Good afternoon, Members. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to provide a brief update to Members of the House on meetings held earlier this week in Ottawa, including a meeting with Prime Minister Martin and Members of his Cabinet on October 24th and the First Ministers' meeting that the Honourable Floyd Roland and I attended on Tuesday, October 26th.

On Sunday, October 24th, the Premiers of Yukon, Nunavut and I met with the Prime Minister, Ministers Goodale, Robillard, Scott and Blondin-Andrew to discuss the commitment set out in the Throne speech to develop a comprehensive strategy for the North. The Prime Minister provided his assurance that he would work with northern Premiers on developing and implementing this strategy.

Mr. Speaker, in summary, we agreed the strategy must be jointly developed by the federal and territorial governments and in cooperation with aboriginal people and northern residents, should include joint priorities and would include short, medium and long-term objectives.

Mr. Speaker, an important outcome of this discussion was the commitment made by the Prime Minister that the strategy would be developed on the principle that northerners must have control over their resources and be the primary beneficiaries of development in the Northwest Territories.

Our officials met with federal officials a number of times this week to jointly develop a work plan on how to move forward with the development of this strategy. These meetings will continue next week. I hope that we will be in a position to formally launch this initiative with the Prime Minister in late November.

Mr. Speaker, a separate meeting was held in Ottawa between the Deputy Premier, the Honourable Floyd Roland, and federal Ministers Scott, Efford and Blondin-Andrew. The primary purpose of the meeting was to discuss resource development in the Northwest Territories and the need for the federal government to begin discussions with northern governments on an agreement that ensures northerners are the primary beneficiaries from the development of our resources.

This meeting follows the advice we received from the Members of this Legislative Assembly last week to pursue the negotiation of an agreement that provides northern governments with an equitable share of royalties from northern resource development.

Mr. Speaker, the focus of the First Ministers' meeting on October 26th was on equalization and territorial formula financing. These are the key federal transfer programs designed to allow all jurisdictions in Canada to provide reasonably comparable public services. The meeting on Tuesday focussed on three issues:

• • the total amount that Canada will dedicate to the equalization and formula financing programs over the next few years;
• • the allocation of those transfers amongst provinces and territories; and,
• • the mandate and makeup of the panel of experts that will be appointed to make recommendations on the issue of allocating equalization payments and territorial formula financing transfer in the longer term.

Mr. Speaker, I can advise the House that the First Ministers' meeting resulted in the following outcomes:

• • The federal government has committed to provide the three territories with a minimum funding floor of $1.9 billion in 2004-05 and $2 billion in 2005-06. This is an increase of $68 million in 2004-05 and $100 million in 2005-06 in new funding over the most recent federal estimates for 2004-05.
• • The total base funding amount will escalate by 3.5 percent on an annual basis starting in 2006-07.
• • The three territories have agreed on a funding allocation based on the average grant provided by the Government of Canada over the last three years. Under this arrangement, the Northwest Territories will receive 35.7 percent of this. This will result in increases of approximately $25 million to the Northwest Territories grant this year and $38 million next year.
• • An expert panel will be established to make recommendations on how equalization and territorial formula financing levels should be allocated in 2006-07 and beyond.
• • In addition, this arrangement includes an agreement that the federal government will not rebase the tax effort adjustment factor next year. The net result of this is a further increase of approximately $50 million next year.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, this new arrangement is a fundamental change in the way our formula arrangements have worked over the last 20 years. The base funding allocation to the territories will now be fixed, as it is for the provinces, and will escalate at a fixed amount of 3.5 percent annually starting in 2006-07. After the initial two-year period, the allocation of the grant amongst the three territories will be decided based on recommendations by an independent outside panel.

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of outstanding issues with respect to the treatment of adjustments for prior years and other technical issues with respect to the territorial formula financing agreement. We intend to work with the federal government to resolve these issues over the coming months.

Mr. Speaker, in summary, the First Ministers' meeting and the bilateral meetings we had when in Ottawa were a good beginning. We are committed to work with the federal government to develop a forward-looking northern strategy. We are also committed to working with our aboriginal government partners to ensure that northerners benefit fully from the development of our resources. With respect to future First Ministers' meetings, we are looking forward to working on other critical issues facing the North and Canada, including the issues facing aboriginal peoples, childcare and post-secondary education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Minister's Statement 70-15(3) be moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. There is a motion on the floor, the motion is non-debatable. All in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Minister's Statement 70-15(3) will be moved into Committee of the Whole for today. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today about the urgency for whistle-blower protection legislation in our jurisdiction.

---Applause

I appreciate, Mr. Speaker, that this was a topic of discussion nationally, prior to the last federal election, but it somehow fell off the federal agenda with the call of the June election. I do not know when this will get back on their agenda, but I don't believe we need to wait around for some other governments to do the job. I believe we need to do this ourselves, and the sooner we deal with it, the better, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the primary responsibility of an MLA, as I see it, is to be the voice of the people we represent. Our job is to listen to their views and to their grievances. We are to learn from their views and to work hard to help them resolve them, but this is very difficult when people are afraid to speak out. Even when they get enough will and courage to contact their MLA, we're limited in what information we can use as long as they are afraid of having their identities known.

Mr. Speaker, the fear is the greatest among those who work for the government, even if it is a legitimate issue that they are entitled to raise as a private citizen, regardless of the fact that they work for the government. The latest concerns being raised from employees from correctional facilities is one more example, but I've seen this from people who bring up concerns about their WCB claim, health care professionals, or those who are concerned about the split of RWED, goings-on at the Power Corp, and the list goes on and on, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we all understand deeply that democracy is a very fragile machinery, and that all of us need to be ever so vigilant in protecting her every day. Democracy means protecting its citizens from the authoritarian tendencies of their government, and undue powers of the people in the system who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Surely one of the most important things to protect in democracy is the people's right to speak out against the government in their private time and in private life. We need to make sure that the freedom of the citizens to speak out without the fear of retribution or fear of losing their jobs or fear of losing their livelihood is secure at all costs. I believe, Mr. Speaker, our very own whistle-blower protection legislation will make this possible, as well as providing safeguards and checks and balances for all the parties involved. I would urge the government to put this on the top of their legislative agenda immediately. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to use my Member's statement today to tell my colleagues in the government about an individual who is an employee at North Slave Correctional Centre. This story, Mr. Speaker, epitomizes the concern that many have, that something is definitely wrong with the way in which human resources are handled at North Slave Correctional Centre. I have heard the Minister of Justice stand up in this House time and time again and defend his department and insist that nothing is wrong. He is still not ready to admit that there are problems at North Slave Correctional Centre.

The story begins with this individual who has been a casual at North Slave Correctional Centre for three years. This person is one of the few casuals who work at the centre who has an education in the field, and they have a

diploma in law enforcement from a recognized college. They have applied for a full-time position on two separate occasions. The first time they applied, the department said sorry, you failed your interview. They appealed the decision and, to their surprise, they were denied the appeal.

The individual then went on to write the entrance exam for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. On that exam, they scored 92 percent, Mr. Speaker. Normally only 25 percent of applicants even pass that RCMP exam.

Another job competition then comes for a full-time position. Again, the individual applies on the position. This time, whether or not his previous appeal had anything to do with it or not, they didn't even get an interview. What they did get was a six-question aptitude test. They were informed that they could not get to the interview stage because they failed the first question on that aptitude test. The first question, Mr. Speaker, on that aptitude test was "Why are you here today?"

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I don't understand how human resources could fail anybody on that question.

This employee then went on to his interview for entrance into the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and, Mr. Speaker, they passed that personal interview with flying colours.

How can the Minister of Justice still maintain that there are not problems in human resources at the North Slave Correctional Centre? This individual I'm speaking about is deemed worthy of protecting the interests of national security; however, they cannot get a full-time position at North Slave Correctional Centre.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to 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. Ramsay.

Yet, Mr. Speaker, this individual is deemed worthy of looking after interests of national security, but they cannot get a full-time position at North Slave Correctional Centre, even after three years of service as a casual. The person was away and they are unable to be interviewed for the current review that's underway for the human resource issues at North Slave Correctional Centre. Mr. Speaker, this is an example of what is wrong. It has to be told, Mr. Speaker, and the Minister has to finally admit that he has some serious issues at North Slave Correctional Centre to deal with. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every Northerner watches daily, nervously, as the world price of oil rises. It looks more and more like it's going to settle in the $50 U.S. a barrel range, and that means yet more dollars out of pockets for essential heat and transportation and fewer dollars for the other necessities of life. We look at a world suffering more and more from the effects of pollution from fossil fuels, how it affects our health and the environment around us, and we know that our northern regions, Mr. Speaker, are going to take the earliest and the most severe hit from global warming.

We all know this is a no win, lose/lose situation. Yet here in the NWT we have one of the answers. It flows around us everyday, 365 days a year, and is as constant as the sun. The answer is our rivers. This government has been engaged for the past three years in a concerted effort to increase awareness of this potential among northerners, and to increase the understanding of the impacts and the benefits of hydro development. I believe these efforts are paying off, Mr. Speaker, as there seems to be a growing acceptance among aboriginal and community groups of the value of hydro power to our economy and there is an appetite to take the process to the next business steps.

Mr. Speaker, the further development of the NWT's hydro capacity can turn the energy future and fortunes of the NWT around. It can turn the lose/lose fossil fuel crisis into a win/win for us, for our environment and our economy. It will eclipse the value of the diamond, oil and gas resources that we have and, Mr. Speaker, we know how much we are getting out of that these days. But with hydro it's an economic resource that we control, that we manage, and that can be a legacy for many generations to come.

We have been producing hydro power in the NWT since 1938, Mr. Speaker. Sixty-five percent of our electrical energy comes from it today. We can be part of Canada's energy future and it deserves our continuing attention and investment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statement. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Mr. Speaker...(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to what I consider to be a failing on the part of this government. I refer to the situation regarding alcohol and drug counselling services in the community of Fort Liard. The point I wish to make is there are no alcohol and drug counsellors in Fort Liard.

Until a short time ago, those services were available. There was a counsellor working in the community who was hired by the band through a program sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Services. The department, in an effort to consolidate alcohol and drug programs, decided to cut the funding.

The intent was to hire a new counsellor who would be a departmental employee and thereby standardize their service across the NWT. At the time the department first proposed the move, it created a lot of controversy amongst community residents. People were concerned about losing a valuable resource, a counsellor whom they knew and who knew them, in exchange for an unknown entity.

Well, the department finally made its move. Funding to the program was cut, the counsellor closed up shop and no one has been hired to replace him. The very thing people were afraid would happen has happened: they lost their alcohol and drug counsellor.

Mr. Speaker, we presume this is only a temporary situation, that one day the community will see another counsellor; that is what has been promised. But, Mr. Speaker, the community was also promised there would be a smooth transition and continuity in service as the government made changes to the program, and that didn't happen. I find that inexcusable, and I will be asking the Minister responsible to account for this during question period, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to go back a bit to October 3rd to 9th, which was Family Violence Awareness Week in Canada. I would like to recognize this special week in the importance of violence awareness in our lives.

There were many activities held across the North trying to raise awareness of family violence. In Hay River, as you are no doubt aware, Mr. Speaker, the Hay River Hub published a very informative seven-page section on family violence in their September 29th issue, which we both helped to sponsor. I thought this section was particularly well done. It focused on letting young people know what family violence is, what constitutes abuse, and how to recognize when you are in an abusive relationship. It also provided information on where to turn for help. It is important for all residents of the Northwest Territories to know that they have the right to say no to unwanted sexual attention, and that being hit, verbally abused, or degraded are not things that happen in a normal, healthy relationship.

