Good morning, Members. Welcome back to the House. Orders of the day. Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. The Residential Schools Interagency Committee met in Yellowknife on January 15, 16 and 17, 2007. This committee consists of representatives from the Northwest Territories residential school survivor groups, the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the RCMP, Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada, the Dene Nation, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Gwich'in Tribal Council, the NWT Seniors' Society, the federal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The committee was formed under the lead of the Government of the Northwest Territories to coordinate the efforts of the GNWT and other stakeholders in providing support services to NWT residents who will be seeking and receiving compensation from the federal government. The committee made significant progress at the meeting. Key priorities were set for assisting former residential school students on their healing journey. These key priorities included: developing commitment and support from all levels of leadership; improving coordination and communications; further development of the interagency committee; and, development of community-based services. Mr. Chairman, co-chairs were also established for the groups. A support group of Government of the Northwest Territories social envelope departments will help the committee to achieve these priorities.

A smaller interagency support group was also established. This smaller support group will be meeting regularly to help work progress.

The response from participants at this meeting was positive. I look forward to reporting further results as the committee continues its important work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past few days, there's been a big celebration happening in my region in the Sahtu which happens to be in my community of Tulita, my home town. Mr. Speaker, it's reported in the CBC News that the Hollywood legend, Leslie Neilson, also known as Mr. McGoo, also as a big star in Hollywood comedies such as Airplane and Naked Gun and Naked Gun Two and a Half, Airplane.

Mr. Speaker, the celebration signifies the importance of community members working together under the Sahtu Land Claims Agreement that was the spirit and intent of having the control and the ownership of lands and resources in the lives of our people in our region to celebrate the significant contribution by elders and past leaders in our region and in the whole Northwest Territories to come together to work together. The unity accord is a celebration. They brought up the Honourable Tom Siddon and other dignitaries across the Northwest Territories and they brought up a fellow who grew up in Tulita who now lives in Fort Lauderdale in the States, Leslie Neilson. When he was growing up there, my grandmother and my mother spoke of him growing up in Tulita. My grandmother and some other ladies up in Tulita used to babysit him. This signifies a strong sense of a small community like this that have strong visions to work together, but also to show the rest of the Northwest Territories that this type of work can get done. Sometimes it starts in small communities.

Mr. Speaker, also the community of Yellowknife will be hosting Mr. Nielsen who will be coming here and spending a day with the people in Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, the Tulita Unity Accord is something that should be congratulated by all the people in the Sahtu, but also to the people in Tulita for hosting such an event and having such a legend come from Tulita and making it big in the world. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a proposed development in the old Pine Point mine site to extract lead and zinc and it gives me some concern. It was interesting to note that Tamerlane Resources, Tamerlane, when you look it up on Google or in the dictionary, under one of the most notorious death

spots in the world that looted, pillaged, murdered and raped his way from India through Asia and died on his way to China, is the name of this company.

I understand the principal from Giant Mine, who also left us with what Giant Mine is today, is the principal in this company. They want to go back into a mine site that has never been remediated, that has enormous pits left to fill with water, a tailings pond as big as a small lake, so there is going to be an issue for us of cumulative impacts which is going to be very significant. It's right on the edge of the lake. So we will have Giant Mine with 300,000 tons of arsenic trioxide and on the other side, we have the old Pine Point mine site with an enormous tailings pond, which I personally went to look at because I used to work there when I was a young guy.

Mr. Speaker, there is also the issue that they've identified a rich ore body which they want to access under a pilot project. They tell us they've made significant strides in how you extract lead and zinc and that it would be, for the most part, benign. It would not be like the old days of open pits. They would have shafts and as they extracted, they would put the waste back into the shafts. These shafts would go down a considerable distance and there is a lot of groundwater issues, environmental issues combined with what is already happening there.

The one concern I have with that particular issue, Mr. Speaker, is while they talk pilot project, what crosses my mind is high grading. That they identified something rich that they get access to under a pilot basis, they will extract it all and then they will tell us it's not worth looking at the rest of the reserves that are there and they will walk away leaving us with even a further mess on the South Slave. So as we review this process and this project proposal and before we all give our seal of approval and accept it as a way to make some money, we have to be very careful. We have a history there and we have to take the right steps and I am not convinced that this is in the best interest of the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, myself and some of my colleagues in the House, including yourself, had an opportunity to travel to Fort Simpson last night to attend the opening ceremonies of the 2007 NWT Winter Games being held over this weekend. It was great, once again, to see the level of excitement in all the eyes of the youth who were able to participate in such a fun-filled weekend of sport and recreation that is geared towards fair play, fun and friendships.

Mr. Speaker, raising the level of participation at this event has always been a challenge for the various organizations that partner up and make it a success and a memorable event for all the youth attending. I commend them for all their hard work in ensuring that every community has an opportunity to participate without worrying about the financial or logistical nightmare such a large gathering presents, especially here in the North.

