Good afternoon, colleagues. For the information of Members, the simultaneous interpretation today will be in the languages of Gwich'in and Inuvialuktun. At this time, item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, today is World No Tobacco Day, a day set aside by the World Health Organization in 1988 to bring attention to the enormous global impact of tobacco use. Tobacco causes 10,000 deaths a day worldwide and is expected, in 15 years, to overtake infectious diseases as the world's leading cause of death and disability.

The enormity of this problem has lead to the creation of the framework convention on tobacco control, in the first ever global public health treaty. Canada lead in the development of this treaty and ratified it in May 2005.

Here in the Northwest Territories, we have implemented several tobacco reduction initiatives, guided by Action on Tobacco, our territorial tobacco control strategy.

Today in our visitors' gallery are students and staff of Ecole St. Joseph School and Range Lake North School. These young people are part of the "Don't be a Butthead - Be Smoke Free" campaign, which the department launched in May 2004.

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This campaign reaches children before they become smokers and strengthens their resolve to remain smoke free for life. The Butthead campaign has travelled to all communities in the NWT and has received enthusiastic support. More than 2,000 youth have made the commitment to remain smoke free.

I congratulate my two colleagues, Mr. Menicoche and Mr. Yakeleya, who made a commitment to quit when they heard about the Butthead campaign. They have been smoke free for more than seven months.

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I would also like to recognize other Members of this Legislature who have previously quit smoking including Ms. Lee, Mr. Braden and Minister McLeod. You are excellent role models.

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We applaud the commitment shown by so many young people. By this time next year, I hope that the Members will have joined the growing numbers of legislators across Canada, who have enacted laws to control the devastating impact of tobacco use and advance the goal of de-normalizing tobacco use in our society.

Our youth are counting on you. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is an exciting time of year, especially for learners across the Northwest Territories as they graduate from our schools and Aurora College. I have attended several graduation ceremonies in the last few weeks and I would like to congratulate all of our many northern graduates.

Whether they are completing high school or a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree, seeing successful graduates is a sign of the health of our learning system and a demonstration of the commitment of our students and their families to educational achievement.

I believe we are now seeing the positive results of grade extensions in the smaller communities, implemented in the late 1990s. In regions across the NWT, we are seeing more young people staying in school in their communities and graduating.

In the Sahtu region, an exciting milestone has been reached this year. For the 2004-05 year, there will be graduates from every school in the region. Colville Lake will have its first graduate this year, after having started their high school program just three years ago.

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The region is also graduating an all-time high of 26 students this year, 10 from Deline alone.

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I am honoured to be attending that graduation ceremony with the MLA for Sahtu on June 9th. Elders, leaders and families can all share in the success of keeping young people in school and supporting them to graduate.

I would like to profile a few of our successful and innovative programs that will contribute to our growing rate of graduations across the NWT:

• • The Lutselk'e Bush School, which combines conventional high school curricula with learning on the land, has proven to be one particularly successful example of new initiatives in the NWT. The school is comprised of a small group of students, one teacher and two elders. All of those involved live in a group of cabins for two-and-a-half months at a time. While at the camp, the students take instruction in high school courses. At the same time, they assist in the day-to-day operations of the camp. This alternative to standard classroom instruction was developed as another option for those students who had previously not been successful in their secondary education. Though the program is still young, it has already proven effective. This program speaks to the success we can have when we combine education programs with traditional approaches to learning.
• • In Fort Providence, a night school program was designed for students who had previously dropped out of high school. Of the 13 students who began the program this year, 11 passed their English Language Arts departmental exams and have now finished their secondary schooling. Madam Speaker, this is a remarkable achievement for these 11 individuals who had the courage and commitment to try again and achieve educational success. I would like to commend all of the dedicated partners in this project including school principal Lois Philip and adult educator Margaret Field.

Madam Speaker, at the college level, we have also seen a large number of graduates this spring. These individuals have chosen to follow career paths that are essential to the continued success of our territory, ranging from trades to nursing and teaching. Particularly important to success in this area has been partnerships between the college, aboriginal groups and business and industry. These arrangements have allowed many students to make a smooth transition from post-secondary education to employment.

While these are only a small handful of the many successes that we have seen this year, I think that they provide an effective example of the excellent collaboration between schools, the college, parents, communities and students. This work will ensure that graduates are prepared for the future and that the quality of education available in the North continues to improve. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, beginning this year, the month of June will be designated as Tourism Month in the Northwest Territories.

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Tourism Month will celebrate the tourism industry of the Northwest Territories and highlight the importance of this vital sector to our economy. Similarly, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada has designated June as Tourism Month in Canada and national celebrations will be seen across the country.

Tourism dollars are new dollars to the economy and flow into each community through the tourism operators and the various local service providers. In the 2003-04 tourism season, $93 million were spent by over 56,000 visitors to the Northwest Territories. Specifically, summer visitors totalled 27,000 people who spent over $17 million. Over 1,000 hunters contributed approximately 15 million new dollars to the territorial economy. Japanese aurora visitors totalled 10,000 and brought in a total of $12 million. Preliminary numbers for the 2004-05 season indicated $99 million were spent by 63,000 visitors to the Northwest Territories.

Madam Speaker, the creation of the new Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment gives tourism a new profile and our government is committed to enhancing our tourism industry. The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to working with the tourism industry in product development, researching markets, providing statistics on visitor trends, providing funds for tourism training programs and providing marketing funds to the tourism association for targeted destination marketing initiatives.

Madam Speaker, consultation on proposed changes to the Travel and Tourism Act have been completed. The proposed revisions are designed to streamline the regulatory process and make other housekeeping amendments to the act. The amendments are supported by a majority of stakeholders, including NWT Tourism. I am committed to moving forward on these recommendations this fiscal year.

NWT Tourism, in partnership with Industry, Tourism and Investment, has planned promotional activities to highlight the Northwest Territories as a prime tourism destination. A brochure celebrating tourism in the Northwest Territories will be distributed to households throughout the territory. A poster series, called "Tourism Counts," highlighting various aspects of tourism, will be provided to municipalities, aboriginal organizations and tourism operators.

Madam Speaker, the Japanese continue to show a growing interest in aurora viewing and other NWT tourism products. In July 2005, the Northwest Territories will be showcased in Japan during a weeklong event at Expo 2005 in Aichi Prefecture. The GNWT has formed important Expo 2005 partnerships with tourism operators and interested businesses, to level private sector investment and to develop a broad program of activity to promote the NWT to Japanese and international attendees. The private sector has committed approximately $300,000 towards NWT events at Expo 2005. Day and evening events through the last week in July will host a broad range of VIP guests and highlight tourism, diamonds and arts and culture of the Northwest Territories.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the tourism operators, outfitters and the many service providers of the Northwest Territories for their dedication to this vital industry. I thank them for a job well done and confirm my commitment to continue to address the challenges and opportunities of this important sector of our economy. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, at my last constituency meeting in my Tu Nedhe community of Deninu Kue earlier this month, I'm glad to say the meeting went really well and that the 25 to 30 people who attended the constituency meeting raised a lot of concerns. Many of these concerns are ongoing issues related to government programs and delivery of those programs.

Madam Speaker, the majority of concerns raised by my constituents are related to housing and Municipal and Community Affairs and, more specifically, on issues of fairness and responsiveness. The issue of fairness and the delivery of housing programs both at the local and territorial levels has always been met with disregard for both levels of government and leads to growing frustration by my constituents about accountability and transparency principles this government claims to be committed towards delivering to northern residents.

But, Madam Speaker, the more important concern regarding responsiveness is the only one I would like this government to really take notice on, Madam Speaker. On many instances in the past there have been many issues that we thought to be settled between constituents and the various government department officials, be it through the telephone conversation, the one-on-one meetings, letters or just a simple handshake.

Madam Speaker, has the continued lack of response by this government and the feedback suddenly made a simple handshake exactly what it is, just a simple handshake? I hope not, Madam Speaker. Something that has been considered as binding and lawful only a few years ago is suddenly becoming meaningless to many who lived and had faith in this practice of agreement all of their lives while living here in the North. But because of this government's inaction on many important matters, people are beginning to lose trust and confidence in the simple gesture that we all take for granted every day.

Madam Speaker, in summary I would like to challenge each government department to meeting firm commitments to resolving and carrying through the commitments many past and present Ministers make to my constituents and other northern residents so that the people can retain and react with some level of confidence, pride and trust in our government and its officials when they visit their community, make promises and seal the deal by shaking everybody's hand. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I believe that the preservation of language is a critical issue for aboriginals of the Northwest Territories. A sustainable territory requires the sustainability of the land, the languages and the cultures of the aboriginal peoples of the Northwest Territories. There are aboriginal groups across North America, including Canada, producing aboriginal language developmental toys that reflect their unique language and culture as part of their language preservation and revitalization programs. One can't overemphasize the importance of having our own development toy that reflects the characteristics and languages of specific aboriginal groups from the Northwest Territories.

Madam Speaker, for the most part, interactive development toys have not been available for aboriginal languages because the voice of the computer cartridges used to make these toys were only available for languages of over 25 million speakers. However, a Cherokee entrepreneur of the United States adapted a toy for aboriginal languages designed to teach toddlers and young children the basic sounds and words of the language. It helps to preserve the problem of aboriginal language loss by encouraging the aboriginal youth to learn and to speak their native language, but also learning second and even third languages.

The toy is designed with brightly coloured figures including animals and trees that activate the sound of a voice speaking in any aboriginal language. The toys also adapt to ensure that it's reflective of the specific aboriginal group it's intended for. For example, the Inuvialuit language could be used also.

Madam Speaker, I propose that the NWT language version of these toys be developed and funded under the Northern Strategy because it is consistent with the strategy's main goals and objectives, which include to ensure that the importance of the language, traditional knowledge and the way of life is recognized and encouraged. These toys promote language and culture and are developed to recognize the diversity of language and culture and help to preserve the present for future generations. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wanted to speak again today about the transfer of the Territorial Treatment Centre out of Yellowknife, an issue that I feel is being seriously downplayed by the Minister of Health and Social Services and by this government. I believe that the cavalier attitude and actions of this government in dealing with the transfer of this vital program is shameful. I have heard from employees, families and, most recently, organizations that, unlike our government, actually have an interest in what is best for the clients.

In my time here as a Member of this House, I have become aware of how woefully inadequate the services for children and families that face behavioural, emotional and mental health issues really are. The proposed transfer of the Territorial Treatment Centre is a microcosm of the real problems that residents face with this government. Why should it take three years for a family to get their child and themselves some help? Why does a family have to put their child on a wait list for respite care? How does a parent tell their child that they are number 11 on a list for a buddy to help them attend summer camp?

Madam Speaker, we have such a long way to go in terms of addressing the needs of our children and families that find themselves faced with these challenges. The transfer of the Territorial Treatment Centre looks like it's happening for all the wrong reasons. The government is taking a huge step backwards by dismantling and moving one of the only good, quality programs it has in dealing with children with behavioural, emotional and other mental health issues.

The Minister has yet to identify how the transfer of this program is going to impact clients, the children and families that are referred to it. The Minister has said in this House that the transfer will not impact the delivery of the program. Madam Speaker, I believe the Minister is absolutely wrong in his assessment. All I can see in this is backward thinking and opportunism at its finest at the expense of the children and the families that we're trying to help.

It is obvious to me that the government has not done its own due diligence in this decision and is that too much to ask? I implore the Minister and the government to do the right thing. Find another use for Dene K'onia. Leave the Territorial Treatment Centre alone. I'll have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Madam Speaker, mahsi cho. (English not provided)

Madam Speaker, I have been approached by numerous elders and most of them have been expressing concerns with inadequate health care services, especially, Madam Speaker, in the community of Wrigley. Wrigley has not had a regular nurse or other medical service staff for quite some time. For an isolated community, this is not acceptable.

When elders come to talk to me about these problems and are obviously in such pain and discomfort, I cannot help feeling frustrated with the current situation of medical services. Elders have to travel to Fort Simpson when they are not in the best of health and strength, Madam Speaker. One elder who is very special in the community has had knee complications and is in pain and waiting for an appointment. This elder asked me when his next appointment will be. Why is he asking me, Madam Speaker?

During special events and feasts, the communities always ask the elders to go first. This is the aboriginal way, to make elders feel as comfortable as possible. That is why my constituents and myself have such an issue with the long waiting time for very painful conditions.

Another elder has pneumonia and needs medical staff in the community. There is still a need for a nurse in Wrigley and the GNWT should consider reinstating one. During breakup and freeze-up, the visits to Wrigley seem to be more sporadic. Our government guarantees them service, but it is not providing it during these very important times.

Many constituents feel the regular visits are becoming less frequent and there is always some kind of reason, such as weather, illness and scheduling, for postponing the medical visits.

While in Fort Simpson or other medical centres, travelling patients are scheduled as any other patients, often waiting in airports or wandering the streets while in pain. They should be given priority so they can go home to be comfortable with their families.

A constituent has expressed their opinion that health care funding from the federal government earmarked specifically for aboriginal peoples is not all going to their intended purposes and a large portion is going to central administration and not helping elders, as the one in this community.

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's 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. Menicoche.

Thank you, honourable colleagues. Madam Speaker, if the GNWT does not take action now, it would be unacceptable if there was a serious, unfortunate event that was to occur. Health care must be one of the highest priorities of this government. The provision of regular health care for our communities and constituents must be a priority of this government. It, too, I believe, must be declared a necessary service to the NWT, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

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

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. During the First and Second World Wars a group of very dedicated American field service people volunteered as ambulance brigades overseas. At the end of the Second World War, they decided that the cause of peace and world harmony would be very well served if they paid attention to the families of the young people that they met while in Europe and created exchanges for them with their own families in America.

