Good afternoon, Members. Welcome to the House. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House of the upcoming northern transportation conference to be held in Yellowknife on November 8th to 10th. It will be co-hosted by three of Canada's leading transportation "think tanks:" The Van Horne Institute, the Transportation Institute of the University of Manitoba, and the Western Transportation Advisory Council, or WESTAC.

Mr. Speaker, this conference will help focus the spotlight on the North and our transportation system. It will bring together delegates from across Canada to inform them of the immense opportunities in the North and transportation's role in achieving these opportunities. In the end, delegates will be challenged to work collectively to draft a transportation action plan.

To help develop this action plan, delegates will hear a number of presentations and panel discussions on topics such as transportation partnerships, the state of northern transportation infrastructure, the challenges facing all modes of transportation, the impact of pipeline development, climate change, and northern sovereignty and security.

Mr. Speaker, this is an impressive list of topics. To do them justice, the conference organizers have invited an equally impressive list of presenters. They have drawn from industry, academia, governments and aboriginal organizations to ensure a balanced and spirited discussion.

Mr. Speaker, we are pleased to report that officials from the Department of Transportation, along with their colleagues from Nunavut and the Yukon, have had significant input into the development of the conference themes and selection of keynote speakers and expert presenters. The Department of Transportation is also providing financial and administrative support, as well as a number of speakers. With my counterparts from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, we will be discussing the need for partnerships with the western provinces in achieving economic growth and providing improved transportation services.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, we look forward to attending the northern transportation conference and participating in what will be a challenging and enlightening forum. This will be a great opportunity to showcase the North to the rest of Canada and highlight the unique transportation issues facing us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, November is National Adoption Awareness Month. This is an opportunity to recognize all those adoptive families in the NWT who have opened their hearts to children in need of families.

Adoption provides a child with permanence and security. All children need roots and a feeling that they belong to a family. This feeling of belonging affects their sense of self-worth. It helps to determine how they see themselves in relation to others and to their community.

There were 43 custom adoptions last year. Custom adoptions ensure aboriginal children in care are raised with aboriginal families whenever possible, keeping them connected to their extended family and community. Additionally, the department arranged and completed 13 other adoptions last year.

The face of adoption has changed over the years. There are children of all ages being adopted in the NWT, including some with special needs. Many hopeful adoptive parents believe that children will enrich their lives and that they have a lot to offer a child in need.

Prospective parents can be married, common-law, or single. Individuals, like a step-parent, can also adopt their spouse's children. Some prospective parents are childless, while others are looking to expand their families, or have children who have grown up and left home. Regardless, the support and security of a permanent home is paramount to any child's development, and each child in the NWT is entitled to healthy development and a loving family.

As we celebrate adoptive families, let us remember that there are children in the NWT who are eager to have a loving and permanent family. Residents interested in adoption can contact their local Health and Social Services office for more information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. We are living in a very interesting and exciting period, with many changes and developments happening in the Northwest Territories. In recent years, we have seen diamond mine activity in the North Slave geological area, proposed oil and gas development along the Mackenzie Valley, discussion of the potential for hydro activity in the South Slave and Sahtu areas, and progress in self-government development including the creation of the Tlicho Government. Each of these new developments brings with it the requirement for labour supply and for new skills.

Education continues to be the key to whether a person can take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. It is no secret, Mr. Speaker, the higher your level of education, the better your chance of employment. Now, more than 70 percent of new jobs require at least some post-secondary education or training.

The Government of the Northwest Territories, through its Student Financial Assistance program, SFA, provides support for northerners to pursue a post-secondary education and encourages students to return to the North upon graduation. Each year, approximately 1,400 northerners are supported through the SFA program. These students are enrolled in a range of certificate, diploma, and degree-level programs in institutions across the country. Supporting these students is one of the most important investments we can make to ensure we have a well-educated population able to prosper and take advantage of opportunities in the North.

Mr. Speaker, when we talk with other jurisdictions, they often tell us that our SFA program is one of the best programs in the country. The funding we provide in the form of grants, remissible loans, scholarships and other loan supports is generally higher than elsewhere, and our remission program is second to none. Nonetheless, we must continually monitor how well our program is supporting the education goals of our students. In addition, we need, on occasion, to make adjustments to the program that are fair, affordable and within the overall intent of assisting students.

Effective with the 2005-2006 academic year, there are a number of changes that have been made to the SFA program that will improve support for our students. Students will now be required to complete 60 percent of a full course load instead of 75 percent to be considered full time. We have also clarified the eligibility criteria for academic merit scholarships and eliminated the restrictions that were previously in place that disqualified students from support if they were employed full time.

