The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Luckily the NWT has these. We have gold, silver, zinc, copper and rare earth metals that are all trading at record highs. In most of them our forecasts remain high in light of the increased demand from Asia's growing economy. We also have a major storehouse of clean energy: uranium. In order to bring these commodities into production some day, prospectors need access to the land to carry out the grassroots exploration activities. Unfortunately, many of their planned programs are being held up for political reasons while land claims are under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, mining has and is continuing to open a lot of doors for many northerners, whether its jobs, training or new business ventures. The industry places a high priority on creating a skilled northern workforce and is keen to participate in the planning of further transportation infrastructure in the North. The mining sector deserves the recognition it receives during Mining Week, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to encourage all Members and the public to take part in the various events around the city this week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We've had tremendous advances in the telecommunications field in the NWT in the last 25 years. Today I think all 33 of our communities enjoy instantaneous telephone, satellite television, fax, we're getting just about everybody hooked up to high-speed Internet, Mr. Speaker, almost to the point where we're taking all this for granted. Even I can remember the days of telex, typewriters, VHF telephones and things like that. Things were a lot simpler in those days and sometimes I wish they were back. But in contrast, Mr. Speaker, southern communities enjoy an almost bewildering array of telephone and cell phone plan options, other communication options offered by a wide array of competing companies at rates that make us northerners envious for the cheap costs and extensive range of services offered. One of my continuing concerns is for decisions that add to our already high cost of living and doing business up here, Mr. Speaker.

Right now we're on notice that the telecommunications regulator in Canada, the Canadian Radio, Television and Telecommunications Commission, or CRTC, is holding hearings in Whitehorse next month on establishing a new regulatory framework for NorthwesTel that will go into effect in 2007. Among the items to be reviewed are funding for providing service to high cost areas, restructuring the various rates including long distance and local services; for instance, $2 a month more for individual residential phone lines and $5 a month more for multi-line business services. They're going to be looking at competition and how NorthwesTel will be regulated in the future.

Mr. Speaker, the telecommunications business in the North is still complex and heavily regulated in many ways. It is the last large area of telecommunication monopolies in North America. I have concerns for initiatives that will increase our already high cost of doing business and in an age of rapidly expanding technology and new businesses anxious to compete foreseeing that the North is competition friendly, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today is an historical day in the fight against violence against women, especially the violence against aboriginal women in the NWT. At 9:30 a.m. this morning, our aboriginal women, along with their friends and supporters and community groups, started a walk to Behchoko; a walk of over 100 kilometres in the name of raising awareness of this very important and pressing issue.

Mr. Speaker, we're well aware that every day there are aboriginal women being assaulted and murdered and often forgotten and neglected by our society. We also know that violence of all forms against persons from all walks of life are much too prevalent in our society in small and big communities, especially against aboriginal peoples. Our very own Sandra Lockhart spoke this morning at the walk about how the violence against aboriginal women and within aboriginal families are so prevalent that it is rare to meet an aboriginal woman who did not experience violence and abuse some time in their lives. With this walk, the aboriginal women of the North are telling us that this has to stop and they're going to make it happen.

This walk also highlights the responsibility of all levels of governments to take an action to prevent violence and to provide means for healing and recovery. At the same time, this walk brings to the fore the power of one person to make a real difference. I was very honoured that my friend Marie Speakman, the wise woman who came up with this idea and organized it, asked me for my support from the beginning. I want to honour her today and all others in our communities who work on the frontline tirelessly to help victims of violence. This is backbreaking work mentally and physically, and there are many Maries of the world in our communities who do not give up against all odds and always find the strength and courage to combat the aftermath of violence one step at a time and one person at a time.

