Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, there have been a number of fiscal developments since I presented my budget speech in February, and I would like to provide Members with an update on the government's fiscal position and outlook. In February, I forecasted a $77 million deficit for 2003-04 and warned that we could hit our federally imposed borrowing limit of $300 million by the end of 2004-05. I also pointed out that solving our fiscal problems was not fully within our control as, ultimately, our fiscal health depends on federal investment and support and on equitable resource revenue sharing.

At the time of the budget speech, I also renewed our government's commitment to make the investments necessary to advance our economic and social goals and to ensure NWT residents benefit from resource development. At the same time we recognized that we were going to have to demonstrate that our government was operating as efficiently and economically as possible.

Mr. Speaker, we are still on track with our spending and our own-source revenue forecasts contained in the February budget. Our medium and long-term outlook has not changed. However, there are some issues relating to our funding from the federal government, in particular population, that have created additional uncertainty about our immediate fiscal situation.

A principal area of concern is with the final 2001 census results. The money we receive through our formula financing agreement with the federal government is adjusted for relative population growth and so census counts are extremely important to us. Equally important are the results of Statistics Canada's coverage studies - their estimates of the number of people missed in the census. At the time of the budget we did not have information on what Statistics Canada's census under-coverage adjustments would be, so we based our revenue forecasts on the best population numbers we had at the time. These were based on our own survey of census under-coverage, which indicated that the 2001 census missed over 10 percent of our population. Since we made that revenue forecast, Statistics Canada has published their initial under-coverage estimates for the Northwest Territories as only 7.25 percent. We think this is far too low and we are working hard to convince Statistics Canada to make changes needed to improve their study. There are many millions of dollars at stake over these census under-coverage numbers.

We have recently learned that there is even more uncertainty about the census coverage numbers. On May 29th we were informed that the preliminary coverage numbers released in March contain an error. At this time, Statistics Canada does not know the impact of this error nor when they will release corrected preliminary numbers.

Last month I identified another area of revenue uncertainty - one related to the calculation of tax effort in the formula financing agreement. This issue is being resolved with a positive impact on our fiscal situation.

Our revenue problems are compounded by the fact that the formula financing agreement, over the last 15 years, has been subjected to federally-imposed restraints, cuts and adjustments that leave it inadequate to meet our needs. In addition, the revenues from the formula financing agreement have become much more volatile and unpredictable, making planning extremely difficult and forcing us to rethink our plans every few months. This cannot continue.

Mr. Speaker, we live in a territory whose economy is strong. We have even more dramatic economic growth on the horizon. Jobs are abundant and unemployment rates are at an all time low. Despite all this, our territorial government is facing large ongoing deficits which, if not addressed in a timely manner, will lead to fiscal crisis.

To respond to these circumstances, we have a two-part action plan that we have already put in motion.

First, we have taken actions to address our need for more revenue. Our revenue actions started with the commitment the Premier obtained from the Prime Minister that the adequacy of the formula financing agreement would be addressed. On May 12th I met with Finance Minister John Manley as follow-up to the Prime Minister's commitment. Mr. Manley's understanding and support are essential if we are to solve our fundamental fiscal problems. I was extremely encouraged by the understanding of our issues that Minister Manley demonstrated and his willingness to review the situation. He also understands the need to address these revenue issues as soon as possible.

With the encouragement and understanding we have received from Minister Manley, we are moving forward with confidence that we can make substantive progress on improving our revenue outlook through a fair deal on resource revenue sharing and a more responsive and appropriate level of funding in a renegotiated formula financing agreement. Achieving positive results in these negotiations is absolutely essential. Without more equitable fiscal arrangements, we cannot meet our obligations to provide adequate programs and services to our residents while maintaining fair and competitive taxation levels.

But there is no easy fix to the fiscal problem.

We are continuing to press for appropriate adjustments to the census under-coverage numbers. We understand that Statistics Canada is examining a number of issues related to the preliminary numbers raised by the GNWT. Although we don't know what the ultimate result will be of the correction of the errors or the review of our proposals, there is a potential for good news in Statistics Canada's review, but there is also a possible downside. Until we know the final numbers, the population issue will make fiscal planning an uncertain science and this must be reflected in our fiscal management.

The longer-term issues I identified in my budget are still outstanding. It will take time to renegotiate and implement the formula financing agreement. It will take time to negotiate a fair deal on resource revenue sharing, and we must also take time to ensure we doing our part by having fair and competitive tax and fee systems.

Getting this time will be a challenge and leads us to the second part of our action plan.

The second set of actions we are taking concerns expenditures. We must do everything reasonable to manage our spending in both the short and long term, while making sure we do not compromise our fundamental social and economic goals and objectives. We must still protect those most vulnerable, we must assist those able to become more independent to do so, and we must invest in those who represent our future.

In the short term, we are constrained in the expenditure savings we can achieve by the fact that projects are underway and commitments have been made. We are also constrained by the time required to bring about substantive expenditure reform responsibly. But savings can be achieved. For 2003-2004 we have committed to save $20 million out of our existing budget. Ten million dollars of this will come from internal restraint measures each department is instituting in the areas of travel, administration, contracts and other discretionary services. These measures have been designated to minimize impacts on clients, employees and the general public. Members will also see these reductions reflected in the supplementary appropriations bill I will submit this session. A further $4 million will come from restrictions on supplementary appropriations and $5 million more from targeted restraint that is still in the process of being identified.

