Good afternoon, Members. Welcome back to the House. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Point Of Privilege

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I notified your office earlier, in accordance with Rule 20, I rise today on a point of privilege, to clarify an impression that might have been created from listening to or reading reports in the media, that I am somehow opposing the government initiative on Novel housing because they are trailers.

Mr. Speaker, that could not be further from the truth. The latest report is in today's News/North on page A21, in which I am quoted as saying, "She said many residents do not want to live in trailers." Last week, on CBC North, I was quoted as saying, "My nightmare is that when they come and go, we are going to have 1,400 trailers scattered all over the territory that nobody wants."

Mr. Speaker, if read in the context of all the statements and questions I raised in this House, I believe it's quite clear that my objections are not because these are trailers, but because of the fact the government is proposing to spend $200 million plus in public housing for 1,400 trailer units without asking if anybody wants to live in them or knowing if anybody wants to live in them.

I can tell you that more than Range Lake constituents live in trailers, better known as mobile homes. They are beautiful and they are expensive to buy. The big difference is they have bought them, and rent them, with their own money, because they want them of their own choosing, not because the government made them do it without asking them first.

Mr. Speaker, I hope with this statement I can clarify the misinformation and misinterpretation that might be going on out there, and I wish to advise this House that I intend to release a press statement to further clarify my position on this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of an exciting initiative in place at the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. This initiative is designed to address the shortage of skilled tradespeople working in house construction, and to provide much-needed housing to individuals in need.

Mr. Speaker, Housing Corporation officials devised a pilot project in 2001 to construct modest housing units through a community partnership approach. The Construction Trades Access Program is designed to introduce high school students to construction trades, to provide a structured work experience, and to encourage students to consider trades as a career. The program also involves college students and provides an outlet to apply classroom instruction to fieldwork.

The pilot projects for this program are being offered at high schools in Hay River and Fort Providence, and at Aurora College in Fort Smith. Students in the Construction Trades Access Program build one-bedroom self-contained homes designed for a couple or a single person. The homes are permanent, and are built to maximize energy efficiency.

Students have the opportunity to develop the skills to build homes and to learn about apprenticeship opportunities. The program exposes students to various trades, including carpentry, plumbing, heating and electrical. In addition, students learn to read blueprints, do layout work, and calculate material quantities.

Mr. Speaker, this initiative has proven to be an overwhelming success on many fronts. A total of four houses have been completed under this initiative, and two more are being constructed, as we speak. Although the concept is still referred to as a pilot project, it provides the optimum opportunity for learning and an affordable attractive home for clients. Homes have been located for clients in Fort Providence, Fort Resolution and on the Hay River Reserve.

Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, it provides an incentive for students to stay in school, and has even allowed students to find employment in skilled trades upon graduation. The corporation has recently committed to offering this program in the community of Fort Simpson, and, given the program's success, the corporation hopes to expand this program to other schools in the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report on the recent forest industry workshop held in Fort Providence earlier this month. The workshop on community-based forest industry development in the Northwest Territories was hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Experts on small-scale forest industry met with community leaders, forest industry entrepreneurs and GNWT staff. Participants learned there are many small-scale opportunities that can work well within community development needs and can be sound economic initiatives.

The workshop focussed on community-based forest development and covered activities from planning and harvesting, to processing and product marketing.

The workshop was led by Environment and Natural Resources, and involved the participation of Industry, Tourism and Investment; the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada; Forintek Canada; and the First Nations Forestry Program. Mr. Speaker, more than 40 participants from 12 communities attended the workshop, one of the largest gatherings since the mid '90s, to discuss forest industry development in the Northwest Territories.

Response from workshop participants was positive and supportive of the approach being taken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Participation in discussions and working groups was enthusiastic, and there was definite interest in future workshops.

Topics of interest include both the details of long-term business plans and the broadening of the area to include gathering and marketing aspects of non-timber forest products such as birch bark and sap, country foods and florals. The department will work to develop a better understanding of the role of cottage industries for local use. We will continue to work with communities to develop sustainable local economies based on marketable forest use. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today a delegation consisting of all the sitting members of the Hay River District Education Authority, their executive director, and two consultants that have been engaged to work with them, met with Minister Dent and his deputy minister.

