Thank you.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the honourable Paul Delorey from the electoral district from Hay River North, take the chair of this House as Speaker.

Thank you, honourable colleagues. Good afternoon. I wish to express my gratitude for the confidence you have demonstrated in choosing me as your Speaker. It has been with a great deal of pride that I accept the honour of being the new Speaker for the 15th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

I want to direct my first comments to my constituents in Hay River North and all the people of Hay River. I want them to know that I did not accept the nomination for Speaker without considerable thought. The role of the Speaker is one which I feel carries great importance in our system of consensus government. I have great respect for the institution of the Legislative Assembly and the work that is done in this Chamber. I want to assure my constituents, however, that my accepting the position of Speaker in no way diminishes my efforts to serve each and every one of them to the very best of my ability. The way that I do that may change within the confines of this Chamber, but my dedication to them is stronger than ever.

To the Members of this House, my first obligation is to give you my commitment to ensure that the rights and privileges of all Members will be upheld and to ensure you are each able to carry out your duties.

The most important and fundamental right is the freedom of speech in your debate and freedom from interference in carrying out your duties. I can assure you that I will do my best to ensure that these rights are upheld, as well as all other rules and procedures that this House has adopted.

At this time, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of my predecessor, Mr. David Krutko, who has set a very high standard for me to follow. I am sure you will all join me in extending our thanks to Mr. Krutko for the dedicated effort and service he gave to his constituents, and particularly for the admirable performance of his speakership duties within this Chamber.

---Applause

Last but not least I would like to acknowledge the support I have received and continue to receive from my family, without which I certainly would not be here today.

As a legislature, we will continue to face many critical decisions in the days and years ahead. While we may not always agree on these decisions, we must remember to always treat each other with respect, dignity, compassion and understanding. In conclusion, my ability to preside over this House ultimately rests in your hands. I will continue to work hard to maintain the trust and confidence that you have placed in me today.

My door is always open and I look forward to working with each of you on both sides of the House for the remainder of the 15th Legislative Assembly.

I would like to draw your attention to the flags hanging behind me here today. This year, the House is not scheduled to be in session on National Aboriginal Day, June 21st or Canada Day, July 1st. As such, I have decided to fly the flags commemorating both of these important days for the remainder of this sitting. I know the Premier will have some words to say later this week regarding National Aboriginal Day. As Speaker of this House, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Members and all Northerners a safe and happy Aboriginal Day and Canada Day. Please take some time to celebrate the many great things about being Canadian.

I would like to recognize two persons in the gallery: the Chief Electoral Officer of the Northwest Territories, the former Clerk of this House, Mr. David Hamilton.

---Applause

And the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer for the Northwest Territories, Mr. Glen McLean.

---Applause

We will now proceed to orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me first congratulate you as Speaker. I assure you that we look forward to your guidance as we serve in this House over the balance of our term.

Mr. Speaker, the spirit and character of the Northwest Territories and, in fact Canada, is greatly defined by the traditions and customs and talents of our aboriginal people.

Our artists, carvers and entertainers are world renowned. Our drum dances, traditional games and cultural activities are highlighted and promoted in countless documentaries, films, stories and brochures. They represent and promote our territory and country around the globe.

It is fitting that the Northwest Territories also leads the way in Canada in recognizing and paying tribute to the contributions of our First Nations with a holiday on June 21st, National Aboriginal Day.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is, once again, proud to offer its support to over 45 aboriginal organizations in the Northwest Territories who will be hosting and planning community celebrations for their people in honour of National Aboriginal Day.

But, Mr. Speaker, our commitment to the Dene, Inuvialuit and Metis people of the Northwest Territories extends well beyond this annual celebration of their culture and traditions.