In the longer term we are committed to more substantive and structural reform to achieve efficiency and effectiveness gains in how we are organized, in how our programs are designed and delivered, and generally how we do business. Development of these reform measures has been underway for several months through the work of a number of internal task teams who have been looking at everything from how we are organized, to which programs we deliver, at what level of service, to how we approach capital planning and investing. Most of these task teams are reporting over the next few months. Their recommendations will be considered by this government as well as the new 15th Legislative Assembly.

This action plan is a reasonable and responsible approach to the fiscal uncertainties we face. These are fiscal issues that are not our making. The culprit is a fiscal arrangement with the federal government that has been eroded by unilateral federal actions over the years, a fiscal arrangement that is not responsive to the realities in the Northwest Territories, a fiscal arrangement that creates an imbalance between the government which bears the costs of resource development and the government which reaps the benefits.

It is imperative that the federal government respond proactively to us to address these fiscal issues. The problems and solutions have been, and continue to be, within federal control. We cannot expect NWT residents to deal with these issues alone. The Prime Minister and Finance Minister Manley have the opportunity to show us they share our vision of a strong and self-reliant Northwest Territories, and we are confident that they will respond. For our part, we must ensure that we are doing not only our fair share to address our needs, but are vigilant and aggressive in keeping our needs front and centre with our federal counterparts.

The economy of the Northwest Territories is strong and will only get stronger. Now we must rebalance how the federal and territorial governments share the costs and benefits of economic growth. Thank you.

---Applause

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 Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am pleased to provide an update to Members on the successful completion of the Sahtu youth trapper training program. This program was sponsored by the NWT Youth Secretariat through the youth corps program; the department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development; Indian and Northern Affairs Canada; the Sahtu divisional board of education; Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated; the Fur Harvesters Auction Incorporated; and the International Fur Trade Federation.

The Sahtu youth trapper training program was established to provide young people in the Sahtu with an opportunity to develop a traditional skill base and learn a number of important life skills. Participants undertook training and gained actual experience in trapping techniques, hunting, fish harvesting, first aid and pelt preparation. At the same time, they also received educational upgrading towards their high school equivalency diploma and participated in a number of activities designed to help develop personal wellbeing and self-esteem.

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to report that all but one of the original students remained in the program through to completion. They maintained trap lines, worked efficiently in teams, harvested a quantity of fur and earned high school credit for their work. The response from the community has been excellent. For example, Patrick Garrah, principal at Ehtseo Ayha School in Deline has noticed significant changes in the students who participated. They benefited from the opportunities that the program created for them, such as learning new life skills, travelling to Toronto and North Bay, Ontario and to Turton Lake, NWT and meeting new people. Most of the participants say they will continue their education. To honour this accomplishment this special graduation ceremony will be held in Fort Good Hope on June 5, 2003.

In addition, the Fur Harvesters Auction Incorporated is keen on the project and have indicated they are willing to provide training again. They offered glowing praise for Wilfred Jackson, the senior instructor who worked with them throughout the year.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to formally recognize and applaud the accomplishments of these young people and properly thank those organizations and individuals who were involved in developing and implementing such a successful program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the recently published New Testament in Dogrib is the result of many years of hard work and a unique collaboration between various institutions from within and outside the Dogrib community. The work on this edition of the New Testament started in earnest in 1995 under the then formed Dogrib Translation Committee, a board of directors in which the following institutions were represented part or all of the time: Mary Siemens from the Dogrib Divisional Board of Education; Father Jean Pochat of the Roman Catholic Church; John B. Zoe and Gabrielle Scott, Treaty 11; Rev. Lee Barry from On Eagle's Wings; Vic Monus and Jaap Feenstra, Wycliffe Bible Translators; and Jim Stauffer from Northern Canada Evangelical Missions.

The actual translation was done by: Mary Siemens, Marie Louise Bouvier-White, Alice Sangris, Margaret Rabesca, Sonny Zoe, Elizabeth McKenzie, Vic Monus, Jim Stauffer and Jaap Feenstra. This publication is historic because it is the first time in more than 100 years that a complete new testament has been published in one of the Dene languages. A Gwich'in new testament was published towards the end of the 19th Century.

Though the work on this first edition took less than eight years, the people who worked on this really built on years of language work invested by Dogrib people, elders, priests and missionary translators, educators and linguists. The publication of the Dogrib New Testament and the audio recordings currently being worked on are highly important, not just to make the Bible a more open book for the people, but also for the preservation and revitalization of the Dogrib language.

Currently, the Dogrib New Testament is already being used in church services and in the readings for literacy classes in the Dogrib communities. The decorative New Testament has even replaced the English Bible in the oath ceremonies concerning the Dogrib land claims agreement.

Part of the funding was provided through the Department of Education, Culture and Employment's aboriginal language and literacy funds. The other funding came from the Dogrib Community Services Board, the Rae-Edzo Band, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mackenzie, the Hogarth Foundation, the Canadian Bible Society and Wycliffe Translators. The New Testament will be officially launched and dedicated as part of the annual Dogrib assembly in late August.

Mr. Speaker, although I am not a person who speaks an aboriginal language, I want to thank and congratulate the people who put the effort into this very unique work that is now at completion. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we talk about the vision of the Northwest Territories, we talk about the potential we have. Mr. Speaker, one of the most valuable assets is the people of the Northwest Territories and the people in our communities which make up some 27 small communities in the Northwest Territories. Yet, Mr. Speaker, those communities face challenges over and above the requirements of trying to accomplish capacity within our communities and having the authority to make decisions and also to be able to have the resources to build capacity in the communities.