What we don't see, Mr. Speaker, is the disappointment in the eyes of the youth in the communities that could not attend simply due to the fact of finding one or two chaperones or volunteers to accompany their contingent of participants at this event. To me, Mr. Speaker, this is a very sad and selfish excuse which cannot wipe away the many tears of despair in the youth that have received such news of cancellation.

I hope that the communities that could not send their youth for something that seems like the least of their worries does not hinder the enthusiasm of all the potential athletes in our small remote communities for future events of this nature, and that all NWT communities embrace this type of opportunity which allows the youth to grow both socially and physically in a positive sport and friendship environment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak about the importance of seniors' care in our communities across the NWT and especially in the community of Behchoko. In our communities, we have many needs that are not always addressed in the most timely and appropriate manner. Senior housing in Behchoko requires programming that is dedicated to the needs of our elders and assisting them with household issues which need professional assistance. In Behchoko, we need a local contractor to assist specifically with these needs; fixing up furnaces and servicing them. Later on, I will ask the Minister questions. (Translation ends)

In our communities, we have many needs that are not always addressed in the most timely and appropriate manner. Mr. Speaker, senior housing in Behchoko requires programming that is dedicated to the needs of our elders; assisting them with household issues, which need professional assistance. In Behchoko, we need a local contractor to assist specifically with these needs; fixing up furnaces, servicing them, cleaning out water tanks and conducting minor home repairs are just a few examples, Mr. Speaker, on what can be done to assist the elders in the community.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that it will come as no surprise to you that a major concern of the people of Behchoko is that there is no local contractor specifically available for all seniors at this community level. This issue has been raised in this House and there was a commitment from the Minister to follow through prior to changes in Cabinet. I am beginning to wonder if we will ever address this concern, Mr. Speaker.

Our elders need assistance to make their lives simple and hassle free. Our elders who have these issues arise should not have to wait to deal with service providers that are not available locally. Mr. Speaker, in Behchoko, we have a qualified red seal journeyman in the community

that can also be made available to the three outlying Tlicho communities on a contractor basis. This issue is about assisting with the minor repairs and minor challenges elders are faced with. These are important and require immediate attention before they become serious problems. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Polls tell us that our environment is the primary concern of Canadians these days and here in the NWT, we are striving to do our best to deal with this. In the last Assembly, Mr. Speaker, we did. We passed legislation to create a recycling program and mechanism in the NWT. After a bit of a slow start, Mr. Speaker, this has been declared a runaway success. We now have 26 licensed recycling depots. A bit of information that I have is that in about a five-month period, we recycle enough aluminium cans to build two 737 jets. How's that for trivia? Sixty-two percent of containers are in the recycling stream. That's almost seven million containers, Mr. Speaker.

We have built up a surplus in this environmental fund, in the recycling deposit fund that as of last March was almost three-quarters of a million dollars, Mr. Speaker.

I think the area we would all like to explore is where are we going to go next. Recyclable containers are a good start. There are many, many other things that we use and dispose of in our society in a very wasteful manner. Some of these things are, for instance, building materials, tires, vehicles, metals. The one that should be very much at the front of our concern is what's called e-waste, Mr. Speaker. These are the computers, television sets, electronic gadgets that we love so much in our society but we are so quick to dispose of when they get obsolete or when they break down.

Mr. Speaker, the average older style television set or computer monitor can contain up to five pounds of lead plus other heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and chromium. Where we are going to take our recycling initiative next, Mr. Speaker, should be in this area. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last evening, I had the opportunity to host a Kam Lake constituency meeting in the Great Hall. I wanted to speak today about some of what I heard during discussions with constituents.

The riding of Kam Lake has an interesting mix of residential areas, two schools, Ecole St. Joseph and N.J. McPherson, the Multiplex and is also home to the largest industrial park in the Northwest Territories. This industrial park is the economic engine of our capital city and requires some much needed attention from both the City of Yellowknife and from our government.

I have spoken many times in this House of the need for a secondary access road into the city from Highway No. 3. We cannot afford to compromise public safety any longer. Constituents at my meeting are saying build the access road and again today I will say it once again. Work with the city and build this much needed access road.

The issue of service in Kam Lake Industrial Park was also high on constituents' minds. There has been much talk of the city and the Government of the Northwest Territories working together on an agreement to bring services to the Yellowknife Airport. This, Mr. Speaker, would be a fantastic undertaking for the city of Yellowknife. An airport as busy as YZF and an industrial park the size of Kam Lake Industrial Park should not be on trucked service. There will be some cost sharing needed and involved in getting services included as part of the access road construction and to the airport and, Mr. Speaker, as a government we need to be as flexible a partner as we can be.

Constituents also had concerns over the lack of bus service to the industrial park. Hundreds of people work there every day and public transit would be much welcomed. Also, there is inadequate street lighting and no garbage pick-up for residents. Mr. Speaker, I want my constituents to know that I'll take the next opportunity to raise these issues with city officials.

At the meeting we also discussed other items such as housing, sports funding and legislative initiatives that I'll bring up with the appropriate Ministers at a later date. I also shared with my constituents a map which shows that the boundaries are changing in the riding of Kam Lake, as well as in the rest of the Yellowknife ridings, for the next territorial election, which will take place this fall. Mr. Speaker, this was done in an effort to balance the seven Yellowknife ridings and I hope to have a map indicating the changes to the riding on my website early next week for constituents to have a look at. Mahsi.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this weekend in Lethbridge, Alberta, some of the best female curlers in the country and probably the world, because Canada has the best curlers in the world, are gathering to play in the Scottish Tournament of Hearts. Mr. Speaker, we're represented this year by a real territorial team. Four members are from all parts of the Northwest Territories. We have Kerry Koe, who's the skip of the team; she's from Yellowknife. Monique Gagnier, who, I understand, inherited her skill from her father; she's from Hay River. Kelli Turpin curls out of Inuvik. Dawn Moses curls out of Fort Simpson, and Nicole Baldwin, the fifth player, is from Whitehorse. We expect, Mr. Speaker, big things from these girls this year as a lot of us curlers know it's a hard road to get there and they have to be

commended for their achievement, and I believe they will do well. There's a website that we can send greetings and best wishes and I encourage everyone to get on there and send them their best wishes.

Mr. Speaker, also in a couple of weeks the Briar playdowns are being held in Hamilton, Ontario. The team this year representing the Northwest Territories is made up of Jamie Koe from Yellowknife. This is a Yellowknife team. Brad Whitehead, Mark Whitehead, and Brad Chorokowski. The fifth player is Randy Turpin living in Inuvik. Last year, Mr. Speaker, the men went six and five and they had a good opportunity to get into the playoffs, so we're expecting big things from our curlers this year. These are some of the best curlers in the country and we are not lagging far behind as far as skill goes.

Mr. Speaker, a lot of the curling that goes on is helped along by volunteers. These curlers had to start somewhere and I commend MACA for being involved in the winter games. It gives these kids a chance to get started somewhere and if it starts there, someday they may end up at the pinnacle of their sport. As my colleague from Tu Nedhe said, a lot of the communities have to volunteer, escort these kids. It's called volunteer, Mr. Speaker. You volunteer your time; you don't get paid for it. I encourage everybody to get out there and help these kids along so some day they may end up at the top of their sport also. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I'd just like to, I understand that yesterday the NWT Winter Games were held in Fort Simpson, opening up in Fort Simpson yesterday, Mr. Speaker. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend this big event, but I understand that looking at the numbers from Nunakput there was a total of 37 athletes and chaperones included in this big event here. I'd just like to wish them good luck in their sports that they're taking.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I understand that in late January, Sarah Anderson and Annie Felix of Tuktoyaktuk were recognized for long-term service awards in education. Ms. Anderson has been teaching the Inuvialuit language for the last 30 years or so and I applaud her dedication for the benefit of our Inuvialuit people and speaking their language.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I understand the Eli Nasogaluak, Randy Sibbeston, and John Sabourin, Team NWT, took first place in the snow sculpture Winterlude in Ottawa last week.

---Applause

Also, Mr. Speaker, Eli Nasogaluak is a long-term resident of Tuktoyaktuk, but he resides in Yellowknife here. From looking at the newspaper, I understand that he will now further his expertise and will go international. So I wish him very well in his endeavours. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to address a serious budget problem that we have been facing for several years. It has become normal practice that capital projects continue to come in over budget by the time of completion. On several occasions, the Minister has been questioned about what can be done to spend our money more wisely, to use the money for projects that compete for capital funding instead of using it for overruns. The Minister explained that the process takes several years of planning from business plan proposals, to design, to tendering and final realization. The problem is that projects have been approved in the capital year that are not being realized in that year. When they get rolled over into the next year, there is the problem that the rollover now, because the costs have increased by 10 percent or even more sometimes. Then the Minister will give us many reasons why they cost so much and why the capital costs are as they are.

One concern that I have with this is the reasoning that nobody in government seems to be responsible or is held accountable for this problem. However, as always, I'd like to take a positive step and approach this situation with some suggestions on how we can improve our capital planning process.

In the new year, we, as Members, vote on projects. We need concrete figures that are based on realistic business cases, including breakdowns for designs, materials, shipping and labour costs. The total price tag should always include cost variations. We need a price tag that reflects the true costs of the project. The approach of tendering always requires some attention. Tendering for building contracts have to be timed with construction season in mind, Mr. Speaker. Building materials have to be ready for construction in spring, using the long summer days and warm temperatures to save costs. I'm convinced we could save a lot of money by not starting construction projects in the middle of winter.

If projects are delayed or deferred in the new fiscal year, we should be voting on them on the updated business case showing the true cost for that year. This would require new debate, resulting in new votes, instead of coming back when the project is half finished with the budget eaten up entirely, requesting adjustments that hardly anyone in this House can truly deny, because a half finished project does not help anyone.

Mr. Speaker, I will pause here with my suggestions to improve our approach to realizing capital projects and I will have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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