As I outlined to Members of the assembly last week, it includes a promise to work in partnership with aboriginal leaders towards the successful negotiation and implementation of aboriginal lands, resources and self-government agreements in all regions; to pursue economic development in a matter that respects, balances and preserves the social, culture and environmental values of our aboriginal people; and, to work together with all northerners to ensure a strong and unified voice for the North in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, National Aboriginal Day is, in many ways, a celebration of the history, identity and values that we so proudly identify with as northern Canadians. I hope that everyone from around the North will participate in their community's celebrations of National Aboriginal Day on June 21st. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Congratulations on your appointment to the Speaker's chair.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to update Members on work being done to address the recommendations of the 14th Legislative Assembly with respect to official languages. Members of the assembly have indicated that continuing attention to the support and revitalization of all NWT official languages is important.

The last government placed a priority on the establishment of two new language boards. Members are aware, the Official Languages Act provides for the creation of an official languages board and an aboriginal languages revitalization board.

Regulations have been drafted to create the two language boards. In the coming weeks, I will be consulting with the official language communities of the Northwest Territories for nominations to these boards, with the expectation that members will be appointed by July 1, 2004.

The boards will provide advice on key priorities for fulfilling our obligations under the Official Languages Act. In addition, I will be seeking the advice of the boards on key priorities as they relate to the GNWT response to the review of the Official Languages Act by the 14th Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to update Members on the status of the Canada-NWT Cooperation Agreement for French and Aboriginal Languages in the NWT. The last five-year agreement ended March 31, 2004. We had anticipated that negotiations for a new agreement would commence earlier this year. However, the federal government announced that they were not ready to begin new negotiations until they had completed an evaluation and program review process.

Mr. Speaker, we now expect negotiations to start this fall at the earliest. As we heard into the negotiation process, we will be consulting the language communities for input into key objectives to include in the agreement. In the meantime, the federal government has committed to extending the terms and conditions of the expired agreement for the 2004-05 period.

In addition to these activities, we have started to strengthen communications with the groups representing various language communities and in ensuring that all departments, boards and agencies are aware of their responsibilities under the Government of the Northwest Territories Official Languages Act. For example, I have met with the Federation Franco-TeNOise and the Commission scolaire francophone de division during the last few weeks to make sure they know my door is open and we will work cooperatively to address matters of concern.

Mr. Speaker, it is essential to note, that the protection and revitalization of many of the NWT's official languages will not be successful without the continued commitment from northerners to use their languages in their homes and communities. A broad family-based effort is necessary if we are to maintain the unique languages of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, want to offer my congratulations.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Allied D-Day landings in Normandy of 1944, the Department of Transportation in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion Alberta/Northwest Territories Command have introduced a special Veteran's licence plate in honour of Canada's veterans living in the Northwest Territories.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, the veteran's licence plate is trimmed in poppy red with the letters V E T followed by three numerals. It will be available to residents of the Northwest Territories who served in wartime as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces or an allied force, or in the Merchant Navy or Ferry Command. People who have served at least three years or are still serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, a U.N. peacekeeping force or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are also eligible for the plate.

The veteran's licence plate is available at no charge to veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War who live in the Northwest Territories. For other eligible veterans, the plate is available at a cost of $10.

In conjunction with the registrar of motor vehicles, the Royal Canadian Legion Alberta/Northwest Territories Command and all NWT Legions will administer the program as of June 30, 2004.

Mr. Speaker, during our break this afternoon. The Members may wish to join me when I will have the honour of presenting some veterans of the Second World War with the new veteran's licence plates. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You look like a natural there sitting in the big chair. Congratulations.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, this is Disabilities Awareness Week and next week is Seniors Week. As Minister responsible for these two portfolios, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the work being done to help people with disabilities and elders.

Mr. Speaker, while I have taken the lead on this work on behalf of the GNWT, it is important to recognize that success is only possible because of the efforts of many agencies and individuals. For example, the Housing Corporation has a program providing support to elders with age-related disabilities to carry out minor adaptations to their homes. Education, Culture and Employment has a home heating subsidy to help low-income elders offset the high cost of heating fuel during the winter. And, of course, non-government organizations and community groups provide support for seniors and people with disabilities to live fuller, more active lives.

