by sharing in the feast, the dance and other scheduled activities for that day.

Mr. Speaker, I have been advised that this year's Aboriginal Day festivities will be jointly coordinated between the Gwich'in, Inuvialuit and Sahtu and various other people who have so volunteered. Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage all ethnic groups in my riding to take part in the festivities organized for National Aboriginal Day. I believe there will be a full parade, so hopefully we will see everyone join in to make a float representing the many cultures that reside in the riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the people, the organizers and those who support National Aboriginal Day in Inuvik for their dedication and effort in making this day so special in all the communities across the Northwest Territories. I would like to wish all the people of the Northwest Territories a National Aboriginal Day and hopefully the day is well enjoyed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Minister Allen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to make a few comments about the Fort Providence request for a swimming pool. Mr. Speaker, for many years we have had problems with the pool in Fort Providence. We have gotten away with patches and repairs, but two years ago there was an analysis done on the building and the building was condemned due to structural and foundation problems. I don't think anybody was surprised, Mr. Speaker. The pool was built 28 years ago and at that time it was a second-hand pool brought in from another community.

Throughout the life of this facility it was the most used recreation facility in the community. When the pool closed last year it became a major concern for the residents of Fort Providence because the children were forced to swim in the Mackenzie River. Since that time I was approached probably by every group and every government body in the community, the hamlet, the band, the Metis. By parents concerned for their children. By elders with concern for their grandchildren. From the youth of the school that petitioned probably every gathering with signs and a message that they needed a safe place to swim.

Given our location and the speed of the river and the current and the number of drownings in the river over the years, the need for a pool in Fort Providence is very real. I was very happy and very relieved when the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs heard our pleas and responded by including a pool in the capital plan for this year.

All the while, the community has been working on raising funds to try to build a pool in the event that we could not get any government funding or if we did obtain some funding from the government we would use that money to upgrade the pool. Some of the ideas we were tossing around to upgrade the pool would be the addition of a wading pool or a steam room for the seniors, because that is a request that the seniors put in. We also wanted to put in a heating system to extend the season from May to October.

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

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? Mr. McLeod, you may conclude.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, today I want to commend the efforts and the hard work of the hamlet council and the recreation committee who immediately went to work and started raising funds over this last year. To date they have raised $64,000 that will be turned over to the pool committee. For the size of Fort Providence, the size of the community, this is a major accomplishment.

I also want to thank the students of the Deh Gah School for getting involved with the campaign to build this pool. This youth group was determined to get a pool. I attended the school Christmas concert last year where they stated publicly that they would raise the money to build a swimming pool. They have since been fundraising, soliciting donations and getting the message out that they want a pool, they need a pool, and they had the donation jars all over the community.

On Tuesday of next week the Deh Gah swimming pool group will be presenting a cheque to the Hamlet of Fort Providence for $5,000. So I wanted to commend them and say, my hat is off to them. This group is comprised of a few students from the school: Hayley Arychuk, Shawna McLeod, Rebecca Landry, Lalitha Nadli and Maureen Sabourin, along with the principal, Jane Arychuk. They have done a good job. They managed to get the message out. We are getting a pool and they have certainly demonstrated what can be accomplished when a whole community works together for a specific project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of discussion this week in the House about sport and recreation, specifically sport and recreation opportunities and levels of participation and the disparity between small and large. In my statement earlier in the week I suggested that one of the things that was more important than adding new governance structures was to do an audit or an inventory, if you will, Mr. Speaker, of organizations and of levels of participation in the small communities and in the large communities and take a look at best practices and see if we cannot build from some of our successes.

One of the things I think we need to look at, Mr. Speaker, is voluntarism. This is something that we have discussed quite a bit and we have sort of tended to skirt the issue and dance around it a little bit, but I think the question needs to be asked, Mr. Speaker, why do we see volunteer networks that are well-developed and built up in our large communities and not so much in our smaller communities? Is it that, Mr. Speaker, people who live in small communities somehow are less willing to help others help children in communities? Somehow are not as big-hearted? Mr. Speaker, I think we know that is not the case.