By way of a little background, Hay River is currently a part of the South Slave Divisional Education Council. This council encompasses the communities of Fort Smith, Lutselk'e, Fort Resolution, Hay River Reserve and Hay River. The South Slave region is a bit of an anomaly, in terms of regional organization, as there are two communities of significant and similar size, Hay River and Fort Smith, and three much smaller in culturally diverse communities.

The purpose of the meeting today was to petition the Minister to again consider an alternative governance and administrative model for education in Hay River. The proposed model would see the Hay River DEA have an expanded role in addressing the education, goals, objectives and delivery on behalf of Hay River students.

There are many challenges for Hay River associated with the current system, which I won't go into a great deal of detail on, Mr. Speaker, but, just briefly, I will provide a couple of examples.

Recently, the South Slave DEC developed a literacy initiative with a price tag of over $500,000. This money would fund a campaign and purchase promotional items like backpacks and fridge magnets. The Hay River DEA representative would much rather see those kinds of dollars spent to bring front line help into the classroom. That amount of money would pay for a full-time assistant in all five communities. But with only one vote on the council of five, Hay River's priorities were not reflected in the decision.

Another issue, Mr. Speaker, is the amount of time the school principals and teachers are required to be away from their primary responsibilities to participate in meetings and committees, which often result in little, if any, direct benefit to their students. The time away, the cost of backfilling the responsibility for their duties while they are gone, adds up to the expenditure of a lot of time and energy. Suffice it to say, Mr. Speaker, that we have a very dedicated and capable group of locally elected DEA members who have put careful consideration into a governance and administration model which they feel would enhance the education of Hay River students. This is in accordance with their mandate and what they are elected to oversee. They have sought and received local support. Now it will be up to the Minister, and his department, to determine if the proposal is something he can politically, and legislatively, support. The proposal is comprehensive and reasonable. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to provide a very short conclusion to my statement. Thank you.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the Hay River DEA on their dedication to the delivery of the best possible education opportunities for Hay River students, and I look forward to a very timely response from the Minister on their petition. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with the onset of winter, I rise today to speak on the favourite winter activity of many young people in the NWT. That activity, Mr. Speaker, is stealing snowmobiles.

Many residents who work, trying to earn an honest living, continue to have their snowmobiles stolen from outside their residence, where they probably pay mortgages and taxes. There seems to be absolutely no consequence for anyone who steals snow machines, or anything else, for that matter.

Residents from across the NWT are getting frustrated and angry with the lack of punishment for the offenders. Many residents feel that they should dish out some frontier justice to prevent this from happening again. This is not the way we are told things should be handled, but it speaks to the fact that the system is not working. Too many young people today have absolutely no respect for the law and people's possessions.

Mr. Speaker, many calls made to the local RCMP are forwarded to Yellowknife, and, sometimes, are not answered. Many of my colleagues have spoken to this issue before. All calls should be answered locally and acted on right away.

This, along with regular patrols around communities, would serve as a deterrent to potential crimes. The police have to be proactive instead of reacting to the crime, then having to do an investigation. We do not appreciate being interrogated while reporting a crime, and having the offenders long gone by the time the police arrive. The police do have a difficult job, but calls have to be taken in the community and responded to quickly. This has been a concern of Regular Members for a long time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge this government, and the Department of Justice, to come down hard on offenders, and let there be consequence for committing crimes like this. Until we quit slapping them on the wrist, they will continue to commit all these crimes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak today about government procurement, and how it relates specifically to office space. With 4,400 employees, the GNWT is the largest customer for office space in the Territories.

First, Mr. Speaker, I would like to paint a picture. The total of all purchased goods and services by the Government of the Northwest Territories is in the neighbourhood of $200 million per year. Of this, Mr. Speaker, 40 percent, or about $75 million, is spent in what I would deem to be a non-competitive nature.

How could this be allowed to happen, when the Government of the Northwest Territories says that it is an open, honest and accountable government? Sole source contracts, negotiated contracts, and standing offer agreements continue to make up far too much of our spending as a government. When it comes to office space, the government's use of anti-competitive secret procurement practices discourages private investment in our communities, as well as reducing the confidence the business community has in open, transparent and honest government, at the regional and territorial levels, Mr. Speaker.

