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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, today is my last day in the House for this session, and it's still EDAP day as far as I am concerned.

---Applause

Transparency, in my opinion, has been far beyond weak, it's more like pathetic when it comes to finding out who is receiving grants and what scenarios and why. Madam Speaker, it took a week to produce a paper to say if you make more money you get less of a grant; if you make less money you get more of a grant. It took a week to produce this and this doesn't say anything other than the obvious, Madam Speaker. It does not say if you have a family you should get a bigger grant. It does not say anything along the lines of deadlines and telling people they are forced to spend a certain amount of money within a certain amount of time. It says nothing about the fact that we may have given someone who is a single family who is not in public housing money, or that could be just a single person as well. We have no idea as to what the facts are to this program other than the fact that we have a line item that says $72,000 was spent in the program, take me at good faith. That has not produced anything, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, true transparency...They are using the word confidentiality. Well I sought out information and legal advice on confidentiality. Well when we have 14 recipients we have no idea who they are, so they could describe what their incomes are. Were they public housing people? Maybe they weren't. We don't know. We have to take everybody on good faith. We haven't solved a single thing on this other than the fact that the government has found stall tactics and pressure tactics to keep me away from asking these questions and I am personally offended by that, Madam Speaker.

The duty of the Minister offended me yesterday on a personal level because he knew that there were some mistakes, and we called them clerical mistakes, in the information that was provided, and yet I am 200 feet away and I could have been informed. I think that's a personal insult to me, Madam Speaker.

So, Madam Speaker, this has not gone away and I would like to know more and I will be asking more and I certainly hope that the questions are not taken as notice again today, because I think the people of the Northwest Territories would like some true transparency on this program in regard to simple scenarios that are not confidential by describing why people in certain situations received grants and why so few receive such high grants. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Point of order, Mr. Roland.

Point Of Order

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Earlier in a Member's statement just a few moments ago, Mr. Ramsay had, as I see it, made allegations against me saying I circumvented the rules. Under 23(h) of our rules, I believe that is an infraction. I have listened to some of the Members and their comments and felt that they have pushed the envelope. I feel at this point I have to rise on this point of order. We followed the rules and I tried to explain what had happened. I believe in this House now making that allegation against me is not appropriate. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. To the point of order, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It was an observation more or less. I do have questions related to that. In saying "circumvent," in my opinion the government did circumvent the rules that were in place in FAM directive 302. I stand by my comments that they did circumvent those rules. I do have questions for the Minister during question period that will hopefully result in more of an explanation of how this happened. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Are there any other Members who would like to speak to this point of order? Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, once again, the Member initially started saying, "in his opinion," but again he has clearly stated not just now about the Finance Minister but Cabinet has circumvented the rules. I believe that's inaccurate. We have laid down the specific situation in this House to the public about the situation. There may be feelings of certain Members that they don't like the result of what happened, that we've circumvented the rules, we have broken the rules that are in place, I don't believe we have done that and I look forward to your decision on this. Thank you.

Thank you. If there are no other comments on this point of order from other Members, then without the benefit of unedited Hansard to ascertain exactly what was said by the Member and given the fact that he's obviously not prepared to retract what he said, then I will take this under advisement and there will be a ruling on it. Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, as this is the last day that we will be formally sitting in the House for the next couple of months I would like to take some time for two minutes and 20 seconds to reiterate some of the initiatives and concerns I feel could make some significant progress forward, given the right

rules and encouragement by the Members of this House; namely, our Ministers opposite.

First, Madam Speaker, the taxation issue could be moved forward and possibly be resolved by the end of this taxation year if the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Financial Management Board worked with the communities to see that an agreeable plan is put in place to address and resolve this issue.

Second, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs should take a comprehensive approach to addressing the dust control problems in northern communities, namely Lutselk'e, and have a plan and priorities in place for the next business planning process.

---Applause

Third, I would also like to see Municipal and Community Affairs address the youth centre initiative in Deninu Kue or the lack of a youth centre in Deninu Kue. I feel this is a high priority item that should be seriously considered under the new municipal and rural infrastructure funding arrangement that this government has with the Government of Canada.

Fourth, I'd like to see a short-term plan from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the relocation of the Hook Lake Bison Recovery Program that can be initiated and completed in the fall of 2005.

Madam Speaker, I can stand here and present many other initiatives relating to human resources, aboriginal affairs, housing, health and hydro that are very important to my constituents, but I only have a couple of minutes. I just want to assure my constituents that I will be addressing many of these issues through regular communications with the appropriate department Ministers over the summer.