As we all know, people with disabilities are a valued part of our society, with a unique set of challenges. This year's theme is "Remember to include everyone...we all benefit." This is a great reminder to all of us that sometimes people may need a little extra help to do the things other people take for granted. All NWT residents should have access to information, programs and facilities in their communities. We are making a lot of progress, but still have a long way to go. I urge you to look around your community and identify the places where accessibility can be improved.

We are working with community groups to make it easier for people with disabilities to be part of our communities. This includes providing support to the people who care for them: usually relatives. For example, we have a pilot respite care project with the Yellowknife Association for Community Living. A trained worker provides care for up to 10 hours per week, to allow the primary caregiver a much-needed break.

We have a new toll-free line for people with disabilities to help them access programs and services, no matter where they live in the NWT. As well, the Council of Persons with Disabilities has a new state-of-the-art, accessible computer that is available for people with disabilities to use.

I am also pleased to report, Mr. Speaker, that the Department of Health and Social Services is developing a framework and action plan to improve and coordinate the delivery of services to people with disabilities. The framework will be part of the upcoming business plan, and we hope to release the action plan within the next few months.

Next week is Seniors Week and we are working to make it easier for seniors to access government services, including home care, supported living and facility living services. Mr. Speaker, we are continuing with the action plan items identified in the seniors action plan. All 28 recommendations have either been completed or are part of ongoing government business.

We have also made significant progress in providing seniors with new information resources in a variety of formats. As Members know, a toll-free line is available for elders who want to know more about programs and services they can access. We are also updating the Seniors' Handbook, which helps elders find the services they need. For seniors and their families who are comfortable with computer technology, we have a new seniors' Web site with all of this information online and answers to frequently asked questions. The site also has publications and application forms that can be downloaded.

Health and social services professionals work together in their communities to help seniors and people with disabilities. Doctors, nurses and specialists provide medical treatment and advice. Community health representatives provide support and, in some cases, assisted living programs are available. Social workers help elders and people with disabilities with family support

issues. Health and social services professionals also work with representatives from other territorial departments, community groups and aboriginal organizations, to improve the lives of seniors and people with disabilities. This is a great partnership.

In celebration of this year's Disabilities Awareness Week and Seniors Week, I would like to invite the Members of this House to two events to be held in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly. The first event will be a social tea celebrating Disabilities Awareness Week this Thursday, and the second, a social tea will be held for seniors next Wednesday. I invite you to join me, the Council of Persons with Disabilities and the Seniors' Society at these events where we will recognize the great contributions that both groups bring to the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also want to congratulate you on becoming Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, June 13th to the 19th has been designated as National Public Service Week.

As the Minister responsible for the public service of the Northwest Territories, I encourage my colleagues to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions made by GNWT public service employees.

GNWT employees need a diverse skill set to deliver programs to the NWT public. Public service employees work on the front lines delivering programs such as health care, student financial assistance, education at the kindergarten to grade 12 level and college programs. They work behind the scenes to support these programs in areas such as policy development, finance and human resources. They maintain our roads and our community buildings; they observe and protect our environment and our wildlife; they keep our airports safe and they fight forest fires.

The GNWT is fortunate in that it has a public service that is highly professional and dedicated to delivering effective programs. On an ongoing basis, they show the desire to refine and improve their skills and provide the best level of service possible.

Mr. Speaker, the daily efforts of these employees often goes unrecognized. It is important that we all recognize the work of the public service and that we say thank you. Please join me today in expressing my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the public service in celebrating National Public Service Week.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I should congratulate you on your new appointment and to the new Minister, David Krutko.

Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, June 6, 2004, communities around Canada and around the world, including Yellowknife, will be commemorating the 60th anniversary of D-Day, the day that marked the beginning of the end of World War II. In honour of that, I would like to just share with you parts of an article from CBC reporter Robin Rowland, which gives a very good idea of what the Canadian soldiers had to experience on this day.

