Bonjour, mes amis et bienvenue. Welcome back from your well-deserved break. I wish to inform the House that I have received the following message from Her Honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.

"Dear, Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of Supplementary Appropriations Act Number 1, 2003-2004, during the Sixth Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly. Yours truly, Glenna F. Hansen, Commissioner."

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, four years ago we, the 14th Legislative Assembly, promised the people of the Northwest Territories that we would be ambitious and we would challenge the status quo and that we would work together to realize the full potential of our new territory and its residents. In the coming months we will complete almost four years of our work to develop, establish and realize the social, economic and political agenda we are taking in our vision statement, Towards a Better Tomorrow. By the end of this summer, I believe the results and successes of our collective commitment will be much clearer, but still much work needs to be done.

Prior to the election in November, the Tlicho Agreement will need to be ratified by all three parties and signed at the Tlicho assembly planned for Fort Rae in August; that the recently completed Deline agreement-in-principle will need to be signed by all parties; that we will need to work hard to advance negotiations on all other lands and resources at the self-government tables; that the devolution framework agreement must be agreed to and signed by all parties, setting the stage for negotiations of an agreement-in-principle for the transfer of land and resources responsibilities to the Northwest Territories governments; that territorial and federal infrastructure agreements need to be finalized and completed; and that we must continue to work to ensure that northern governments and that communities and the people of the Northwest Territories will have access and can participate in a meaningful way in the pipeline regulatory and planning process; and that pilot projects encompassing the many goals and objectives of our social agenda still need to be initiated.

Mr. Speaker, as we return to the Assembly today, an extensive legislative agenda is ahead of us. We will have to be focussed, united, serious and committed if we are to complete the agenda we have laid out. One issue in particular will set the context for the session and for the remainder of our mandate. I am referring to the government's financial situation updated by Minister Handley last month. The short and long term elements of these fiscal challenges must be considered in context.

These challenges are not new. In the past, downsizing and federal cuts have created immense challenges for the Government of the Northwest Territories. In fact, when we first took office with this legislature we were within months of hitting the debt wall. We have consistently addressed our fiscal situation positively and with confidence and always with the fundamental belief that investment now in our territory and its residents will pay dividends in the future. Together we have effectively delivered this message of investment to the federal government, the provincial governments, to industry and to our aboriginal partners who now fully support this approach. Today the Northwest Territories is one of the most attractive places in Canada to live, to work and to raise a family.

There is a growing recognition by industry that the Northwest Territories has a stable and attractive investment climate. More importantly, there is growing recognition in Ottawa that changes need to be made to the Northwest Territories formula financing agreement and that per capita funding arrangements are inadequate. It was a point made clear by candidates in the recent Liberal leadership debate in Whitehorse, who all stated repeatedly that financial arrangements for Canada's northern territories need to take into account the unique needs and circumstances of each territory. It was also apparent in February from Canada's First Ministers, who were unanimous in their call for an independent health care fund to make up for the shortfall in federal transfer payments to the territories.

The Prime Minister himself admitted in the House of Commons that current per capita funding arrangements are not satisfactory for territorial governments in that it makes no sense to treat territories exactly the same way as provinces because their populations are too small. Soon after, we were able to reach an agreement with the Prime Minister to increase federal health care funding to the three territories by an extra $60 million over three years and, more importantly, to launch a process to explore long-term solutions to the inequity of federal per capita funding agreements.

A report, Mr. Speaker, will be provided to the Prime Minister this fall. In the meantime, we remain confident that the federal government, through Finance Minister Manley, will respond positively on tax effort and perversity issues as they relate to the formula. Meanwhile, we will continue to negotiate with our federal and aboriginal partners on the resource revenue sharing agreement that will provide long-term net fiscal benefit for all governments of the Northwest Territories.

This is going to be important during this time in the next few months to show Ottawa, industry and the people of the Northwest Territories that we are together, that we still have a vision and a plan and that we are sticking to it. Our residents and their governments, both aboriginal and public, are determined to reduce their dependency on the federal government and to have the ability and resources to achieve this objective. Current and projected economic activity in the Northwest Territories will soon make us a net contributor to Canada, contributing more than we receive. Clearly we have outgrown our current funding agreement with Ottawa. We will continue to call upon federal cabinet Ministers and the federal government to move quickly to resolve this issue. With a strong and consistent message from all Members of this House I am confident we will be successful. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Mr. Speaker, the week of June 1st to 7th is Seniors' Week. I rise to recognize the seniors of the Northwest Territories and their contributions to our communities and society in the Northwest Territories. They truly are the touchstone to our past and the foundation of our future.