Secret procurement and deals done without a competitive process are usually the worst kind and often the most expensive, and, ultimately, lead to fewer funds being available for other needed services provided by government. The government has been vocal about rising energy costs and supporting the environment, but how are they putting this into action when it comes to procuring office space?

When an RFP is issued on an older, less energy-efficient building, as compared to a newer, energy-efficient building, it is like comparing apples to oranges. In looking at a recent RFP from Public Works and Services, the evaluation criteria consisted of cost, management, facility requirements and northern preference. There is no evaluation of how green or energy-efficient a building is.

In light of the current times, and increases to fuel and rising energy costs, it is time that the Government of the Northwest Territories starts to practice what it preaches in terms of evaluating office space with energy efficiency in mind, and to go to an open and competitive process whenever possible. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions regarding procurement practices for office space for the Minister of Public Works and Services, at the appropriate time. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week, there was much discussion on seniors' homes in the NWT. I would like to speak specifically about Kivallik House in Tuktoyaktuk.

The Kivallik seniors' facility can accommodate 10 seniors, and includes rooms that are suitable for husbands and wives. Presently, there are three seniors living in the facility. A husband and wife team is contracted by the Housing Corporation to provide security and some caregiving. The local housing authority in Tuktoyaktuk assists with the maintenance of the Kivallik House.

Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleagues, that the units are not running at full capacity. The number of clientele does not cover the operating costs. I know that the LHO is trying to encourage elders to move into this wonderful facility. However, as we know, you can't force an elder to do something that they don't want to do. I applaud these elders for their independence in the keeping of their own homes.

Mr. Speaker, as an example, and elderly person just turned 87 years young last week. She currently lives with one of her sons in the house and is very independent. She traveled to Yellowknife for a conference just last week. These are the types of seniors we are talking about here. Their homes and their independence are very important to them.

I understand that the NWT Housing Corporation is looking at alternatives for the Kivallik House, and I have seen recent ads in the paper for minor renovations. My understanding is that the NWT Housing Corporation plans to restructure the facility, so that five units can be used for low-cost housing.

Mr. Speaker, a senior's home should be used for their quiet time and enjoyment, and not have to worry about other clients disturbing them. I am concerned that there has been no consultation with the seniors or LHOs in Tuktoyaktuk. One very good alternative, Mr. Speaker, would be to upgrade the facility to a level II care home and repatriate the two elders from the Joe Greenland Centre in Aklavik.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am firm believer in independence. I applaud many of my elders in Tuktoyaktuk, for their independence and desire to stay in their homes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this month is Halloween month, and my statement maybe should be trick or treat on the day care programs in the Northwest Territories.

I listened with interest, Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment spoke about the problems that we are facing in getting Mr. Dryden, the honourable Minister, to recognize that per capita funding does not work in northern communities in the Northwest Territories. I looked into the day care situation in the Northwest Territories and, of course, the Sahtu, and found that the majority of day care spaces are in larger and more urban centres of the Northwest Territories.

In the Sahtu, there are only 59 licensed day care spots, and of those, only 10 are places for infants. Mr. Speaker, how does this government expect anyone to take advantage of the opportunities that are associated with oil and gas exploration, possibly the construction of the Mackenzie gas pipeline, and other resource developments in the North? If they are going to take advantage, they cannot find quality day care for their younger children.

Mr. Speaker, there are no suitable places available for day care programming in smaller communities. That is a fact, Mr. Speaker, and the federal Minister needs to come to terms with this, because our territorial Minister is only carrying the message for him.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I strongly believe that the current day care program is flawed. The realities of life in our communities don't always fit into a cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all, government program. The Minister, and the government, need to recognize this and move on. We need a two-tiered program that recognizes day care operators in smaller communities require financial assistance in acquiring their own facilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was recently updated on the Akaitcho territory as to the negotiation process and the meetings that were taking place in Ottawa last week with both federal and territorial governments and also the Akaitcho negotiating team.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform this House that there has actually been some headway made in negotiating teams, in the form of a protocol agreement being agreed and signed by all parties involved. This new development may not seem like much to the average Joe on the street, Mr. Speaker, but, to me, it represents an important step in the Akaitcho process. It is important because, firstly, it means that the ball is still rolling and the negotiation process is actually moving forward and a final agreement may become a reality sooner than what was initially anticipated.