Parents have a role to play in ensuring that they model what a healthy relationship is to their children. The studies are very conclusive that a person who has been exposed or subjected to abuse is very likely to become an abuser themselves. Parents also have to make sure their children are in healthy relationships and watch for warning signs, such as withdrawal or moodiness, that may signify something more than just ordinary teenage angst.

Teachers, family and friends all have roles to play in ending family violence. If you think a friend is being abused at home or is in an unhealthy relationship, talk to them or talk to someone in authority who can help.

Mr. Speaker, the statistics in the Northwest Territories paint a grim picture. The use of family shelters is eight times the national average. There were 221 spousal assaults reported between January and August in 2003, and there were 28 reported cases of sexual assault on young people under the age of 18. We need to all work together to help the victims, to educate young people and the general public, and to make sure that abusers get the help that they need to deal with their issues so that they can become better parents, partners and family.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and thank the staff of the Family Support Centre in Hay River who continue to work tirelessly towards providing a safe and secure environment to those in need in my home community and they are: Crystal Ball, executive director; Annette Rideout, administrative assistant; Jennifer Lennie and Angela Farnsworth, family violence support workers; and Melissa Beck, the youth activity coordinator at the Family Support Centre. Thank you for all that you do to help others. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked a very significant day for the Tlicho people. The national spotlight was on us as Bill C-14, Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Act, passed second reading in the House of Commons.

---Applause

As Members are aware, it was a great disappointment for our people when this bill died on the order paper before the last federal election, so this latest progress is very welcome.

Mr. Speaker, as I said last week when I spoke to the Tlicho Community Services Act currently before our Assembly, the Tlicho people have been waiting a long time for their land claim and self-government agreement to come into effect, after many years of long, difficult, expensive negotiation.

Mr. Speaker, this will be the first self-government legislation for the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, aboriginal people across Canada will be watching to see how Parliament handles this legislation and will look to the Tlicho agreement as the new standard. I hope that they will be inspired and encouraged by what we have accomplished to seek just settlements for themselves. We are proving that it can happen.

Mr. Speaker, indications are that third reading of the bill is expected within the next six months. The Tlicho people's dreams of regaining our lands and powers to govern ourselves is fast becoming a reality and our future is looking very bright. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to talk about a significant step towards improving an education program within my constituency. Mr. Speaker, next week, on November 2nd, there will be a celebration to mark the unique educational programming initiative in Lutselk'e that was spearheaded by four organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Lutselk'e Education Authority, South Slave Divisional Educational Council, Aurora College and the Fort Smith regional office of Education, Culture and Employment for working collaboratively on this important undertaking of raising awareness in the community on the value of education for all persons, by establishing a unique community learning network partnership.

Mr. Speaker, because this jointly-funded initiative will provide better access to education programs and courses for residents, this venture makes it possible for all residents of Lutselk'e to enjoy the varying courses and training being offered that will better suit and develop their interest and their skills which they can eventually use in pursuit of their employment aspirations in the various sectors of our northern economy.

Mr. Speaker, cooperation and goodwill among one another can and will achieve great things, such as addressing the educational concerns that are prevalent in all our smaller communities. This is a good example of what community organizations and community members working together cooperatively can accomplish on a very important issue, such as continued education, personal growth, and seeing recognizable achievements to advance career developments for both youth and adults in small communities. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all too often I hear stories from my constituents about government contracts for work in the Sahtu being awarded to companies outside of the region, and about local people being turned down for government jobs. All too often, Mr. Speaker, I hear excuses from government, like they did not meet the educational requirements, did not meet our standards. These excuses tell me that the GNWT is not living up to the spirit of the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement and, in particular, the economic measures chapter.