Mr. Speaker, early on in the 14th Legislative Assembly, the Members of this assembly recommended that the Government of the Northwest Territories take steps to improve programming for seniors. The government responded by creating an inter-agency working group to conduct a technical review of existing Government of the Northwest Territories programs and services and then consult with Northwest Territories seniors. This work culminated in the release on June 5, 2002, of the Seniors' Action Plan 2002-2003. The action plan, which was released jointly with the President of the Northwest Territories Seniors' Society at last year's seniors' social tea outlined activities that would be undertaken to strengthen seniors' programs and services in the following year.

Earlier today, on the first anniversary of the release of the Seniors' Action Plan it was my great pleasure to announce the release of the Seniors' Action Plan Status Report and a profile of Northwest Territories seniors in the company of Ms. Patricia Rainmaker, chairperson of the National Advisory Council on Aging, Ms. Beatrice Campbell, the president of the Northwest Territories Seniors' Society, and seniors attending a seniors' social luncheon. A profile of Northwest Territories seniors fulfilled a commitment made in the action plan to research issues facing seniors. It builds on work done previously by the Northwest Territories Health Status Report 1999 and the Northwest Territories Health Services Report 2000.

The profile provides information on indicators related to the health and well-being of seniors, including demographics; social economics; social and cultural characteristics; personal health practices; health status; illness; mortality and use of health services; the extended health benefits; drug plan; home care; and long-term care. It also makes a comparison between seniors in the Northwest Territories, nationally and with other jurisdictions with similar socio-economic characteristics.

The status report details progress made and work completed up to the end of April 2003 on the Seniors' Action Plan. With the release of the profile today, 12 of 28 recommendations from the action plan have been completed. Mr. Speaker, work is on-going on the remaining recommendations. During the March 2003 Seniors' Forum, seniors identified action plan priorities for the 2003-2004 year and provided valuable feedback on work underway. We can expect over the coming year to see many of the remaining recommendations completed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Merci, Monsieur Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha. Minister Miltenberger.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide an update to Members on the status of the specialist negotiations. As Members know, the Government of the Northwest Territories has been advised that physician specialists declined the Government of the Northwest Territories' final offer to conclude negotiations through a process of binding arbitration. This decision has signalled an unsuccessful conclusion on negotiations with specialists as a group.

Mr. Speaker, this outcome is very disappointing to me. These negotiations have been a top priority for this government because we recognize the valued role that Northwest Territories specialists have within our health care system. We believe that the proposal offered to specialists was fair and competitive and we were prepared to submit a proposal to an independent and impartial arbitrator.

Members of this House are aware of the considerable difference between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the specialists' proposals. The Government of the Northwest Territories has offered a 27 percent increase in total compensation over a two-year period while the specialists' proposal requested a 57 percent increase. Added to this is the announced resignation of 12 of Stanton Territorial Health Authority's specialists on July 1st unless a settlement is reached. It is important to note that all specialist physicians signed individual employment contracts and these specialists must now decide whether or not they wish to remain in the Northwest Territories. While the Government of the Northwest Territories' proposal may not have been satisfactory to the specialists as a group, it is my hope that most specialists will still choose to continue practising their specialty in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to emphasize to this House and the Northwest Territories public that the Government of the Northwest Territories takes this matter very seriously. Access to quality health care remains a priority to this government and a significant shortage of health professionals in any area, including specialized services, presents real pressures on our health care system. The resignation of 12 specialists will have an impact on service delivery in the Northwest Territories; however, Stanton Territorial Health Authority is working to ensure that urgent medical care is in place on July 1st and thereafter while vacancies are filled. While I am hopeful that on July 1st specialized services will continue to be delivered by current Northwest Territories specialists, some services may be provided by temporary locum specialists and others may be available through referral to southern facilities.