It is important, secondly, because of the exploration and mining activity taking place, as we speak, in the Akaitcho territory. With no resource revenue benefits going directly to the residents of the Akaitcho territory, this agreement assures residents that they will be kept more informed, and consulted, on any new initiatives or developments that occur in the Akaitcho territory, by both the GNWT and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and Industry, before any new land use permits and/or water licences are issued, because of the fact that a selection process has now been agreed to for the withdrawal of lands in the Akaitcho territory by the parties that were established and signed this agreement.

This is something that has, in the past, been reviewed by many Akaitcho leaders and residents alike, as a practice that has been often circumvented and/or completely missed on many occasions, and/or applications that are pertaining to the Akaitcho territory land use.

In summary, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say, good job to the Akaitcho negotiating team. I encourage, and fully support, the direction that they are pursuing. I would also like to encourage this government's negotiating team to be more supportive of the Akaitcho process, and be more in accordance with the aboriginal values, traditions and customs when they are at the negotiating table in the future negotiations. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Before I go on to the next Member, I would like to draw the Members' attention to the fact that the second language in the

House today is Inuvialuktun. Thank you, Members. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today, I continue to speak about the closure of the ferry services in Nahendeh. During the weekend, I had the opportunity to hold a community meeting regarding the ferry shutdown in Fort Simpson, with regard to the labour dispute. There was a large turnout for this event. That is a clear indication that the community is very passionate about this issue, Mr. Speaker.

Basic necessities of life, like food, shelter and clothing, are being threatened, Mr. Speaker. The government can no longer ignore this. The ruling that the ferry across the Liard River was not an essential service is a slap in the face to all community members in Fort Simpson, Mr. Speaker.

The highways are considered essential, and the ferries are an extension of the highways, so it is just not logical why anybody, in his right mind, would declare the ferry as non-essential, at this point, especially when we have only one way in and one way out of Fort Simpson, Mr. Speaker. The interruption of the provision of essential goods and services is equally important.

What happened, Mr. Speaker, in this case, is that the ferry shut down and the people are not ready for freeze-up, Mr. Speaker. Hundreds of constituents of Nahendeh have all written letters to me, with regard to their concerns and frustrations with this ferry dispute.

A big frustration lies in the fact that the GNWT knew that the strike was coming for a long time, and, only now, they are doing their extensive review. Why couldn't they have been prepared, Mr. Speaker? Why was there no plan B in place?

This issue is polarizing, and impacting, the community in many ways, Mr. Speaker. Fort Simpson would like to know what is going to be done, because every day we waste, Mr. Speaker, is a day that the ferry is not operating. Gas, heating fuels, and other necessary living essentials are at dangerously low levels. Also, this dispute has increased the prices of already very high living and food costs in the community. It is the constituents and consumers that bear the brunt of the high costs. On behalf of my constituents, Mr. Speaker, we demand that our needs be met. This ferry must run, because we are not ready for freeze-up. Not enough supplies have crossed.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, even after all of this is resolved, we must continue to discuss with the Premier and this government and determine that the ferry link is an essential service. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleagues for allowing me to conclude my statement. In our small and remote communities, transportation links, such as the ferry, are essential for supplies and fuel services. We must consider them vital, as the government must consider it vital, too, Mr. Speaker, and act accordingly. We also have to decide, as a government, is this type of contract necessary any more? We have local, trained workers in this field, and we can use them if, and when, our government takes over this service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Members, my apologies; I stand corrected. The second language in the House today is Innuinaqtun.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. There are seven trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves in the Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Speaker, the object of a very high powered consortium to build a $7 billion project in the Mackenzie Valley. I know I have seen numbers in the neighbourhood of, potentially, 40 trillion cubic feet more natural gas that could be found.