The changes this year are, I believe, important for supporting our students in a fiscally responsible manner. We are also considering other parts of the program that could be altered. For example, we are looking at amending the academic performance requirements of students so that oversight occurs on an annual basis rather than on a semester-by-semester basis. We are also examining how we provide travel benefits to students with the view to providing cash rather than the current voucher system.

Mr. Speaker, each possible change will be weighed carefully to get the right balance, providing a meaningful level of support that encourages students to start and continue their studies, and providing support within our government's fiscal means. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak today in honour of a young musical prodigy in our midst, a 13-year-old recording artist...

---Applause

...who I am happy to say is in the gallery today with his mother, Hung Li. Mr. Speaker, in case some of the Members have not recognized him, he is the one who starred on CTV's Canada Morning Show this summer.

Mr. Speaker, on October 15th, Lyndon achieved a feat not experienced by many, and that was the launch of his first CD entitled Serenade. This compilation contains the recording of 12 very difficult, beautiful, timeless classical guitar pieces, some of them very well known Vietnamese songs. He performed some of them live to the enthusiastic audience who came out to the launch in big numbers, in spite of a massive snowstorm. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that this House was well represented at this event by Premier Handley, Minister Dent, MLAs Bill Braden and Norman Yakeleya.

For me, personally, it was a very moving experience to be at this launch. It was such a celebration of music, family and community, not only because it was a welcoming party of this newest, phenomenal musical talent to our already vast pool of our musical and artistic community, but it was such a testimonial to what such an extraordinary amount of discipline, determination and strong support from families can achieve for a young person, and how, in turn, endless benefits and goodwill can flow out to the whole community.

Mr. Speaker, I learned from this event that young Lyndon has been practicing his classical guitar every day for the last seven years, more than half of his young life of 13 years, at least an hour a day during the week and many more on weekends. I learned that his father, Bacai, was there for every single practice, and I know his mother would not have been too far away from them.

Mr. Speaker, it just created for me such a beautiful picture of a family surrounding this young talent and giving him love and support and all the resources he needs to be the best he can be. How lucky they are to do it and celebrate their success together.

Another important beneficiary of Lyndon's success is the Canadian Cancer Society, who will receive all profits from the CD sales. Mr. Speaker, Lyndon's father, Bacai, spoke movingly at the event and said, very adamantly, that it was very important that the family does not profit financially from the launch. Lyndon's parents moved to Yellowknife and Canada 25 years ago, with their two young children, after a very dangerous journey. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement.

Thank you. 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. I can tell you Lyndon's parents moved to Yellowknife and Canada 25 years ago, with their two young children, after a very dangerous journey, which almost cost them their lives, to find freedom and opportunities in Canada. It brought tears to my eyes when he said his good feeling of waking up in Canada and Yellowknife has never faded in all these years, and that he has tried his best to instill that appreciation to his three children. I can tell you I have known the family for 25 years, and, as an immigrant, I think I know a little bit about that feeling.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to mention that Lyndon's older brother and sister are also very accomplished. Lyndon's older brother is finishing his master's program in science, I believe, in Alberta. His older sister, Kim, is practicing law in Toronto. She was also formerly employed at the Legislative Assembly.

Let me invite the House in sending warm congratulations on this amazing achievement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about the RCMP special constables. It is with great pride -- great pride -- for a special group of people, that I rise in this Assembly today. I wish to talk about the RCMP special constables.

For more than a century, the national force has hired local aboriginal people in our communities to assist them in their work. In 1874, when the force started, they hired 20 Metis as guides to help them to what is known in the RCMP history as "The March West." In the early days, the true value of "the specials," as they came to be known, was truly recognized. In 1905, constables were paid the sum of $1 per day, and the specialists got $1.50. There have been many dozens, if not hundreds, of special constables in the Northwest Territories in the last century.

There are three special constables whom I wish to recognize here in the House today: Victor Menacho, Alfred Lennie, Archie Lennie. Victor is now in the hospital. I know all Members in this House will take a few minutes to recognize him and all those special people.

Mr. Speaker, of all the true special constables I wish to talk about, for a moment, I wish to recognize service to our people in our communities. These fellows all travelled in our regions where they worked by dog team in the winter, and by boat with an eight-horse kicker in the summer. Victor Menacho was a special constable with the Fort Norman detachment from 1956 to 1962. He took care of many dogs, as many as 52 dogs a year, on a year-round basis. He fished to feed the dogs. While he was hired, he was paid $62 a month and was given food rations of canned meat, flour, sugar, and lard. In 1957, when Victor married Charlotte Yakeleya, his food ration was doubled, and he got a raise to $85 a month.

