Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Roland.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide an update on our budgetary process and some brief comments on our fiscal situation. Despite the fact that the NWT is one of the fastest-growing economies in Canada, the Government of the NWT is facing a growing gap between its expenditures and revenues. Resource development is placing large pressures on our expenditures. We need to provide infrastructure, we need to prepare the people of the NWT so they see a positive benefit from development, and we need to counter the less positive effects of development which can cause social disruption in our families and our communities.

At the same time, the Government of the Northwest Territories has to cope with critical issues in the areas of health care, education and social support. The demands of the expanding economy are competing with these needs for the government's limited financial resources.

Furthermore, the government is trying to meet these needs with inadequate federal funding arrangements. Changes imposed by the federal government in the past mean that our formula financing arrangements with Canada no longer meet their original goal of filling the gap between our expenditure needs and our ability to raise our own revenues. In the absence of resource revenues, the economic development that is putting such pressure on our expenditures generates little in the way of new revenues to allow us to cope with that pressure.

These are the circumstances that our fiscal strategy must address. Since we took office in December, we have reviewed our fiscal position and outlook. We have talked about our options and the measures we are prepared to take with respect to revenues, expenditures and borrowing. As the Premier stated yesterday, difficult choices will have to be made. He indicated that we need to take a hard look at our spending and also at our revenue options. How much money we have to spend, how much we are prepared to raise in new revenues, and how much debt are we prepared to take on, all set limits on activities and initiatives. The Premier stated that it is important that we work together to make changes; we want to make these changes with careful forethought and consideration. We have to work hard to achieve balance.

Fiscal strategies are based on considerable uncertainty over exactly how much money we will have, so we have to make some assumptions, set some priorities, develop short, medium and long-term plans and then be ready to review and revise these plans as new information becomes available.

For example, we still do not know what our formula financing arrangements for 2004-2005 and beyond will look like. The previous Prime Minister made a commitment last February to find solutions to our long-term funding needs. While we are confident that this commitment will be met, the issue is still unresolved and presents a significant source of uncertainty in our planning. I will be approaching the federal Minister of Finance in order to try and resolve this critical issue.

Mr. Speaker, I will be presenting the Government of the Northwest Territories 2004-2005 budget when the Legislative Assembly meets in March. This budget will present our plan for the upcoming fiscal year and outline our strategy. Although we have begun to look at some medium and long-term plans, we need to start today to begin to build a sustainable future for the people of the NWT.

Given the relatively short timeframe, we are limited in the measures we can implement for 2004-2-05. This budget, therefore, will be a stepping stone toward achieving our medium and longer-term goals. For 2005-2006 and beyond, we will have to develop longer-term plans. These plans may include changing the way we, as a government, do business so that we can implement the 15th Legislative Assembly's vision, priorities and plans in a fiscally responsible way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Zoe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report to Members that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been able to assist the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council in the development of new community governance structures which will be established as part of the Tlicho Final Agreement. Municipal and Community Affairs is committed to assisting and supporting Dogrib Treaty 11's elected leaders and appointed officials in preparing for the implementation of this important agreement.

Since the Tlicho people ratified the Tlicho Final Agreement, a strong partnership has developed between the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council and Municipal and Community Affairs. We are working to prepare the four Tlicho communities for implementation of their agreement. The Dogrib Treaty 11 community government implementation team and my departmental officials are meeting regularly. They are planning to co-host a workshop this month for all the senior administrative officers and band managers. Community consultations and information sessions for all the Tlicho communities are currently underway and are being organized jointly with Dogrib Treaty 11 Council. As well, Mr. Speaker, a comprehensive training plan for the community government is being developed cooperatively between Municipal and Community Affairs' School of Community Government and Dogrib Treaty 11 Council.

There are a number of legal instruments that are required to affirm and implement the Tlicho Final Agreement, both at the national and territorial levels. Along with other government departments, we are working closely with Dogrib Treaty 11 to develop the draft Tlicho community government act, to be brought forward to this Assembly for consideration and passage soon. The purpose of this legislation is to establish the four community governments and outline their powers and responsibilities.

Mr. Speaker, all of these actions establish some of the fundamental building blocks for implementation of the first self-government agreement in the Northwest Territories. I am pleased that we are working cooperatively with the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council in preparation for the implementation of the Tlicho Final Agreement by working to make the new Tlicho community governments a reality. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is Weedless Wednesday during National Non-Smoking Week. I would like to make use of this opportunity to recognize the work that is being done so that our territory can eventually become a smoke-free society.

Mr. Speaker, there are numerous examples of people and communities working to a common goal of a smoke-free society:

• • A growing number of NWT communities have now enacted progressive smoking bylaws that protect their residents against the health risks of secondhand smoke;
• • Citizens, tobacco action groups and community health professionals have come together to help raise awareness of tobacco issues;
• • Schools are teaching about tobacco addiction in their health curriculum;
• • The 2nd annual Quit and Win contest, sponsored by the NWT/Nunavut branch of the Canadian Public Health Association, provides incentive for people to try quitting; and,
• • through the groundbreaking action of the Workers' Compensation Board of the NWT and Nunavut, workplaces will soon be smoke free.