Mr. Speaker, I could tell you that I had a very nice long walk this morning, joined by the Premier, many Ministers and colleagues of this House, to honour Marie and her team. I'll be joining them again tonight and when they arrive at their destination in Behchoko tomorrow night, where there will be a feast to receive those who are walking with Marie. Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt in my mind that this is the start of something big that will continue to grow. This is an aboriginal women-driven

action initiated by aboriginal women, organized by aboriginal women for aboriginal women, and I look forward to cheering them on as they continue to make a difference in the lives of aboriginal women and their families. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I read an article in a national newspaper about the status of Canada schools, Canadian schools banning pop from vending machines right across the country here. The article also said that politicians are following by leading the way for advocating for healthy foods in the school. They're motivated by the high costs of children who are overweight and to look at eliminating the unhealthy foods in the schools. Refreshments Canada, the main trade association representing the non-alcoholic beverages industries, are developing guidelines to make sure that only healthy, low-fat drinks and bottled water will be sold in schools, in high schools here, in elementary schools.

Ontario is getting rid of candy and pop from vending machines in high schools. B.C. has released voluntary school guidelines to phase out junk beverages. In Quebec it is the school boards who determine the nutrition policies and Montreal soft drink vending machines have been banned in public elementary and high schools. New Brunswick is phasing out the pop and other sweetened beverages from all the public schools for 2007. Newfoundlanders are waiting for the government to release guidelines, and, finally, Nova Scotia has drafted a nutrition policy that only milk, juice and water should be sold in schools in the vending machines. These guidelines are still to be debated.

In the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker, we have a successful campaign called "Drop the Pop" campaign, which has been great, but it's not enough in our schools here. Who knows what bad habits and illness are developing in our schools and in our children who are in those schools. We're waiting for this government to develop some strong guidelines and leadership, take charge, ban the junk food in our schools, because I heard somewhere God does not create junk and our children are not junk. We need healthy foods in our schools, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, last week I asked a question to the Minister regarding payment to elders and how they are not getting paid as fast as they should because elders are very important and we want to be able to help them. (Translation ends)

Dogrib Treaty 11 Council has asked the Dogrib Community Services Board to operate a number of programs and projects on its behalf that were closely connected to the mandate of the board. These include the scholarship program, a variety of language and culture projects such as the birch bark canoe project, the caribou skin tent project, as well as the trails of our ancestors' canoe trips that involve the youth and the elders.

Mr. Speaker, this collaborative project set a cooperative tone between the GNWT boards and the aboriginal government that is quite unique in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, this was expected to continue under the new Tlicho Government and the new Tlicho Community Services Agency. So it was recognized in the Intergovernmental Services Agreement between the GNWT, the federal government, and the Tlicho Government. Both articles 3.2(a) and 4.5 speak to the roles, powers, responsibilities and accountabilities assigned and delegated to the agency by the Tlicho Government.

Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho Community Services Agency is the only GNWT board or agency which is a subject of an Intergovernmental Services Agreement between the three levels of government: the federal government, the GNWT, and the Tlicho Government. Again, it is quite unique in the Northwest Territories. It is, however, a likely feature for other regions where self-government is being negotiated, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for FMBS at the appropriate time. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First off I'll say I'm glad to see two energy statements in regards to the concerns by the Ministers read into the record today, because that will be very important later. Although I have to tell you, Mr. Speaker, I'm not old enough to have experienced the telex, Morse code, or other things like that...

---Laughter

...like Mr. Braden has. I can tell you my TV, cell phone and Internet generation has seen significant climate changes and concerns that we see today. My Member's statement today, then, Mr. Speaker, as you've probably guessed, is about core funding for the Arctic Energy Alliance, our energy saving crusader out there.

Mr. Speaker, a number of concerns have risen with the Arctic Energy Alliance's ability to sustain their current workload and mandate in the absence of secure and adequate funding, Mr. Speaker. So I'm glad to say that the government is certainly taking notice of this energy concern and they put it finally under the microscope where it's deserved to be.