Madam Speaker, another point raised earlier in session that I feel is very important and one which will see that things are actually moving forward and being addressed is this government's responsiveness, which is measured, I feel, by results. Being adamant and compassionate about the many improvements required and new developments that are in the works in all of the areas I mentioned is not good enough, Madam Speaker, not for myself, my constituents or northerners. We need tangible results, Madam Speaker. No more reviews, studies, consultations or whatever, and I am cautiously optimistic that we can achieve tangible results on many fronts over the remainder of this fiscal year, but we all have to want these results, Madam Speaker. I hope that many of the Ministers will embrace the same view on moving this territory and its people forward. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to two members of the Range Lake North School parents advisory group for their distinguished and long volunteer services at the school.

Madam Speaker, on the first Wednesday of every month since becoming an MLA, unless I am out of town, I have attended the parents advisory group meeting at Range Lake North School and I was able to do that again last night. But this time it was a gathering of appreciation and farewell. Linda Corkal has served as the chair of the committee for the past 11 years. Sue Bennie has served on the group for the past nine years. For Linda, she is graduating from PAC because her two kids have grown up and the youngest is graduating on June 27th. For Sue, her family has decided to move for new experiences in other parts of the country.

Many teachers came out to the gathering. A fitting tribute to two mothers who spent hours and hours helping out at the school, in addition to their volunteer work for the parents advisory group.

Madam Speaker, Range Lake North School parents advisory group, like many others in the Territories, is made up of parents who volunteer their time, knowledge and resources for one reason and for one reason only: because they care about the education their children and their friends at the school receive. They want to contribute to that process. They don't expect anything else in return and they certainly don't get any remuneration or gratitude for all their hard work.

Madam Speaker, with the participation and leadership of Linda and Sue, Range Lake North School's PAC has built a strong record of action on behalf of students and teachers. They succeeded in convincing the city government to install flashing crosswalk lights at very busy intersections. They continually provide extra clothing and snack food for students who need them. In fact, they taught me that reflection tapes are not a meditation video, but something that you put on the back of children's jackets for their safety in the dark.

For many years they have volunteered for lunchtime supervision, they have helped the teachers in their normal time and during the busy report card time. I have to say, Madam Speaker, they have taught me, through the good meetings with PAC, a lot about what goes on at the school and in the world of students and teachers.

Madam Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The Member for Range Lake is seeing unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Ms. Lee, you may conclude your statement.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Madam Speaker, the teachers were mostly grateful for the leadership role they played in organizing a major fundraising event called Family Fun Night for the past 11 years. During that time they have raised thousands of dollars. Just last year I was there when we were able to give out $10,000 that we raised and distributed to teachers and students. I have to say I really enjoyed this process. Each teacher applied for money and we go around the table looking at the merit of each proposal. We talk around the table until we all achieve a consensus. Everyone gets their say and we talk and

listen until we are happy with the result. How I wish we could work out our budget like that around this Assembly.

---Laughter

Madam Speaker, I could tell you that they have just given thousands of dollars to the school and what they have done and the difference they make to the school is immeasurable. I would just like to express, on behalf of the constituents of Range Lake, my heartfelt appreciation and to wish them the very best in their future life. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I took the opportunity to go to Hay River last night. It kept me up well past my normal bedtime, but it was well worth the trip, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, it was, to me, an exhilarating experience to be in the gym or in the arena with 1,200 students when they marched in with all their schools with their banners beaming with pride and with music going. I must tell you with the fiddlers from Hay River and over 1,200 young people singing their hearts out, it was one of the best renditions of O' Canada that I can remember.

I would like to thank, of course, yourself, Madam Speaker, and the people of Hay River for the amount of tremendous work they put into this year after year, and recognize the work of all the communities, the people, the volunteers, the parents, the staff. I was, of course, proud of my own constituency, but it was a very good evening. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, seeing that this is the last day of session, I must say I look forward to traveling back home to Inuvik. It has been some time since I've been back home and I especially look forward to taking part in the Samuel Hearne Secondary School graduation ceremonies that are taking place on June 11th, and look forward to taking part with the graduates there and wish them the best, as well.

Of course, I look forward to just the everyday visits I get from the good people of Inuvik. So I'm looking forward to going home and wish everybody here safe journeys back to their constituencies. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. Next on our agenda, item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Mr. Menicoche.