Mr. Speaker, the approach that we take today is that someone comes into town, asks what your capital needs are then they tell you, well, sorry, you have to follow the rules. The rules are based on three criteria which the communities have to meet. The criteria are structured in such a way that they are solely to the benefit of government and government departments. They are not there to benefit communities by way of the community's wish list. For years we have heard of budget cuts, we have heard of how you cannot establish community infrastructure such as a skating rink, a ball diamond, and road improvements because of health concerns.

Mr. Speaker, the capital process we have today does not satisfy the needs of communities. The process we have is from the top down, not from the bottom up. Mr. Speaker, we as Members of the House from the small communities have to practically fight to prove to this government that a capital requirement is the result of water contamination, people telling our communities there is a boil water order. The environmental health officer has to address it or you have to bring in a fire marshal to prove that you have a building that is not safe.

I for one, Mr. Speaker, have fought for capital in my riding, in my communities, and I for one take the health of my constituents seriously. I for one, feel offended when government officials come to our communities...Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I for one take offence when public officials come to our communities and say, "You have to follow our rules. You have to ensure that your requirements meet the criteria that we give you." Yet we had a committee that went around to all 27 communities that were involved and found out that the system that we use is not adequate. Those were put forth to Cabinet in an interim report, yet to date very little has been done.

We have some of the highest poverty rates in the Northwest Territories. We have high statistical numbers that well exceed, in some cases, the national unemployment average and household incomes. Yet, Mr. Speaker, that has not been addressed.

I for one will continue to fight for the residents of the Mackenzie Delta to ensure that we receive our fair, equitable share of the wealth in the Northwest Territories so that we will also have a lifestyle that we can pass on to future generations. With that, Mr. Speaker, thank you very much.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on remarks by my colleague, the Member for Hay River South, I also would like to raise concerns that I have had brought to my attention by constituents about the proposed creation of a new territorial recreation and sport board. The concerns that I want to bring forward are from the territorial sporting organizations, Mr. Speaker, who have been grappling with this issue for at least a year now and are still not supportive of the creation of a new board.

I took the opportunity to attend their annual general meeting on May 24th and listened to the concerns of the volunteer board and the 27 sport organizations that comprise it. During the session on the proposed territorial recreation and sport board, Mr. Speaker, I was disappointed that neither the deputy minister nor the Minister were there for what is a very controversial issue and one that they are not taking seriously. It was a clear message sent from the Sport North group, Mr. Speaker, that this is something that they need to pay more attention to.

The message from Municipal and Community Affairs was that the Minister has said it will proceed with the creation of this board. Implementation is the issue, not whether it is the right thing to do. Well, the Minister has said his officials are prepared to meet and continue to meet. They are clearly not getting or understanding the message from sport bodies.

The core of sport and what makes it work in the Canadian system and here in the Northwest Territories are the volunteers who make contributions well in excess of any funding that might ever come from government. It is ironic that Municipal and Community Affairs, who have the responsibility for volunteer development and recognition - and they are doing a good job with it - is the focus of such concern and criticism from these sporting volunteers.

Much is accomplished by them across the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. We get exceptional value from the volunteers and from the Sport North group and what we need to do is recognize their concerns at this time. What the government needs to do, Mr. Speaker, is to define the expectations it has for sport and recreation for all our communities and then work with the partners to find out how it can be achieved. Certainly the first thing, Mr. Speaker, is to at least defer the creation of this new territorial sport board. Thank you.

---Applause

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to remember and recognize an elder from my constituency who passed away on April 21st this year, Mr. Joseph Bonnetrouge. Mr. Speaker, in our communities our elders play a vital role in the preservation of our traditional lifestyles and values. When one passes away many teachings are often forgotten, but their legacies live on.

Mr. Speaker, although Mr. Bonnetrouge lived a humble life and was a very quiet person his smile was genuine and his words were comforting to those who were close to him. Joe Bonnetrouge was born on October 8, 1925 and in 1943 he started working for the Government of the Northwest Territories as a janitor for the health centre and then the school. With his new job he received a new title. The local residents of Fort Providence fondly knew him as Dr. Joe. He would go out of his way to help patients by escorting the elders, translating and assisting the nurse when needed. Joe married Melvina Gargan on January 12, 1959 and raised nine children and many grandchildren.

As part of Joe's work history he worked as a roughneck for an exploration company, trained as a surveyor on the construction of the Yellowknife Highway and was an alcohol and drug counsellor for the Fort Providence Dene Band. After many years of service to the Government of the Northwest Territories, Joe retired in 1985 and devoted time to his family, as well as to hunting and trapping.

Mr. Speaker, Joe was a friend, teacher and advisor who is loved and sadly missed by many. As an elder, Mr. Bonnetrouge contributed to the history of the Northwest Territories by promoting official languages for the benefit of generations to come. He served as an elder representing the Deh Cho in the Office of the Languages Commissioner advisory board.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to his wife Melvina; his sons Gary, Noel, Clifford, Clinton and Travis; his daughters Phoebe, Darlene, Agnes and Cassandra; his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. On behalf of the people of the Deh Cho I want to say to his family that our prayers and our thoughts are with them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Our condolences do go to the family and the elder will be missed. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to raise concerns about the memorandum of understanding that was signed with the Gwich'in regarding contracts in the Beaufort-Delta communities, especially the impact there would be on my constituency of Inuvik, all the more so, Mr. Speaker, in light of a correspondence I received that was sent to the president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council by the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development laying out what contracts and what projects would be included in there. There is a list that shows about 133 projects and values approximately $29 million, Mr. Speaker.

