Good afternoon, Members. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to provide Members with a progress report on Health and Social Services in the Northwest Territories.

It is almost three years since the NWT Health and Social Services system action plan 2002-05 was released. This plan outlined 45 action items with specific commitments, timelines and deliverables. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report to this House that the actions outlined in this plan are either completed or being implemented.

As we look back on the last three years, there have been a number of significant changes in the NWT health and social services system that have, and will continue to, improve the services for the residents of the Northwest Territories. Some of these are:

• • We will continue to add telehealth sites every year until we have a telehealth capability in all communities across the Territories. We are expanding our telehealth services by adding or upgrading four sites this year in addition to the existing 10 sites.
• • We launched a new toll-free tele-care service that enables residents to get advice and support from nursing professionals 24 hours a day. When a young mother in Paulatuk has an infant with a fever in the middle of the night, she can get the advice and the reassurance that she is doing the right thing for her child.
• • We enacted changes in our legislative framework so that we can add nurse practitioners into our system to enable better patient care and ease the pressure on our family physicians and specialists.
• • We are also in the process of finalizing the necessary steps to add midwives to the health and social services team to provide another option to expectant mothers outside of Yellowknife.
• • Our Northern Nursing and Nurse Practitioner program has been very successful in supporting our goal of developing a northern nursing workforce.

Over 20 northern nurses have graduated each year, and we have hired each and every graduate that wants to stay in the Northwest Territories.

• • We are completing work on the integrated service delivery model that provides our blueprint into the future to define and provide health and social services in a coordinated and collaborative way beginning where it is most important: at the community level.
• • We have made significant increases to the number of frontline care providers, including physicians, social workers, mental health and addictions workers, nurse practitioners and nurses.

Mr. Speaker, over the last few months, I visited the communities in the Mackenzie Delta, Nahendeh, Nunakput and South Slave. I had the pleasure of meeting many of the staff that deliver services at the community level, such as nurses, social workers, community health representatives, lay dispensers, home support workers, interpreters, and caretakers. Each and every one of these individuals contributes to ensure that residents of the Northwest Territories receive the best services possible. I would like to take this opportunity to personally acknowledge the efforts of all our frontline care providers. Their dedication to the health and well-being of our citizens is the backbone of our system.

Mr. Speaker, as I have already mentioned, we are making progress, but by no means is our work done. Still today we face challenges on a number of fronts.

The unfortunate continual reality is that northerners are generally not as healthy as other Canadians. Life expectancy is lower. Lung cancer mortality rates are high. Rates of hospitalization for influenza and pneumonia are higher. Our rate is more than four times the national average.

These are influenced by the lifestyle choices that each of us makes.

• • We eat poorly. Nutritious food is expensive and, in some communities, not readily available. Our high cost of living often makes eating a balanced diet challenging and this leads to problems with obesity and increased occurrence of diseases such as diabetes.
• • We smoke more. Northerners are twice as likely to smoke or live in a home with a smoker. Smoking causes cancer and makes diseases like asthma, tuberculosis and RSV worse.
• • We drink too much alcohol. Substance abuse is related to many of our social problems and is also linked to mental health issues.
• • We suffer from preventable diseases, whether it is higher incident rates of sexually transmitted diseases or injuries.

Mr. Speaker, another ongoing challenge is in recruiting health care professionals to live and work in the smaller communities and regional centres. For example, we have an ongoing shortage of nurses at the community level. We have to pay a premium to employment agencies just to find nurses to work in isolated communities to ensure services are available to residents. This is expensive and not sustainable in the longer term and, therefore, our efforts to develop a northern nursing workforce must continue.

As we work towards the goal in our strategic plan of healthy educated people living in safe communities, we are able to contribute and take advantage of life's opportunities. It is important that we use a broad definition of health beyond medicine and treatment. The health of NWT residents is greatly affected by external influences, such as levels of education, income and employment opportunities, access to affordable and appropriate housing, clean air and water, and a supportive social environment. This provides an extra challenge in improving the health and well-being of northerners and requires the cooperation of various government departments and agencies to address. To this end, I am pleased to report that the Ministers of the social program departments, Health and Social Services; Education, Culture and Employment; Justice; Municipal and Community Affairs; and the NWT Housing Corporation, now will meet regularly to ensure that there is more collaboration and joint planning and priority setting.

Another challenge involves utilization of our system's facilities. We know that many of our acute care beds in NWT hospitals are not being used anymore, and yet we have pressure to expand other areas of the system, such as in meeting the special needs of dementia clients in our long-term care facilities. The department and authorities are currently reviewing facility utilization and will soon be making recommendations.

Mr. Speaker, as we look to the year ahead and in order to continue to work toward improving the lives of northerners, we are applying to undergo a process to review and update the Department of Health and Social Services strategic plan. The current plan entitled Shaping Our Future - A Strategic Plan for Health and Wellness was put forward and approved in 1998. In the intervening six years, much has changed both within the Northwest Territories as well as within the health and social services system. It is time for us to review and renew the strategic directions of the department and the health and social services system as a whole. All Members of this Assembly, the authorities, frontline workers and the public have a stake in this and, therefore, will be involved in this endeavour.

Furthermore, to follow up to the system action plan 2002-05, I am committed to coming forward in 2005 with a detailed action plan that will outline further steps to improve service delivery.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to spend a moment to mention the ongoing work in implementing the results of the September First Ministers' meeting on health.

I returned Sunday from the meeting of federal, provincial and territorial Health Ministers where the results of the First Ministers' meeting were discussed. This meeting was positive in that there is a new spirit of cooperation between the federal government, provinces and territories to move forward on a variety of health reform initiatives. Rather than repeating this information now, I will be tabling a copy of this communiqu‚ later today.

Also, the Health Ministers from the three territories met separately with the federal health Minister, the Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, to discuss the special $150 million announced in funding for all three territories over the next five years starting with 2005-06 comprised of the following:

• • $75 million will be provided for medical transportation. The NWT share of this fund is estimated to be approximately $3 million annually;
• • $65 million will be provided to the three territories to target innovative and adaptive strategies for long-term health reform, and,
• • $10 million will be used to create a joint federal-territorial working group to look at policy and program management approaches to health delivery in the North.

These discussions were positive and led to an agreement where our officials will quickly work out the details. Some of the concerns and interests the officials discussed related to the specifics of how the funding will be allocated and passed along to the three territories. They will work with the federal officials to ensure that the implementation of the new funding agreements accurately reflects the commitments made by the Prime Minister to the territorial Premiers.

In addition, progress in addressing a number of other long outstanding issues were discussed with the federal Minister. These include:

• • needed improvements in dental health and other services under the Non-insured Health Benefits Program;
• • the need for improved integration of federal health programming and delivery in the three territories between Health Canada and DIAND;
• • the need to review functions, structure and location of Health Canada's Northern Secretariat as it is presently located in Ottawa, but it is supposed to represent and serve the North;
• • exploring opportunities to enhance health promotion and prevention activities given the generally poor health status of northerners.

There was an agreement that the territorial and federal Health Ministers would meet again in February of 2005 to discuss the progress on issues discussed.

Mr. Speaker, in supporting our strategic goal to build a strong northern voice and identity, the people of the NWT can rest assured that the North is being heard loud and clear at the national level as equal partners at the table. Building on a foundation established by the three northern Premiers, we have made a conscious effort to develop a very strong partnership with Nunavut and Yukon Health and Social Service ministries enabling us to present a united northern front. This has resulted in a better recognition, understanding and support of our unique northern health and social service issues by our provincial colleagues.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me reiterate that, over the last few years, progress has been made in providing improved health and social services. However, we have by no means solved the many problems we face. We are committed to working with all northerners, Members of this Assembly, the authorities, our health care providers, and the federal government to improve all of our lives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Honourable Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the key priorities outlined in our government's strategic plan is to negotiate, with federal and aboriginal governments, resolutions to outstanding land resources in self-government agreements. As Minister responsible, I would like to update my colleagues on the progress that has been made over the past little while.

First, I want to congratulate the people of Tulita on their recent initialling of their Self-Government Framework Agreement. This agreement sets out the subjects and process for upcoming self-government negotiations and is an important first step. I look forward to signing the Framework Agreement on behalf of this government in the very near future.