There are many capable people and businesses in the Sahtu, and there are no excuses for them not to be getting government jobs and contracts. If the GNWT is really convinced that the Sahtu people and businesses are not up to their standards, Mr. Speaker, then what is the government doing to change this? The economic measures chapter mentions a lot of things that should be happening: training, assistance to develop commercially-viable businesses, encouragement of the employment of the Sahtu people, including employment in public services and public agencies. It also says the government shall -- shall, Mr. Speaker -- review job qualifications and recruitment procedures to remove any corporate requirements in respect of cultural factors, experiences and education. All these are written in the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement. For me and for the people of the Sahtu region, we like to think that means that they're as good as written in stone.

Mr. Speaker, the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement was signed in 1993. The government had 11 years to figure out how to live up to it's economic measures obligations. It is time this happened. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I am very concerned about the world oil prices and how they can effect and cause crises elsewhere in the world. Mr. Speaker, years ago we could not assume what happened somewhere else would have an effect locally. One hundred years ago, you know, the perspective on the world was much different; 50 years ago it was much different; and even this summer oil prices were much different and we never would have thought that they would have a link.

Mr. Speaker, today what happens in Iraq and Venezuela has an effect in the Northwest Territories, not just Canada. Mr. Speaker, I am getting at the fact that the reality has changed. We are not just a global economy, but we are a global community and we need to look at those issues. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about the quagmire that we are heading into because of our reliance on non-renewable resources and the fact is, it is a fact of today.

Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about how we, as a government, are dealing with this situation. Are we monitoring this crisis, or are we going to wait until the bills show up and just act as a reactive process? Mr. Speaker, I would like to see this government be proactive. What are we doing about these problems? What are we doing to reduce our usage? Are we looking at dialling back those heat registers? Are we looking at turning off the lights at the end of the day?

Mr. Speaker, we need to take proactive choices and they need to be implemented now. Mr. Speaker, I would like to see this House someday, in the near future that is, set up a policy where we reduce every area by five percent based on consumption, not on the end bill, but clearly consumption. We need to change the attitude, and with the crises out there as it is, it's insane.

Mr. Speaker, at lunchtime I went to a website to find out the current crude oil price. It's $50.80 per barrel. The 52-week high was $55.67. Mr. Speaker, this summer I believe the 52-week low was $28.26. Realities have changed and we have to get on board with the changes that are happening. Mr. Speaker, I need to see drastic action and I hope our government will be taking drastic

action through a policy to work towards solving this issue. We need an action plan based on consumption.

Mr. Speaker, I will be closing in seconds, but I want to emphasize I don't want to see March madness for oil bills, Mr. Speaker. I don't have a crystal ball or magic eight ball to tell me what to do or what not do on this problem, or else if I did I would have invested in oil this summer. Mr. Speaker, I foresee a lot of special warrants coming forward in the spring, I see a lot coming in the new year. Later this afternoon I will have questions for the appropriate Minister at that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. 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 Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a friend of this House and my partner at Tim Horton's and still my very favourite MLA, Mr. Tony Whitford. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Indeed, welcome to the Assembly, Mr. Whitford. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize some people who are in the gallery for the Northern Teachers' Council. Amanda Mallon is president of the NWT Teachers' Association.

---Applause

Mr. Dave Roebuck is the executive director of the NWTTA.

---Applause

Mr. Ian Oostindie is president of the Yukon Teachers' Association.

---Applause

I understand he is also the Premier's brother-in-law.

---Applause

Dennis Rankin, the executive director of the Yukon Teachers' Association, is with us.

---Applause

Lou Budgell from the Nunavut Teachers' Association is in the gallery.