But Mr. Speaker, as I go through that list, my concerns are highlighted and I am sure the constituents and the small business people in Inuvik, whether they are aboriginal people or non-aboriginal people, will be greatly concerned because included in this amount are such things as electrical power supply to the communities. That is not a private, small company. It is the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, NorthwesTel phone services, natural gas supply. Those things are huge in volume and high in dollar amounts and I do not even have how much they would total. But when I look at the list and see the value is approximately $29 million I have to ask where this money is coming from because as we went through the budget there is no $29 million figure that I can find in there. There are a few projects like the campus, some other small projects, some highway and airport stuff, but not $29 million worth.

So if you add in the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, the gas supply, if you put those into the picture and you say that the memorandum of understanding has a potential value of $29 million and that other bidders in the community can take half of that, well, you take out half that amount from there and you take out the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and the natural gas supply and the telephone services there will be peanuts left for anybody else trying to secure any work. Those are long established businesses, so I will have questions for the appropriate Minister later. 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, not long ago the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs distributed a report to Members called "N.W.T. Recreation and Sport Board Recommendations Report". It was dated March 31, 2003. Mr. Speaker, I have taken the opportunity to review the report and I have to say that I do not find in the report convincing arguments for the recommendations. The main one is the creation of a new 13-member board added to the existing five territorial organizations and the numerous individual sports bodies.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that following through with this recommendation will actually mean less money helping to promote sports and recreation in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, the recommendations suggest that there will be at least two meetings a year of this new body that will include representatives from all 32 communities and 30 sports organizations. But, Mr. Speaker, the existing sports organizations already spend a lot of money on travel for meetings. If this latest recommendation is implemented, even more is going to be spent on meetings, obviously making less money available to help develop sports and recreation opportunities in the North.

Mr. Speaker, I have not heard the Minister agreeing to put more money into sports and recreation to cover these increased costs. I know there were no extra funds in the budget we passed last session to cover those costs, so there has to be an overall reduction in what would be available to promote and develop sports and recreation in the North.

Mr. Speaker, another area in the recommendations that I am concerned about is accountability. The final recommendations report suggests that the board would be accountable first to the Minister and second to partners and communities. I find this problematic as well. Why have a board if they are told that they are accountable to the Minister first? You might as well have staff do the job. That is like telling a Member of this assembly that we are first accountable to the Premier and to the government. But we are not. We are accountable first to our constituents and that is what gives our comments in this House weight.

Before we start adding another layer of bureaucracy in any area, we need to have an overall discussion about the purpose and role of boards and agencies and public governance. I've lost count of how many times I've heard Members of this House comment about how we have too many boards and agencies already, and we're not always sure what the roles are for the ones that we have. We should have a discussion that resolves that concern first, then let's have a discussion about what will solve the concerns over the current territorial administration of sports and recreation. Let's turn the process around and make sure we're solving whatever the problems might be. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of this House a problem my constituent has experienced over the last few years in dealing with the government's daycare subsidy program. Mr. Speaker, what we should be aware of is that a licensed day home is a small home-based operation that is just a little bigger than a regular babysitting service, where the operator is allowed to have up to eight children and up to six of them of preschool age.

Mr. Speaker, I've learned that some operators have spent up to $5,000 to start such an operation to meet the various regulatory and safety requirements. While they can apply for a grant from the government, the money has to be put in first which is a burden to many contemplating such a move. What is even more of a concern to me, Mr. Speaker, are the difficulties the operators face once they get started in dealing with the government for their clients who receive a subsidy from the government. Currently, Mr. Speaker, the government subsidizes $28 per child per day, while the going market rate is $35. Once they're billed, the government often takes months and months to pay their bills. In the meantime, these operators are expected to care for these children and carry the costs until they are paid. This is not a fair practice, Mr. Speaker.

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, I'm advised that these clients on subsidy are cut off for whatever reason without a normal notice of 30 days that would be expected of any other client. The operator is then left out in the cold without the ability to fill the spot to maintain stability in their earnings.

Mr. Speaker, the important point here is that the daycare program is a much-needed service and there is not enough of it. The daycare subsidy program is one small thing the government is doing and it's a good thing, it's just that it should be done right and not create hardship to those who are providing this very important service. If these situations continue, Mr. Speaker, daycare operators will be less and less willing to take in the children who are on the daycare subsidy program, and it's not fair for these children and families who rely on this service, Mr. Speaker. I would urge the Minister responsible for this program to review this situation and improve the way this program is administered. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to draw attention to a very important week being celebrated from June 1st to June 7th, that being Seniors' Week. Mr. Speaker, our seniors are to be honoured not just during Seniors Week, but all year long. I feel strongly that senior citizens' contributions to our communities cannot be measured.

Mr. Speaker, our seniors are a collective force that cannot be ignored or forgotten about by this government. By the year 2018, the seniors' population is projected to at least double in the Northwest Territories. The Hay River Seniors' Society, Mr. Speaker, recently held their election of officers, and I am pleased to recognize the new executive here today. Mr. Speaker, Lloyd Brunes is the president; Allan Eirikson, vice-president; Ross Ullathorne, treasurer; Betty Robinson, secretary; and the directors are Peter Osted, Del Hamilton, Ron Douglas, Alvin Armstrong, Paul Rose, Chris Robinson and Fred Beaulieu.

Mr. Speaker, the Hay River Seniors' Society has been diligently working on seeing their dream of a new seniors' residence completed. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to continuing to work with the Hay River Seniors' Society on this very important project.

I would also like to say, Mr. Speaker, that I've had the pleasure of attending the Respect Our Elders workshop on March 25th and 26th in Hay River, that was put on by the NWT Seniors' Society. It was an excellent workshop and it was very informative.

It is also very encouraging, Mr. Speaker, to see seniors taking a very active role in matters that affect them, such as elder abuse and their role in society. As the president of the National Advisory Council on Aging, Mrs. Rayburn, so rightly put it, we must take care of our future as we are going to spend the rest of our lives there. As our honourable Minister put it, most of us in this House have an interest in how that future is secured, as most of us are fast approaching the age where we will be joining the seniors' ranks.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Seniors' Week, I would like to state that I intend to continue to bring up issues in this House that affect our seniors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I, too, am embarking on the seniors' role, wanted to recognize Seniors' Week in the Northwest Territories. I would like to convey to my respected elders in Inuvik Twin Lakes, that we fondly think of them.

Mr. Speaker, the seniors continually participate in several program activities each month to add to the quality of life in their community. For example, the seniors hold two lunches each at the Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre, they also participate in the baking program, they involve themselves in an exercise program at Aurora College. Mr. Speaker, many of the seniors in Inuvik play an active role in the health of its residents. For example, one elder continually assists in making traditional foods and now it applies to reducing diabetes. Another prominent elder consults on the local culture of different organizations.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot forget how influential our seniors are in the political process, providing me as well as others with guidance, as an example. Also the long-term care ward at the Inuvik Regional Hospital has an excellent seniors' support program. Currently the long-term care ward has a dressing program for elders who need assistance in daily living. Transportation of elders to various functions and activities is provided to these same seniors.

Mr. Speaker, these are just a few examples of how the seniors live an independent, but healthy and active lifestyle in Inuvik and the riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes. So as the MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes, I will express my gratitude and appreciation to the seniors for their contributions and to those who assist them in the community of Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about a little project that shows what a small group of people with a bit of creativity, a lot of commitment, a lot of determination and lot of volunteer time can achieve. Last winter, Mr. Speaker, I was invited by Mary Rose Sundberg to come and see her centre that she was working on. Mary Rose is a long-time advocate of aboriginal languages. I went down and I was surprised to see her in a little log cabin no more than about 10 by 12 feet in size, a fire going and the smallest oil space heater I've ever seen, sweeping out the little cabin, putting together some used furniture, and setting up some computers that had been donated from Air Tindi and possibly from others. It was the beginning of the Dettah language centre, and Dettah and N'dilo have long depended on the language centre out of Rae-Edzo.

In this little building, Mary Rose, along with a group of students and a group of other people, have worked hard in training people in the language, both Dogrib and Chipewyan, in preparing reading material for young children, and more than anything else, preparing a lot of good teaching aids that go with the books. So they develop books with culturally-relevant characters in them and prepare little aids that young children can use as they learn how to read.

I've noticed the last time I was there that they've built little teepees that children can use for reading centres, and those are to be given to the other schools in Yellowknife and possibly in other areas. But this is just such a good example of what people can do if they choose to take it under their control and do it.

I was also pleased last week to go to the centre and see that they had prepared a biography on one of the elders - Michel Paper who I've mentioned before in this House. It's a biography of his life.

It's a tremendous little centre, operating without much of a budget with money they can pull together here and there, but I think a very fine example of what can be done.

Mr. Speaker, in the gallery today we have Mary Rose Sundberg who has been the main drive on this one. We have Berna Martin who has worked along with her, and Betty Harnum. But I think these people are a great example of how little communities can take things in their own hands and achieve a lot on behalf of their people, and particularly the elders and young people. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. The chair recognizes the honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's with great pleasure that the Special Committee on the Sunset Clause and the Implementation of Self-Government brings to this House its final report entitled, "The Circle of Self-Government."

Mr. Speaker, when the resident territorial government was established in 1967, it came with a federal government promise of greater self-government. However, as the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples has documented, while the system of territorial government in the Northwest Territories has been better than most in Canada in responding to aboriginal peoples' cultures and values, it has not gone far enough. A central purpose of self-government agreements is to ensure that aboriginal peoples gain more control over decision-making on matters that affect them.

We have examined the new systems of government that are emerging from self-government negotiations. It is important that we all understand these agreements so that we have a sense of how things will change for the Legislative Assembly and the Government of the Northwest Territories but, more importantly, so we can have a territory-wide conversation about what all NWT residents can expect in the future.

Mr. Speaker, self-government agreements, and other related documents, are often long and technically complicated. In this report we have tried to avoid technical language so that it will be more accessible to the general reader. However, we acknowledge that discussing self-government in general terms can be problematic sometimes, because the details are important. We have deliberately avoided using the phrases "public government" and "aboriginal self-government." These phrases suggest clear distinctions that will not likely be reflected in practice. In our view, this terminology tends to imply separate realities or watertight compartments. From our work to date, we have concluded that governments in the NWT will not be easily categorized as aboriginal or public.

The governance systems that will be established as a result of self-government agreements will probably not fit neatly into one box or the other.

For example, Mr. Speaker, the territorial government in Nunavut is sometimes called an expression of aboriginal self-government, but in the NWT the territorial government is usually referred to as the public government. The draft Gwich'in and Inuvialuit self-government agreement-in-principle, and the Tlicho agreement are products of self-government negotiations, but will provide mechanisms to deliver programs and services to all residents in many situations. The Deh Cho First Nations framework agreement states that a Deh Cho government will be a public government based upon Deh Cho First Nations laws and customs and other Canadian laws and customs.