Mr. Speaker, the sun was just coming up over the Normandy coast at about 5:00 a.m. on June 6, 1944, D-Day. The Allied navies -- Canadian, British and American -- had just brought a huge invasion fleet from England to France in total darkness. For men on the ships, first light showed the black shapes of other nearby vessels. For the Germans on shore, the dawn revealed a vast armada poised to invade occupied France.

The military planners had given Canada a measured role on D-Day: to take one of the five designated beaches where Allied forces were to land to begin the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany. The Americans had Utah and Omaha beaches in the west, then came the British at Gold, then the Canadians at Juno Beach and finally the British at Sword on the east.

The greatest seaborne invasion in history was aimed at 80 kilometres of mostly flat, sandy beach along the Normandy coast, west of the Seine River, east of the jutting Cotentin Peninsula. Canada's objective was right in the middle.

There were about 155,000 soldiers, 5,000 ships and landing craft, 50,000 vehicles and 11,000 planes set for the coming battle. For Canada, 14,000 soldiers were to land on the beaches; another 450 were to drop behind enemy lines by parachute or glider. The Royal Canadian Navy supplied ships and about 10,000 sailors, Lancaster bombers and Spitfire fighters from the Royal Canadian Air Force supported the invasion.

The Canadians who landed on Juno Beach were part of the British Second Army under the command of British Lieutenant General Miles Dempsey, who had served in North Africa and Italy with overall British commander Bernard Montgomery.

Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. The Canadian assault forces were the Third Canadian Infantry Division, commanded by Major General R. F. Keller and the Second Canadian Armoured Brigade, with Brigadier R. A. Wyman in charge.

The units were from across the country; from east to west, from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders to the Canadian Scottish from Victoria.

The bombardment of the beaches began at 6:00 a.m. Within an hour the lead landing craft were away from the ships. Two hours later, the German defences at Juno Beach had been shattered and Canada had established the beachhead.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to also share with you the quick facts from World War II and the content of the D-Day that we are celebrating. There were 1.1 million Canadians who served in World War II, including 106,000 in the Royal Canadian Navy and 200,000 in the Royal Canadian Airforce; 42,042 Canadians were killed; 54,414 were wounded; and, 14,000 Canadians landed on D-Day. Mr. Speaker, during the first six days of the Normandy campaign, 1,017 Canadians died. By the end of the Normandy campaign, about 5,020 Canadians had been killed. About 5,400 Canadians are buried in Normandy. In the two-and-one-half months of the Normandy campaign, Allied casualties totalled 210,000. Canadian casualties totalled more than 18,000, including more than 5,000 dead. German casualties were up to 450,000.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for letting me share an article that gives a very good idea about what the Canadian soldiers and other Allied forces had to go through during World War II. I would also like to take this opportunity to invite the residents of Yellowknife and the communities around the NWT to come out and take this time to pay our respects for those who fought and those who gave up their lives for this just cause. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Ms. Lee. I would just like to caution Members not to not take any exorbitant amount of time quoting directly from a document, more refer to a document, but ...

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Item 3, Members' statements. The Honourable Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will extend my congratulations to you. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words about a group of people for whom I have a great deal of admiration and respect: our elders. They are the carriers of traditional knowledge and wisdom. Most recently we, in the Sahtu region, have sadly seen the passing of a number of our elders: George Masuzumi, Fred Hotti, Fred Widow, Mrs. Bayha, Mrs. Tatti and many more. I extend my sincere condolences to the families. These remarkable individuals would be greatly missed by their families, friends, and the whole communities in our region. With the passing of these valuable members of our community, we in the Sahtu region have lost a wealth of knowledge, history and culture. That is hundreds of years of history that is gone. That is quite a loss, considering the number of elders that have passed on. We are all dependent on our elders for judgments and insights. As leaders, we especially look to them for guidance in our decision-making, especially when in conflict about our land and the people.

