Mr. Speaker, I am in receipt of returns to several written questions: returns to written question 2-15(3), 6-15(3), 7-15(3), 8-15(3),10-15(3), 11-15(3), 13-15(3), 15-15(3), 16-15(3), 18-15(3) and 19-15(3).

I am also in receipt of a provisional return to question 17-15(3) regarding rent assistance to seniors for public housing. The question was asked by Mr. Allen to the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. A return will be provided on May 28th. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Menicoche on March 16, 2004, regarding the search for a missing Willow Lake River resident.

A resident had gone for a walk on the evening of March 13, 2004. The next morning, after she had been missing for 17 hours, other residents went into Wrigley to telephone the RCMP. The RCMP did not respond until that evening. They informed the Rangers to stand by but did not tell them to proceed.

Members of the community continued their search and found the missing person more than 24 hours after her disappearance. Fortunately the missing person is making a full recovery. Members of the community are angry at the lack of response from the RCMP.

This matter was referred to the RCMP and it was determined that a public complaint investigation was warranted. On March 23, 2004, an officer was sent to Fort Simpson to begin the investigation.

Also, Staff Sergeant Bob Gray, south district commander, Hay River, and Constable Wes Heron, Fort Simpson detachment, met with Mr. Menicoche on April 1, 2004, to discuss the progress of this public complaint investigation. The RCMP is working with other government agencies and the community to address the issue of communication with Willow Lake River.

I will forward to Mr. Menicoche the RCMP's formal response when it is available and provide a copy to the House at the earliest opportunity.

I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Allen on March 22, 2004, regarding private power generation and sales.

The Executive Council has not given any direction to the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) Board to reform their policy purchasing excess power from private generators.

Currently, the corporation has a policy that allows for private generators to sell their excess power into the grid and has in the past purchased power from private generators. The policy requires that any private generation meet NTPC's connection and safety standards and will not be allowed if the interconnection negatively affects other customers. Excess power is purchased at a negotiated price not greater than the corporation's avoided cost of diesel fuel.

The corporation has been directed by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) to apply for a standby rate and interconnection standards that would be required if NTPC is providing backup power to the private generator. This application will be filed with the PUB at the end of June 2004.

I have a return to written question asked by Ms. Sandy Lee on March 24, 2004, regarding the Workers' Compensation Board's revenue and expenses for 2002-03 and 2003-04.

The WCB's fiscal year is the calendar year and, therefore, information is provided for the year ending December 31, 2002. The 2003 financial information will not be available until the Office of the Auditor General has approved the WCB's 2003 financial statements, which is anticipated for the end of July.

The WCB's financial statements for 2002 are contained in the WCB's annual report, which was previously tabled with the Legislative Assembly.2002 revenue: assessments - $20.079 million; investment revenues - $13.936 million; recoveries - $873,000; total revenue - $34.888 million.2002 expenses: claims costs - $31.749 million; administration; salaries, wages and allowances - $9.627 million; other administration and general expenses - $7.960 million; less allocation to claims cost - negative $4.431 million; total administration - $13.156 million; total expenses - $44.905 million. Profit/loss from operations - $10.017 million.

It should be noted that the WCB's governance council has granted employers a discount on their assessment rates since 1999. The discount was intended to reduce a huge surplus that existed in the accident fund because of high investment returns in the 1990s.

Additional information requested by Ms. Lee concerned assessment rates and claims.

Average assessment rate: 2002 - $1.18; 2003 - $1.60.

Total numbers of claims: 2002 - $3,655; 2003 - $3,349.

Number of claims accepted: 2002 - 3,236; 2003 - 2,954.

I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Hawkins on March 24, 2004, regarding the sex offender registry.

On April 1, 2004, Bill C-16, the federal Sex Offender Information Registration Act, received assent in Parliament. This act will require that information on sex offenders in all provinces and territories is registered and kept in a national database maintained by the RCMP. This information will be used by police services across the country to investigate crimes of a sexual nature.

Officials from the Department of Justice participated in the national working group that examined the need for a sex offender registry. All governments, including the NWT, approved the national registry model at the 2002 meeting of Ministers responsible for Justice.

Although an implementation date has not yet been finalized, representation from the Department of Justice, the RCMP and Justice Canada have already formed a working group to prepare for implementing the act in the NWT. In the NWT, the RCMP will administer and enforce the registration of offenders, the Government of the Northwest Territories will designate registration centres, and Justice Canada will apply for orders and prosecute offences under the act.

The national system is similar to that in place in Ontario. Both were established to register information on sex offenders to be used in the investigation of crimes of a sexual nature. Ontario will be rationalizing its system to conform to the national legislation.

I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Allen on March 25, 2004, regarding a bill of intent to seek provincial status.

The Government of the Northwest Territories does not intend to seek provincial status at this time as we believe that devolution, and not provincehood, is the best way to gain control over lands, water and resources in the Northwest Territories.

The GNWT, together with the Aboriginal Summit, are currently in devolution negotiations with the Government of Canada. With the March 18, 2004, signing of the devolution framework agreement, we have made significant progress.

There are a number of factors that suggest seeking provincial status at this time may not provide the powers and benefits that are being sought through devolution negotiations.

As the Premier outlined previously, achieving provincial status does not guarantee control over land, resources or resource revenues. Although Manitoba became a province in 1870, and Saskatchewan and Alberta became provinces in 1905, control over lands and resources was not transferred to these provinces until the 1930s.

As a province, the Northwest Territories would no longer receive funding from Canada through a formula financial agreement. Instead, funding would be subject to existing equalization arrangements. Equalization payments are based on the revenue-raising capacity of a province and do not consider the cost of providing government programs and services. The existing formula financing arrangement with the federal government does consider the higher costs of providing programs and services in the Northwest Territories. This gives our government more money on a per capita basis than it would likely receive through equalization.

Devolution negotiations offer the best possibility for the people of the Northwest Territories to gain control over their own lands and resources. We do not believe that there would be any further benefit from putting aside the success we have achieved to date to start a new process to gain provincial status.

I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on March 26, 20904, regarding the statistical data for the Sahtu schools.1. How many students are enrolled in K to 12 by grade?

Tomorrow I will table the information regarding school enrolment in the Sahtu.2. What is the pupil/teacher ratio?

The funded pupil/teacher ratio for the total Sahtu board is 12 to nine to one. This is below the average pupil teacher ration of 16 to one, because of the number of small schools in the Sahtu, which are funded at a lower pupil/teacher ratio than large schools, in accordance with the funding formula. Tomorrow I will table information on the pupil/teacher ratio in the Sahtu.3. What mixed classes exist in the Sahtu?

The following mixed classes exist in each of the Sahtu communities: Norman Wells - one grade 4/5 split class. The rest are single grades or are at the high school level single course classes. Deline - one K/grade 1 split class, one grade 2/3 split class. The rest are single grades or are at the high school level course classes. Colville Lake - all classes are mixed grade. Tulita - one grade 3/4 split class and one grade 5/6 split class. The rest are single grades or are at the high school level single course classes. Fort Good Hope - no split grade classes.

I have a return to written question asked by Ms. Lee on March 29, 2004, with respect to bad debt collection for corporations, boards and agencies.

Bad debt collection for the NWT Housing Corporation, NWT Power Corporation, Workers' Compensation Board, NWT Development Corporation, Aurora College and the Business Credit Corporation are done in-house. At the request of these agencies, the Financial Management Board Secretariat places holds on funds payable by the Government of the Northwest Territories for possible set-off action. In addition, Aurora College provides the necessary information to the Financial Management Board Secretariat to have set-off applied to Canada Revenue Agency refunds.

All other delinquent account collection action is the responsibility of the Financial Management Board Secretariat with the exception of the Department of Finance who is solely responsible for the collection of taxes. Departments are responsible to follow up on overdue receivables until such time as they are considered delinquent. Departments are then required to submit their delinquent receivables to the Financial Management Board Secretariat for collection action.

In its role as the main collection agent for the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Financial Management Board Secretariat contracts an outside agency to perform some collections. Files transferred to the outside collection agency are mainly accounts under $5,000 and debtors that the Financial Management Board Secretariat has had no success in locating.

The contract for outside collection services was tendered and renewed effective June 16, 2003, for a three-year term. This was the second contract tendered for collection services during the last six years. Six years ago, the Financial Management Board Secretariat also contracted to a southern agency for any debtors located south of 60. At this time, both northern and southern collection action is contracted to the same local agency. Both contracts were completed using a competitive tendering process.

I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on March 30, 2004, regarding implementation of the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement.

The Member asked if the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs has conducted any reviews of the economic measures chapters of other land claim agreements in the Northwest Territories. Pursuant to the Sahtu economic measures chapter, Government of the Northwest Territories departments participated in joint reviews with the Sahtu and Canada in 1998 and 2001. Because the Gwich'in economic measures chapter is virtually identical, the Gwich'in also participated in these joint reviews. The Inuvialuit, Government of Canada and GNWT recently completed a comprehensive review of the Inuvialuit economic measures chapter. The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs coordinated GNWT participation in these reviews.

The Member also asked if the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs had a report card identifying the status of GNWT implementation activities. The ministry represents the GNWT on the Sahtu Implementation Committee, which meets three times per year. At each meeting, the GNWT provides the Sahtu and Canada members with a status report that highlights current status of all GNWT implementation activities. The Implementation Committee also produces an annual report that includes previous years' accomplishments and outstanding issues as identified by any one of the parties. The Sahtu, Gwich'in and Inuvialuit implementation committees have agreed to review the format of the annual reports in anticipation of making the reports more results-based.

Specific to economic measures, the Sahtu and Gwich'in Implementation Committees have recognized that measuring effectiveness of economic development programs is problematic. The Sahtu, Gwich'in, Canada and the GNWT are designing a framework, that will assist government departments with determining effectiveness of their programs, as they related to the economic measures objectives in the Sahtu and Gwich'in land claim agreements. Canada and the GNWT are cost sharing this initiative.

The Member's final question was how many of the economic measures obligations have been implemented in the Sahtu settlement area. With respect to GNWT activities, the GNWT continues to be committed to

implementing all of its land claim obligations and reports progress on a regular basis through the Sahtu Implementation Committee.

Specific to economic measures, GNWT departments are implementing all provisions of this chapter through their ongoing programs and policies, as directed in the economic measures chapter.

The following are some examples of GNWT programs that support the economic measures objectives pursuant to section 12.1 of the economic measures chapter.

The Trappers' Assistance Program and the Fur Purchase Program support the traditional economy of Sahtu participants.

Assistance in the development of commercially viable businesses and enterprises of Sahtu participants is provided through programs such as the business development fund, grants to small businesses, the NWT Development Corporation and the NWT Business Credit Corporation. These programs can be accessed through the local economic development officer, the regional business development officer, or the Sahtu Business Development Centre.

The provision of business and economic training and educational assistant to Sahtu participants is offered through GNWT regional offices, including assisting with development of applications, aftercare and related information services. The Community Futures Development Corporation also provides aftercare and mentoring services. The GNWT, in partnership with industry and others, utilize the maximizing northern employment program for regional training initiatives.

The GNWT continues to work together with agencies and the business sector to develop the employment skills and opportunities for Sahtu participants through programs such as: training on the job programs for apprentices and non-apprentices, pre-apprenticeship training the pipeline operations training program.

In support of the economic measures objectives, the GNWT affirmative action policy promotes and encourages the employment of Sahtu participants. Also, in 1996, the GNWT initiated a review of all job descriptions to determine the require knowledge, skills and abilities for each job. This review was intended to remove inappropriate requirements in respect of cultural factors, experience or education.

The GNWT is also committed to consulting with the Sahtu when proposing economic development programs related to the economic measures objectives.

With respect to 12.2 of the economic measures chapter, when the GNWT carries out public activities in the Sahtu settlement area which give rise to employment or other economic opportunities and the GNWT elects to enter into contracts with respect to those activities the GNWT preferential contracting policies and procedures intended to maximize local, regional and northern employment and business opportunities are followed. The business incentive policy is an economic policy of the GNWT primarily targeted to support and create opportunities for community-based smaller businesses.

The GNWT contract registry and reporting system, which applies to all government departments, came into effect April 1, 2004. This system will be able to produce reports on contracts awarded specifically to Sahtu businesses.

The GNWT is committed to consulting with the Sahtu when developing modifications to its preferential contracting policies and procedures. The Sahtu Secretariat was involved in extensive consultations during the business incentive policy review, which concluded last fall.

Finally, with respect to the final activity under 12.2, if the GNWT elects to enter into contracts with respect to activities on Sahtu-owned settlement lands without going to public tender, participants will be given first opportunity to negotiate such contracts, provided they satisfy all criteria particular to the contract.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT continues to be committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the economic measures chapter of the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement. GNWT economic development programs will continue to support these very important economic measures objectives.

I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on March 31, 2004, regarding power rates.

Can the Minister provide a current dollar estimate on a one-rate power structure that would provide an adequate rate of return to the NWT Power Corporation?

A one-rate power structure would be subject to approval by the Public Utilities Board and would require integration with North Utilities Ltd's rates, as they distribute the power purchased from NTPC in Yellowknife and Hay River. Based on the Northwest Territories Power Corporation's previous general rate application for a single rate zone, the estimate of rates per kilowatt hour on a one-rate power structure that would provide an adequate return to the NTPC is a rate of $.2321 for residential customers, $.2101 for general service customers, and $.1836 for wholesale customers.

Can the Minister provide information on the projected costs to maintain the NWT power subsidy program at current rates over the next five years?

The territorial power support program includes subsidies to both residential and commercial customers. The commercial customer subsidy is $250,000 per year and is not expected to change unless rates change significantly. The residential subsidy is forecast to increase from approximately $7.1 million I 2004-05 to $7.7 million in 2008-09 based on consumption alone and holding the 2003-04 rates constant. If rates change due to increases in the price of diesel fuel, this would increase this forecast. However, with the volatility of world oil prices it is impossible for us to forecast what rate changes may occur.

Can the Minister provide the assembly with information on the direction provided to the board of directors of the GNWT Power Corporation in making their next general rate application?

Typically the government does not provide direction to the board of directors of the NTPC with regard to the corporation's general rate application. However, at the time of the last rate application, the Executive Council directed the board of directors to withdraw its single rate zone application and to resubmit the application based on the existing community-based rate structure. In addition, the corporation was directed to defer any public consultation or support for a move to a single rate zone until an energy strategy is completed and adopted by Executive Council. This direction is published in the back section of the corporation's 2002-03 annual report.

No further direction has been issued to the corporation in respect of any future rate applications.

Can the Minister provide information on costs incurred by the NWT Power Corporation in examining and pursuing the expansion of the hydropower to date? This accounting should show the money provided to the Power Corporation by the GNWT as well as the money the Power Corporation has expended from its retained earnings.

Costs related to examining and pursuing the expansion of the hydropower system have been shared between the NWT Energy Corporation (03) Ltd, the GNWT and the NWT Power Corporation:

1. i. To the extent that the work being undertaken is related to the pursuit and expansion of the hydropower system, the costs are being incurred by the NWT Energy Corporation (03) Ltd, a subsidiary of the NWT Power Corporation, and include funding for aboriginal partners to participate in this work, engineering and environmental studies and business development expenses incurred by the NWT Energy Corporation (03) Ltd to further these projects. The amount spent to date is estimated at just over $4 million.
2. ii. The GNWT provided funding to the hydro development projects by way of a $500,000 reduction in the 2003-04 dividend declared to the NWT Power Corporation. In addition, the GNWT provide contribution funding in 2002-03 in the amount of $450,000 primarily for aboriginal partner participation.
3. iii. The final accounting for these costs cannot be determined at this time. To the extent that costs incurred to explore hydro development are determined to have a future use to the regulated customer, for example, to complete a water license renewal or for capital investment requirement to continue to serve existing customers, some of the costs identified under 1. above may form part of an application to be recovered through rates at a later date. The funding for the aboriginal partners will be expensed as incurred and totals approximately $1.5 million. The engineering and environmental studies will form part of the costs of any project should they proceed.

I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on March 31, 2004, regarding the Harvesters' Assistance Program and the income support program.

Harvesters' assistance payments to trappers are not considered in income support calculations. The Harvesters' Assistance Program is an exemption under the consolidation of social assistance regulations. This exemption allows the value of materials or vehicles required for hunting, trapping or fishing to be excluded from the net monthly income calculations. This rule applies to everyone in the Northwest Territories, including the Sahtu, Gwich'in and the Inuvialuit.

Income support officers receive training on a regular basis and are aware of this regulation. The regional income support managers will ensure that these guidelines are followed.

Mr. Speaker, I have a provisional return to a written question asked by Mr. Allen on March 31, 2004, regarding rent assessment for seniors in public housing.

Return To Written Question 17-15(3) is not ready today due to an administrative problem. The return will be ready on Friday, May 28, 2004. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.