It is important to continue this work, Mr. Speaker, because recent statistics show we still have a long way to go. For example, almost half of NWT youth between the ages of 15 and 17 smoke and the average age when children start to smoke is 12 or 13.

If we are to reduce these alarmingly high rates of smoking in our youth, it is clear that we must take action to reach children before they start smoking. We must convince children to make the decision to stay smoke free. That is the age group that needs to hear our message the most. If we can create a smoke-free generation of youth today, Mr. Speaker, they will become tomorrow's smoke-free generation of adults.

With this in mind, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services is working with Education, Culture and Employment on a communications strategy that targets children between the ages of eight and 14. The aim of this strategy is prevention: finding ways to encourage our children to remain smoke-free. The strategy will roll out over the next two years.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, students across the North are taking part in an initiative called Smoke Screening. Students from grades 6 to 12 are watching a dozen of the best anti-tobacco ads from around the world. Some are funny, others are shocking and still others are very sad. Students vote on the ad they like the best, and the most popular ad will be aired on local TV. This initiative is designed to get young people thinking and talking about what smoking does to their bodies.

Mr. Speaker, I met with Heather Crowe last week. As Members may know, Ms. Crowe is dying of cancer from secondhand smoke. Although she was never a smoker herself, she developed lung cancer because of other people smoking around her at her place of work.

Her dedication to the fight against tobacco is commendable. She has set a great example for the rest of us, and provides a powerful reminder of why we need to take action against smoking. It is estimated that secondhand smoke kills 3,600 Canadians every year. It is time to change that.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services is proposing tobacco legislation that will complement the Workers' Compensation Board's regulations banning smoking in the workplace, and to back up community, regional and territorial efforts to create a smoke-free society.

It is important the Members of this House support these efforts, Mr. Speaker. Our communities look to the leadership demonstrated in this Assembly to reinforce their grassroots actions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Zoe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to inform Members about our Northwest Territories Team for the 2004 Arctic Winter Games, which are being hosted by the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo in Fort McMurray, Alberta, from February 28 to March 6, 2004. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has been an active participant in the Arctic Winter Games since their inception in 1970. These games are an important celebration of sport and culture for youth from the circumpolar region. We are once again proud to send a team to this event.

Team NWT will join athletes and cultural performers from Alaska, Yukon, northern Alberta, Nunavut, Greenland, Nunavik, the Russian provinces of Magadan and Yamal, and northern Scandinavia.

Mr. Speaker, Team NWT will consist of over 350 athletes, coaches, cultural performers and mission staff. Final selections for team members will take place at the territorial trials being held over the weekend of January 29 to February 1, 2004, in the communities of Fort Simpson, Inuvik, Hay River, Fort Smith, Rae-Edzo, Detah, Ndilo, Fort Resolution and Yellowknife. I want to pass on my congratulations to all the participants who have tried out for Team NWT. Whether you make the team or not, you are already a champion because you have demonstrated your commitment to active living and have tried your best.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my thanks to the Sport North Federation, the territorial sport organizations, regional coordinators and the many hardworking volunteers who are leaders in our sport system. Without their hard work and the thousands of hours of time they give, the Arctic Winter Games and many other sporting events would not take place.

The Arctic Winter Games are an important part of our sport system. Every two years, our youth look forward to the opportunity to share in friendly competitions and cultural exchanges and I am confident that our youth will once again benefit from this experience in Fort McMurray. Friendships will be formed and our young people will return with many lasting memories.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to wish Team NWT the best of luck at the 2004 Arctic Winter Games. I would like to reaffirm to them and to all young northern athletes how proud we are of their healthy and active lifestyle choices. Mahsi.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Premier, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Charles Dent will be leaving the House early today to attend the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers of Labour meeting in Banff. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to use my Member's statement today to recognize the appointment of Mr. Jackson Lafferty and Dr. Yacub Adam to the Aurora College Board of Governors.

Mr. Lafferty is a constituent of mine. He's a member of the Dogrib Nation and has played a number of leadership roles in the Dogrib region. Mr. Lafferty has long had an interest in advancing the NWT post-secondary education system's ability to prepare people for new economic opportunities, something this government must pay strict attention to. I would like to wish both men well in their roles with the Aurora College Board of Governors.

