Please be seated. Good morning, colleagues. Welcome back to the House. Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger...Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, surveys of barren ground caribou herds conducted this summer by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources confirms these herds are declining.

This is a very serious matter that affects many residents in the Northwest Territories. Last winter, few communities were able to access caribou and the harvest was greatly reduced.

A number of actions based on survey results from the Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-East and Bluenose-West barren ground caribou herds were taken this past year to address the decline. This included closing caribou management areas in the Inuvik region to resident and commercial hunting. Voluntary actions taken by wildlife co-management boards included monitoring aboriginal harvest.

These wildlife co-management boards have already met and are finalizing additional recommendations for the herds in the Inuvik, Gwich'in and Sahtu regions.

Actions were also taken in the North and South Slave areas based on information received from communities and biologists suggesting other caribou herds were also declining. These included reducing the allocation of tags for residents from five to two tags, allowing resident hunters to only hunt males and reducing tags to outfitters in the North Slave region.

The new Wek'eezhie Renewable Resource Board is also expected to provide additional recommendations for actions to deal with the decline.

Mr. Speaker, the resource development industry fully recognizes the decline in the herds and continues to work with the department and advisory boards to monitor caribou.

ENR is also taking several extraordinary steps to engage residents and other jurisdictions and agencies concerned with the management of these herds.

On November 1st and 2nd, a workshop is being held in Inuvik to look at the impacts caused by the declines in the herds. Workshop participants will also determine how to address hardships in this region, including the loss of country food.

A workshop is planned for Yellowknife in early December to review actions identified under the Bathurst Caribou management plan. All communities and stakeholders including industry, outfitter associations and resident hunter associations as well as other agencies involved in the development of the plan are being encouraged to attend.

An NWT Caribou Summit is being proposed for early in the new year. Aboriginal leaders, wildlife co-management boards, hunting organizations, industry, neighbouring jurisdictions will be all invited to the summit and will provide the opportunity for all partners to discuss the actions being undertaken and reach agreement to work together in a manner that recognizes aboriginal rights and addresses hardships created by low caribou numbers.

Environment and Natural Resources also continues to implement the actions listed in the NWT Barren Ground Caribou Strategy, which was released last February.

Mr. Speaker, elders say that caribou numbers increase and decrease naturally. In the past, people starved when caribou numbers were low.

Our caribou herds can recover, but not without making some sacrifices. We must realize that we cannot continue to enjoy the same levels of harvest we did when our caribou numbers were high.

Everyone has a role to play to help our herds recover and it's only by working together that this can be achieved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Mr. Speaker, last June I tabled the NWT Arts Strategy Progress Report, a document prepared jointly by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

Minister Bell and I committed to convening a consultation group, composed of NWT arts community representatives, to review the March 2006 NWT Arts Strategy Progress Report. We wanted the group to provide advice on

actions that would support the goals and objectives of the NWT Arts Strategy.

This arts consultation group included both past members of the Arts Strategy Advisory Panel and new members who were selected to ensure the broadest possible representation by region, cultural group, art discipline and partner role.

I met with the consultation group at the start of their meeting with departmental officials on the 16th of September. The group highlighted the challenges currently being faced by the various participants within the arts sector and provided valuable feedback. They provided significant insight and several recommendations on ways the GNWT could improve on existing supports and services.

Recommendations were made regarding arts education, financial support for artists, support for artists and arts organizations, and public access to and participation in the arts.

Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes and understands that the arts provide a meaningful economic benefit to the NWT and are an important source of income to many people, especially those living in smaller, remote communities. We know that art therapy improves health status and that arts programming in the schools promotes self-esteem and teamwork and contributes to a well-rounded education. The arts also build social capital, community empowerment and serve to reinforce cultural identity; key priorities of this government.

Mr. Speaker, the departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Industry, Tourism and Investment will utilize the results of this arts consultation in planning programs and services in support of the arts. We will continue to invest in the arts for the social, economic and cultural benefit of individuals and communities today and in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, about one in eight northerners live with some form of disability. Many of these people enjoy healthy, independent lives within our communities and make a valuable contribution to society through work, volunteer activities and family life. People with disabilities have the right to access service and facilities, but many are faced with physical barriers. There are stereotypes of what people with disabilities can do effectively and safely. Policies are developed without considering their needs. Treating everyone the same is not always fair. People with disabilities are entitled to expect some accommodations to be made when required to allow them to participate in community life.

Mr. Speaker, in our constituency, the Hay River Committee for Persons with Disabilities was formed approximately four years ago. They have become a referral point in a resource centre for people with disabilities. They now have an office set up and are hoping to have staff by the end of November. As soon as a staff person is hired, work will begin on assessing the priorities for people with disabilities and setting up programs to assist in areas of employment, independent living, information and support for families. They will increase their lobbying for better sidewalks and entrance to public buildings, and particularly the entrance to the medical clinic which right now is not a barrier-free building in Hay River.

Today, I would like to congratulate this committee on their achievements to date. In particular, I would like to recognize the outstanding voluntary service of a person who has been a strengthened force behind this committee, Mrs. Lillian Crook. Lillian has had a strong impact within the community. She shares her experience and knowledge to raise recognition and awareness about the difficulties that disabled persons face in their daily life. So, Mr. Speaker, thank you to Lillian Crook of the Hay River Committee for Persons with Disabilities for the work that they are doing on behalf of others.

Later today, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs as to the long-outstanding and long-ongoing discussion over tax relief for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Members' statements. The honourable Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past couple of sittings, we have heard from a number of Members who are concerned with how the Novel housing proposal will play out. While not diminishing my colleagues' concerns, I would like to put a more positive spin on this proposal, Mr. Speaker. It is simple. I am in favour of any proposal that puts housing that is so desperately needed in the communities that I represent. I see the overcrowding. I see housing units that are no longer fit to live in and still being used because there is no alternative. Mr. Speaker, I have seen families forced out to larger communities because there is no place for them to live in their own communities. What is lost is the potential benefits of residents in the Mackenzie Valley and for this government.

The Housing Corporation will be able to replace a number of single family social housing units that have outlived their economic life with new and modern energy-efficient units. This will save money in the O and M costs that will be spent in fixing and maintaining other units. Families and communities with no market housing will have an opportunity to either buy a unit outright using conventional mortgage, or by accessing the subsidy program presently available to the Housing Corporation.

My colleague from Range Lake has pointed out on several occasions that these are well-constructed homes and you can't really call them trailers anymore. They are about $200,000 anywhere in Western Canada. The other reality is once the initial pipeline construction is completed, there

will be a lull in employment and business opportunities. The lull can be filled by work, preparing the building for moving the units to communities and renovating units for customers' specifications.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to say that the life of politicians can be difficult at times. As Regular Members, we are called upon to hold the government accountable and ask the hard questions. I believe that sometimes we judge the department or corporation too hardly on past activities. The Novel proposal is big. The potential benefits are great down the Mackenzie Valley, both economically and socially too far to dismiss. We need to ask the hard questions on the project. We also need to have some faith and work with the Housing Corporation to advance this for the benefit of all people in the Northwest Territories that we represent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to address the issue of the North Slave regional office. Most of these offices and especially the offices with the decision-making powers are located at the headquarters in Yellowknife, instead of in the region, Mr. Speaker. Services provided from those offices for Tlicho have been a concern for some time now. Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho region has been accorded regional status by virtue of land claims and self-government agreement with the recent TCSA, Tlicho Community Services Agency, silver medal award for innovative management. That is a great achievement, Mr. Speaker. So far, the GNWT has ignored the fact that in terms of how it organizes its services.

Most North Slave regional offices are still located in the headquarters in Yellowknife. Decision-makers and managers still sit in Yellowknife ignoring Behchoko as a regional centre and as the largest aboriginal community in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. It is time for this Government of the Northwest Territories to acknowledge the importance of Behchoko as a capital of the Tlicho Government. Basically, such recognition will mean that Tlicho becomes a stand-alone region. It must come with the transfer of positions, Mr. Speaker, that are authorized to make decisions.

Mr. Speaker, presently the Tlicho residents are being disadvantaged. Responses to questions or requests take a long time. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my 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. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Mr. Speaker, requests forwarded to headquarters go through multiple levels of bureaucracy. Their message may change in this process. They are either delayed or sometimes lost in the system. This is not necessary and causes undue hardship, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government should give the Tlicho region with Behchoko the same acknowledgment that it did with the Sahtu and the transfer of North Slave regional office function serving the Tlicho from Yellowknife to Behchoko.

As the Government of the Northwest Territories chooses to represent the Tlicho, it must have a senior staff manager permanently residing and located in Behchoko, not just a few officers and clerks. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the honourable Premier at the appropriate time. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member's statement today is dedicated to young individuals in this Chamber who play a vital role upon us as Members and Ministers to conduct our business. Mr. Speaker, I am speaking of some who are enthusiastic, energetic, polite and are bright young Pages. This week's session, the Pages are from Nunakput, Nahendeh, Monfwi and Deh Cho.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, having young students come from small communities to assist us in our daily business is appreciated, so I say thank you to the Speaker of this Legislature.

In speaking with the Pages from Nunakput, they are overwhelmed with this building and appreciate to see first hand how MLAs conduct their business. Mr. Speaker, students from small communities usually don't have the same opportunity as Yellowknife students. To have students come in from outside Yellowknife and assist us in the Chamber is an honour which I am sure my colleagues will agree to. Mr. Speaker, they are our next generation. I hope this great opportunity has inspired them to pursue a seat in this House. To the Pages, I say thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would just like to use my Member's statement to express some of my concerns with the new Human Resources department. Mr. Speaker, although I am in full support of the amalgamation of the human resources and public services and the intent to develop a more balanced and representative public service here in the NWT, I feel that there are some important human resource issues related to why this government moved back to a stand-alone Human Resources department that are falling through the cracks as we move forward.