Shortly after the Second World War, I think 10 countries participated in an international exchange organization that has now grown to encompass, I believe, 54 countries around the world. Twenty-five years ago, this

organization, now called AFS Interculture Canada, got its start here in this country and as far as I can figure, about 22 years ago, Madam Speaker, it got its start here in Yellowknife. We've had the opportunity and the great pleasure of hosting in those 22 years or so more than 150 students and we have sent, I think, about half that number out into the world. It is a life-changing experience, Madam Speaker, not only for the young people who engage in this, but for the families around the world and certainly here in Yellowknife, who take on the challenge of hosting these people and helping them know about Canada.

This year we are pleased to host eight students with the AFS program here in Canada and our schools also welcome students from other programs, including World Heritage. A bit later on this afternoon, Madam Speaker, all of those students will be introduced.

This couldn't happen without the generosity of the families here, but also of our school system and with the students with us this year at Sir John Franklin High School. Also, Madam Speaker, with the unwavering support of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment who, like those volunteers from many years ago, believed in the value of youth and world exchange and a better world tomorrow. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Schools throughout the NWT and Canada are forced to deal with restrictions and financial restraints. Many of the activities and events that students take part in today are due to the tireless efforts of individual staff members and parents advisory committees and volunteers, as well as many business organizations that all provide a role in providing opportunities for students and young people.

Today I'd like to recognize a special case, a good news story. Madam Speaker, this past March there was a science fair held here in Yellowknife and some 80 students from Grade 3 and up from Ecole Boreale in Hay River in conjunction with Ecole Alain St. Cyr here in Yellowknife, held a special science fair that was not scheduled on their typical school year calendar. This was done on short notice, quick planning, and it brought the science fair here to Yellowknife so the francophone students could have a little community project together.

This turned out to be an extremely positive experience, and the students afforded this opportunity had a chance to meet with their peers, visit special places like L'Aquilon, which is the French newspaper, visit Radio Taiga, which is the French radio station, an experience that the Hay River students don't usually get. It was a wonderful opportunity that they could share this culturally beneficial and intellectual opportunity here in Yellowknife together. This event wasn't planned, but I can tell you right now it's being discussed for the future, because it was such an array of opportunities for the kids that they are not able to often experience.

Madam Speaker, the Legion played a role in hosting the science fair and I heard it was standing room only on many occasions to see some of the opportunities there that the young students were doing. I want to say a special thanks to those children who made the trek, as well as those who live here in Yellowknife, for dedicating a certain amount of enthusiasm to the innovation of science. A special congratulations to those scientific minds who will be going forward to represent the NWT in Vancouver for their skills in science.

Lastly, Madam Speaker, I want to say that some constituents came forward and mentioned that this was an enormous experience that the children had and it was a big deal to all the kids that attended. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in case it hasn't been made absolutely clear by now, I'd like to state categorically once again that the proposed move of the Territorial Treatment Centre to anywhere out of Yellowknife is a very poorly planned and, as one of my Newfoundland friends will say, a foolish idea that must be stopped in its tracks today, Madam Speaker. It should be stopped at least until the Minister and the Cabinet gives us clear answers to some real basic and important questions that we are entitled. We being not only the MLAs of this House or even the staff at the Territorial Treatment Centre, but more importantly in the best interest of the children who are being treated there.

Madam Speaker, the children who are being treated there are in a very sophisticated, comprehensive, well-planned, well-developed clinical setting. These children suffer from very severe emotional, behavioural and mental issues that they are under treatment for. It has taken years, at least 10 years, for this program to be developed in this city by the very fragile putting together of various specialists and professionals who can address the needs of these children. So far the information that we're giving in this House does not indicate to us in any way that the Cabinet and the Minister have given due regard to the interest and needs of these children.

I'd like to ask also, Madam Speaker, why is it that the Social Programs committee, which I chair, was not given any notice whatsoever? I could tell you that the only time I got to know about this project was when I read it in the paper. There has never been any plan about the adequacy of the building or how these children are going to be treated if they get moved out of the system that they are being treated under. I'd like to know if the Cabinet had good information as to all aspects of the treatment and the facility that they are under. I would like to know if ECE -- I know for sure that they have not -- have consulted the educational system in Hay River or anywhere else about whether or not they can absorb these very high-need students and be able to provide the necessary service that they need.

Madam Speaker, I would like to pursue all of these questions further later today. Thank you.