In this report, Mr. Speaker, we simply use the phrase "self-government" by itself. We think this describes the type of government all NWT residents want. From this perspective, self-government can be seen as a statement about the capacity of NWT residents to make decisions for themselves, rather than as a reference to a particular model of government that applies to a particular group of people.

Similarly, we use the phrases "community government" and "regional government" to indicate the approximate geographical area in which a particular government will operate, regardless of how they might be established. We are aware that the composition, structure, and powers of community and regional governments might vary considerably from agreement to agreement.

Mr. Speaker self-government has meaning for all of us. We all want to be self-governing. We all want to keep our identities as individuals and groups. However, we must keep in mind that we live closely together and, to one degree or another, are dependent on each other. Together we make up the communities of the NWT and the governments that serve them.

In our view, Mr. Speaker, this is the starting point for understanding the systems of governance that have evolved in the NWT in the past, and for examining what potentially lies ahead as a result of implementing new systems of governance in the Northwest Territories in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I now would like to refer to my colleague, the Honourable Jim Antoine, to continue the presentation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The chair recognizes the honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. The chair now recognizes the honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was a time in the Northwest Territories, and across Canada, when communities were relatively self-sufficient and self-governing. One of the strongest trends in the 20th century was the increasing involvement of many levels of government in virtually every aspect of our daily lives. How did this happen?

One reason is that collectively we have chosen to organize ourselves in ways to improve the standards and conditions in which we live. Most of us now expect governments to deliver a broad range of important programs and services such as health, social services, education, transportation, housing and so on. If these roles and responsibilities are not carried out, we blame the government.

But who is the government? We are. In the Northwest Territories, with its small population and close-knit communities, the government is potentially every one of us, our friends and our neighbours. We, the residents of the Northwest Territories, make up all northern governments, whether it is the territorial government, the band councils, the aboriginal councils, the land claim institutions, the community governments, or the regional boards and agencies.

How can you help? In delivering this report, we want to encourage an ongoing dialogue or conversation about how we can work together to make the NWT a better home for all residents. Most of us think we would do things differently if we were in charge -- if we were the government. What would you change and what would you want to stay the same?

Imagine you have the opportunity and responsibility to make such choices -- because in fact you do. This is what self-government involves, for all of us. Self-government agreements will place the emphasis back on the communities and the people. The futures of all NWT communities will be linked together even more closely than they are today. The new relationships that will develop among our northern governments will depend on our attitudes, and our relationships with each other.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to hand the continuing report on with Mr. Lafferty. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The chair now recognizes the honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Based on the conclusions we have outlined in our address to the Assembly today, we make the following recommendations:

1. The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures should be given responsibility for monitoring and reporting on the implications which implementation of self-government agreements will have on the powers, structures and procedures of the Legislative Assembly.
2. The GNWT should formally designate a sole point of accountability for developing a comprehensive action plan for implementation. This department, ministry or agency should prepare the GNWT and NWT communities for implementation of self-government agreements and should oversee this transition within the regions and communities.
3. A cooperative, arm's-length research body or think-tank should be created which is dedicated to the study of governance systems and practical operational issues associated with the implementation of self-government agreements in the NWT.

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, with this new mandate, should carry through with these subsequent actions, Mr. Speaker:

4. Conduct a comprehensive study of the legislative powers of the Assembly, and those set out in self-government agreements and relevant documents, in order to provide a framework for analyzing potential areas where overlap is most likely and where amendment or harmonization can reasonably be anticipated.

5. Examine options for formal or informal structures and procedures for coordinating and harmonizing legislation, policies and practices among northern governments, where no such mechanisms have been identified in a self-government agreement.

6. Review current legislative procedures and processes to identify issues and options respecting:

- consultations among governments on their respective legislative initiatives

- informing the Assembly of ongoing legislative initiatives required to implement self-government agreements

- possible mechanisms relating to consent of an aboriginal party to territorial legislation, where such a requirement is set out in a self-government agreement, and

- the appropriate role of the Assembly in any such consultation and consent processes.

7. Identify current legislation and Assembly rules which are likely to require amendment as a result of implementation of self-government agreements.

8. Consider an appropriate role for the Legislative Assembly in building capacity for legislators at a local or regional level through joint workshops, seminars, research functions, and so on.

9. Prepare an action plan for the development of the Legislative Assembly's internal capacity to monitor and plan for the potential changes arising from implementation of self-government agreements.

10. Institute a regular and systematic approach for reviewing issues associated with implementation of self-government agreements, similar to the review of GNWT structures and functions which is undertaken as a transition measure prior to each general election.

Mr. Speaker, I would now like to pass the balance of the report back over to our co-chair, Ms. Lee, for conclusion. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The chair now recognizes the honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An existing GNWT department, ministry or agency with designated responsibility for taking a coordinated approach to implementation should:

11. Develop an action plan for preparing communities, regions, and individuals for the implementation of self-government, including appropriate mechanisms for effective communications and consultations with these stakeholders. Such an action plan should address the need for interdepartmental and intergovernmental coordination. In addition, consideration should be given to establishing a dedicated policy unit within this department, ministry or agency to deal with transition issues and over-arching implementation issues that might affect the structures and operations of the Government of theNorthwest Territories and Legislative Assembly.

12. Seek to establish forums for ongoing regular dialogue with the federal government, aboriginal governments and NWT community governments on territory-wide coordination of practical implementation matters.

13. Coordinate with aboriginal, federal and community governments to establish a leadership institute or program dedicated to developing skills suited for the governance systems emerging in the NWT.

14. Take the lead in the establishment of the arm's-length research body or think-tank referred to in Recommendation No. 3, and to the extent possible, collaborate with aboriginal, federal and community governments in this initiative.