Mr. Speaker, I am still receiving many inquiries and concerns from public service employees, mainly of aboriginal descent, that are not receiving the level of consideration for advancement or employment in the public service as originally perceived after applications are filed or positions are filled. Mr. Speaker, I realize there are many other factors like education requirements, experience or residency issues that play important roles in determining who will be offered advancement or employment in the public service. But I also, once again, emphasize our government's responsibility to support and build on the existing under-represented sector of our public service as a whole; namely the northern aboriginal sector and the number of women in our government in management and the non-traditional occupations.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I have to point out a sad fact that, since the affirmative action policy was mandated in 1989 by this Legislature, there has never been and there still are no northern aboriginal persons in management in our own Legislative Assembly where the advocacy for equality is loudest.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot continue to tell our public service to do as we say and not as we do. We have to set a good example and raise the bar right here where it is most visible to northerners. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Mahsi and good morning, Mr. Speaker. As our population ages, the occurrence and incidence of Alzheimer's and other dementia syndromes is going to increase, Mr. Speaker, and so will the demands on our families, our communities and, of course, our health care institutions, to deal with this in a way that is not only adequate but helps give these people the dignity and the quality of life even as this terrible disease robs them of just about every memory and ability to cope that they have.

Mr. Speaker, it is estimated that, again, as more and more of us get older and older, almost one in 10 of us is going to suffer from this situation. In Yellowknife, from a survey about three years, there were at least 35 people in the earlier stages of dementia and another 30 in the moderate to severe stages. At present, Mr. Speaker, in this community, we are assisting these people. We are caring for these people in the long-term care ward in the Stanton Hospital and at the Aven seniors' facility, neither of which are designed for this kind of care or are really able to give these people the kind of quality of life that they should have.

Mr. Speaker, the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors has had this on their agenda for more than 20 years. They have tried to alert government to the growing need for this and it is desperate now, Mr. Speaker. This government has recognized that to some extent. It has assisted this organization with planning money, but one thing we have not done, Mr. Speaker, is that we have not committed our capital plan to constructing this essential part of our health care institution here in Yellowknife to serve not only this community, Mr. Speaker, but the whole territory. It is time that we make this commitment, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to again address the concern that I have over the treatment, or lack thereof, of a constituent of mine. I believe it is unreasonable and unacceptable that he has been allowed to suffer through almost three years of chronic pain, unable to work and unable to support his family. On Monday of this week, I had asked the Minister responsible, Mr. Roland, about how our government treats cases where an individual can't get a diagnosis here in the NWT. Given the fact that my constituent has been waiting almost three years and the department's answer is to force him to wait approximately another two years and, Mr. Speaker, that is five years of pain and suffering, it is completely unacceptable.

The Minister, in his response to one of my questions on Monday stated on page 886 of unedited Hansard, "I am aware that he hasn't been left out there on his own." Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is he hasn't got a diagnosis after three years. If someone was out there with him, what good has it done him? What I would like to see is a complete top to bottom review of his file to ensure that we can find out why he has not gotten the care he deserves and make immediate arrangements to have him receive the help that he needs to acquire diagnosis and receive treatment.

How long does a resident of the Northwest Territories have to suffer before they can get the help? What are our standards? Do we even have acceptable levels for wait times here in the Northwest Territories?

Mr. Speaker, in a country like Canada, I find it unthinkable that a resident would have to take matters into their own hands and travel overseas to seek medical attention. In my mind, our health care system has failed my constituent for almost three years. By putting him on another wait list for two years, they are standing by and allowing this man to continue to suffer immensely. The proposed course of action as proposed by the department is just not good enough for my mind, Mr. Speaker. Our residents deserve better. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to commend the Minister of ENR and his staff for all of their proactive planning and work to deal with the declining caribou numbers. I think it is good that they have done all of that work. I fully support the

summit and bringing all of the folks together to look at the next steps, as well as I would support it as it comes forward. Of course, the use of some of their whatever circles may be left from the light fire season to help offset the cost of the summit, because I think this is an endeavour that we have to pursue.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to make the point today, in conjunction with the statement I made earlier to the opening address, that this is an example of why we have to take a broad look at the environmental impact in many areas, of why we have to take the environment from the second chair up to centre stage when we look at the planning that we have to do. There are issues tied into caribou that are going to tie into other species as well like the fish habitat where there is enormous pressure. There are fires that wreak havoc through the landscape, a natural process but it affects migration routes, access to feed and many other factors. We have development permits for access to exploration across the land to check out all of the resources we have there. We have roads going in where there were never roads before, Mr. Speaker, making hunting that much easier. All of these factors tied into, as well, the water and the underlying climate change issues tell me that it is absolutely fundamental that we start looking at all of these pieces not as individual events and issues, but how do they affect our capacity to absorb resource development and what is cumulative impact?

The caribou herds migrate. They don't respect borders. They don't know borders. That is foreign to them. They go from the north right to the South into the provinces over into the Yukon and Quebec. We have a circumstance with the caribou where we have to get our own house in order, but clearly we have to work with other jurisdictions but we need that broad frame. I will be making that case again and again in the coming months as we look at the planning. If we are going to do this right and we are going to look at the economic big picture, we can't do that without this same look being taken on the environment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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