I wish to reassure members of the Northwest Territories public that primary health care, that is care provided by general practitioners, nurses and other front line staff in our communities, will continue to be provided to Northwest Territories residents. People are referred to specialists only if their medical requirements cannot be met by front line health care professionals. I would also like to take this opportunity to let specialists know that they are an important part of our health care system. Although there may be questions about what constitutes appropriate compensation, I can assure you that there is no question about our respect for their contributions to the Northwest Territories health care system and the health of Northwest Territories residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members of the House that the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend the Ministers of education and labour market meeting that is taking place in Halifax. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The chair recognizes the honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for North Slave, that Minister's Statement 44-14(6) be moved into Committee of the Whole for discussion at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have a motion on the floor. The motion is in order and not debatable. All those in favour, please signify. Thank you. All those opposed? Thank you. The motion is carried.

---Carried

The Minister's statement is now moved into Committee of the Whole. Colleagues, before we proceed to the next item, I would like to, with your concurrence, direct your attention to the presence of the Speaker's Gallery of Mr. Yoshikazu Takeuchi, Consul General of Japan, and Mrs. Takeuchi.

---Applause

Accompanying the consul general is Mr. Al Shimeda, and he's the political/economic analyst for the consul. Please welcome him to our Assembly.

---Applause

My apologies, that's the kimona (sic), Mr. Al Shimeda. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on an issue that's been slandered all over the newspapers, slandered in the communities I represent, and myself as the MLA for Mackenzie Delta, from the so-called boys club called the NWT Construction Association.

Mr. Speaker, the whole idea of negotiated contracts is to help communities build capacity. In our small communities, the unemployment rate goes from 30 percent to almost 40 percent; yet in the larger regional centres, it's six or seven percent unemployment.

Mr. Speaker, the land claim agreements that have been settled between the Gwich'in and the Inuvialuit clearly state the intent is to build capacity and have those people and those organizations be self-sufficient in the future. We talk about self-government agreements, we talk about NWT policies that are in place. Those policies are there to be used. We have negotiated contracting policies, we have sole-source contracting policies, we have negotiating policies and also we have ways of maximizing benefits to the Northwest Territories such as the BIP, which gives a company 25 percent write-up.

Mr. Speaker, in the land claim agreements it clearly states the intent of the GNWT preferential contracting policies, procedures and approaches is to maximize local, regional and northern employment and business opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, recently you heard about an MOU being signed by the Gwich'in and the Government of the Northwest Territories where it looks at a five-year agreement of 50 percent negotiated contracts. That again flows through the land claim agreements.

Mr. Speaker, we talk about building capacity, we talk about getting our students to go off to post-secondary education, get their trades, go out there and really feel that you're part of the economic development of the Northwest Territories. But when we hear organizations such as the NWT Construction Association telling communities that you're incapable, you don't have the capacity and you cannot handle anything over constructing a house, that's pathetic. In this day and age when we have people in our communities who have gone out of their way to go get a trade, be a journeyman or be a mechanic or be an electrician or be a plumber coming from our communities and then being told sorry, you've gone out of your way, you've taken the program, you're now a journeyman, but you're not qualified to construct a curling rink...

Mr. Krutko, your time for Member's statement is up. Mr. Krutko.

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. Krutko, you may conclude.

Mr. Speaker, as I stated, we always encourage the people of the Northwest Territories and especially our First Nations people to get an education, to go out of your way to succeed in developing your career and make some meaningful input into developing capacity in our communities. The biggest challenge we have in the Northwest Territories right now is capacity dealing with people in the trades area. We have the same problem in our communities to attract people that will establish their businesses, raise their families and stay in our communities, and not to see them migrating outwards because those opportunities are not there.

I have always stated I support negotiated contracts and I will continue to do so, because I see the advantages that these things have done in my riding for a lot of people who are now working in the mining industry and the oil and gas industry and other sectors of our economy, started out because of those opportunities. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister some questions on this matter with regard to the Minister responsible for the policies of this government. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. On May 26th of this year at the invitation of the NWT Seniors' Society and Weledeh MLA Joe Handley, I had an opportunity to attend a workshop in Ndilo. It was a workshop about elder abuse, Mr. Speaker. It's a sad and, until now, silent reality for many seniors in the NWT. A similar workshop was held in Hay River a few weeks ago, and more will happen in other communities. The theme, Mr. Speaker, is "Respect Our Elders - They Deserve It." Perhaps the issue is most clearly and plainly stated in a resolution from that Hay River workshop, Mr. Speaker, and that resolution said make it against the law to abuse our elders.

There are no available statistics in the NWT on elder abuse but, Mr. Speaker, it's an issue that's being raised more and more when seniors are getting together. Elder abuse is any action or lack of action that is harmful to health or wellbeing of an elder. It may take the form of physical, emotional, financial or even sexual abuse. In the past when elders have been victimized, they've been hesitant to speak out for fear of the consequences, and especially, Mr. Speaker, it's a difficult thing to talk about when they're suffering abuse at the hands too often of their own families.

The NWT Seniors' Society, supported by this government's seniors' action plan, as the Minister referred to in his statement earlier today, is working to promote zero tolerance for elder abuse in the NWT. They are to be commended for their efforts. Mr. Speaker, we're shining some light on what's been a very dark corner for some of our people, and it's encouraging to see elders speaking out and identifying their own issues and concerns. As the moderator at that workshop said, this is something new and it's about time it happened.

I urge this government to look at the root causes of elder abuse such as over-crowded housing and substance abuse, and later in this session to address that resolution from Hay River which called on us to make elder abuse illegal, when we look at passing the family violence legislation that will enable law enforcement and community officials to act more quickly in family violence and elder abuse situations. Mr. Speaker, the elders of the NWT do deserve this action. Thank you.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Minister Miltenberger indicated in his statement, this is National Seniors' Week. The motto, "Respect Our Elders - They Deserve It," was very fitting. The community which I represent has a very active, vocal and vibrant seniors' society. Their meeting agendas and activities encompass many issues of importance to seniors, from recreation and social activities to housing needs. Through their president, Mr. Lloyd Brunes, they also have a voice on matters of relevance to all seniors in our territory, through the Northwest Territories Seniors' Society.

The Northwest Territories Seniors' Society has also been very active through their toll-free support and information number for seniors, public service announcements and recently workshops convened on the important topic of seniors' abuse, just to name a few of their activities.

With this being National Seniors' Week we are very honoured to have the members of the National Advisory Council on Aging holding their meeting here with representatives from across our country. This council has been in existence for 23 years and this is the first time that they have convened one of their meetings in the Northwest Territories. I would like to thank our Northwest Territories representative publicly, Mr. Lloyd Brunes, for inviting this distinguished group to our territory. I hope they felt welcomed by the Premier's attendance at their gathering this morning and by the reception here in the Great Hall at noon. We hope that they will have productive meetings, and when they return home they will feel that they better know and understand the seniors and the people of the Northwest Territories.

Finally, I would like to recognize and thank all the volunteers, including the seniors themselves in the Northwest Territories who have contributed so much and who work tirelessly to enrich the lives of our seniors. I encourage everyone to especially take note of seniors around them this week and honour them in tangible ways and acknowledge them for who they are, and especially today I would like to send greetings and good wishes to all the seniors of my community in Hay River. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since our last days of sitting in this House I've had an opportunity to speak to constituents of Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, many of the constituents raise issues around the cost of living in Inuvik, around the cost of power, for example, the rate rider that all residents are now paying, and the impact of that increase in their household bills. In a number of cases now, I thought this was rare but it seems to be more often now that I'm hearing from constituents saying that their power bill has jumped from $200 to $500, and feeling that they haven't had adequate responses when they've made enquiries.

As well, Mr. Speaker, the news that the natural gas price in Inuvik was going to jump 45 percent and has jumped as of May 1st, a 45 percent increase. I'm waiting to hear what the PUB is going to do about that as the Town of Inuvik has asked that the PUB have a look into it.

Mr. Speaker, as well, the Public Utilities Board held a meeting in Inuvik regarding the power situation and the rate increase they've applied for, and the Town of Inuvik as well as many other community leaders from the region spoke to the Public Utilities Board speaking against any further increases. Along with that, Mr. Speaker, is the uncertainty of what will happen in future years. As an example, Mr. Speaker, there is less seismic being done in the Delta this winter and people are wondering if there will be further work coming up this winter to ensure that they can earn more money to make sure that they can pay their bills that are continuing to climb.

So, Mr. Speaker, with that during this session I will be approaching different Ministers and asking Ministers questions as to what's happening as a result of some of the enquiries made by residents of Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too would like to recognize Seniors' Week in the Northwest Territories. As several colleagues, including Minister Miltenberger, have announced and noted earlier it is Senior Citizens' Week, a time to highlight the contributions that seniors and elders have made to our culture, heritage and northern society. We did so in part today with the luncheon recognizing seniors and the launching of the government's seniors' action plan status report.