The elders in our communities have lived through a lot of changes, Mr. Speaker. Throughout their lives, they have been active participants in making decisions about the futures of our people. Many have been involved in the same issues we continue to struggle with today including land claims, economic development of our lands and resources, as well as the cultural upheaval that flows from this. Their experience is invaluable. Look at the laws that they have taught us, the Yamoria laws of the aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories. We must take the utmost care for them, Mr. Speaker. I encourage Members of this House to consider the values of involving elders in this House as we grapple with the assembly. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 3, Members' statements. The Chair recognizes the honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to congratulate you on your new position with this House. I rise in the House today to speak about the great corporate citizens that we have in the Northwest Territories. Whether it is for community groups, sporting events, or individual pursuits, it is the corporate sponsors and supporters that, time and again, make so many things happen for so many of us. Mr. Speaker, many times, corporate citizens step up to the plate and often they do not get the full recognition that they deserve.

Just a few weeks back, the YK seniors' raffle had a book of tickets stolen from them. It was valued at $400. Without blinking an eye, Diavik stepped in and gave the Seniors' Society a cheque for $400. Diavik also gets full marks for stepping in and helping the City of Yellowknife complete the second half of the Multiplex project. I would like to publicly thank Diavik for that kind of commitment to our community.

Big events in Yellowknife and the rest of the Northwest Territories do not happen without corporate support. DeBeers has recently come to the calling of Folk on the Rocks with a multi-year sponsorship deal. The tournament coordinator for the Canadian North Balsillie Cup Tournament, which was recently held in Yellowknife, wrote MLAs a letter at the beginning of the month expressing how pleased he and the organizing committee were with the level of corporate support they received and the dedication of the volunteers. They identified Canadian North as playing a key role in the success of that tournament. In addition, his letter stated that the tournament had received donations of money and promotional items from over 40 local businesses.

I am also in receipt of a letter from the Yellowknife Ski Club who also commends the corporate support of Canadian North, Blachford Lake Lodge, and Air Tindi for helping them put together their annual high performance and biathlon raffle.

There are many other valued corporate citizens out there. As I mentioned, they often do not get the recognition they deserve. What brought this statement together for me was when a young constituent of mine, Mr. Kevin St. Germaine, was accepting his award for youth male athlete

of the year last Saturday evening at the Sport North awards banquet, and he singled out Mr. Rick Bolivar from Ryfan Electric as being the reason he was financially able to compete and have his best season ever. It is the strong corporate citizens of this community and territory that make events happen and allow individuals to pursue their goals and dreams.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot mention all of the great corporate citizens we have here today, but I just want to say your efforts do not go unnoticed. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Item 3, Members' statements. The Chair recognizes the Honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to congratulate you on your appointment as Speaker. I recently received a complaint from an elderly Tuktoyaktuk couple, aged 77 and 67 years respectively, with regard to the difficulties they are having in applying for funding to renovate their home. They applied on numerous occasions under the home repair program and have been turned down by the NWT Housing Corporation.

They know of some individuals in the community who have received funding from the NWT Housing Corporation, and they are not even elders. The husband has been retired for a number of years now, and the wife will be retiring from her employment this year. Mr. Speaker, to give the Members a brief history of their dilemma, the information provided to me by this elderly couple is as follows. If the Members may recall, government provided subsidized housing to their employees. Eventually, government decided to get out of housing their employees and put the units up for sale, with the first offer going to the employees. The elders decided to purchase a unit, and I am happy to say that today they own the unit. Mr. Speaker, prior to purchasing the unit some 20 years ago, there were a number of deficiencies with the unit. The Housing Corporation was to replace the wooden windows and the window handles and renovate the floor. For your information, that was 12 years ago, and he fell through the rotten floor. The corporation installed one window because the rest of the windows did not fit. The corporation took measurements and said that they would come back the following summer to install the windows. It is 14 years later, and they still have the wooden windows, not to mention the floor.

Mr. Speaker, the elderly couple are wondering why they have to wait all these years and yet she never let the Housing Corporation wait for one payment on the mortgage. The elderly couple indicated to me that if they could have afforded the renovations, they would have done it years ago. Many elders today cannot afford to purchase their own unit let alone pay for operations and maintenance. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions to the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause