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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was just going to use this opportunity in my Member's statement to drive home some of the concerns I made yesterday in my Member's statement in the House. Just to express some of my concerns with the government's lack of accountability with regards to increasing the number of aboriginals hired to senior management positions.

As far as I'm aware, Mr. Speaker -- and I'm sure a lot of the MLAs of previous governments are also aware -- this government is not meeting the expectations for aboriginal hiring in senior management positions and has no tools or policies in place to date to measure the results of the human resource accountability framework that was developed to address this issue in 1997. Mr. Speaker, this issue does not specifically have to do with the lack of the human resource strategy that the government has developed for all the departments to adhere to, but more directly to do with the lack of a clear, measurable way that the departments are monitored and made accountable should they not be able to meet the targets and expectations in aboriginal hiring and training for the senior management positions.

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated yesterday, this government is interested in looking at ways to increase the number of aboriginals particularly in senior management positions and to increase the overall percentage of aboriginal government employees. We all have to work together as a government on how to best proceed and to develop some tools that compel the deputy ministers, government administrators and human resource managers to be more

accountable and committed to ensuring that we can be successful to a greater degree to resolving this problem.

Mr. Speaker, I am committed to working with this government to develop a clear and concise document and/or action plan that will pave the way to a new, accountable, open and transparent government for all our constituents, especially for the men and women that are currently working in this government so that they too can feel that they are an integral component to ensuring that the needs of all the aboriginal northerners are being addressed and resolved. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the beginning of the Third Session of this 15th Assembly I've raised, through a Member's statement, oral questions and the reply to the opening address, the wishes of my people in the riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes and their vision for change. Mr. Speaker, today my Member's statement is about listening to the people. Members of my community have articulated their frustration upon us simply because they say we are poor listeners. For example, people from the small communities consistently say that the government employees interpret our government policy as a personal tool when dealing with their concerns. Mr. Speaker, I'm convinced that this is most probable in many cases. The government employees aren't paying attention to what is said to them. What has been stressed to me is that they are sitting there planning their next response.

Mr. Speaker, this could be said about us as politicians. I've listened well to my constituents, so when I ask the Premier and his Cabinet to provide definitive answers on our constitutionality when amending procedural format I do wonder if they are listening. Mr. Speaker, we currently function under a federal statute. I've listened attentively to the Finance Minister's budget address where he inferred that many of his difficulties in dealing with the federal government on pages 6 and 7 of the address are well articulated.

Mr. Speaker, this clearly gives us some indication that we have no negotiation powers under the current constitutional powers of the NWT Act other than to be supportive to the federal system that extends right down to the grassroots level. So, Mr. Speaker, I'm asking that this government begin to listen to the people so that deep relationships are built on acceptance, understanding and being a good listener. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to acknowledge a couple of constituents of mine: Derek Graf and his father, Ron Graf. Ron happens to be an employee with the GNWT, a director of RWED. Last weekend Yellowknife hosted the NWT badminton championship. In junior division, Derek played hard and received a gold medal in men's singles. To follow that up, Mr. Speaker, Derek also won a gold medal in men's doubles with his badminton partner and best friend Luke Coedy.

Mr. Speaker, if you thought that wasn't enough, well I have more. In the men's open division for doubles, Derek and his team won a bronze medal just placing behind his father's team, Ron Graf, who won the silver.

The purpose of this recognition, Mr. Speaker, is to recognize Derek and his father, Ron, for their determination and sportsmanship. Keeping active at all ages is important to whatever degree, but it truly is especially nice to see a family component in any sport. The only thing I can say is you have to recognize this truly must make good dinner conversation with the competitive spirit being held at home.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot stress enough that being an athlete at any level requires the development of certain characteristics, such as discipline, determination, leadership, teamwork, a sense of accomplishment and, above all, having fun. The idea here is that recreational activities keep people young, happy and healthy. To see a family participating together in this way I'm sure brings competitive moments, yet I'm sure these will be positive memories held by the family.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I mention the Graf family as an example to demonstrate the value of active living in the NWT, and the value that helps build strong families and strong communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, about 1,500 people die in Canada each year as a result of impaired driving and thousands more are injured. Per capita, statistics are even worse in the North. In June of 2003, the last Assembly approved amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act targeted at impaired driving. The intent of these amendments, Mr. Speaker, was to put some teeth into the Motor Vehicles Act, to create tougher sanctions aimed at getting impaired drivers off the road, and encouraging drivers with alcohol dependency issues to get help.

There are several programs available in the NWT designed to teach residents of the NWT how to use alcohol...Pardon me.

---Laughter

...how the use of alcohol and drugs impairs a person's ability to operate machinery or drive snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, boats and vehicles. These programs are available, Mr. Speaker, and they are effective. Members who were here during the last Assembly will remember that the amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act allows the registrar of motor vehicles to require any individuals convicted of an impaired driving offence to participate in one of these drug awareness education programs before

their licences are reinstated and they can get behind the wheel again.

I was very supportive of this amendment when it went through last June. Drug and alcohol awareness is a crucial component of the fight against drunk driving in the NWT. To my knowledge, the Minister of Transportation has yet to implement the amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act. As we wait for the Minister to do this, appalling and preventable alcohol-related accidents continue to occur on a regular basis in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Transportation at the appropriate time. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight report on the review of the draft mains, 2005-2005.

The standing committees of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories met from February 16 to February 28, 2004, to review the 2004-2005 draft main estimates for each of the departments of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The mandate of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight includes the overview of the government-wide budget and fiscal framework, as well as the budgets of the Executive offices, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Financial Management Board Secretariat and Department of Finance.

Financing And Resource Revenue Negotiations With Canada

The committee wishes to express its full support for the Premier and Minsiter of Finance in their endeavours to get a fair fiscal deal from Ottawa for the Northwest Territories.

Negotiations have been underway for some time on a new formula financing agreement. It is essential that Canada agree to amend the formula it uses for calculating its grant to the Government of the Northwest Territories. The current formula simply does not make sense for our Territory.

The future prosperity of the Northwest Territories also depends on the outcome of the negotiations for a fair share of resource development revenues.

The committee is aware that the government is working very hard to negotiate a fair deal for the Northwest Territories. Committee urges the government to enlist the support of our Member of Parliament and Senator to join these efforts.

In order to increase its revenues and reduce the deficit forecast for 2004-2005, the government proposed a number of changes to taxes. The Minister of Finance provided a full briefing to the committee on February 16, 2004.

Members were concerned about the impact of these tax changes on the already high cost of living and doing business in the Northwest Territories.

The committee advised the Minister it would support an increase to the corporate income tax rate. Members believe this increase is unavoidable. At the current rate of 12 percent, the GNWT is suffering a net revenue loss due to the formula Canada uses to calculate its grant.

With the signing of the Tlicho Final Agreement last year and significant progress at other negotiating tables, self-government will soon be a reality. No one can reasonably expect that the new governments will be able to operate without an increase in the total number of dollars available to northern governments to provide programs and services. Self-government will bring many benefits to northerners, but it will also result in a loss of economies of scale, which means that government will cost more. There has been considerable discussion with the federal government about responsibility for these incremental costs.

Members strongly agree with the government's position that incremental self-government costs are the responsibility of the federal government. The committee fully supports the Minister and government in holding firmly and consistently to this position. The committee also urges the government to maintain a strong position with respect to self-government implementation costs to ensure the GNWT does not pay costs that are the responsibility of the federal government.

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight recommends the government continue to hold to its position that incremental self-government costs are the responsibility of the federal government;

And further, that the government maintains a strong position with respect to self-government implementation costs in order to ensure the GNWT does not pay costs that are the responsibility of the federal government.

The committee was made aware that the 2004-2005 draft main estimates reflect a government-wide 25 percent cut in travel budgets from 2002-2003 actual spending. The total travel expenditure reduction for all departments is $3.171 million.

While the committee applauds the government's efforts in this area, Members believe further savings are possible.

The Premier advised the committee that all international travel must be approved at the ministerial level. The committee would urge the Premier to ensure this requirement is followed strictly, and that no staff, including deputy ministers, are ever authorized to approve

international travel. The committee would also urge the Premier to ensure that the costs of any international travel are clearly justified by benefits to the Northwest Territories.

Attendance at federal/provincial/territorial Ministers meetings is another area where Members believe the government may be able to make reductions. Travel costs for these meetings include not only Ministers' travel costs, but also those of staff traveling with the Minister. While there is a clear need for the GNWT to have a strong presence at some FPT meetings such as those for Health and Finance Ministers, there are many FPT meetings that have little or no relevance to the Northwest Territories. The Premier advised committee that each FPT is assessed for its relevance. The committee urges the Premier and Ministers to ensure each FPT is warranted and has real benefit to the NWT.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That concludes the introductory portion of the report of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Committee 1-15(3) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) and have Committee Report 1-15(3) moved into Committee of the Whole for today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? No, there aren't. You have unanimous consent. Committee Report 1-15(3) is now moved into Committee of the Whole for today. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Ms. Lee.

The motion is in order. To the motion.