Mr. Speaker, there are many, many respected seniors in the NWT who truly deserve our gratitude, admiration and thanks for bringing us to where we are today. We also need to thank those organizations and groups who work on behalf of seniors, including the NWT Seniors' Society. They provide information and act as a resource for seniors across the Northwest Territories. The Yellowknife Seniors' Society run the Baker's Centre and offer social, recreation and educational programs for seniors.

Mr. Speaker, at the luncheon today I was reminded that my membership was due, so I'm pleased to advise that I am now, once again, a paid-up member in good standing.

Another organization that deserves a lot of credit in Yellowknife is YACCS, the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, who have been working tirelessly towards a new facility for Alzheimer and dementia patients.

Mr. Speaker, most of those active in these organizations are volunteers. Our volunteer seniors compared to seniors nationally, spend more of their time helping. They are a remarkable group here in the North. Despite, Mr. Speaker, all they have given and continue to give, however, NWT seniors live on less income on average than seniors do nationally. In 1999, more than half of all seniors here in the Northwest Territories had an income of less than $15,000 a year. Mr. Speaker, we must do something about looking at that issue, particularly, Mr. Speaker, because our numbers of seniors are increasing quickly.

As the Minister has indicated in his status report, numbers are expected to double by the year 2020, so we need to be prepared, we need to plan for this and be ready to support the needs of seniors. We need Alzheimer and dementia care facilities in place soon. We already know, for instance, that one in three of us can expect to need special care in our old age.

Mr. Speaker, let's show our elders the respect they deserve. 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, it is indeed my pleasure to be back here in this chamber with you and the rest of my esteemed colleagues. Mr. Speaker, while this may be the first day of our session, I'm going to be flying home to Hay River tonight so that I can attend the opening ceremonies of the 2003 NWT Track and Field Championships. The championships will be held tomorrow and Friday, June 5th and 6th, and promises it to be a fantastic event.

Mr. Speaker, this is the 13th year that Hay River has hosted this event that showcases athletes from all around the Northwest Territories. Right from the start of the opening ceremonies, Mr. Speaker, to the moment that the flame is extinguished to signify the end of the championships, it is wonderful to see the look of pride on the athletes' faces as they represent their respective school and communities. Mr. Speaker, the spirit and enthusiasm, camaraderie and sportsmanship shown by these kids is truly something to behold.

I continue, Mr. Speaker, to be in awe of the logistics involved in organizing such a large event. Last year there were approximately 1200 athletes and coaches involved. Mr. Speaker, an event of this magnitude would not be possible without a tremendous amount of volunteers. Volunteers are the engine that drive events such as this. Every year at this time, Hay River showcases its volunteer drive engine by hosting such events as the NWT Track and Field Championships and the Knights of Columbus Lobster Fest. Combined, these two events require the dedicated, hard work of some 350 volunteers. Mr. Speaker, time does not permit me today to list all of the volunteers from Hay River who help to make the NWT Track and Field Championships such a success year after year. I would like to collectively thank all of our volunteers and the business community of Hay River who always step up to the plate to ensure this event is an overwhelming success.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank the coordinators, Gordon Miller and Tim Borchuk, all the success possible in this year's track and field championships. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we heard a number of good events recognized here today: Seniors' Week, Clean Air Day. I'd like to add another, Mr. Speaker, and I have a lapel pin commemorating that the first Sunday in June has now been proclaimed Canadian Forces Day, and it recognizes contributions of our navy, army, air force in Canada and the good work they do around the world, Mr. Speaker. These folks are involved in defense of Canada, NATO, humanitarian and disaster assistance, search and rescue and peacekeeping. On June 1st Canadians recognize members for their service, and these folks are present in every province and territory across Canada. Here in the North, Canadian Forces Northern Area 440 Squadron took part in an open house at the YK Airport as part of National Transportation Week.

There are over 100,000 members who form the National Defense family across the country, Mr. Speaker, made up of a regular force of about 60,000 men and women, 19,000 civilians, 400 rangers, 2000 junior rangers, 60,000 Cadets, and 130,000 military families. Canadian Forces Northern Area personnel have the task of protecting our northern sovereignty. The CFNA headquarters is located in Yellowknife and it does conduct operations for the entire Arctic, including Nunavut and the Yukon. In town there are 150 northern personnel who manage an area of almost four million square kilometres, Mr. Speaker. In the North, we have 23 Cadet Corps involving 400 youth, and I was fortunate enough, Mr. Speaker, last May 10th to attend the 30th annual inspection of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets at the 440 hangar here in Yellowknife. There were a lot of proud families and parents there. It was a very nice event.