While I'm on the topic of education, today all across Canada, people are writing the National Registered Nurses Exams. This includes a group of northern nursing students at Aurora College and I wanted to wish them all the best of luck with the exams and look forward to having them working for the health and well-being of all the residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a quick statement today. I just want to express my sincere condolences and the condolences of the 15th Legislative Assembly to the Delorme family and Deninu Kue, who have lost three family members in the past three years. The last member that they lost was just over the last Christmas holidays. Mr. Speaker, I just want to let the family know, and their many friends and relatives, that we are aware of the loss that they're suffering and that our thoughts and our prayers go out to them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Condolences to the family. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my riding of Yellowknife Centre has come forward to express that they have many concerns with the swiftness of access to justice through the legal aid system, whereby access to this justice seems to wear lead shoes. Mr. Speaker, reading past Hansards shows many questions have been put to the government, yet it also shows very few real responses.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will be bringing some of the concerns forward of the people of my riding. Mr. Speaker, I don't believe we're truly taking care of our people and later, during question period, I will be taking those questions directly to the Minister. Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act is a very powerful piece of federal legislation that was created a number of years ago. It sets up two fairly powerful boards that regulate the development of non-renewable resources here in the NWT. We're facing a couple of situations right now that I think are kind of unusual and I want to bring them to the attention of the legislature.

The first one, Mr. Speaker, regards the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, which is now considering a request to take the Deh Cho Bridge proposal to a full environmental hearing. This bridge is a much-needed part of the infrastructure for Yellowknife and the North Slave, Mr. Speaker, but this hearing, which has come up quite recently, could cause a considerable delay in this project.

What is really quite unusual about it is that it is the federal Department of Fisheries which I understand is proposing this move, but it is not on behalf of the fish in the Deh Cho river, Mr. Speaker, it's for economic reasons put forward by the NWT Chamber of Mines. I think it's a bit unusual that a federal department is advocating the interests of mining, but the territorial government has a major investment in this piece of infrastructure, Mr. Speaker, and should be advocating for the interests of the people of the whole North Slave region and should be seeking to expedite this process.

The other situation that I find unusual, with regard to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, is the matter of the Con Mine abandonment and reclamation plan. Last summer, I and other MLAs asked the board for a more open, public process so we could see and perhaps have input into what was going on for shutting this mine down. We've heard nothing since then. While the mine, Mr. Speaker, has played a significant role in Yellowknife's development, its closure is also going to have a significant impact on the development and the environment of this city for a number of years to come. Here, too, is where our government, I believe, should be taking a strong position in advocating for the interests of the public.

During question period, I'm going to be asking Ministers for their comment on these situations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last several weeks, I've raised several issues in relation to tax exemptions which may be applied to residents of the Northwest Territories which this government can use as a tool for economic development. There are a number of documents available to peruse that would lend to my comments, Mr. Speaker. My constituents of Inuvik Twin Lakes have asked me to question why the government would not consider tax exemptions as its tool.

A report called, "Sorting Out the Issues: Tax Exemption - A Tool for Economic Development for First Nations," prepared by Dr. Fred Lessar, strongly urges the introduction of such a tax model as well as Bill C-48. Clearly, Mr. Speaker, Dr. Lessar documents that if this were the case, the financial gain experienced by Canada through a reduction of the need for social services would fall our way. It would be a win-win for Canada and the indigenous people of this country.

Mr. Speaker, if the tax exempt policy was adopted for the Northwest Territories, we too should also experience a win-win for the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, my objective in pursuing this very important issue reflects the composition of the riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes in the socio-economic report on Inuvik Twin Lakes which I tabled in this Assembly. It indicates that many of our residents still rely on some form of social assistance, including indigenous Inuvik residents who occupy 225 public housing units.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will ask the Finance Minister some pertinent questions on whether there could be substantial savings to the NWT in providing programs and services, as well as improve upon the economic status of our residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address an apparent inequity in our health care system; that being that our First Nations people -- particularly our First Nations seniors -- are not receiving the same level of service from our government that non-native seniors are receiving in the area of health care benefits.

Mr. Speaker, I have often said in this House that access to adequate health care is a fundamental right of our citizens. However, it appears that that may not be the case. Mr. Speaker, for example, an aboriginal senior who requires a prescription must have their prescription approved by the non-insured health care benefits or NIHB department of the federal government. The NIHB program is very restrictive about exactly what it will and will not cover. Mr. Speaker, if the NIHB program will not cover for a senior First Nations person, then the senior is left with no alternative but to pay for the prescription out of their own pocket or not get it filled.

Conversely, Mr. Speaker, if a registered Metis senior needs a prescription, they forward that prescription to the Metis program administered by our government. If that prescription is not covered, is not approved by the Metis benefits program, the Metis senior can then apply to the GNWT seniors health benefits program for payment of the prescription.

Mr. Speaker, the same procedures apply to non-aboriginal seniors. They simply have all of their prescriptions forwarded to the GNWT seniors benefits program for payment. Mr. Speaker, the inequities lie in health care benefits provided to First Nations people. Unless they have a private health care plan, these people do not have another option other than NIHB or no recourse, period. Mr. Speaker, this does not only apply to seniors. The Metis benefits program follows the same formulary as NIHB. However, Metis clients are also eligible for extended health care benefits, or EHB, as it is referred to as well. So once a Metis client has applied for benefits under the Metis plan, they can then access the EHB plan for whatever the Metis plan won't pay for. Not so for First Nations clients. First Nations clients are not eligible for coverage under the EHB program that is administered by our government.

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

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