---Applause

Meanwhile, I am optimistic that negotiations for a final Deline self-government agreement will also be nearing completion by the end of this year. The progress of the Tulita and Deline negotiation tables comes on the heels of news that implementation negotiations have now been successfully concluded on a new 10-year implementation plan for the Sahtu Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, the Akaitcho process negotiations have begun to address the core elements of lands, resources and governance. These subjects are made particularly challenging in the Akaitcho Dene's assertive territory in light of unique circumstances involving the City of Yellowknife and overlapping interest with other aboriginal peoples in the South Slave. However, recent efforts by all parties defined a solution to the Con and Rycon trailer court situation suggest the parties are prepared to find practical solutions and complete an Akaitcho agreement.

The government also continues to participate in negotiations with both the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Denesuline to clarify their rights to harvest wildlife in the south-eastern NWT while protecting the overall interests of our territory, and particularly the residents of the South Slave. Over the summer, we signed interim measures agreements with the Denesuline to allow negotiations to continue towards a final agreement.

We have seen progress on a number of key chapters in our negotiations with the Northwest Territories Metis Nation. A work plan has been developed to conclude an agreement-in-principle in 2005. As with the Akaitcho process, the overlapping interest of other aboriginal people in the South Slave presents a significant challenge to these negotiations.

In the Beaufort-Delta, all parties are continuing negotiations towards a Final Self-Government Agreement and are jointly identifying the costs of implementing the agreement.

Mr. Speaker, before I finish updating the ministry's activities in the Inuvialuit region, I would like to pass on a belated happy anniversary to the people of Aklavik, Inuvik, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk and Holman, who celebrated the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement in June.

---Applause

As the NWT's first comprehensive land claim agreement, the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement was an historic moment for the Inuvialuit people, the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Yukon territorial government and Canada. The achievements of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Inuvialuit Game Council are a testament to the success of this agreement and the hard work of their leaders.

Mr. Speaker, to continue my update on the progress that Aboriginal Affairs has made, I will now turn to the Deh Cho. I'm sure it comes as no surprise that the Deh Cho process negotiations have been sidetracked following the recent court action taken by the Deh Cho First Nations regarding the review process for a Mackenzie Valley pipeline. The GNWT remains optimistic, however, that once Canada and the Deh Cho First Nations address this issue, the parties will quickly make progress towards a Deh Cho agreement.

Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs is coordinating the GNWT's efforts on a very aggressive agenda aimed at completing a devolution agreement during the life of this government. In addition, together with our territory's aboriginal leaders, we're also pursuing an interim resource revenue sharing agreement with the federal government.

Finally, I'm pleased to note that the Government of the Northwest Territories has now completed its consultation with the Tlicho on the final piece of legislation required for ratification. As my colleagues are already aware, the Tlicho Community Services Agency Act has been introduced for review during this session.

Mr. Speaker, our government's vision of a strong northern voice and identity is dependent on the successful negotiation and implementation of aboriginal land, resource and self-government agreements in all regions. It is in light of the progress that I have outlined to you today that I am confident that we will realize this goal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Before we go on, I'd like to draw the Members' attention to the gallery of the presence of a former Member of this House, former Premier, Mr. Jim Antoine.

---Applause

Welcome to the House. Item 3, Members' statement. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to use my Member's statement today to speak about the government's involvement in developing the NWT's hydro potential. Firstly, I'd like to state that I am supportive of the economic activity and involvement in the communities that are spearheading both the Bear River hydro project and the Taltson expansion. I am fully aware of the excitement that both projects have on communities like Tulita, Deline and Fort Resolution. I've had an opportunity to sit through various briefings and information sessions on both projects and they are both exciting and potentially key pieces of strategic infrastructure here in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, by nature, I am a risk taker, especially when I can make some logical sense of what is at play. Thus far, in both cases I have seen the Government of the Northwest Territories assuming all the risk. Funding for both projects has been borne out of government funding and, if I could, Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw the government's attention to a section of the recent Auditor General's report which was tabled in this House last week. Under section 2.10, the Auditor General comments in regard to the failed loan guarantee to Deton' Cho Diamonds, and I quote, "...while the precautions that the government had built into the contract for the loan guarantee should reduce its losses, it also provided funding to the company through other programs and the total cost of this failed business to the government is not known with certainty at this time." If that statement by the Auditor General doesn't scare our Premier and government, something is wrong. The funding to continue on with these projects and where it comes from is an issue we should all concern ourselves with.