Last week, Mr. Speaker, the value of that product was said at about 1,150 giga jewels, three times the historic average, even in the last few months, I think, Mr. Speaker. So it is astonishing to hear that Imperial Oil, the main proponent behind this pipeline, says that it is still not an economic deal in the long term. It is astonishing that they have gone, in such a late date, to negotiate, to wrangle what, I have heard it is estimated, some $2 billion worth of new concessions out of Ottawa through this program.

Today, these are huge numbers for me to try to comprehend, and try to roll out into the next few decades of the NWT, because that is what this project means to us. Today, there is a report from the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association that says that, over 20 years, if the pipeline is not built, Alberta, especially the industrial sector, stands to lose some $20 billion in spin-offs and benefits. They say that Ontario, especially the residential sector, stands to lose $19 billion. Again, these are big numbers and huge time frames.

Well, let's get to something that really is realizable. That is the time frame that is coming up in about three weeks, where Imperial Oil has to signal, or has said it would signal, to the regulatory agencies, whether or not it is going to go.

Mr. Speaker, I am standing here, I think, like a lot of northerners, in frustration and bewilderment. Is this a real project or not? It is so big. It is so critical to our future. Is it too much to ask for some clarity, and some certainty, from the major players here, from industry, from the federal government, and from the regulatory agencies? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today, in protest against the lack of action, and the priority given, to address the inadequate funding and resources to our day care programs. Mr. Speaker, we are well aware of the fact that Rainbow Childcare Centre in Fort Smith is on the verge of closing this Friday. The sad fact is, Mr. Speaker, that this is only one of many, in recent years, that have shared the same fate. The centre in Inuvik closed not long ago. I know at least three centres closed in Yellowknife recently. Mr. Speaker, I could also tell you that most of the ones that are running in the city are in constant threat from lack of funding and resources. Mr. Speaker, we also saw, first hand, the struggles for resources in Lutselk'e day care centre, and the list goes on and on.

Mr. Speaker, how long could this go on? It is about time that this government acts on what it says about the importance of children. Mr. Speaker, whenever asked, the Minister is quick to point the finger at the federal government. Already, I know that the Minister is armed with answers as to why we couldn't give $20,000 bail-out for the day care in Fort Smith, or why he couldn't get money from the federal government. Well, Mr. Speaker, I am not going to buy that anymore. The fact that the Minister couldn't get the funding, or change the funding formula, only speaks to his inaction and incompetence. The children should not be blamed for not getting any funding, Mr. Speaker.

This government always has money to bail out diamond companies, with multi-millions of dollars, in the name of creating jobs and keeping jobs. Well, good on you. I have to tell you that the day care centres in our communities create jobs in every community that are meaningful and relevant to the people who live there. It keeps the people who have jobs, and people that are going to school to keep in school so that they can get better jobs. Mr. Speaker, why is there no help for these centres?

This government, apparently, gives $500,000 to someone without requiring any paperwork. Yet they have an army of people requiring mountains and mountains of paperwork on a daily basis for those running day care centres, just to tell them that they actually have to pay money back. Mr. Speaker, there is something really wrong with this picture. It is about time this Minister, the Premier, and the whole Cabinet, understands that children are as important as they say they are, and that they are as important as health care funding, resource revenue sharing and the pipeline. We need a champion for children in day care, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to speak on the need to keep the Workers' Compensation Board in the central, downtown core of Yellowknife. I believe that if this government allows the Workers' Compensation Board to build outside this core, it will contribute to the continued diminishment of the viability of our downtown. Many downtown businesses have made a significant investment in Yellowknife. What message does this send to them? It appears to be nothing but a slap in the face. But what message does it send to industry? They can only wonder what is happening to our city. Many of these businesses have been part of the growing downtown for a number of years, but this shows no continued support and does not stand by them. Removal of 150 employees does nothing for the restaurants, the coffee shops, the clothing stores, et cetera, downtown, to keep our vibrant downtown hustling and bustling.

Mr. Speaker, these same businesses have made concentrated efforts to revitalize the downtown core. Take, for example, the City of Yellowknife. It has done much to clean up the landscape. The RCMP, in its recent drug bust, is, clearly, a testament to cleaning up the downtown. Where is this government's support?