I recently have learned that NWT Power Corporation decided to reduce core funding to the alliance to just $5000, down from their usual $25,000. The Power Corporation proposes that the $20,000 shortfall would be made up through fee-for-service work conducted on their behalf by the alliance. I would also note that the $20,000 corresponds very nicely with the amount of fee-for-service that they charged back last year, and I'll put it this way: the bottom line is it's a $20,000 reduction no matter how you move those shells around the table, Mr. Speaker.

Last time I looked, the Power Corp is solely owned by the GNWT. So where is our government support for this energy crusading agent of ours? The point I am trying to make, Mr. Speaker, is if the Arctic Energy Alliance is not sufficiently resourced, it will not be able to fulfill the terms of its mandate. I'm also aware that the Arctic Energy Alliance has outgrown its space because of the demand that the customers and clients and the citizens of our good territory are putting on it.

Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Energy Alliance is doing the best it can. In the absence of stable funding and cramped workspace, they are getting the work done. It is time for the departments of ENR and ITI to do some work to make sure adequate core funding is provided in the next upcoming business plan cycle and give them the ability to pursue mandates to pursue market-driven opportunities and partnerships. Mr. Speaker, this side of the House will continue to pursue this lip service, rhetoric, discussion papers into real concrete dollar deals. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Members' statements. The honourable Member from Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a Legislature we've always said that employees are our most valuable asset and I, as well, hold that to be true. Today in Fort Smith at four o'clock, the Government of the Northwest Territories are going to be recognizing the service of many employees with the long service awards. While there are too many to name individually, I would like to, for the record, indicate where they work and the numbers of employees.

River Ridge has 11 employees with a total of 130 years of service being recognized. The women's correctional centre has three employees with a total of 30 years of service. The South Slave Divisional Board has 22 employees with a total of 245 years of service. Education, Culture and Employment has one employee being recognized today with 15 years of service. Public Works and Services has seven employees with a total of 165 years of service. Airports has three employees with a total of 40 years of service. Highways has three employees with a total of 65 years of service. MACA has three employees with a total of 15 years of service. FMBS, three employees with a total of 45 years of service. Health and Social Services has 36 employees with a total of 165 years of service. Aurora College, 27 employees with a total of 395 years of service. ENR has eight employees with a total of 125 years of service. ITI has two employees with a total of 20 years of service.

Mr. Speaker, taken in isolation the numbers are there, but they don't really have a significance other than recognizing many years of service, but when you combine those numbers, that's 129 employees with a total of 1,445 years of service. That's one and a half millennium of time and I think it's just an indication of the value that we get from our employees, the commitment that employees have to work for the Government of the Northwest Territories and serving the people, and I'd like to recognize that honour of commitment and years of service and thank them for that. I apologize for not being there, but in this forum I think there is a recognition that our employees are very, very valuable. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors to the gallery. The honourable Member from Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to recognize my daughter Kim and my son-in-law Raymond Wainman and, Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to introduce Rylan James Robert Wainman, my grandson.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member from Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's not too often I have an opportunity to stand up in this forum and recognize somebody from Inuvik. My new CA that operates out of my Inuvik office, Ms. Jennifer DeBastian.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we've missed anybody in the gallery...I'd like to recognize Vince McKay in the gallery, a councillor from the Town of Hay River.

---Applause

Anyone else that we've missed in the gallery, welcome to the House. I hope you're enjoying the proceedings. It's always a pleasure to have an audience up there.

---Applause

Oral questions. The honourable Member from Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of the Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko. This morning there was a piece on the CBC Radio regarding the issue of the seniors' duplexes that were recently built in Hay River, and basically the crux of the story was that the Housing Corporation had constructed 12 duplexes and they were designed for couples and a number of the new tenants had sold their existing homes prior to moving in. Now, Mr. Speaker, the rent is free, regardless of net worth of the tenant and provided the tenant's monthly household income does not exceed $3,300, Mr. Speaker. This was a capital project undertaken by the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, the question is, what was the intended target market, people over the age of 60 regardless of financial means? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko.