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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Ministers opened the afternoon up with a number of discussions about the coming major developments and how we're going about getting ready for that. I wanted to applaud especially, Mr. Speaker, the comments -- I believe they were from Mr. Miltenberger -- regarding the social programs and Ministers developing a consultation plan with effective governments and NGOs over the next several months. This is excellent, to build on the example of what MACA did with communities in Inuvik late last year. That planning is underway to hold workshops on social impacts in those regions most affected by the pipeline early in the new fiscal year.

But I'm wondering, Mr. Speaker, while we're laying out all these ideas about consultation and working together in collaboration, are we really resourcing the communities, the NGOs and the other organizations adequately to really be a part of this process. Early indications are that, at least from the regulatory process itself, the work of the National Energy Board Joint Review Panel, this is not the case. The Status of Women, Mr. Speaker, estimated that it would need $105,000 to complete its work on behalf of women in the NWT; it got $12,500. CARC, the Sierra Foundation, the World Wildlife Federation asked for $70,000; they got $15,000.

Shame, shame.

Mr. Speaker, for the millions that are being invested in looking at this project from the point of view of industry, $1.5 million has been made available through that process to look at it from the point of view of people in the communities. It is shameful; absolutely inadequate.

Shame.

Where the Minister says, in closing here, that we have much work before us and it is important to recognize that government and industry must collaborate, I suggest that our government has a lot of room to pick up and put some resources in the hands of the communities and the NGOs so that they too can collaborate in providing support that will benefit all of us with regard to this proposed pipeline. 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 wish to speak today in support of our precious diamond industry in the North. Mr. Speaker, in the past, I've been on record many times expressing my appreciation for the positive benefits the entire diamond industry, engineered by the cooperative leadership between the diamond producers and all levels of government, has brought to not only the city of Yellowknife, but the entire territory in terms of the money we get into our coffers, not to mention my riding of Range Lake.

Mr. Speaker, six years ago, in 1999 when I was campaigning in Range Lake riding, there were dozens of lots for sale. It's hard to believe now, but I believe it's safe to say, and I've said this before, that it's the diamond industry that has literally saved our bacon.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the support the GNWT has shown in supporting the secondary diamond industry. It's had a very fragile beginning, but aggressive investments by the government with the cooperation of the diamond producers has made it possible for us to have a street called Diamond Row at the airport; this did not exist before and is an entirely new industry that is, I believe, maturing ever so slowly and with some difficult times. It is really important, Mr. Speaker, to state that a bankruptcy of one diamond cutting and polishing plant does not make a failure of the entire industry.

Neither does a big international player, like Leviev need handholding or lobbying by this government to find a foothold in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, in the Canadian diamond industry, all of these players are big players in the international scene and I believe they have the power and wherewithal to do their own fighting.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the diamond producers who have made billions of dollars in investments in the northern economy have earned the right to say who they are prepared to do business with and I believe, for reasons other than just the supply of rough diamonds, the northern producers have concluded that they don't want to enter into a commercial relationship with the Leviev Group. In this free-market country, I believe they have the

right to make such a business decision and there's really no place for government to do that.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. I just wanted to conclude, Mr. Speaker, that I believe, based on the experiences that we have been having with the guarantees and such for this industry, that there is one important lesson the government needs to learn from this: They have to treat the northern producers with respect and consult with them in finding the next buyers. They don't need to give veto power to the producers, but an understanding that we are all in this together and we have to work out a deal that works for all of us.

I believe a veiled threat of a mineral tax, as suggested by the Minister of Finance, or a call for an inquiry suggesting that there was some improper conduct on the part of producers, does not help us to protect the interests of the industry or of the public that we serve. So, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to state that I stand by this industry and I ask for some reason and cooler heads to prevail as we go forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

I'd like, at this time, to again recognize my good friends from Scotland over here visiting us, Gordon Walker and Lynda Brise. They will be leaving us today to visit other parts of Canada and then back home to Scotland, so I want to wish them safe journeys on their travels and enjoy the rest of your trip.

---Applause

Welcome to other visitors in the gallery. Welcome to the proceedings today.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement today, I talked about the reduction initiative of the Department of Justice to close down the remand facility at the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre in Hay River. Mr. Speaker, there are so many things that could be said about this, but let me start off with the assertion that the elimination of 5.5 positions by attrition, for a savings of $418,000, taking away $18,000 for transportation costs...Let's talk about the projected savings of $400,000. I'd like to ask the Minister if that number takes into account what it's going to cost to take care of those same remand inmates in another location, like here in Yellowknife. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The cost of housing the inmates will not increase in Yellowknife. The facility still needs to be operated, so the only increase in cost would be a slight one for the cost of food, which would be minimal given the food preparation facilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated $18,000 has been taken into consideration for the transportation of inmates. I want to ask the Minister if that takes into account not only their initial trip from the court service in Hay River to Yellowknife, but subsequent return trips for court appearances. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There have been, on average over the past little while, only 1.5 people from Hay River put into remand per month. That 1.5 per month has been the average over the past while. So the answer to the question is, yes, there is enough money in there to cover the cost of transportation for a number of trips. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't know where the Minister is getting his number of 1.5 people in remand from Hay River. Per day? Per week? What about the South Slave region? SMCC remand not only accommodates Hay River, it also accommodates inmates from the South Slave. How about providing those numbers? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.