Also, Mr. Speaker, this issue has not had the benefit of being debated publicly, yet the government continues to throw caution to the wind and supply both projects with more money.

Mr. Speaker, in both projects there is no customer and with no customer there is no business case that can be made for either project at this time. Mr. Speaker, we do not have to look too far to find an example of a poor government decision on power infrastructure. The people, the Government of the Yukon and its energy corporation continue to pay dearly for the transmission line that runs into Faro, Yukon.

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

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ratepayers in the Yukon will be paying for the mistake for generations to come and I'm sure they cringe every time they have to pay a power bill in the Yukon. We have to ensure that in both cases we have solid business cases before we proceed. If we do otherwise, we are failing to protect the financial interest of our residents. It reminds me of the movie Jerry McGuire, Mr. Speaker. They said, "Show me the money," and I say it to the Premier today, "Show us the customers." Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the commercial fishing industry, along with the hunting and trapping industries, only occupies about one percent of the NWT's export, but more than half of our population routinely hunts and fishes at least on a part-time basis. These activities generate an estimated $30 million annually in food. Fishing is very important to the well-being of the residents of the Northwest Territories. Wild game can be difficult to access at certain times of the year, but, Mr. Speaker, with about 48 species of freshwater fish, there is always some kind of fish to eat in the winter, spring, summer or fall. Fishing for domestic or commercial purposes is a very important cultural, social and economic activity to many northerners.

I would like to specifically focus on the issue of commercial fishing today. This very important industry is in jeopardy. Besides all the obstacles and hard work associated with being a fisherman, most of the many years of experience and expertise rests with people who are now getting close to retiring. Youth have more options from which to choose today in the NWT and there is little or no incentive to choose the difficult life of a fisherperson.

Commercial fishing is very labour intensive. Fish prices are relatively low. Options for marketing outside the NWT are limited by our federally-legislated marketing corporation. In order to realize a profit and be commercially viable, boats need to be outfitted with modern equipment. Fish processing and handling plants need to be efficient and well managed to support the activities of the fisherman.

Commercial fishing is subsidized by the GNWT, but the subsidies aren't fully accessible because established quotas are not being harvested. Mr. Speaker, this government needs to do everything within its power to support a diversified economy that isn't limited to non-renewable resource development. I know that commercial fishing can be a bigger part of that economy. We need some fresh ideas, some innovative support and a renewed commitment to this industry. Mr. Speaker, later today I will have questions for Minister Bell in this regard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last night I received a call from a constituent in Tuktoyaktuk. A Tuktoyaktuk search and rescue team, after a full day of searching on October 18, 2004, have decided to call off the search for the four young men lost while out hunting. They are now considered missing persons. This is not to say there is still not hope. The Tuktoyaktuk search and rescue team, RCMP and the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk are now accepting donations for the families of Donna Steen and Darlene Felix.

Mr. Speaker, once again I would like to thank all of the volunteers, search and rescue crews, and outlying communities for their support of the families of Frank Steen and Ronald Rufus. In closing, Mr. Speaker, once again our prayers are with the family. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Indeed, our thoughts and prayers are with the families. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that I have a habit of repeating things in this House, but only if I think that it's worth repeating, Mr. Speaker. So I'd like to just take this opportunity to clarify, in case there is any confusion out there, exactly why I'm so appalled at the government's proposal to open the second Legal Aid office at the Centre Square Mall.

Mr. Speaker, there is nothing wrong with the mall. I just want that to be clear. They got a good deal and good on them. What I'm only interested in is the government's actions in this regard. Mr. Speaker, I must say, when I first heard of this idea in a private committee meeting, a red flag went up inside of my head thinking what a bad political move this was. Then as I got more details, this picture is getting worse all the time. This seems to be a perfect picture case of how government sometimes stops thinking and loses sight of the objectives.