The Northern Canadian Rangers, Mr. Speaker, also do patrols of remote and isolated areas, and the Junior Canadian Rangers promote traditional cultures and lifestyles through youth activities. Something probably not very well known, Mr. Speaker, this northern presence that we have in the Northwest Territories puts more than $29 million into the northern economy. So I'd like to ask my fellow Members, Mr. Speaker, to join me in acknowledging the contributions of the Canadian Forces in the North, in Canada and, indeed, internationally. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you and the Members of this House are aware, I have been working hard to encourage the government to settle the contract with the specialists. With the information he released to the public yesterday, the Minister and the government are now engaged in a full-scale public relations war with the specialist doctors. It is highly regrettable that it has come to this, Mr. Speaker, but it is still my fervent hope that the two parties will come to a negotiated settlement in the time still remaining.

The cost of not reaching a deal, in my view, will be deep and wide reaching with long-term consequences. As one of my constituents put it in one of her e-mails to me, the cost of replacing these fine physicians is going to be astronomical. The cost of sending patients south to simply have a baby or have a heart stress test is going to be astronomical.

Mr. Speaker, this is a very serious issue and one that everyone in this House and our communities should get involved in, in order to resolve this paralysis situation. I intend to pursue this vigorously during the session inside and outside of this House, and this is just day one, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I'm especially concerned about the contingency plan the Minister has put forward and, frankly speaking, Mr. Speaker, this is no plan at all. In fact, I believe it poses a real potential for risk and danger to the health of our residents. I feel strongly that not settling a contract with specialists is not an option. We would have been put 100 steps backward in the progression of medicine in the North, Mr. Speaker, and I believe we will continue to hear more from the people out there about this and they will make sure that the Minister and the government and this House do the right thing, and they do everything in their power to settle the contract with the specialists so that we maintain and improve our healthcare system we have now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Lafferty on March 3, 2003, regarding the GNWT harmonization initiative.

Specifically Mr. Lafferty asked me whether the implementation of this program would continue even if the majority of the Members were against the program. Mr. Speaker, on March 11, 2003, the Members of the Assembly voted to defer the implementation of the harmonization initiative until no later than March 31, 2004. The harmonization initiative is currently under comprehensive review by a working group of Regular Members and Ministers. I trust this working group will come to a consensus on this initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Bell on March 10, 2003 regarding the number and cost of medevacs resulting from closure of the intensive care unit at Stanton Territorial Hospital.

From June 14, 2002 to March 31, 2003 35 NWT patients were medevaced south as a result of the closure of the intensive care unit. The cost of these medevacs was $514,500. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 4, returns to oral questions. the honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize one of the most respected orthopedic surgeons at Stanton, a fine man and, most importantly, one of my constituents, Dr. Jim Corkal.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to recognize the house leader at home, my wife Theresa, and Barb Saunders at the Status of Women and the others ladies with the council. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to say welcome to all those people who have come to see their government and the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Theresa Handley, the house leader from Prelude Lake and thank her for opening her home last night to Members of the Assembly for a lovely evening. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Any further recognitions? Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. It's with regard to my statement looking at the negotiated contracts and the policies of this government. I fully support negotiated contracts on the basis that it does build capacity and it also deals with a crucial problem in a lot of our communities dealing with having 30 percent unemployment and also improving the social aspects of our communities by offering people an alternative to income support. So I would like to ask the Premier where this government stands when we look at dealing with the problems with regard to reducing poverty in our communities and also looking at improving employment opportunities for Inuvialuit and Gwich'in people in our communities, so they can have meaningful employment. Is that still a priority of this government, to ensure that local and northern residents receive every opportunity to benefit from public dollars expended in our communities and those dollars remaining in our communities and not simply being given to southern contractors?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government continues to hold those goals and objectives as its priorities. So we are still in support of trying to achieve and remove the inequities that are present in many of our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to my question to the Premier, looking at the social statistics and knowing we have high unemployment rates, high quality of life issues of housing, quality of education, different levels of opportunities in our communities where a contract would come by once every five years, do you look at the social conditions in our communities when contracts are let, so that we can use negotiated contracts?