Mr. Speaker, we only have to look at the effects that moving government offices out of the downtown core contributed to the cities of Edmonton, and even Winnipeg. I know that Edmonton had to really struggle to encourage investment back into their downtown core. Everybody knows that, in the '70s, after 6:00, it was, truly, a virtual ghost town.

So I say, Mr. Speaker, I do not want our capital city to suffer in this way. We have the ability and, indeed, we have the responsibility, as a government, to help the downtown core retain, and regain, its vibrancy as a central role in the life of our community, Mr. Speaker, before we start seeing the problems associated with an inner city.

I am not going to argue whether it makes business sense for the WCB to own and operate its own building. We all know that they presently own their own condo space, but I suspect it would be the same argument as the territorial courthouse. There is probably a business case there somewhere. However, Mr. Speaker, I will argue that the WCB does not need a prestigious address, looking over a lake or any other special area, to serve injured workers and their employers. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I would suggest to you that, if the WCB builds any building, it should be a utilitarian office. Mr. Speaker, may I 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. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. I would suggest that, if WCB needs to build a building, it had better be by a utilitarian type of office building, because they are doing nothing for themselves but building a simple monument for their representation and wasting the money paid to them by employers across the NWT. Employers already complain about the cost of premiums. This has only justified why they are so high.

Free parking is the rumour out there for employees, Mr. Speaker. That is all I seem to hear. MLAs don't get free parking, so why should their employees? We need to end those types of rumours.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to reiterate that the WCB, to relocate outside the downtown core, would be establishing a precedent for this government to end their departments and corporations that follow. I would go so far as to call it dangerous, and it must stop now in its tracks. I believe that adequate space exists in government buildings downtown, or other buildings or other lots downtown, that could be utilized immediately.

Could you conclude your statement, Mr. Hawkins?

Finally, I would expect the Minister responsible for the WCB to show some leadership and commitment to the people of Yellowknife, and provide direction to the WCB to keep their operations in the downtown core. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I have the pleasure of recognizing the chair of our district education authority, David MacDonald; the vice-chair, Kandis Jameson; the secretary-treasurer, Cindy Clarke; and DEA board members: Janine Kipling, Ken Latour, Melvin Larocque, and David Sanquez. Also, I want to take this opportunity to recognize my very helpful and competent and capable constituency assistant, Wendy Morgan.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two local businessmen in the audience today: Mr. Darren Guinan and Mr. Gord Humphries. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my formal, very capable, energetic and inspiring assistant. I understand she is sitting there. She is also a very successful businessperson: Vivian Squires. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we have missed anybody in the gallery today, welcome to the gallery. I would especially like to welcome the contingent from the DEA in Hay River. It is always nice to have people in the gallery, so welcome to the gallery.