Mr. Speaker, that concludes our final report, and with it our special committee's work. I would like to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to express the committee's appreciation to the individuals and groups that met with us and made presentations. I would also like to thank all the staff of the committee, especially Mr. Bernie Funston, our researcher; Mr. Andrew Stewart, operations assistant; and Mr. Hamilton, our clerk, for their assistance, guidance and support during the life of the committee.

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the final report of the Special Committee on the Implementation of Self-Government and the Sunset Clause and, therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Committee Report 12-14(6) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. We have a motion and the motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour, please signify. Thank you. All those opposed? Thank you. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to present the final report of the Special Joint Committee on Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs.

The Special Joint Committee on Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs started its work in April 2002. Its purpose was to identify the actions that the Government of the Northwest Territories can take to improve the quality of life in these communities. The committee held community consultation workshops for representatives from three different groups of communities: the eleven smallest communities, the nine mid-sized communities and the seven largest hamlets and charter communities. The committee also initiated several research projects to increase their understanding about the GNWT programs and services in these communities.

Twenty-seven of the 33 communities in the NWT are communities which are of interest to the committee. These 27 communities differ from the regional centres and Yellowknife in more than just population. They have a larger percentage of aboriginal residents than the regional centres. More of their residents participate in hunting and fishing activities and speak their aboriginal language. However, the residents in these communities have lower levels of educational achievement and have higher unemployment rates than residents in regional centres. Although these 27 communities are growing more slowly than the tax-based communities, they have higher crime rates. The GNWT programs and services that are delivered in these communities seem to be delivered at lower standards. The GNWT facilities are getting old, but the new corporate capital planning process does not seem to be able to accommodate the needs of these communities.

Based on the consultations with community leaders and on the results of the research projects, the committee Members have proposed changes to the GNWT's corporate capital planning process. The GNWT cannot explain how it plans for its new facilities or how it makes project funding decisions. Many people think that the GNWT is not keeping up with the capital funding needs of the smaller communities, because it is building new large facilities in the regional centres, such as the correctional centre in Yellowknife and the hospital in Inuvik. The committee Members also heard from many community representatives about the importance of prevention and development programs in their communities. They were told that the funding arrangements for these programs do not support a comprehensive or sustained community effort. The committee has proposed a new approach for these programs. The Members have asked the GNWT to organize its service standards more clearly and to increase access to housing in these communities. The GNWT should also increase its support for the community constable program. To conclude our report, the committee identified some changes that could be made to the GNWT organization so that it could provide better support to the small communities.

Three consultation workshops were organized as part of the committee's work plan. Representatives from the 11 smallest communities were invited to participate in a workshop session at the North Nahanni Lodge. Representatives from the nine mid-sized communities were invited to a workshop in Wekweti. The seven largest hamlets and charter communities sent representatives to a workshop in Tuktoyaktuk. In all, 19 of the 27 communities sent representatives to participate in the workshops.

The community representatives are concerned about:

• • Insufficient capital funding.
• • Lack of clarity about capital project selection and management.
• • Complicated administration and uncoordinated contribution funding for small projects with short-term funding.
• • Ensuring continuing support from the GNWT for developmental and preventative programs. Their view is that these programs are at least as important as the programs dealing with treatment, crisis intervention and problem management.

Their experience is that many headquarters and regional GNWT employees don't have the skills to be able to provide practical hands-on assistance and useful expertise in small communities.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask my colleague, the Honourable Vince Steen, to present the next portion of this report.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The chair recognizes the honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The committee Members understood that the government was interested in hearing from the committee as soon as possible. They wanted the government to have time to consider changes, which could be incorportated into the GNWT budget for 2004-2005. The Members also wanted time to distribute the report and hear back from community representatives.

Thirteen recommendations were made to the GNWT:Capital Planning And FundingA. Provide better support to small community governments and assist them to do their own capital planning, project management and engineering.B. Improve the community consultation process by establishing a meaningful consultation process that is coordinated across departments, regions and communities and provides useful information about capital planning and funding.C. Modify the criteria for prioritizing projects by using fewer and simpler criteria and ensuring that community government facilities are included in the capital planning.D. Document roles and responsibilities for capital planning in clear language, so that it is explained for GNWT staff, community governments and MLAs.E. Increase the capital budget in order to realistically manage the replacement of the GNWT's aging inventory, respond to growth, and make up for previous years' shortfalls.Development And Prevention ProgramsA. Consolidate prevention and development contribution funding into one fund located in one department and increase the available funding. B. Simplify the administration of this funding and ensure that communities are supported in the development and implementation of a sustained community-based effort to create lasting changes in the lives of community residents and improve the well-being of the community.Access To ServicesA. Establish service delivery standards in smaller communities and be accountable for meeting the standards.B. Increase and strengthen access to policing services by expanding support for the community constable program and the First Nations policing program.C. Increase access to the home ownership programs by developing block-funding approaches with local governments and increasing the flexibility of housing program eligibility requirements.D. Emphasize the importance of prevention programs to increase the response to the alcohol and drug abuse problems in small communities.Other TopicsA. Implement changes in GNWT structure, organization and operations to ensure that GNWT regional staff can provide more coordinated assistance to the smallest communities.B. Publish plain language, user-friendly reports regarding capital expenditures, service standards, and programs and services in a timely manner.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague, Mr. Lafferty, to proceed with the report.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. The chair now recognizes the honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The chair now recognizes the honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It appears that the GNWT treats band councils differently from municipal governments and does not treat all band councils in the same way. Band councils, such as N'dilo and West Point, experience this difference most clearly when they try to access GNWT funding.