Thank you. Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, yes. We do look at the community capacity and the unemployment, the economic situation in communities when considering issues like this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier is as the MLA for Mackenzie Delta, when the press releases that came out, it's simply that they came to me and I give them a contract and you go on your way. I would like to ask the Premier to explain how the process of approval is done and what happens after the agreement, the contract is approved through Cabinet. Who makes the ultimate decision on how contracts are going to be let and who makes the final approval?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as work required by the government is identified, there are sometimes communities or individuals in communities that request consideration for contracts to be negotiated with them, sole source contracts. I can't tell you specifically the process, but we receive these and we usually pass them on to the responsible Minister. That is assessed by the departments, the responsible department and the Minister checks with the MLA whose constituency that request comes and ensures that it is deemed in the best interest of the community and the public if we consider that and usually community support in some form is sought as well. When the Minister feels he has sufficient support, it would allow him to proceed to Cabinet to ask him for a mandate to negotiate such an arrangement, then it comes to Cabinet. Once that is done, the department, once it seeks approval to proceed, then tries to negotiate an acceptable arrangement within the mandate it receives. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier if the government has ever done a cost analysis with regard to the benefits of negotiated contracts or contracts in general, especially when we look at the social aspects of unemployment and opportunities in the NWT. We hear a lot of comments being made that we are actually importing people in from Newfoundland to do drywall in the communities and construction of buildings in the NWT. That could be done locally. Has the Minister done a cost-analysis of all contracts in the NWT to see what the benefit to the NWT is and ensuring that those resources and dollars expended on capital projects remain in the NWT?

Thank you. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, we have not done such a study or review.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this afternoon will be for Mr. Miltenberger as the Minister of Health and Social Services. It is a follow-up to the issue of elders and elder abuse in the NWT. The question I would like to pose is as this issue is for the better, now it's starting to come out in the open, where can an elder go? What is the front line of response when an elder feels there is something wrong or perhaps when a friend or family member of an elder recognizes that there may be some abuse going on, where can they go for help? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the community level is the starting point whether it be the RCMP, a social worker or a nurse, any of the frontline staff that are currently working in Health and Social Services or other helping agencies could assist. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the many causes of abuse and frustration within families is areas such as overcrowding and poverty. I wanted to ask the Minister to what extent is his department teaming up with or working with or perhaps trying to harmonize with other departments to get to the root causes of abuse, of physical, social and emotional tension among families. Is the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Speaker, working with other departments to address these causes of abuse?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a collaborative effort within government. For example, this year's action plan which will be tabled later today, which I referred to in my Minister's statement, is an interdepartmental cooperative effort including housing. Housing has a very aggressive and progressive initiative to put in seniors' housing units. We are working with the family violence coalition. We are, as well, working on family violence legislation as a cooperative government effort with Members of this Assembly. In very many areas there is that approach outlined by my colleague. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Mr. Speaker, we know that one of the things this Assembly is going to address in this area will be legislation to help authorities address areas of violence as we talk about the family violence legislation. What other definitive steps does the Minister and his department have in terms of addressing elder abuse? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was a family violence action plan that was done and includes extensive references in all areas and outlines elders, capacity building, training that's required, prevention, as well as education awareness. Mr. Speaker, these are all areas where there is a need to make people more aware of the issue that my colleague has raised in this House along with some of his colleagues and it is being addressed with NGOs, with government and the Department of Health and Social Services, as well as other departments in government. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, further to my Member's statement today, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services and it's in regard to the contingency plan that he's announced in the media and elsewhere. Mr. Speaker, it appears to me that the two prongs of his plan are to rely on the locums to provide specialist services. As well, he's stated on many occasions that he expects the GPs, the general practitioners, otherwise known as family doctors, to fill in where the specialists may vacate.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that this plan is so weak that I could put a hole through it as big as Great Slave Lake. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that there are at least 12 sets of parents expecting babies this month and I know that at least one of them is being asked by the family doctor to induce labour, so that they don't have to travel and they don't have to rely on this locum that is unqualified.

Ms. Lee, may we have a question, please?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In light of the fact that the family doctor and the expectant mother have no faith in the locum that he has in place for July and August, how can he ensure the health of mothers and babies? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we, as a health and social services system, working with professionals that run the system, are coming up with a contingency plan. We have coverage for July and August. We will hire qualified people and services will be there and, if necessary, if there is more extensive support required, an arrangement will be made with the capital health authority. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am going with the information the Minister provided and, no disrespect to this locum who I am sure is doing his best to serve, but my understanding is he is a 76-year-old man who is retired who doesn't specialize in obstetrics and gynecology and he's going to be asked to deliver babies for July and August and the mothers and family doctors have no faith in this doctor. I want the Minister to answer to these expectant mothers and these families how he is going to ensure the health and safety of these babies and mothers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I stand ready to answer to this House and to the people of the Northwest Territories. We are in a situation that is unfortunate, but we are taking steps to provide coverage that is required so that the health of Northerners is not jeopardized. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the only answer he is giving is empty words. We are going by the information that he has provided and there is no assurance there that the medical services required for something as simple and routine as delivering a baby will be provided. So can he be more precise about what he's planning on doing to take on the health of expectant mothers and babies? I need an answer to that question, Mr. Speaker. He hasn't answered it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have answered the question. Unfortunately, the Member does not like the answer. But I will restate that we will provide, we are going to have coverage, we have obstetrics coverage for July and August with qualified, trained personnel and they will see to the needs of the people of the Northwest Territories. We also have arrangements with the Capital Health Authority. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe the issue is whether or not I like his answer. I do not believe the Minister is a medical doctor. I am going by what family doctors are saying. They have no faith in the locums that he has in place for July and August. They are advising mothers to either induce labour or travel to Edmonton. What is he doing about it? He is not answering my question. It is not about whether I like the question or not, he has an obligation to provide the services to the mothers to deliver their babies safely. What is his answer, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you. Just for the information of the House, the Minister has a responsibility to answer the question or not to answer the question or to take it as notice and it is up to the Minister however he wishes to answer the question. It is not up to the chair to decide whether he has answered it or not, suffice it to say that he does get up and answer. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My job as Minister is to ensure to the maintenance of the health and social services system, to deal with issues in a careful, measured way, not to promote fear and concern and needless apprehension among the people. Mr. Speaker, the Member has raised and thrown out a number of third hand comments that I have no knowledge of, I have no context, I have no way to verify what she has said, so I am not in a position to address what may be considered hearsay at this point. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question as well would be directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services in the area of the advertisement that has been out in the media for quite some time on television and radio about the consent forms that the federal government is looking for aboriginal people of the Northwest Territories to sign. I would like to know from the Minister if they have looked into this form. There have been issues raised around the nature of the questions and information being provided. So, I would like to know if his department has had a chance to look at that form and respond. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in fact, yes, we are very clearly aware of this particular form that the federal government has put forward and is attempting to implement. We have looked at it, we have heard the concerns of the affected stakeholders and the aboriginal governments. We are also aware very clearly that the Government of Nunavut has taken a position in support of the concerns raised by their constituents, that this form, as it is constructed, is problematic. It has a lot of potential impact that has not been addressed. We share the same concerns and we are currently working on a response, a public response, that will be as supportive as we can to those concerns raised by the aboriginal people and the aboriginal governments and the Government of Nunavut. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister stated they were supportive of the other government and the aboriginal governments, but what are we telling residents to do here? The deadline I believe is September. I do not know if it is the end of the month of September, but what happens if in fact residents decline to send in that consent form? What happens to their health card? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, very fundamentally, the Government of the Northwest Territories will no way take part in any process that would jeopardize the health and well-being of any of our citizens. So, regardless of what happens with the consent form the services that people need will be there. We will sort through the administration issues that have arisen as a result of this consent form. I would just like to reassure my colleague that nobody is going to be denied any access to the Northwest Territories' health services because they have failed to fill out a federal consent form. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister stating that if people in the Northwest Territories do not sign this form their health care will still be covered and we are okay there? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the way the non-insured health benefits program works, our relationship with the federal government is that we administer the program, we pay the costs, send the bill to the federal government. So we will continue to do that, then we will engage in the process as we have done and continue to do, protracted as it may be, with the federal government trying to get payment for the invoices that we have submitted as we try to sort through the impact and fall out of the federal government's initiative. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Your final supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is there the potential that the federal government will not pay for residents who have not signed the consent forms? Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, we have years' worth of invoices with federal health, as well as federal Indian Affairs on health programs, totalling almost $25 million. So, dealing with the federal government is a time consuming, often gruelling, process. This is yet another factor that we are going to have to deal with in terms of paying for the services that we provide on their behalf. We will not jeopardize the health and well-being of the citizens. We will work very vigorously to ensure that the federal government pays what they owe and not use some kind of, what may be seen as an administrative shell game to avoid paying off-loading services. Thank you.