Mr. Speaker, I have fought hard in the last Assembly for more money for legal aid and I was told over and over that unless the federal government helped us, we couldn't really do more. So now that we've finally got some extra dollars, I want to see it go to dealing with the problem, not to waste it frivolously. I want to see that money go to mothers with children who are looking for spousal and child support, for example. I believe, Mr. Speaker, this is our job on this side of the floor.

Mr. Speaker, it is simply wrong, in my humble opinion, for the government to rent a shoe store knowing that it has to spend a whole lot of money to turn it into an office. That is called a waste, Mr. Speaker, and we can't, as a Legislature, look at government waste squarely in the eye and just blink to see if it will go away.

Mr. Speaker, just last week Mr. Roland admitted, in an ever so pitiful way, that he did not have one extra dollar in our situation of restraint to hire extra payroll staff required to take care of the backlog of the retroactive pay for correctional officers for almost an entire year. But apparently he has money to rent a shoe store and pay the money necessary to turn it into an office and pay for all the extra costs. I'm sure, Mr. Speaker, there are many Members here who could think of a few projects they could use in their riding for the money that it would take to turn this into an office.

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

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Ms. Lee, you may conclude your statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that most law firms in town -- many of them with fancy headquarters in Vancouver and Calgary -- would think twice before paying the premium rent in a shopping mall that this government is willing to do for the next five, 15 or more years. I'm sure legal aid services are not going to go out of business.

Mr. Speaker, the most important point of all is that one of the main reasons we have such a backlog in legal aid is because the government refuses to pay competitive hourly rates to private lawyers so they will be enticed to do family practice. I think we'd be better off paying the private lawyers more money so they can take on more files, pay their own rent in their own office, rather than government having to open an entirely new office and have more money going to the rent and fixing it rather than to the family who needs it.

So, Mr. Speaker, this is why I'm so appalled and I am not going to let this issue die and I'm going to continue to pursue this for the rest of the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement today is about the Mackenzie Valley winter road bridge program. This past July, much to my dismay, I received a letter from the Minister of Transportation advising me that $1 million would be taken from the Mackenzie Valley winter road bridge program. The Mackenzie Valley winter road program is an ongoing capital infrastructure project that began in 2000 with the goal of extending the operating system of the Mackenzie Valley winter road with the installation of permanent bridges over the stream crossings. The plan for this fiscal year was to complete 12 bridges between Norman Wells and Fort Good Hope at the cost of $8.4 million.

In this letter, the Minister assured me that the nearly 20 percent reduction would have no effect on the number of bridges to be installed, nor the abutment. He told me that reduction in the funding would only affect grade improvements. Mr. Speaker, all of us can do the math. If a 20 percent cut to the total program budget for this year will not affect the bridges or the abutment, the greatest portion of the program must be absolutely gauged. I'm quite troubled with the Minister's officials who were unable to exactly tell me what effects the reduction in funding allocated to grade improvements would have been. I'm sure any of you who have travelled this road know that grading has a huge impact on the quality and safety of the highway.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly object to the reduction of the funding for this important project. The Mackenzie Valley winter road bridge program is an important project, not only for the people of the Sahtu but also for the oil and gas development in the region and the economy of the NWT as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that solid infrastructure is the key to development. Our highways are under a lot of pressure and it's essential that they continue to be safe for the arrival for all oil and gas development in the region and for families who use the road as a link to capital cities and further south. It seems like a crazy time to be delaying a project like this.

With the filing of the application late last week, the pipeline is now one step closer to being a reality. The Mackenzie winter road project will only see more industrial traffic in the future. The winter roads really take a beating from the heavy trucks. As a father, quite frankly it frightens me to think of my family travelling down the highway. I worry about the safety on the highway of the people in the Sahtu, as well as those who make a living driving up and down that highway.

Mr. Speaker, I put the Minister on notice that until such time he can properly assure me that the $1 million reduction to the budget for grade improvements for the 2004-2005 Mackenzie Valley winter road bridge project program will have no effect on the timing and completion of the project...

Mr. Yakeleya, your time for Member's statement has expired.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's 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. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, honourable colleagues. Number two, that the Minister can provide some estimation of what possible effects this substantial budget reallocation will have and, finally, that the Minister can assure me that removing $1 million from the budget this year will have no effect on the safety of the highway. I cannot support this reallocation of funding. I'll have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.