Good afternoon, colleagues. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise that the Kyoto Protocol comes into effect internationally today.

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As Members are aware, the Kyoto Protocol falls under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It establishes targets for developed nations to start curbing their greenhouse gas emissions.

Canada's target is to reduce emissions to six percent below 1990 levels, starting in 2008. Currently there is no Kyoto target for the Northwest Territories or any other provincial or territorial jurisdiction. The Canadian target is for national emissions only.

Mr. Speaker, this government supports actions to reduce emissions and plan for climate change adaptation because we know, firsthand, that climate change is a concern to residents of the Northwest Territories. We are experiencing many of the changes described in the recent Arctic Council Impact Assessment on Climate Change, changes the Arctic council believes will accelerate as greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere.

These changes are already impacting the people of the Northwest Territories. We are already seeing increased costs for constructing and maintaining infrastructure, roads and buildings because of changes in our permafrost regimes. We are also beginning to experience greater unpredictability in our weather here in Northern Canada.

In 2001, RWED led efforts to develop a NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy. Mr. Speaker, despite our limited resources, this government, the Arctic Energy Alliance and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation have undertaken many initiatives to improve energy efficiency and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Northwest Territories. Some key actions include:

• • promoting public awareness and understanding;
• • increasing energy efficiency in public facilities;
• • assisting communities in developing progressive energy plans; and
• • promoting renewable energy, including an expanded role for hydroelectricity in the NWT.

In addition, the department is currently reviewing the NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy with climate change stakeholders in order to ensure adequate focus on climate change adaptation.

Mr. Speaker, I hope these actions will make us, as a government and as individuals, think and act more responsibly about our current levels of use of fossil fuels. As we continue to address the high cost of energy in the NWT, we will need to ensure that other sources of energy are seriously considered, such as hydroelectricity and renewable energy sources, and that we all do our part to use energy wisely.

The Government of Canada has issued a challenge to every Canadian to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne per year per person. I encourage all Members of the Legislative Assembly and every resident of the NWT to take the one-tonne challenge. Fewer emissions will help protect our climate and contribute to cleaner air and healthier communities for all of us. Seriously consider using less energy, reducing waste and conserving water in your daily life. Mr. Speaker, you'll be surprised at how quickly you can meet the one-tonne challenge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to share information with Members about the eighth annual Mackenzie Regional Youth Conference.

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This event is taking place over the next three days in my home community of Fort Providence, and I am happy to say that I will be travelling there this evening to greet the youth and to open the conference.

I am also pleased that Mr. Kevin Menicoche, Member for Nahendeh, and Mr. Robert Hawkins, Member for Yellowknife Centre, will be able to join me for the opening ceremonies, as well.

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Over the past number of years, the conference has continued to grow and to become more and more popular with the youth. This year, the youth will be hosted by the

students and staff at the Deh Gah Elementary and Secondary School in Fort Providence.

It is exciting that all regions of the Northwest Territories will be represented at the conference. At this time, we understand that youth from Fort McPherson, Deline, Wha Ti, Detah, Ndilo, Jean Marie River, Wrigley, Nahanni Butte, Fort Simpson, Hay River Reserve, Kakisa and, of course, Fort Providence will be attending.

The theme that they have chosen for the conference is Following Our Dreams. I think this theme is very appropriate, as it encourages youth to use their imagination, set goals and take action on their dreams to become stronger, more independent and successful northerners.

One of the practices that organizers have followed is to provide sessions to the youth, based on what they want. They have listened to what the youth say in previous evaluations, which is why the youth continue to want to come back. This year, the sessions will include: a hockey clinic, a sports camp, driver's education, break dancing, First Aid, workplace safety, woodworking, drama, art, cosmetology and disc jockeying.

By working with the school system, organizers have been able to ensure that youth can earn career and technology studies credits by taking some of these sessions.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that life in the North is changing rapidly. We also know that today's youth will be tomorrow's leaders. I believe that conferences such as the Mackenzie Regional Youth Conference are valuable learning events. They foster friendships and inspire youth to dream. They help to build the skills youth will need to be our future leaders.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is proud to have supported this conference. Through our Youth Contributions Program, we have provided $12,500 to support the school in Fort Providence to provide meals and other logistical support. An additional $7,400 has been given to various groups to support travel for youth delegates from several communities. As well, staff from Municipal and Community Affairs' Deh Cho regional office have been very involved in helping to make this event come together.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, it is important that we recognize the organizers, facilitators, chaperones and volunteers who have invested many hours in preparing for this gathering. Without their contribution, the youth would not be able to enjoy such a wonderful event as the Mackenzie Regional Youth Conference. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

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

Mr. Speaker, the pipeline is very important to my region and I wish to speak about it today. Unfortunately, the federal government still isn't listening to the Deh Cho when they say they want a meaningful role in the pipeline's environmental assessment. So it is my hope that this time the GNWT is able and willing to create a socioeconomic agreement with some teeth.

I have always maintained that I fear that history will repeat itself. The pipeline from Norman Wells created the majority of short-term jobs in Fort Simpson. Economic boom was there, but for the prepared and the wise, Mr. Speaker. As well, this time around, the oil and gas companies still aren't giving us any indication that they would be even remotely interested in enhancing our infrastructure. Furthermore, our businesses do not see how there is going to be any advantages to them from this pipeline. My communities are overwhelmed by the amount of information associated with the pipeline that is just being thrown at them, Mr. Speaker. We don't have the lawyers or the staff to review and act upon all of this information. Then there are the environmental concerns. The Canadian Arctic Resource Committee released a report in January that said the pipeline could threaten nesting birds, the boreal forest, the muskeg, and the bear and caribou populations. The report also criticized industry for not providing enough information about all of these adverse effects, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the pipeline is not just threatening business and the environment; it is threatening, as well, a culture, a people and a way of life. We need a socioeconomic agreement that is going to mitigate the effects of the pipeline and guarantee substantial long-term benefits for the Deh Cho region. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has historically provided funding to third-party organizations such as municipalities and band councils to hire a person to pursue economic opportunities on their behalf.

Mr. Speaker, some larger communities like Yellowknife, Fort Smith, and Inuvik have secured such an arrangement. The need for this type of support has particularly come to light at this time in view of the impacts and opportunities from resource development. Hay River is a major surface transportation hub in the Northwest Territories, located at the origin of the Mackenzie River barging system and at the end of the railway and major highways in Alberta. As such, things like the Mackenzie gas project are expected to have significant impacts on the town and its citizens. There would be greatly increased road, rail and barge traffic activity. The town wants to ensure that there are no adverse effects and that maximum economic benefits are realized. The town believes it is well positioned to compete in an open, fair and transparent basis for economic opportunities resulting from resource development. On behalf of its residents, the town also has an interest in ensuring the potential environmental socioeconomic and cultural impacts of development are properly addressed and monitored.

Hay River currently has one economic development officer working for RWED. This position also services the Hay River Reserve and Enterprise. The primary function of this position relates to acting as an agent for BBC and the Development Corporation in assisting clients with proposal development, contributions and debt financing for business start-ups. Another RWED employee in Hay River has been primarily assigned to be an oil and gas advisor for the entire Fort Smith region.

While we greatly appreciate this support to the economic endeavours in the community and the region, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the Town of Hay River administration does not have the capacity to deal specifically with economic opportunities in numerous sectors.

Hay River has traditionally had a fairly diversified economy, and many sectors, I believe, could flourish with a locally-focussed economic development officer. This would allow existing and emerging economic opportunities to be capitalized on. We would envision this position being staffed and overseen by the local town council and funded through direct contributions similar to those in 15 other communities.

As a government, I believe we need to do what we can to ensure a viable, sustainable and supported economy in all regions and communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been seven years in the making, but today, as the Minister of RWED indicated in his opening statement, the world has the Kyoto Protocol at its doorstep. Mr. Speaker, this is a significant piece of work. I think we should reflect here in this Assembly that it is entirely consistent with one of the main fundamental goals and values that the Assembly has set for itself; not only this 15th Assembly, but the previous ones, Mr. Speaker, have all valued the environment very highly.

Depending on who you listen to, Canada is going to fare very well or very poorly because of Kyoto. It is amazing the diversity of opinion on what this is going to do. But, you know, we should look, Mr. Speaker, at at least one startling statistic out of the organization of economic cooperation in developing countries. There are 32 in that list. Canada ranks fourth highest in the production of greenhouse gases. That amounts to 16.7 tonnes per person, Mr. Speaker. There is no doubt that there is increasing climatic change and instability in the world today. There is no doubt in my mind that I and everyone here and around the...there are some 6.5 billion people in the world who are a major cause of it. Whatever actions are taken will not quickly turn the ship around. So it leaves us to see what we can do about it.

The Minister has already indicated two of the things that, here in the NWT, I believe are quite significant. One is our own internal efforts with the work of the Arctic Energy Alliance, which was created about six years ago to help coordinate and bring together the work of primary energy producers and users. The other one is the initiative, Mr. Speaker, to harness and put to work the vast hydro potential that the Northwest Territories has, not only for us, but for everyone in our neighbourhood. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to use my Member's statement today to talk about one of the great industries in my riding of Kam Lake. That industry, Mr. Speaker, is dog mushing. I am very proud to say that the riding of Kam Lake is home to the largest population, and, arguably, the best population, of sled dogs in our territory. It is also home to a number of constituents who are dog mushers. Many of my constituents are known around the globe as world-class dog mushers. Just recently, Mr. Grant Beck and his team competed in the inaugural La Grande Odyssey in France. This race was a gruelling 1,000-mile race which began in France and took the mushers to Switzerland and Italy over some very mountainous and treacherous terrain. As if the elements weren't enough, Mr. Beck fell ill with 300 miles remaining. Through sheer determination and heart, Mr. Beck fought on and finished a very respectable third place in this race against a very strong field.

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I would like to congratulate Grant Beck on his fine finish and for being such a first-class ambassador for the Northwest Territories.

Another constituent of mine, Mr. Sam Perrino, is competing in the Yukon Quest which challenges mushers and dogs with 1,000 miles of trail through some of the most spectacular and dangerous geography in North America. The trail follows old mail routes, gold rush trails, and other Klondike air transportation routes. The race trail demands phenomenal endurance on the part of all the dogs and the mushers. Whiteout conditions, temperatures in the minus 50s, fierce winds and summits are some of the obstacles to success. At this very point in the race, Mr. Perrino is in fifth place and running an incredible race. The Yukon Quest is one of the premier events in the world for dog mushers. I would like to encourage all Members of this House and interested persons to follow Mr. Perrino and his team as they try their best to win the Yukon Quest. The web site is www.yukonquest.org. Good luck, Sam. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that Inuvik is still disappointed the government has not decided to put the Mackenzie Valley pipeline office in our town where the leaders of Inuvik believe it

should be. It is a decision I still hope the government will reconsider at some time.

Today, I would like to discuss moving the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment's minerals, oil and gas office out of Yellowknife and into Inuvik.

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I have every faith that my community would do a great job of managing that office for the people of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, at some point in time, this government is going to have to establish some of the responsibility for oil and gas and administration to where there actually is a pipeline. Inuvik is the hub of the gas and oil industry of the NWT. We have shown unprecedented initiative by hosting the Inuvik petroleum show which attracts people from across North America. We have an on-land gas production field. We have the pipeline and gathering systems near Inuvik. We have the office space, and we have the staff accommodation. Finally, if the pipeline construction goes ahead, we will have a 1,300-person camp within 20 kilometres of Inuvik. All we do need, Mr. Speaker, is for the government to recognize the reality of where all the gas and natural anchor fields are going to be.

Mr. Speaker, this is a very important matter to my community. I'd like to encourage the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment to continue his discussions with the mayor of Inuvik on the transfer of minerals, oils and gas office. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well said, Mr. McLeod. My Member's statement today is with regard to the Beaufort-Delta Regional Council office in Inuvik. I won't speak on their resolution today, but I would like to bring to the attention of the responsible Minister the importance of funding the Beaufort-Delta Regional Council office in Inuvik.

Mr. Speaker, discussions have been held with regard to the office of BDRC and whether a decision should be made to fund a full-time coordinator. The information I've received and read to date is the requirement, as identified by the BDRC, for a full-time coordinator. They see this position as essential, Mr. Speaker, in order for the BDRC office to operate. This government needs to fund the coordinator position as a full-time employee.

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my opening statement, there are a number of resolutions that came out of the BRDC meeting in November 2004. As the Member for Nunakput, I'll be raising these issues with the different Ministers during this sitting to make sure they pursue the implementation of the resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to speak in support of the creation of a full-day, every-day-during-the-week drop-in clinic in Yellowknife staffed by nurse practitioners, doctors and other health care professionals, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we know that a local doctor in Yellowknife had already started this last year or a couple of years back at the Centre for Northern Families with great success. I believe it is time for the government to support expanding this.

Mr. Speaker, just last week I received a call from a constituent with young children with special medical needs who had to wait for three hours at the emergency unit when she missed her doctor's appointment by three minutes. The same mother also had to deal with her daughter who developed white spots in her mouth. She couldn't get an appointment for a whole week and when she called Telehealth, she got really good information about a medication that she could use. Excited, she went over to the drugstore and then found out she needed a prescription to get this medication, a very simple one, which sent her back to the doctor's office or have her line up at the emergency for another three years. Three hours.

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Mr. Speaker, certainly I believe that there is a better way to look after the needs of mothers and their children that lessens the demand on the doctors we have and lessen the line-up at the doctor's office, as well as putting less pressure on the emergency unit. I know yesterday the Minister had indicated that he is looking at setting up a health clinic, re-profiling the emergency unit, as well as the possibility of consolidating the clinics. My concern though, Mr. Speaker, is that all this must be going on in his head because we're not hearing of any public discussions. We don't have a board at Stanton. I think it's time that the Minister tells us what he has in plan. Obviously he has lots in the works. The demands are there. I want to know if he's talking to the professionals to get their buy-in. I will be pursuing questions during question period with the Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the population of the youth in the Sahtu, according to the 2003 statistics, indicate that Colville Lake has 20 percent, Fort Good Hope has 30 percent, Norman Wells has 16 percent, Tulita has 30 percent, and Deline has 29 percent. That's a high population of youth in our region, Mr. Speaker. The future of the NWT depends on the ability of our youth to eventually move into leadership roles. The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow and we, as the leaders of today, will hopefully be the elders of tomorrow.

The youth will be the ones to carry out the important initiatives that we put in place today.

The youth can be difficult at times, Mr. Speaker. It is easy for young people with a lot of potential to get into trouble. I believe it is the responsibility of this government to do all it can within its power to foster healthy leadership characteristics amongst our people. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate this government in supporting initiatives for the youth. As the Minister of MACA indicated, there is a conference in Fort Providence. However, Mr. Speaker, over a year ago the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment made a commitment in this House to work formally with the Minister of Youth, Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister of MACA on a plan to stimulate community-level activities aimed at youth in communities. Mr. Speaker, I'm still waiting for that plan to unfold within this government here.

Mr. Speaker, the communities are looking forward to after-school programs for our youth that would guide them to leadership roles, keep them healthy and give them some healthy choices in their lives. Mr. Speaker, in my opinion, there are no questions about the value of putting resources into youth programs. We can either put government money into programs for youth that support them to make productive life choices or we put the money at the other end, like in youth justice programs, to deal with kids after they've gotten into trouble. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a concern. There has been talk of many back-room discussions by this government and residents of the NWT for as long as it has existed. Mr. Speaker, the affirmative action policy itself and the issues surrounding the affirmative action policy that this government implemented nearly 20 years ago have gone full circle and then some. I feel it has to be addressed by our government about its merit today.

The affirmative action policy as it stands today carries very little weight in this government's recruiting practices or in the recruiting practices of our northern industry, for that matter. Mr. Speaker, I'm not advocating for tighter measures and practices to ensure this policy is strictly adhered to by our hiring committees, but I do want to emphasize the need for a full review of this old policy by this government so we can put many issues surrounding the merit and intent of this policy to rest.

Although the initial intent of the affirmative action policy has contributed to a more meaningful representation by this government for the residents of the Northwest Territories since being implemented in 1986, it seems to have reached the end of its useful life and it's now starting to become counterproductive in nature to the original intent. Mr. Speaker, I think it is time to re-evaluate where we're going with our goal of equal public service representation and look at more innovative measures of fairness and equality in our hiring processes to ensure our residents that we can treat everybody with respect and dignity when being considered for employment by this government. Colour, sex, race or place of birth cannot be the determining factors in which careers to pursue in our public service by our residents. To me, Mr. Speaker, this is the direction many northerners are headed toward because of this outdated hiring policy if it is left as is.

Therefore, we as a government have to act and develop a plan to address the policy and a directive which is not unreasonable and sends a message to our youth, who many will soon become casualties of this policy while others who are deemed as disadvantaged will be left with feelings of apathy towards career opportunities put before them.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, for the kids' sake let's take some positive action and reassess this affirmative action policy so we can all learn of better ways in which to work with each other and make more meaningful, productive choices which, in turn, will make better role models for our children to follow. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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