---Applause

Jimmy Jacquard, who is vice-president of the Nunavut Teachers' Association. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Indeed, welcome to the Assembly. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I, too, wish to acknowledge Mr. Whitford. From my understanding, Mr. Whitford has an extra smile on today and I believe he got a special phone call, so I think this Assembly needs to recognize Mr. Whitford. He will explain the phone call later to all Members, but I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased, as well, to recognize my brother-in-law from the Yukon and welcome him here. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today in my Member's statement I spoke about the economic measures chapter of the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement and how businesses and people in the Sahtu do not feel that this territorial government is living up to its obligations under this chapter. It's very disappointing for my people to see the government taking 11 years to work on this chapter here. My question is to the Premier. Would the Premier be willing to meet with the Sahtu people to hear about their concerns and disagreement about the economic measures chapter and to work with them to develop an implementation plan? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am certainly willing and, in fact, eager to meet with the people in the Sahtu to talk about the implementation plan which was just recently negotiated. I did want to go there a while ago, but the weather prevented it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier knows that I also tried to get into that region

to meet with the Sahtu people. How soon would the Premier be able to contact the Sahtu officials to set up a date and a meeting with them? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, my information is that the three parties -- the Sahtu, GNWT and Government of Canada -- are planning on meeting November 16th to 18th in Inuvik and I'm not sure why Inuvik was chosen, but that is where the scheduled meeting is, I believe. I intend to be there, if at all possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier assure me that there will be a process set up for coordination amongst the departments that will have a role to play in implementing the economic measures chapter? For example, Aboriginal Affairs, RWED, Education, Culture and Employment, Public Works and Services, and FMBS. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, it's our intention to have that sort of arrangement set up. I don't know the structure of it, but we will do that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for Mr. Miltenberger, the Minister of Health and Social Services. I have a number of outstanding issues with respect to commitments that have been made regarding delivery of Health and Social Services programs in Hay River. I'm going to try and cover them off within one set of questions. Mr. Speaker, there has been a plan for some time now to do some fairly significant renovations to the Hay River hospital which houses a lot of the Health and Social Services programs. There was information that had somehow ended up at a staff meeting there which lead some of the employees to be concerned that the schedule and time frame for the hospital renovations had somehow been changed to move some of them back. I wanted the Minister to provide clarification of that today for the benefit of the workers and the residents of Hay River. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the renovations in Hay River are slated to go ahead. We are just in the process of concluding a report that's been looking at the facility review of all the facilities in the Northwest Territories on the acute care side, the long-term care side and the usage and anticipated needs in the future. Once that report is done, we will be moving ahead with the actual master planning for the mid-life renovations in Hay River. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, so at this time then the Minister can confirm that there have been no alterations made to the renovation plans and the capital dollars that have been identified for future years for the Hay River hospital. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the project is in the capital plan and main estimates and it will be done.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, then in keeping with other commitments that I've had issues and concerns raised to me about, that I have been in the presence of the Minister on visits to Hay River, which I thank him for, but there was an outstanding issue with respect to wage parity for the workers in health and social services in Hay River who are not UNW employees and have a separate collective bargaining union. I was wondering if the Minister could confirm for the House that this commitment has been delivered upon. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this issue has been on the table for some time. There's another round of collective bargaining that's going to be underway here and that will continue to be discussed. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if the Minister could indicate for us, are the workers of the Hay River Health and Social Services Board at parity and equity for benefits and salaries as are the UNW employees who are employed in the other communities in the Northwest Territories at this time? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is one of the key pieces in the negotiations that are going to be underway. One of the outstanding issues, let me put it this way, is the issue of pensions. That has yet to be resolved. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will be to the Minister of FMBS, the Honourable Mr. Roland. Mr. Speaker, my concern is we need an attitude change out there because of the high cost of fuel. What is our government doing to monitor the consumption of energy, referring to both power, as well as fuel oil with respect to GNWT assets? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a government, we have on a number of occasions through budget exercises, looked at the consumption of our resources, whether it be heating oil, electrical, water and sewer; we've looked at those in areas and targeted areas we think we could have some savings in. The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has done some work in the past. The Housing Corporation has done some work in the past in trying to save the precious resources we have out there. As the Government of the Northwest Territories, we do have a number of other things that we do to try to mitigate the costs to individuals in the Northwest Territories; through our Territorial Power Support Program or subsidy programs that we have in place for seniors, for example, on fuel. So we do a number of other things, as well. We've done some things during normal budget exercises and we're hoping that departments, through those exercises, are looking at those on an annual basis. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for his overview of an annual basis but, Mr. Speaker, I'm referring to the crisis of oil prices. We need an action plan, a new policy, that looks at everything from idling our cars and trucks, our buildings, by turning our lights off, by turning our fuel heat registers down a little bit. We'd be foolish to think that there wouldn't be a rider on this year's power bill due to the oil prices. What is the Minister doing to avert this potential crisis that we'll be seeing in endless amounts of supplementary appropriation bills or special warrants to deal with this crisis? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on an annual basis, we work with the departments to try to come up with their costs they will need to run the programs and services identified for that year. One of the things we do, again, is we do our work and look at the existing costs of services out there. The Member is right, though; we will be having to look at and address the issue of the increased price of fuel. That is something we have directed the departments to live within their means at this point because we knew that the prices were changing quite substantially; either on the high side or dropping. We're going to have to wait for actual costs to come back and address them at that point. We haven't tried to do things in the sense of providing departments with funding up front on an estimate basis, because the prices were fluctuating too much when we put our plans together. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister knows I have a lot of respect for him but, Mr. Speaker, I think we're losing the point and losing sight of this issue. When he talks about annual basis, we didn't foresee this in March of this year. We didn't foresee this when the business plans were being built a year ago that oil prices would practically double, Mr. Speaker. I need to hear that we're doing this on a proactive rather reactive basis, Mr. Speaker. I need a commitment that this Minister will take a proactive position rather than paying the bills long after the energy has been spent. Can the Minister commit to that proactive approach? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I started out in response to the Member, the Government of the Northwest Territories has, on an annual basis, as well as targeted for future cost initiatives, looked at the way we do business, looked at what type of fixtures we use in our offices, lighting fixtures, for