---Applause

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are in follow up to my Member's statement, for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. As I indicated in my Member's statement, this is not the first time that Hay River has attempted to come up with a model for governments, and administration, that more closely suits the needs and addresses the needs of education in Hay River. Today, I know it was only this morning, that Minister Dent had an opportunity to look at the material delivered by our DEA, but I would like to ask the Minister, just on his preliminary review of this material, does he think that this is a viable alternative for Hay River? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member said, it was just this morning, just before lunch. I had another function that I had to attend at lunch hour, so I didn't really have time to go through the document. I know that the DEA has hired a couple of well-respected consultants to work with them, and to prepare their business plan. That was what I had asked for, was a well-prepared business plan for us to examine to see whether or not this request could make sense. So I am looking forward to looking at it. We will commit to doing that very quickly.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today, I will be tabling the documents from the DEA. The ongoing issues that have made it difficult for the DEA in Hay River to operate have been in existence for quite some time now, dating back 14 and 15 years. This is something that has been brought to the attention of this Minister, and to previous Ministers. Could the Minister provide me with what would be a reasonable expectation, on our part, in terms of a response? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would expect that we should be able to have a response within 30 days.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement today, I spoke about the need to keep the Workers' Compensation Board in the central core to help maintain community focus on our downtown in Yellowknife. I would like to ask the Minister if there is any contributing factor to the urgency of the Workers' Compensation Board in building their own building outside of the downtown core. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I understand it, the cost of the land is cheaper than assembling the space downtown.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister speak to the urgency that the Workers' Compensation Board needs to keep the fire on this issue? Is there a reason they need to get out of their existing space today? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, the Workers' Compensation Board does not have to give up the space they are currently in. The business case is what's driving this. The governance council believes that they can operate more efficiently, at less cost, by owning their own space. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I appreciate the Minister saying they do not have to give up their space, because I don't think they have to leave the downtown core. I do not believe that it's appropriate for a government agency to leave their main offices downtown to move to a suburb or strip mall area. Can the Minister inform this Assembly whether he has the ability to consult with his Nunavut counterpart to direct the Workers' Compensation Board to stay in the central core of Yellowknife? Does he have the ability, as the Minister, to act as the Minister? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One thing I should clarify, the Member has said the WCB is a government agency. The Workers' Compensation Board is not a government agency. The government does not contribute operating funds, or capital funds, to the Workers' Compensation Board. They operate entirely by way of contributions from employers. Could I provide that direction to the Workers' Compensation Board? I'm not sure I could provide direction as to where they could build. I believe that the limitation is that, once they have come to Cabinet and asked for approval to build, it is up to them to determine where they would build that building.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Minister, by saying he's not sure if he has that ability, does have that ability by being head of that corporation. Would the Minister take that point and go forward and ask the Nunavut Minister to work together to ensure that the Workers' Compensation Board stays in its present location, or continues to stay in the downtown of the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding of the role of the Ministers for the Workers' Compensation Board, both in the NWT and Nunavut, is that their role is limited to the appointment, or removal, of directors. We cannot provide direction to the Workers' Compensation Board about where they might operate their programs.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Public Works and Services, and I get back to my Member's statement from earlier today. I'm wondering how the Government of the Northwest Territories says they support environmentally friendly green buildings, but they don't have any way of evaluating that in the RFP process. I'd like to ask the Minister what his plans are to address this shortcoming in the RFP process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in respect to the building, and buildings, we lease, what we have done is, for buildings that we're involved with for being constructed in the Northwest Territories, is implement the better building practices into the design. A lot of the work would be done up front, and in the review process of the design, and trying to incorporate, at that stage, some more efficient methods of construction. As for seeking office space within the Northwest Territories, again, there is not one criterion that would give points to a potential contractor out there, as to the energy efficiency of his building. At this time, and we'd have to review that to see if we would incorporate that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the fact that the government recently came out strong on the energy issues and conservation efforts, I'm wondering if the Minister can stand up today and give me some guarantee that, in the evaluation process, green buildings or energy-efficient buildings will be compared in the evaluation process and given some weight. Today, they're not, and I'd like some assurance from the Minister that they will be given that process. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that's something we can't take into consideration. As we've mentioned here a number of times, the work that's ongoing around the energy initiatives that Cabinet has undertaken, is to look at our practices when it comes to securing office space, or any space, for that matter. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister, when an RFP goes out, and there is obviously an older building putting in a submission on the RFP and a brand-new building, an energy-efficient building, does the Minister believe that it's a fair evaluation, when, today, it's like comparing apples and oranges? In my assumption, it isn't a fair process. I'd like to see it changed immediately. If it's not fair today, maybe it can be fair tomorrow. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the evaluation process we use to date, again, is something that we've had in place for some time, in the initial building of infrastructure in the Northwest Territories as we try to put in our better building practices at the start of a construction project. Of course, that does go back to the sponsoring department, to see if, in fact, they would support the higher cost that's requested up front. As you go to the more energy-efficient facilities, there is going to be a higher cost. I've had a number of meetings now with proponents out there, who have shown their building is, in fact, greener than most, I guess is a term that we would use. We would have to look at that again and the overall initiatives that we are undertaking right now, as a government, around the energy initiatives. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the RFP, there's a section for northern preference. I know there were two RFPs recently awarded that went to companies that own real estate here in Yellowknife, but, certainly, aren't located in the Northwest Territories. Head offices aren't here in the Northwest Territories. I'm wondering if the Minister can explain to me what northern preference might mean in the RFP process, and why local businesspeople, who are building office space here in Yellowknife, are being turned down. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in all of our contracts and practices, we do look at northern businesses as being able to provide a service to us. A number of things that come into the picture, though, is, because you're considered northern does not guarantee that you would get a contract with the government. There are a number of other weightings, as the Member had listed earlier, that also come into consideration. That would be price and availability, as well as we have to look at whether, if someone is offering up a service, it meets the requirements that are being asked by a specific department. So the fact that a company would qualify as northern would give them some points when a criteria is rated, but those points, also, are totalled up. They may receive more points under northern preference or criteria than they would under another proponent, but, ultimately, it's the total points that come into play here, and if they don't score as high, then they don't get the contract. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and they're with regard to lack of funding for day care programs. Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, in my statement, this is not new. There have been many, many closings of day care centres in all regions of the Territories, and the common theme coming out of that is lack of funding, and lack of subsidy, and really