Education remains a significant concern for the committee Members. Many parents are concerned that education services in the smaller communities are delivered to a lower standard than education services in the larger communities. Poor teachers' housing, high teacher turnover and teachers' lack of experience may be some of the contributing factors which may result in lower educational achievements. The committee Members recommend that there should be an examination of the educational challenges and solutions in small communities.

The committee Members have heard from many residents in small communities about property tax concerns, year after year. It is time for these problems to be tackled and resolved. The committee Members recommend that there should be a review of the property taxation issues in the small communities, where the GNWT administers property taxation.

The committee Members remain concerned about the lack of affordable housing in many smaller communities. The existing government programs have not effectively responded to the need for housing for teachers, community government staff and other community residents.

The committee Members developed recommendations about capital and application-based contribution funding. Their examination indicated that most of the government's funding is not based primarily or solely on population criteria. However, the allocations usually do take population into consideration in various ways. Most GNWT contribution funding is not guided by well-defined allocation criteria. The committee Members recommend that there should be a review of funding methodologies in order to determine options that would be useful for GNWT funding in the smaller communities.

The committee Members found that there was great value in being able to undertake practical research and discuss issues with community leaders. The work of the committee is one of a few ways that the smaller communities can have a voice that is constructive and potentially effective at resolving common concerns for a majority of the NWT communities. Committee Members know that they cannot make decisions for the next Legislative Assembly. They will recommend, however, that the Members of the next Legislative Assembly establish a Standing Committee on Small Communities and that the present government reflect this recommendation in the transition plan to the next Legislative Assembly. Therefore, the Special Joint Committee on Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs recommends that the 15th Legislative Assembly establish a Standing Committee on Small Communities to represent the interests of, and improve the quality of life in, the non-tax-based municipalities in the Northwest Territories.

This report already identifies some of the work that could be undertaken by that committee. The committee could accomplish significant work in order to challenge Northerners to understand and appreciate the needs of the smaller communities and perhaps even assist the government to take new steps and build better tomorrows.

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the final report of the Special Joint Committee on Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs, and I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that Committee Report 13-14(6) be received by the Assembly and moved to Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. We have a motion on the floor and the motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour, please signify. Thank you. All those opposed? Thank you. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me special pleasure today to recognize two people with Matco Transportation Systems. I would like to introduce Mr. Ray Anderson, president; and, Mr. Wayne Wishloff, the vice-president of Matco. Mr. Speaker, I will be very brief. This company, which has been operating in the NWT for 37 years, has been chosen by their peers in the NWT Chamber of Commerce as the business of the year. They were first established in 1966 in Norman Wells and continue to serve the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Anderson and I go back a long way, as a constituent as well. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take the opportunity to recognize a constituent of mine from Tuk. He's the deputy mayor of the hamlet council, Marvin Gruben. He's also a co-manager and co-owner of Gruben's Transport, a well-established company in Tuktoyaktuk.

---Applause

Thank you. Welcome. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to welcome everyone who has come to visit the Legislative Assembly on this fine day. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

Your final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following on my Member's statement about the MOU that was signed with the Gwich'in regarding contracting projects in the Mackenzie Delta area, I received correspondence, as I stated, about that and would like qualification from the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development on how they came up with the projects listed, especially in the areas of power that is supplied to every community and how they came up with those values. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand that is operations and maintenance and capital programs, but my question is more about the dollar values attached. For example, Mr. Speaker, trying to be a little clearer for the Minister, if you take in the Northwest Territories Power Corporation's billings to Government of the Northwest Territories departments, what is the value? Because someone from my community sees that $29 million is available and 50 percent of that then can be pulled aside and given directly to Gwich'in companies. In Inuvik it is 25 percent. The Inuvialuit have 25 percent, although I do not know if they even signed the agreement as of today. But there is that large number. If the gas supply, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation billings, the NorthwesTel billings add up to $15 million, does that mean that all the other projects that are out on the capital plan and all the other as-and-when are now not going to be available for an open-bid process to any companies in the region? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Minister Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister's response gives me more cause for concern as there is no real detail to this, but we are putting a price tag on this which includes some of these big ones, because who is going to bill the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to supply power in the regions? Nobody is going to remove the natural gas supply, there is only one company.

So, as you break it down and pull off some of these big chunks, what is left for all the companies in the region, more specifically to my community? When you break that down one of the things listed is unspecified facility repairs. Mr. Speaker, the government signed a memorandum of understanding, the Minister stated it is not clear what it means. When are we going to get that detail and what does it mean for this summer's capital projects? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Minister Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Has Cabinet approved this list? It has already gone out, so has Cabinet approved this list that has been made available? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Minister Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to ask some questions of the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development regarding awarding of contracts, specifically campground contracts. In the last month or so we had a contract awarded in my riding for operation and maintenance of Twin Falls Gorge, which includes Escarpment Creek, Louise Falls and Alexandra Falls. We had three companies from the community of Enterprise bid on it, and I should mention that this whole park falls within the community boundaries of Enterprise, and none of the companies from my riding were successful. There are different methodologies, as we are finding out, to awarding contracts and the tendering process which is based on street price, negotiated contracts and requests for proposals. They are all tools used to decide how to award the contracts. But I am curious about a campground contract that is only providing firewood, cleaning facilities and it is pretty straight forward, so why does the department use a request for proposals when awarding campground contracts? To me it is pretty cut and dried and there is no need for a request for proposals. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Minister Antoine.