Madam Speaker, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight is pleased to provide its Report on Progress on the Committee Priorities and Objectives and present it to the House.

Introduction

In April 2004, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight held a two-day operational planning workshop to review its mandate and set its priorities and objectives for the 15th Assembly. These plans were shared with our colleagues and the public in our first Report on Priorities and Objectives, which we presented to the Legislative Assembly on June 1, 2004.

The committee held its second operational and strategic planning workshop in Tuktoyaktuk from April 15 to 17, 2005, at which time we reviewed progress made to date on our priorities and objectives. This report summarizes that progress as we see it and sets out our broad direction for the remainder of the 15th Assembly.

Background

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight includes all 11 Regular Members. Its mandate as set out in the Rules of the Legislative Assembly is to:

1. review issues which have government-wide implications, including the overview of the budget and fiscal framework;
2. review multi-year business plans, budgets and bills of the Department of the Executive, including the Executive offices, the Financial Management Board Secretariat, and the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, and of the Department of Finance;
3. consider the budgets and financial management of any other boards and agencies that are outside the responsibility of any standing committee;
4. examine the reports on the annual financial statements and public accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories and the report of the Auditor General.
5. review government reports on financial and performance results on program and policy evaluations to ensure anticipated outcomes are being achieved and accountability is maximized;
6. review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of statutory officers of the Legislative Assembly, including the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Equal Pay Commissioner and the Human Rights Commissioner;
7. coordinate House business, scheduling and planning in cooperation with appropriate Cabinet representatives; and,
8. consider any other matters referred by the House.

The vision adopted by the committee in April 2004 is:

a strong, effective consensus government that has the confidence of the people of the NWT.

Our mission is:

to take purposeful and unified action, where appropriate, to support, question or oppose government initiatives and to hold government accountable. We will also use our collective power to influence government to take action and/or to change its policies when in the public interest.

Progress On Committee Priorities

As we stated in our June 2004 Report on Priorities and Objectives, our key priority is:

holding government accountable to our collective 15th Assembly vision and goals.

In June 2004, the government released its strategic plan, Self-Reliant People, Communities and Northwest Territories - A Shared Responsibility, which set out the broad direction for the government based on the 15th Assembly's collective vision and goals. The standing committee's review of the government's draft business plans has been and will continue to be an important tool to hold the government accountable to our collective vision and goals. The committee also looks forward to a progress report from the government on the implementation of its strategic plan, and, in the meantime, would offer the following general comments.

Generally, the committee is satisfied that the government is doing its best to negotiate a fair devolution and resource revenue sharing deal for our territory, which is key to goal one, a strong northern voice and identity. The committee supported a benefits of our northern resources motion on October 21, 2004, that included a resolution:

That the Legislative Assembly urges the federal government to negotiate a fair resource revenue sharing agreement that provides northern governments with an equitable share of royalties from our hydrocarbons and minerals as essential to ensuring the people of the Northwest Territories are the primary beneficiaries of the development of our resources.

Successful negotiation and implementation of aboriginal land, resource and self-government agreements in all regions is also key to achieving this goal. The committee is concerned that the government is far behind on aspects of land claims implementation, for example, new wildlife legislation and economic measures.

Goal two is healthy, educated people living in safe communities, who are able to contribute and take advantage of life's opportunities. In light of this goal, the committee is especially concerned that the government appears to have made little progress in implementing the social agenda. A specific issue mentioned in our Report on the Review of the Draft 2005-2006 Main Estimates is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the need for a coordinated approach and increased profile across government.

Goal three is well-governed, sustainable communities and regions able to fulfill their potential. As we heard from delegates at the April 2005 Circle of Northern Leaders meeting in Inuvik, budgets for community programs have not kept pace with increasing costs and in many cases have been cut. Our capital program has also not been sufficient to keep up with community infrastructure needs. The committee hopes that government will make it a priority to put any new revenues from the Northern Strategy and resource revenue sharing toward rectifying this situation.

Goal four is a diversified economy that provides northerners with opportunities and choices. To ensure its future viability, the Northwest Territories needs a diversified economy that does not rely on a single mega-project or industry for its sustainability. The committee urges the government not to neglect smaller sectors such as tourism and fisheries as it pursues development of larger industries such as mining and oil and gas.

Goal five is care and protection of natural environment. The committee looks forward to an increased profile for this goal with the creation of the new Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Greenhouse gas emissions, environmental safety and contaminated sites are areas of special concern for committee members.

Restructuring Of The GNWT's Internal Human Resource Services To Provide A More Efficient And Accountable System

The committee supported the government's initiative to centralize human resource services, and will continue to monitor its implementation to ensure it does result in a more efficient and accountable system.

A Reconsideration Of Past Reports And Recommendations On The GNWT's Affirmative Action Policy

Members believe that a reconsideration of past reports on the affirmative action policy is timely given the recent restructuring of the GNWT's human resource services and the opportunities this will create to revise our policies and ensure their consistent application across the government.

Division Of The Department Of Resources, Wildlife And Economic Development

The committee was pleased that the government moved quickly on this initiative and that the division of the department is now for the most part complete. Members appreciated the Minister's willingness to consider their suggestions throughout the planning stages.

A Review Of All GNWT Boards And Agencies

Two members of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight are participating in a Joint Cabinet/AOC Committee on Boards and Agencies. The joint committee has advanced a great deal of work on data gathering and preparing a new governance framework for boards and agencies, including a policy on boards and agencies. The committee is pleased with the

progress made to date and the joint Cabinet/AOC approach to this initiative.

A Review Of The Operations And Mandate Of The NWT Housing Corporation, Including The Rent Scales For Social Housing

Effective April 1, 2005, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has assumed the oversight responsibility for the delivery of social housing programs in the Northwest Territories and will be taking over responsibility for the actual delivery on April 1, 2006. The department is presently finalizing their income security policy framework, which will provide a lens for the redesign of any income security program like social housing. Members will have an opportunity to review any proposed rent scale and social housing program adjustments as part of the next business planning cycle.

The NWT Housing Corporation mandate has changed as a result of the transfer of social housing, and it is in the process of developing its new mandate for committee review at the same time as the 2006-2009 business plans.

An Operational Review Of The Workers' Compensation Board And Completion Of The Amendments To The Legislation

The committee is pleased that the Auditor General for Canada will be conducting a performance audit on the Workers' Compensation Board in response to Motion 31-15(3) on March 10, 2005, which was supported by AOC members. The committee looks forward to reviewing the Auditor General's report, which is expected sometime in the spring of 2006.

Members are concerned that they have heard little from government about the status of the rewrite of the Workers' Compensation Act, which is needed to address several outstanding issues and complete the work begun in the 14th Assembly. The committee expects that government will develop a bill in time for it to be considered during the life of this Assembly.

Consideration Of New Legislation To Protect Whistleblowers

The committee has not yet begun its work on this objective and will be pursuing it in the near future. Members believe consideration of such legislation may be timely because of national trends toward increased accountability expectations from the public service, most recently evidenced by the sponsorship scandal.

Consideration Of New Fiscal Responsibility Legislation

As we stated in our Report on the Review of the 2005-2006 Draft Main Estimates, Members are pleased that the government has moved forward with a new fiscal responsibility policy. The committee therefore considers this objective completed.

Review Of The Liquor Act

The committee looks forward to seeing the results of the consultations now underway by the Department of Finance and to reviewing a bill during the life of this Assembly.

Review Of The Residential Tenancies Act

The committee looks forward to seeing the response to the discussion paper recently released by the Department of Justice and to reviewing a bill during the life of this Assembly.

Cost/Benefit Analysis Of Business Incentive Policy

On March 31, 2004, the committee supported a motion on the spirit and intent of the business incentive policy, which resolved:

that the Government of the Northwest Territories use the spirit and intent of the business incentive policy to its fullest advantage in promoting and growing NWT-based businesses;

and further that the government undertake to conduct a comprehensive cost and benefit analysis of the business incentive policy and table it in the House during the fall 2004 sitting of the Legislative Assembly.The committee looks forward to considering the government's cost/benefit analysis of the business incentive policy.

Improving The Land Transfer Process And, In Particular, Accelerating Land Transfers To Municipalities

The committee is aware that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs -- MACA -- in partnership with other GNWT departments, is working toward a streamlined management system for transferring leases to fee simple title where appropriate, and for transferring municipal lands to municipal governments. MACA is actively negotiating land administration agreements with municipal governments in areas where land claims have been settled.

MACA is also now in year two of a three-year initiative to establish an administration of territorial lands system -- ATLAS -- which will provide accurate graphic and written information on each parcel of land within community boundaries.

Madam Speaker, I turn the rest of the report over to my colleague, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The deputy chair for the Accountability and Oversight committee, Mr. Hawkins.

Increased Investment In Early Childhood Development Programs