unreasonable requirements as they exist under the program right now. The Minister has, so far, refused to take, really, any action on that to improve the program. I'd like to know, from the Minister, what he is planning on doing to help facilities like Fort Smith deal with their financial and resource problems. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have heard from many operators of day cares across the North, that they are struggling and would dearly love to see more money, and I know that that's an issue that is on the minds of a lot of people. We have a program in place, right now, and we don't have a big pot of money sitting around available to dip into to add to that. We had counted on the federal government to help us top up the program, and we were hoping to be able to spend some of that money this fall, but we have not been successful. In terms of new initiatives and where we work, we're willing to work with our partners. I work very closely with the Standing Committee on Social Programs, which the Member chairs, and I can note that there haven't been any of the reports that have come from that committee that have made this issue a higher priority than some of the other issues that we are spending money on.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would take that as a very cheap shot, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister is in charge of this program. He knows that there is not enough money. The centre in Fort Smith has been struggling, and they have been on the verge of closing ever since they started, in late 2004. They barely survive. I don't think we can excuse the Minister to say that because he's not getting any money from the federal government, that he can't do anything about that. Could the Minister not come up with a better answer for those children who are not going to have any place to go? For example, Mr. Speaker, last week there were promotional items coming out of the department on literacy, or gadgets to put on your car, that I would suggest cost more than $20,000. That could easily keep the children in this day care, instead of getting a pamphlet in the mailbox about literacy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday I met with the NWT Literacy Council, and I'll certainly be happy to go back to them and discuss how we're spending our funding in literacy. If they feel that there are areas that we can redirect funding that is now being spent on literacy into childcare, I'd be the first one prepared to do that. Mr. Speaker, I agree that we should get more money into childcare, and I think that what we need to do is make sure that we, in the North, have the same opportunities that they have in other jurisdictions in Canada right now, where they've already got that money from Minister Dryden and they're already spending it. It should be coming to us so that we can give it to people in the North, as well.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think the Minister is demonstrating the extent of his incompetence on his portfolio by not addressing any of the issues that I'm dealing with, and putting an excuse to the federal Minister, Mr. Speaker. I don't think children in our communities care that he didn't win his fight with Minister Dryden. In the meantime, what are the children supposed to do when they have no home to go to?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Thank you for your question. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member knows, we have a business planning process. We have a budgeting process. I would be happy to move forward with a proposal that we add our own money into this program. But I can't do it right now. I don't have a pot of money to stick my hand into and bring it out. All the money we spend has to go through our budget process. I'd be quite happy to look at moving some of money that we proposed new initiatives for this next year into day care funding. But, Mr. Speaker, I can't do that in advance of the budget session.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Mr. Speaker, I don't believe the Minister ever came to the Social Programs committee asking for more money for day care. The committee fought to keep that money in early childhood programs. The Minister is well aware that he gets $260 million plus, or $250 million plus. The department seems to have a lot of money to do a lot of things, and I don't see how he can say that he cannot find $20,000 until Christmas, so that this centre can keep their doors open until they figure out where the parents are going to send their kids. Have some sympathy, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If we're going to find money for the program, then I want to make sure that it's available equitably across the Northwest Territories. We can't pick and choose which program is better than another. What we have to do is find

ways to support all of our centres through the program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.