Good afternoon, Members. Welcome back to the House after a long, hard, productive day yesterday. I would like to remind Members that the second language in the House today is French. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, last October, we tabled an implementation plan for the proposed Northwest Territories Council of Sport and Recreation Partners in this Assembly.

Members will recall that this new umbrella structure was proposed to achieve a number of goals:

• • We wanted to create a forum where all communities and stakeholders will have input into the development of the sport and recreation system in the Northwest Territories, and to ensure that every region and community has the chance to benefit from programs and resources;
• • We wanted to find ways to improve the coordination of program delivery for sport and recreation; and,
• • Most important of all, we wanted to streamline the system to reduce duplication of administration so that we can put as much funding as possible into delivering programs.

I am pleased to report that implementation is proceeding as planned. Last spring, a Nomination Review Committee, made up of representatives from the major sport and recreation partners, invited nominations from the public, community governments, aboriginal governments, and other stakeholders. Based on their recommendations, we appointed members to the council, and they held their first meeting on June 27th and 28th.

As outlined in the implementation plan, this first year is a transition year for the council. Members have tackled the business of developing a corporate structure and business planning process. At their second meeting, which was held last month, they began the important work of developing a strategic plan for the organization. They have also begun meeting with key partners, including government departments, to discuss areas of common

interest and how we can work together. In short, excellent progress is being made to achieve the vision we set out, over a year ago, for the council.

Another initiative underway will bring all the partner organizations together in one administrative building. Municipal and Community Affairs has been working with Sport North, as the lead organization, to complete the technical analysis to determine if this is a financially attractive venture. We have given Sport North approval to proceed with this project and hope, in the near future, to be able to announce that all sport and recreation partners will be housed in one building. This will allow them to consolidate administrative and other functions, leading to savings which can be put back into program delivery.

Mr. Speaker, after many years of review and discussion, we are very pleased that the council has been established, and that we are moving forward with plans to enhance program delivery and to create a more integrated sport and recreation system.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge all the partner organizations who have committed much time and energy to this process:

• • the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic;
• • the Beaufort Delta Sahtu Recreation Association;
• • the Mackenzie Recreation Association;
• • the Northwest Territories Recreation and Parks Association; and,
• • the Sport North Federation.

Their active involvement has made this vision a reality. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to providing further updates to the Members as the council's work evolves. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Merci beaucoup, Mr. Speaker. It's been a busy session, a very productive one in many areas, and, in other areas perhaps not quite as productive as some Members might have liked, but our business goes on.

My message today is for my constituents as we close a summer season in the North and go into the winter. We are reminded of so many things that we do enjoy that are

unique to living in the North and in Yellowknife, so many of the winter recreational pursuits, in our business and in our volunteer organizations, and I wanted to wish my constituents all the best with those. I want to remind my constituents that with Remembrance Day coming up in a few weeks, Mr. Speaker, and in this, the Year of the Veteran, as we should every year, make a special effort to commemorate the fallen and those who have sacrificed for our country and our freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I am also reminded of one of the great northern events that will be coming up next year, the Arctic Winter Games, to be hosted in Alaska. I want to wish all those athletes, volunteers, and coaches, all the very best in their endeavours. I understand the regional competitions are going to be starting up in the very near future, so we are already underway to another exciting season of Arctic Winter Games.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to leave my constituents with the very firm and clear message, that one of the messages at the very top of my agenda and other MLAs' has been the future of the residential treatment program for young children here in Yellowknife. That is a project that is still at the top of my agenda for those staff and those families, who have pursued that, and certainly for the 700 people who signed the petition for that great endeavour. Their project remains very much alive on my agenda. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. I want to remind Members that Members' statements are to be on one topic only. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have made a commitment to speak during this session about an issue that has affected a number of citizens recently here in the city of Yellowknife who, for various reasons, haven't paid traffic fines. Handcuffing homeless mothers and throwing them into jail for three days is just not a good way to collect fines, Mr. Speaker. As a recent Supreme Court ruling has shown, this practice is actually illegal.

This was unbeknownst to the City of Yellowknife municipal enforcement division, as they have been arresting people for the past nine years for unpaid fines. As we understand it, the City of Yellowknife has instructed its municipal enforcement officers not to act on any further warrants for committal arising from municipal bylaw or territorial legislation. This is the right thing for the city to do, Mr. Speaker.

In light of the recent decision, the Territorial Court will not issue a warrant for committal until a judicial hearing takes place. A summons will also have to be issued and served on the person affected before the hearing can take place. Issuing and serving a summons is a time-consuming exercise, Mr. Speaker. On average, it's estimated to take one-half hour to three-quarters of an hour, and each hearing will take an equivalent amount of time. For fines in the range of $20 to $200, it's just not a prudent or a cost-effective means of collection.

I also feel that the Department of Transportation has an obligation to the people of the Northwest Territories to advise them, in writing, prior to the expiration of their driver's licenses, or the expiration of their registration, especially given the fact that licences, Mr. Speaker, expire every five years and people can often forget about renewals.

The Department of Transportation has to make the necessary legislative or policy changes required to facilitate outstanding municipal and territorial traffic violation fines being registered with the motor vehicles registry. To me, this is just a commonsense approach of letting people know they owe fines, and it is an effective means of collection. When an individual would go to renew a licence or registration, they would be notified that they have outstanding violations. Without paying the fine, they could not renew registrations or licences. Mr. Speaker, given the recent court decision, this is something the Department of Transportation has to get to work on immediately. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this 4th Session of the Legislative Assembly will be adjourning for a few months after today, and I would just like to briefly summarize some of the important issues that have been raised on behalf of my constituents, and to remind some of the Ministers of their commitments.

I am going to start with the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Health and Social Services and Environmental and Natural Resources. I will be looking forward to receiving a comprehensive review of the delivery of health services in Lutselk'e and Deninu Kue before the next session. I look forward to a favourable response from the federal government on the continuation of the Hook Lake Bison Recovery Program possibly being funded through the National Wildlife Disease Strategy framework agreements.

The Honourable David Krutko, Minister Responsible for the Housing Corporation and the Power Corporation. There are just too many housing issues to mention, and I think the Minister knows what many of those concerns are. The Taltson hydro project is also part of his portfolio, and I encourage the Minister to continue with open dialogue, and regularly communicating to the Tu Nedhe residents the Taltson hydro expansion progress, the updates, and the opportunities.

The honourable Minister McLeod. I would like to see the property assessment and taxation issues resolved by the end of this 15th Legislative Assembly, in cooperation with the Department of Finance. Transportation concerns are being addressed, but it seems like expediency is achieved only if the essential transportation links are cut off; something to keep in mind.

Youth issues, recognizably, one of the most important concerns in the small communities, but never seem to be

on Cabinet's radar screen; something the Members on this side of the House will continue to raise awareness on.

The honourable Minister Roland. The Finance department definitely has its work cut out for it, to address our quickly fading fiscal forecast in the wake of the recent announcements from Treasury Canada on corporate tax dollars the GNWT thought they had been entitled to receive, but have over-calculated on, resulting in significant surplus reductions in our budget.

The honourable Minister Dent. Nice to see that the Student Financial Assistance Program is making changes to better accommodate students' needs, but a lot more has to be done, especially for post-secondary funding arrangements based on per capita for small communities. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker and mahsi, colleagues. Back to the Honourable Mr. Dent. Income support and day care have to be reprioritized, refined, and refinanced. I am confident that income support will survive the department's recent fiscal woes, and will continue to deliver these essential services, along with the new responsibilities, quite effectively.

The honourable Minister Bell. Community justice funding is still inefficient, and on-the-land justice programs should be...

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Could you conclude your statement, please.

Building community justice to capacity requires more dollars, and the benefits surely outweigh the additional costs to this government.

Industry, Tourism and Investment. What can I say, other than that there are some accountability issues and a low level of tourism dollars being allocated by this department, but things are moving along and seem to be in good hands.

Lastly, the Honourable Joe Handley. Devolution and resource revenue sharing negotiations are big ticket items, but we have to continue to support land claims groups and develop comprehensive strategies to work towards self-government implementation measures which will be a valuable tool as more claims are being settled. I applaud Intergovernmental Affairs' initiatives with regard to the Northern Leaders Conference, which the Northwest Territories residents are embracing as a good forum to express collective concerns and build better working relationships with this government.

In summary, Mr. Speaker...

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve.

In summary, I look forward to working on these and many other issues with our Cabinet colleagues, and Regular Members, to ensure the residents of the Northwest Territories and my constituents...

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve, for your statement. Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker...(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, libraries, as centres of lifelong learning, do make a difference in the lives of children. Libraries have a special mission to young children and the parents, to encourage the love of reading and learning, and also greatly improve the education of our children and the quality of life for our citizens, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the students of the Tlicho communities of Behchoko, Gameti, Whati, and Wekweeti provide limited library services to the children and ad hoc services to the community.

Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho Community Services Agency sees school libraries as an important part of school programs. They developed partnerships with southern universities to bring co-op programs to the library students to properly organize and catalogue the collection. But that is not enough, Mr. Speaker. These libraries typically close after school hours and during holidays. Students don't even have the opportunity to go to the community library to read, or even sign out books, Mr. Speaker, or spend time after school in a learning environment.

Mr. Speaker, Behchoko is the largest Dene community in the NWT, yet we do not have a community library. A library in Behchoko could play a vital role in the community, and in the region. The library should be a place where students go to do their research projects outside of class time, Mr. Speaker. Students should also have access to community learning resources for research on things that personally interest them, Mr. Speaker.

The entire community is feeling the effects of not having a community library. The library was extensively used by the community in general, and would provide a healthy and productive environment for our youth, Mr. Speaker. Having a library in Behchoko would serve as an important resource for the entire Tlicho region. A community library would also help maintain a history and a culture of the Tlicho Nation.

Mr. Speaker, people in Behchoko want to work with the Department of Education to identify partnerships. Currently, there are proposals to locate a new library in Behchoko in the sportsplex, which is currently empty. I will have questions later, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to congratulate Mr. Stanley Sangris, who has been elected as the new chief for the Jean Marie River First Nations.

---Applause

Mr. Sangris is no stranger to politics and has served previously in his home community. I wish him the very best in his new endeavours in serving his people, his community, and a special blessing to his family.

I took the time, Mr. Speaker, to phone Chief Sangris last night. Immediately he began by asking what this government is going to do about stockpiling the avian flu antiviral medicines, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

So I immediately conveyed to Mr. Sangris, "Since you went straight to work, I look forward to working with you on this and many other issues." As well, Mr. Speaker, he spoke about health, and that is very important to small communities like Jean Marie, and it has always been an issue for them, like the access to health and the delivery of health services. I look forward to working with Jean Marie on this and the many concerns that Chief Sangris has in his new mandate. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

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

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in the House to speak about the need for a seniors' secretariat, which we are going to need in due time. Some earlier and some way, way, way later.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, what the seniors need is to have an access to government programs so that when they go to the government, they can get this type of service.

However, Mr. Speaker, right now, these programs are scattered across departments like MACA; Health and Social Services; Education, Culture and Employment; and the Housing Corporation. We know how, at times, we seem to get into the mode of playing ping pong, back and forth with departments. It is important for seniors to express their concerns and interest to government at a single point.

In other jurisdictions in Canada, Mr. Speaker, they have senior secretariats to provide a single entry point to government, so that they can respond to the elders' and the seniors' needs and issues. The secretariat can aid in finding solutions to either big or small problems that are presented by the seniors they serve. The most critical issue, I think, Mr. Speaker, is accessibility. Providing better access to government programs is an important rationale to hang the sale of point of entry to the secretariat.

The coordination of programs and services for seniors can help focus government policies on priority issues. Mr. Speaker, important priority areas include offsetting an increase of expenses that seniors is faced with as they get older. The rising costs for seniors are a great concern here in the Northwest Territories, especially because there are so many cases where seniors are living alone and depend on income support for daily living.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, addressing the need of our seniors and elders in the Northwest Territories requires this government to coordinate plans and programs for, and in partnership with, all the responsible departments. I believe that having a seniors' secretariat to turn to for support and direction could be a positive government initiative. They have to listen to, and be more responsive to, the concerns of the seniors. Mr. Speaker, I quote from the late Louie Taniton, from Deline: "We put you up there as an MLA. Don't forget us. Take us with you." Mahsi.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in the House today to speak about allocating Liquor Commission revenues to treatment programs.

---Applause

Each year, the GNWT earns a net profit of approximately $20 million through the NWT Liquor Commission. Each year, this profit is used and drafted into the general revenue funds.

Mr. Speaker, it is a reality that many social problems in the NWT are a result of alcohol abuse. The GNWT profits from the sales of this substance. I am not suggesting that the GNWT not see a profit of the sale, or the control, of alcohol. If the GNWT did not, then someone else would be receiving a profit. But God forbid, if we ever subsidized it in a failing program.

What I object to, Mr. Speaker, are that profits from the sale of alcohol are not directly funding any programs to the solutions of these social problems that it creates. That is the issue I have.

Currently, our economy is booming, as we all know, and it stands to continue with this trend. As we all know, this leads to more money in people's pockets, and for residents sometimes translates this into increased social problems. That is a difficult and an undesirable problem in a strong economy.

The NWT, in particular, is in a difficult situation. As we all know, our financial arrangement with Ottawa is such that, even while our economy is booming, this doesn't mean we have easy access to funding for programs to help mitigate the social impacts.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for a creative solution. What I propose is that at least a portion of the net profits from the Liquor Commission revenues be earmarked specifically for treatment programs. Out of the $20 million of profit, I am sure we can find a reasonable percentage to help,

over and above annual money going to treatment programs. That is not an unreasonable suggestion, nor an unreasonable mandate, to taking care of our people. The impact of such a move may be unclear at this time because no one really knows how this would spin out, but it certainly would show that we are doing something. We would actually finally be linking the cause of this problem to solving some of the effects it draws out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Finance Minister will have my lucky questions of the day. Thank you.

---Applause

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