In the North, indeed even in the south, all of us who have had the opportunity to visit small communities know that some of the best people in the country live there. But I think we need to look at, Mr. Speaker, what kinds of things really are contributing to this. I think certainly critical mass, Mr. Speaker, is one of them. With that comes respite. You simply cannot expect the same few people to coach hockey, soccer and participate as volunteers in all of these activity areas. People simply get burned out. Even in Yellowknife we know, Mr. Speaker, it seems it is the same people time and time again volunteering. I think that is further exacerbated in the smaller communities.

What about, Mr. Speaker, employment? I think if we look at small and large communities you would notice that the highest levels of unemployment are in our smallest communities. Mr. Speaker, as the hierarchy of needs would tell us, you certainly need shelter and food and an adequate standard of living before you can concern yourself with something like voluntarism. Mr. Speaker, I think that is also why you will notice typically people talk about the RCMP officers and teachers in smaller communities being the ones who volunteer. Mr. Speaker, they have jobs.

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

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? You may conclude, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Another thing I think we should look at is experience with organized sport. What is it about these RCMP officers, teachers and others who are imports from the south? More than likely, Mr. Speaker, they have had experience as children themselves with organized sports. More than likely their parents were involved as volunteers. We know when we look at education levels, certainly second generation children who have had parents who have been through the school system, had a formal education, are more likely to succeed and their parents are more likely to be involved in ensuring that they are doing homework and recognizing the benefits of education. It's no different, I presume, Mr. Speaker, in sport.

So I think we need to talk about what we can do. What can Municipal and Community Affairs do, Mr. Speaker? Well, certainly, I received a letter today and I think this is a point that needs to be made time and time again, Municipal and Community Affairs can encourage the development of voluntarism, not only in the largest communities, but also in the smaller communities, Mr. Speaker. What can we do? Well, as a government, I think we need to ensure that all regions benefit from economic development. Simply, Mr. Speaker, if people are not employed, I do not think that voluntarism is the first thing on their mind.

As a legislature as well I think we need to make healthy living a priority and, if it is a priority, we are going to have to fund it adequately. But it is also important, Mr. Speaker, to talk about what we should not do, and I think what we should not do is undermine the efforts of the volunteer network that we have built up in the larger communities.

Mr. Speaker, I think that when we see coaching clinics, and I know it is not as often as it should be in the smaller communities, I think you will notice that most often it is volunteers from larger communities who come in to share their experiences and share their enthusiasm time and time again. I think, Mr. Speaker, this kind of thing can be contagious. Thank you.

---Applause

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

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

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the value and the significance and the importance of having a home. Wherever one lives in the North, in Canada or around the world, a home is more than just a shelter or a place to get away from the elements. It has to be something that is comfortable, that is secure, that offers shelter, especially here in the North, Mr. Speaker, where so much of our year is spent in the cold and the dark. A home must be the place where we want to go to at the end of the day. It must be something that we can share with our families and have a sense of hope and love in.

This is one of the things that is becoming more and more difficult, as I have continued to press, Mr. Speaker, especially for low or middle-income people in communities like Yellowknife or Inuvik where the economies are doing so well. These people are having a harder and harder time finding a home, and I mean a real home in the sense that we all need to be able to live and grow and share with our families. It is rewarding in this job, Mr. Speaker, to get the encouragement and the endorsement of constituents and others to find that at least on this issue I am on the right track in trying to make a difference for them in their lives. Even when I do not get the results or do not see the movement that I would like to on issues like affordable housing, it is this kind of encouragement that keeps me going.

The whole issue of housing is something that is dominant in our society and in our economy. One constituent told me yesterday, Mr. Speaker, that her rent is now $1,225 for a one-bedroom apartment. If we used the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation guidelines of 25 percent of income for housing, you would need an annual income of about $58,000 a year, or the equivalent of just about $28 an hour. Mr. Speaker, during this session we have been dealing with the new minimum wage and I would just ask Members to reflect on what that wage is, compared with the cost that this person is going through to try to keep a house.

Mr. Speaker, I am running the clock down. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You have the floor, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I got an e-mail from another constituent and I would like to quote from it, Mr. Speaker. "I have just been forced to move from a home that I have lived in for nearly the past eight years, due to the fact of the extreme high increase in the rent. The new place is not all that cheaper, but a dollar here or there saved will help. I would just like to add that I was one of those people who signed the petition and would be greatly interested in having a chat with Minister Allen. He really needs to get out there and talk to people like me regarding this issue. So please keep it in mind if this does come about." Mr. Speaker, this constituent was one of those 500 people who signed the petition pleading for some way to address the sustained and increasing pressure on rents here in Yellowknife.

We have just a few short months left in the life of this Assembly to really make some positive impact in that area, Mr. Speaker. Minister Allen has given me some comfort that he will pay some more attention to this issue. I urge him again to be innovative, to demonstrate initiative in addressing this issue and I look forward to more progress on this later in this assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the entire time of this short session, I have been working mostly on one issue and that is to get the two parties in the specialists' negotiations, the government and the doctors, back to the table. I have used the democratic process available to me in and out of this House to state my position, raise awareness and to keep the issue highlighted. I have both privately and publicly encouraged both parties to work for a negotiated settlement.

I want to take, in the most positive light, Minister Miltenberger's comments yesterday in this House that he was willing to look at any proposal that may arise out of a meeting of the Northwest Territories Medical Association last night. It is also my understanding that the Northwest Territories Medical Association is forwarding a proposal to the government negotiator and that it might have been done already this morning.

Mr. Speaker, we are aware that in any negotiation process there is a strong need for one-upmanship. In expressing that, feelings do get hurt and tempers flare for both parties. But I also know that both parties in dispute are very aware and appreciate the needs and interests of the people they serve and they must protect. Some of those people were in the gallery last night, coming and going, many of them staying until well past midnight. Many were seniors and pregnant women and other constituents concerned about this issue.

So as I leave this House, Mr. Speaker, I remain optimistic that both parties will have their concerns in mind in their deliberations and negotiations and that the two parties will do their level best to reach a settlement and that we will see this issue resolved in due course. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that I will be out of the House, but this issue will not be off my "to do" list and I will do everything I can to encourage and urge and help the process, because I do believe that not solving it is so much more costly in all measures than to settle it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Minister Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Nitah on March 12th, 2003, regarding the recognition of Ndilo as a separate community. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs does not fund Ndilo as a separate community. There has been an internal decision by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to consider Ndilo as a part of Dettah, which is a separate community from Yellowknife. There have been negotiations between the City of Yellowknife and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to have the First Nation take over the provision of municipal services and for mutual cooperation on common issues as part of the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the two. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Steen. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Minister Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. McLeod of the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development on June 9, 2003, regarding the management of the commercial fishery on Great Slave Lake. The federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is of the management and conservation of all fish stocks in the Northwest Territories, including Great Slave Lake. The Great Slave Lake Advisory Committee is an advisory body established by the federal Minister to provide recommendations on matters relating to management and conservation of stock in Great Slave Lake.

These recommendations are far reaching and involve all aspects of management, including closures, licensing, seasons and quotas. The federal Minister is not bound to accept any of the committee's recommendations. Voting membership on the committee consists of representation from the Akaitcho Territory First Nation, Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, Deh Cho First Nation, Northwest Territories Metis Nation, commercial fishers, lodge operators and recreational fishers. A representative from the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development participates on the committee as a non-voting member and has raised a number of issues relating to the fishery. The committee is chaired by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Trout stocks on Great Slave Lake, especially in areas adjacent to the Member's constituency, were heavily over fished prior to 1970 in the early years of the commercial fishery. While there is still some trout taken commercially in the area, these stocks have never fully recovered. There are a few areas on Great Slave Lake that are closed to all commercial fishing. This includes a domestic use zone around Hay River and northwest of Big Island. As well, there are seasonal closures to protect inconnu during spawning. However, the Member is correct that there is no seasonal closure for trout.

The Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development intends to write to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to express the concerns raised on the management of the fishery on Great Slave Lake. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Handley. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Colleagues, I would like to direct your attention to the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of a former Member, former Speaker and now the Chief and a colleague of mine for some time during my previous terms with him, Mr. Sam Gargan. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too want to recognize the chief of Deh Gah Got'ie Dene Council, Chief Sam Gargan. I also want to recognize Holly Lynn Sabourin and Deja Clark, the two Pages from Enterprise that have been here with us for this past week. I want to thank them also. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's not too often again that I get to recognize someone from my constituency, but my constituency assistant is down from Inuvik in the gallery without her glasses and seeing just fine.

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a Yellowknife resident in the gallery who has spent lots of time here in her interest of what has been developing lately here. Her name is Connie Henderson.

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize a couple of fine young ladies who have been amongst us all week paging here in the Legislative Assembly from Hay River, Kristin Gostick and Corinne Gardner. I would like to thank you for coming over and wish them a safe trip home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and thank two Pages from Hay River South who have been working very hard for us in the gallery here this week and they are Amy Groenheyde and Marisa Oteiza. Thank you.

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Minister Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Very rarely do I get a chance to recognize a constituent of mine and that is Ms. Kyla Larocque who is, compliments of the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, a Page in the assembly this week. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to take this opportunity again to welcome my colleague back into the gallery and the Legislative Assembly and welcome everyone that is here. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Minister Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The phase two rate application is before the Public Utilities Board. All of the communities that have expressed an interest had an opportunity to have input into the hearings. I understand that the Public Utilities Board will be making a decision sometime later this summer and that decision will, of course, include the rate structure as well since that is within the authority of the Public Utilities Board. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Minister Handley.

Mr. Speaker, the commitment by our government was not to make any direction to the Northwest Territories Power Corporation in terms of what their application would be, and certainly the direction was not to have them file for a one-rate zone. But the bottom line, Mr. Speaker, is that the decision on the rate structure is clearly a decision that this Legislative Assembly has given to the Public Utilities Board. So after holding public hearings they will take into consideration everything that they have heard from people and I am sure will make a good decision. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Handley. Supplementary, the honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Minister Handley.

Mr. Speaker, our decision was to ask the Northwest Territories Power Corporation or direct the Northwest Territories Power Corporation not to make application for a one-rate zone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Handley. Your final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Minister Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is true that boards that are created by the legislation of the Government of the Northwest Territories and whose membership are appointed by the government provide the services at the pleasure of the government. So we have the authority to appoint and by that to also un-appoint people to those boards. In terms of providing them with direction, we certainly have a responsibility to do that as well. In this case, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation intended to file for a one-rate application. It was a decision by Cabinet that they should not do that and that is the course that they followed as they put in their phase two application last year. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Handley. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier and it is in regard to the specialist negotiations. Mr. Speaker, further to the Minister of Health and Social Services' commitment yesterday, I would like to ask the Premier to confirm Cabinet's willingness to look at all aspects of a proposal that I understand is coming from the doctors and give it the best consideration of the Cabinet in order to resolve this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we had the pleasure of seeing many of our medical staff, doctors and specialists and nurses, visit this House, this legislature, and I took that as an indication of their desire to find some way to resolve the present impasse that we find ourselves in. The Minister spoke on behalf of the government and indicated that he is open to receiving a proposal or offer from the specialists and he spoke on behalf of the Cabinet. I indicated to the medical staff that I talked to personally that we would be open to that as indicated by the Minister. So we will proceed to look at whatever it is that they communicate with us. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that answer and I am not going to belabour the point. Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out that there were lots of people in the gallery who I represent, the regular citizens as well. I just want to ask the Cabinet, Premier, sorry. Lack of sleep is really getting on my ability to speak. Mr. Speaker, what I would like to hear from the Premier is his commitment and the Cabinet's commitment that the resources and hours will be spent to increase the chance of reaching a settlement because if you are not at the table talking you are not going to get a deal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Minister Miltenberger indicated, the government is open to resuming discussions once we receive a proposal offer from the specialists. We are sincerely trying to do our best to try to resolve this in a fair and reasonable way. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, regarding some of the comments he has made publicly and in the media about government employees or teachers, suggesting that they should be willing to share housing and pay fair market rent. I have been contacted by many people in the communities who took offence to these comments and they were asking for some explanation. Of course, Mr. Speaker, I do not have that information. We are assuming that the Minister is quite familiar with the housing needs in the communities and he must have taken an analysis of the situation to make those types of comments. So I would like to ask him if he could explain to this House and to the people of the Northwest Territories, more specifically to the teachers, what he has based his comments on? Has he done studies? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The chair had difficulty in trying to focus on the question. Many comments may have been made, I am sure. Can you specify a little bit closer so the chair can understand? Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, my question was to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment regarding his suggestion that teachers share houses and also be willing to pay fair market rent. We are asking what he based those comments on.

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

Mr. Speaker, the comments may be in relation to a question asked about housing in Tuktoyaktuk and I indicated that, in that particular case, I was informed that there were two houses available in Tuktoyaktuk, but they would have to be provided at fair market rent. It could be possible that individuals could share. I believe that is what the Member is referring to.

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

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, the situation with teachers and government housing in all the smaller communities, I believe, is a real problem. We have it in Lutselk'e, we have it in Tuktoyaktuk, we have it in all the communities that I am aware of, including Fort Providence. I would like to ask the Minister if, in his analysis of this situation, he has come up with any solutions? Are there any options that he can suggest? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This has been an issue that I have discussed with my own department extensively, as well as with other Cabinet Members because it is an issue of concern to all of us. It is ongoing and it does shift from community to community. We seem to get the problem solved and then it arises perhaps in other communities. So it is definitely an issue that we are very concerned about. We do have a deputy ministers' task force on housing that we have suggested come forward with possible options that could be looked at by us as a Cabinet. It is not only in the teacher area, but in the whole area of housing. Thank you.

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

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, in every community, at least in every community in my riding, we have development corporations and a lot of the corporations are involved with building construction and with housing, with lease-backs. I have not heard this government ever sit down to discuss the possibility of partnering up with the development corporations for long-term commitments. It is difficult, I know. Some committees have looked at the situation, however, the houses are going to be vacant during the summer months and nobody is willing to sit and keep houses that nobody is going to pay rent on. So I would like to ask the Minister if he would be willing to go to the communities when there are problems, especially some of the communities that have major problems, and discuss with the development corporations the possibility of going on a joint initiative to construct housing specifically for teachers? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we know, a number of years ago the government got out of the ownership of housing. At the time there were several initiatives that were undertaken by the government to involve the Housing Corporation. I do not have the mandate, Mr. Speaker, to resolve this issue. It is not within my power to resolve the issue of housing for teachers although I am, on an ongoing basis, dealing with this to ensure that we can move forward and find some resolution for this particularly difficult problem that is facing people. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Your final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister is quite correct. His mandate is not to provide houses. However, his mandate is to provide teachers. We have communities that cannot get teachers because there are no houses. He cannot sit on his hands on this issue. There are options. There are solutions. He has to commit to doing something. It has been three or four years since this issue was raised and nothing has been resolved. Nobody is dealing with it. I would like to ask the Minister if he would commit to resolving this issue before the next school year starts? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am committed, Mr. Speaker, to continue to work for resolution on this. However, as we all know there is a Housing Corporation. We do have a deputy ministers' task force to look at this issue and it is not within my mandate, Mr. Speaker, to go into the communities and resolve this directly with corporations and so forth. We have a process to deal with that. That is the proper way to deal with it. Am I concerned? Of course I am concerned. I am very, very concerned. Am I interested in resolution on this? As I said, I have been working on this. I am working with the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, the Minister of the Financial Management Board Secretariat and so forth. So it is an issue that we are all very, very concerned about. Thank you.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I continually ask my department to provide me with communities where difficulties arise and we have our officials work with various methods within the government to find resolution to this. As I stated, the mandate for housing lies with the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and the Financial Management Board Secretariat for professionals within our government. So it is not within my ability to go into a community and sit down and negotiate with various organizations to resolve this issue, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are very concerned, as I stated. We are continually working on teacher retention. We understand that it is an issue of great importance and value to ensure that we retain teachers. We are working with the various organizations, the representatives from the Financial Management Board Secretariat and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. We have a deputy ministers' task force to deal with the housing issue and we expect that they will be bringing forward recommendations and options for us as a Cabinet to consider, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.