I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that the Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay, be appointed Acting Speaker for the remainder of the session.

Thank you, colleagues. Orders of the day. Ministers' statements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Countries around the world will celebrate International Women's Week from Sunday, March 5 to Saturday, March 11, 2005, with the highlight being International Women's Day on March 8th.

There are many challenges in our work to advance women's equality. Through the dedication and commitment of organizations such a the Status of Women Council, Native Women's Association, the NWT Coalition Against Family Violence and a large number of dedicated people, much good work has taken place. We have seen the development and implementation of the NWT Family Violence Action Plan, increased participation by people from many communities in the Women's Voice in Leadership initiative and increased awareness of the importance of women's active participation in economic development.

It is incumbent on this government to ensure that we continue to support women in their work towards equality. Our government remains committed to work alongside the Status of Women Council, Native Women's Association, the NWT Coalition Against Family Violence and other groups and individuals in this important work.

Every year, the Status of Women Council of the NWT seeks nominations for the Wise Woman of the Year Awards. These awards are in recognition of the dedication and service women have given to their communities and regions. It is my privilege to recognize this year's recipients of the Wise Women Awards: Marie Speakman for the North Slave...

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...Eileen M. Koe for the Beaufort-Delta...

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...Tina Marie Gargan from the Deh Cho...

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...Laura Lennie for the Sahtu...

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and Louise Fraser for the South Slave.

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Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate all the award winners and thank them for their dedication to improving the lives of women and families across the NWT.

On International Women's Day, March 8th, there will be a bread and roses luncheon here in the Great Hall when the Wise Women Awards will be presented. I welcome all of you to attend this special occasion and take the opportunity to personally congratulate these dedicated women of the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide an update to Members on the National Summit on Post-Secondary Education and Skills I attended in Ottawa on February 24, 2006.

Mr. Speaker, in August 2005, the Council of the Federation recognized that governments, educational institutions and the private sector must work together to

develop and implement a plan for higher education and skills training for Canadians. Premiers McGuinty and Charest were tasked with convening a summit of stakeholders to examine key issues and challenges in post-secondary education and skills to help shape the development of the Canada-wide strategy.

The national summit, called Competing for Tomorrow, provided the opportunity to invite key stakeholders to participate in a variety of sessions. The NWT delegation included Brenda McDonald, executive director of Aboriginal Futures; Jay MacDonald, chairperson of the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupations Certification Board; Yacub Adam, acting chairperson of Aurora College Board of Governors; Mike Vaydik, general manager of the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines; and, Leon Lafferty, chairperson of the Mine Training Society. As you can see, this delegation is representative of key sectors including post-secondary education, apprenticeship and trades, mining, oil and gas development, and aboriginal human resource development.

At the summit in Ottawa, the NWT delegates participated in workshops where they expressed their perspectives and views on the challenges and needs of post-secondary education and skill development in the NWT. I would like to thank the five members of the NWT delegation for attending the summit and sharing the NWT points of view. This input, and that of the other stakeholders from across the country, will guide the Council of the Federation in developing a pan-Canadian strategy for post-secondary education and skills for Canada.

One of my colleagues stated during the summit that post-secondary education and skills are the engine that drives economic development. Nowhere is this more true than in the Northwest Territories where we have a great opportunity to build a sustainable future. It is my hope that a pan-Canadian strategy will:

• • include approaches to close the gap in education levels between aboriginal citizens and the general population;
• • address the need for the federal government to restore funding to at least the levels that they were in 1994-95; and
• • provide options and solutions to address the shortage of skilled workers, especially in western Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the completion of the post-secondary education and skills strategy to help people ensure that northerners and all Canadians are well equipped to thrive in the 21st Century economy.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have titled my Member's statement today, What do I Tell Them? Sometimes in our duties as MLAs we receive many questions from constituents on the way our government does business. What do I tell them, Mr. Speaker, when the decisions in attitude puzzles even me? What do I tell family when they want to know why their mother and grandmother didn't return home? Do I tell them she was improperly transported when she came to Yellowknife for a medical appointment? What are we supposed to tell frontline workers and people needing treatment that a consultant says we don't need treatment centres when everyone in the regions knows we do? Who are we listening to? Is their opinion not important? They can tell us what works and what doesn't work. What are we supposed to tell our own frontline workers when they ask about the direction that the government is going? Do I tell them not to worry; a consultant from the United States knows what is best for us and will point us in the right direction?

Mr. Speaker, when my grandchild asks me about the decline of the caribou herds, do I tell him or her that our generation couldn't manage the herds well enough and that you and your generation may be out of luck? Then, he or she will ask me about the resources and all the money that left the territory and we have no money left from the royalties. I will have to be honest and say that we spent too much time disagreeing with each other while the gas flowed south and the money went to Ottawa.

Mr. Speaker, when I decided to run as an MLA, I told people that I would be honest with them. If I tell them that everything is okay today, Mr. Speaker, then I have broken that promise. Thank you.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories represents everyone in the North and makes decisions that affect everyone on a daily basis. It is good for me to see, as a representative of the Monfwi riding, that the GNWT Cabinet meeting in Rae-Edzo on January 26th was a true success from our perspective.

While there, Cabinet met with the Tlicho Government, the executive council members, Grand Chief George Mackenzie, chiefs Leon Lafferty, Charlie Jim Nitsiza, Henry Gon and Charlie Football, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, the Tlicho agreement became law on August 4th of last year, 2005. Many of you have followed and observed the struggles of the Tlicho to get to that point. There are many things in that agreement that will take time for the government to come to grips with as we are the signatories.

Mr. Speaker, the meeting was a government-to-government meeting. It was very fruitful. They have made commitments to work closely together to see how the Tlicho Government can be implemented by both parties that both parties were committed to. Mr. Speaker, this goes to show that GNWT is very serious in recognizing the self-government and is willing to make the

agreement work in all of its intents and purposes. All the Cabinet Ministers were presented with cardholders decorated with the Tlicho logo, Mr. Speaker. This is our sign of give exchange. It has been part of our Tlicho tradition. I am proud to say that the meeting has benefited the cottage industry in my community.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I want to thank the Cabinet for meeting in my home community which sends a strong message that the people in the small communities is what GNWT is all about. There is a continued positive working relationship between the GNWT and the Tlicho Government. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Mahsi, Mr. Lafferty. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today once again in support of the cause of the quick service restaurants in Yellowknife. As you are well aware, this issue has been on the front burner for a number of us, and I am not sure we are getting any closer to resolving and addressing some very real and legitimate concerns that these QSRs have. Make no mistake about it, Mr. Speaker; unless the WCB, the Minister and the governance council do something positive and do something soon, we risk putting some of these businesses out of business, Mr. Speaker. I am not going to let that happen. I appreciate the WCB's position that this is only a small group out of many businesses and that many of them are not complaining, but in public eyes, we are not here to speak about the happy clients we have. Thank goodness we get some of them once in a while. Our main task here is to be the voice of those small portions of our client groups who are most disadvantaged, the most grieved and the most frustrated. In this case, we have both the employers and injured workers in that area. I submit to you that the WCB Governance Council and the Minister have to step up to the plate on their behalf. The status quo is not working for them. We need a different look, different approach and different attitude. As it stands now, these QSRs are paying more than oil and gas well drillings, air transportation, trucking, public utilities, even forest fire, ambulance and rescue services. Some of them have seen a decrease of more than 25 percent. Yet the QSRs have seen a 25 percent increase for four years in a row. That is more than double during that time. No other group I can see has gone through such an increase at the same time.

Mr. Speaker, to top it off, I understand that the WCB is planning on moving the camp and industrial caterers into this subcategory, a category that is paying more than the QSR. This is going in the wrong direction, Mr. Speaker. There is no misconception on my part about what WCB is doing or not doing. Both the WCB Governance Council and the Minister have a choice of defending the status quo or doing something proactive and out of the box. I do hope that they will have the heart to do the latter and do it soon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Ms. Lee. Members' statements. The honourable Member for the Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Spring has always been an important time in the North with our long and dark winters. Northerners, more than most people, are ready to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Historically, springtime festivities in the North have been an important social occasion when families, friends and neighbours join together, renew their ties and celebrate the return of the warm spring sun and the weather. That tradition continues today with spring carnivals being held in communities across the Northwest Territories. An important part of that tradition is the Kamba Carnival hosted by the K'atlodeeche First Nations on the Hay River Reserve. This annual spring celebration has been held for 23 years now, and I am pleased to announce that the festivities are getting underway once again today.

Since its humble beginnings, the Kamba Carnival has grown to become a popular and successful event. People from many other NWT communities and from other provinces come to enjoy themselves. This is an alcohol-free family oriented celebration that helps to foster the spirit of cross-cultural awareness. People from all ages are encouraged to test their northern skills in a variety of events including snowshoe races, tea boiling, axe throwing, log sawing, dog races, hand games, drum dances and talent shows. I extend an invitation to the Members here, and to northerners everywhere, to come to the Hay River Reserve this weekend and join in on the fun.

In recognizing this popular event, it is important to recognize the hard work and dedication of the organizers, the carnival committee who work year round to make the Kamba Carnival a success. It is not only the carnival committee but the many volunteers, the sponsors and the supporters who make it possible. I wish them all another very successful year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mahsi, Mr. McLeod. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to make special mention to the Nahendeh constituents. One to Debora McPherson for achieving over four years for certification in accounting. The past weekend, I had the distinction of watching the mixed adult broomball team that came second in the NWT broomball championships. After 17 years, we have achieved a medal there. As well, I watched the 16 and under Thomas Simpson school wolf pack basketball team that earned silver in the prestigious cager annual basketball tournament. I just want to add that Teyan Menicoche was most valuable player. If you recall, he was a Page here two weeks ago. As well, in speed skating, it is the fourth year for participation from Fort

Simpson constituents. They, too, are now progressing to earning medals.

If I may, Mr. Speaker, we have a Caitlin Jaffray, gold in the B division; Julian Porter-Heron, gold in C division; Alex Roche, gold in B division; Emily Parker, silver in B division; Alex Keith, silver in C division; Tyler Pilling, silver in B division; Ian Keith, bronze in C division; as well as Kevin Roche and Madison Pilling have gold medals for overall champions in their divisions.

Just one more list I have here, Mr. Speaker, is the 2006 Arctic Winter Games participants from Nahendeh. I have Valerie Gendron, mission staff; Mr. Shane Thompson, mission staff; Keri-Ann Loutit, soccer; Caitlin Jaffray, speed skating; Mr. Ken Baton from Fort Wrigley, cross-country skiing; as well, my daughter Miss Deidra Villeneuve, for soccer. Congratulations to all. You all did good. You are good models for us all. I wish you the very best and in all your future endeavours, as well. Mahsi cho.

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Mahsi, Mr. Menicoche. Member's statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Ivan Valic is a 51-year-old man. His life has been shattered by a 19-year-long odyssey involving claims for chronic pain for the Workers' Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Mr. Valic was a robust young construction worker in 1987 when he suffered the first of four work-related injuries over a 10-year period. Now, Mr. Speaker, he lives a solitary life in a basement apartment of Calgary. He has lost everything. He is an angry and frustrated man who has endured almost two decades of systemic manipulation, perpetual bureaucratic process and clear discrimination of Charter rights.

Mr. Speaker, a handful of powerful painkillers he eats every day at his own expense. It is the only way to keep at bay the debilitating pain in his back. Mr. Valic is an exception to the normal fate of injured workers rejected by our WCB. Over the years, he is persistent in pressing his case before the WCB board and its endless cycle of governance councils, appeals tribunals and review committees. He has persisted to the very top of the system, the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories and here he may finally be getting some justice.

In an exhaustive 21-page ruling by the Honourable Justice Virginia Schuler rendered on December 14th of last year, Mr. Valic, represented by Yellowknife lawyer Jim Posynick, was indeed found to have been discriminated against under section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This is because the board's policy regarding chronic pain syndrome fails to treat those injured workers on an equal standing with other injured workers, Mr. Speaker.

Justice Schuler also found that in the board's decisions and the tribunal's decisions, Mr. Valic was denied natural justice. She found that the board's behind the scenes procedures violated Mr. Valic's right to a fair hearing. As a result of this reasoning, Justice Schuler quashed their rulings. She also ordered that a new appeals tribunal be re-established to hear Mr. Valic's case, and the matter shall be given timely attention.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Braden is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Braden, you can conclude your statement.

Thank you, colleagues, Mr. Speaker. To the matter of the board's failed policy on chronic pain, Justice Schuler has left this to be resolved by either the board or by a legislative action of this Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, this decision is a significant indictment of the failure of our WCB to manage in a fair and compassionate way, let alone a legal and proper way, the very reason it exists. I will conclude my statement with one more reflection on Mr. Valic's situation. The sad part of this story is, as of today, Mr. Speaker, that he is really no further ahead today in his life than when he was injured 19 years ago. He is still an angry and frustrated man seeking justice, fairness, dignity and comfort. Is this too much to ask? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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