example, as well as looked at vehicle operations, and looked at the appliances that were being put into the Housing Corporation units to ensure that they were cost effective and knew that we would see a savings. So we have done a lot of those things on a daily basis, in a sense, to try to mitigate the cost of power and fuel in the Northwest Territories. It is difficult on a budget planning exercise on an annual basis to try to build something in there for an anticipated price. I know departments have raised the issue already that we're going to be looking at increased costs that were not committed for at the time. There is difficulty there. We will, on an ongoing basis, continue to work around lowering the costs of government in whatever way it may be. One of those areas would be the cost of utilities in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister talking about an annual basis, a global basis, but, Mr. Speaker, this crisis wasn't here a year ago. This is why I'm stressing that we need action today to avert the crisis of the spending we're going to need to do and make up and borrow in the new year. Mr. Speaker, bills are doubling, oil and fuel bills are doubling. Mr. Speaker, I need some type of commitment that we will do this up front before we get the bills. We'll turn down those lights. The Legislative Assembly glows all night long. Let's turn those lights down. This affects every school. This affects every power plant. This affects everything that we do. Mr. Speaker, can I get some type of commitment that we're going to start dealing with this up front, now. We can do it now before these oil bills come in. We can do it now before these power bills come in. Let's be proactive, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess we can send a directive out that all light bulbs will be no brighter than 40 watts, but we are doing our work on a daily basis and trying to address the very issues the Member has raised. The problem is that we cannot build into a budget exercise anticipated costs where we might see some of those double. But on the ongoing basis of daily program services, how long a vehicle idles for, what type of fixtures we use in buildings, hours of operation, we've done those things. Departments have put those things in place. When we set targets for departments, hopefully they're looking at those things before they decide to cut a program dollar and they're looking at how they operate on a daily basis.