Alfred Lennie worked in Tulita for the force from 1946 to 1950. He took care of detachment dog teams, and he was paid only $2 a day when he was hired, plus he got a ration of canned meat, flour, and sugar. When he married his wife, Julie Menacho, in 1947, he got a raise to $3 per day and double rations. But with the clawbacks of that double ration, his pay was reduced back to $2 a day.

Mr. Yakeleya, your time for your Member's statement has expired.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Even then, the feds knew how to give something with one hand and take it back with the other.

Mr. Speaker, Archie Lennie was a special constable with the Aklavik detachment from 1949 to 1952. In his police record, it contains the highest praise: that he served faithfully.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to say to these truly special people, they are our friends and our relatives, and they have the great honour of serving the world's most respected national police force. We owe a great debt of gratitude to them, and I thank the Minister of Justice for honouring them with the ceremony yesterday.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to say that I am pleased that the Tobacco Control Act was introduced in this House earlier this week, and I applaud the Minister and his department for that.

That act will prohibit smoking in public places and regulate the sale and advertising of tobacco products. However, Mr. Speaker, controlling smoking in homes remains the responsibility of individual citizens. Today, I would like to make a plea to all smokers, if they won't protect themselves, at least protect children in their care from the dangers of second-hand smoke. We all know tobacco

smoke is a health hazard to non-smokers, yet the number of children exposed to second-hand smoke is very high in a large number of households in the NWT.

Every day, we see young children, or infants, in the back seat of a vehicle, and their parents in the front seat smoking away. You can see the smoke trapped in the vehicle like a capsule. The children, or infants, strapped in their car seats are forced to breathe in that smoke. It's interesting that we can ban smoking in bars to protect the workers there. You can't smoke in your own home at least three hours prior to having a contractor come in to service your furnace because they are protected by legislation from second-hand smoke, but if it's just children, go right ahead. What are they going to do about it?

Mr. Speaker, in 1996-97, nearly 1.6 million Canadian children under the age of 12 were regularly exposed to cigarette smoke at home. This amounts to one-third of all children in this age group. Research shows that 85 percent of young children who live with a daily smoker are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke. In short, if there is a smoker in the household, the chances are very high that children will live in a polluted environment.

Among the important childhood effects of second-hand smoke exposure are exacerbated asthma, ear infection, and even sudden infant death syndrome. Children up to 18 months of age who are exposed to second-hand smoke in the home have up to four times greater risk of experiencing lower respiratory tract infections including bronchitis and pneumonia. In addition, children exposed to second-hand smoke also have more upper respiratory tract infections such as sore throats, stuffy noses, and trouble getting over a cold, than do unexposed children.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, and environmental factors play an important part in determining both onset and severity. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at least at a 1.5 times greater risk of developing asthma compared to non-exposed children. Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement, please.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The 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. Mr. Speaker, given the serious consequences for children who are exposed to second-hand smoke, one might imagine that adults who smoke around children are unaware of the dangers. However, studies suggest that adults are aware of those risks. Mr. Speaker, we know that the best protection for children would result if the smokers would quit. In the meantime, we must make every effort to make sure that our children's health and safety are protected. Children, in particular, do not choose to breathe other people's tobacco smoke. Their right to grow up in an environment free of tobacco smoke must be safeguarded. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, each day that I speak in this House, I choose to speak my own Tlicho language. I do this, Mr. Speaker, because I'm proud of my culture and language.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be Tlicho, and that my children are, as well. I am hoping that they will be saying the same thing down the road, that they are proud of their culture and their language, that they are proud to be Tlicho.

Mr. Speaker, although I am fluent in Tlicho, regrettably, I am not literate. I cannot read or write in my own language. This is a problem, Mr. Speaker. As you know, many of the official languages in the Northwest Territories are struggling. All of these languages have a desire to be strengthened. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has produced a number of documents supporting aboriginal language and culture-based programs, Mr. Speaker. One of them is People - Our Focus for the Future. Objective number one reads, "to improve support to communities to achieve their cultural heritage and language goals." This statement identifies language culture-based education as the highest ECE priority, Mr. Speaker.

The communities consulted during the review and update of ECE's strategic plan, in 2000, again reinforced the importance of having aboriginal language and cultures in early childhood in schools and in Aurora College learning centres, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, recognizing the need to increase our human resource base, the department also supports the ACEP program, the Aboriginal Language and Cultural Instructor Program, Mr. Speaker. I am proud to say that the Tlicho language is offered to all students in the Tlicho region, as well as one school in Yellowknife.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment at the appropriate time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. My apologies to the House. Members, I overlooked reminding the House that the second language in the House today is North Slavey. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.