We have a number of programs, as well, as a government trying to assist residents across the North. RWED has a program around the environmental protection services where they do have an Energy Conservation Program. We're trying to reach out in ways of that nature to try to help individuals across the North with the increasing prices. We realize that there are going to be some impacts and we're doing what we can to try to mitigate those as we're going forward. But we are going to be hit by them because of our process of planning. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, the Honourable Charles Dent. I go back to the Premier's address of January 2001, where the government-of-the-day was intent on showing northern students that they were valued, and I'll quote, "We intend to guarantee employment to every graduate from a recognized nursing or teaching program. In addition, by the end of March, we expect to have a program in place to guarantee a term position to every new NWT post-secondary graduate qualified in certain other priority occupations." Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment is, since the Premier's address in 2001, what are the numbers of northern graduates from the Teacher Education Program with Aurora College that have gotten jobs within the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't say the exact number of teacher graduates since 2001 off the top of my head, I'm afraid, but I do believe we've had a very good success rate of finding positions for people who are interested in teaching the Northwest Territories once they've graduated from the program. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm wondering if the Minister could supply the Regular Members with the statistics that back up the claim that all northern graduates from the TEP have gotten employment in the Northwest Territories and are gainfully employed in the teaching profession, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will commit to provide all of that information to the Regular Members. I will do that within the next two or three days.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to hearing the response from the Minister on the statistics.

I'm just wondering if the Minister is aware that there are graduates from the Teacher Education Program in the Northwest Territories that can't find employment and that some of the larger district education authorities are still recruiting teachers from southern Canada in large numbers, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister aware of this fact? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am aware of that fact. I know some teachers who have not been able to find employment. The Premier's guarantee and the one that this government is standing by is one that a position will be offered; not necessarily in the community to which the person is interested in applying though. So we are convinced that the positions are available across the Northwest Territories, but not every graduate is prepared to go to every community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Your final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for that, Mr. Minister. So I'm just wondering, and the Minister has spoken of the fact that they're offered positions, but what is the Department of Education, Culture and Employment doing with the school boards in Yellowknife in terms of recruitment of teachers and why can't some of these teachers that take the program that live in Yellowknife not get jobs in Yellowknife? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have raised the issue with the chairs of the two Yellowknife boards, but the department does not get directly involved in deciding who should be hired by which board. We make sure that all of the boards are aware of people who are looking for positions and are interested and at this point we are confident that there are positions available if teachers are prepared to take them, but we can't guarantee what community the positions will be available in. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the honourable Minister of Health and Social Services with respect to my Member's statement on the absence of an alcohol and drug worker in the community of Fort Liard. I would just like to ask the Minister what the transition plan was and why there isn't an alcohol and drug counsellor there today. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, back on August 18th the Member and myself and some other folks sat down in Fort Liard when we were doing a tour of the Nahendeh. We met with the chief and we talked about the concern about the alcohol and drug worker in the community which has been converted into a community wellness worker and a mental health and addictions counsellor that was being hired. Those are two separate positions. It was agreed at that time that there would be a staffing process initiated for the mental health worker. As well, we would be looking at filling the community wellness worker locally with an individual that was currently working in the community at the health centre who was fluent in Slavey. That process is underway. My understanding was that there was an interview held for the mental health position. The person doing the interview did not pass. That position is being re-advertised. As well, we are still in the process of trying to arrange for a direct appointment for an individual in Fort Liard to take over the duties of the community wellness worker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the contention here, Mr. Speaker, is that there was quite a bit of controversy when they cancelled the programming that was run by the band. We had asked to extend it as long as possible and they did, but they assured us of a smooth transfer, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to ask the Minister again how soon will the community of Fort Liard be getting an alcohol counsellor? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker it is unfortunate that there are no current services but, as I indicated, the process is already underway to re-advertise for the mental health position. I will commit to the Member to get more specific detail of the direct appointment of one of the local staff who is currently working at the health centre in terms of having her moved into the community wellness worker's position. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell myself and the community what provisions are in place today to address those that may need assistance or may need help with their counselling needs today? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there will be contingency backup arrangements made out of Fort Simpson to fill in the service gaps on a temporary basis until we can rectify and staff these two positions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

I would like to thank the Minister for his answers, Mr. Speaker. That's an immediate concern. As well, he did bring up the mental health position. Perhaps I can ask the Minister when that will be filled, as well. Thank you.