Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the House. Orders of the day. Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to provide an update on the fiscal position of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Since the Legislative Assembly approved the 2007-08 Main Estimates for the GNWT in March of this year, there have been significant changes to the government's financial picture. The changes are positive and with prudent decision-making will help to establish a solid foundation on which this Legislature can plan future activities.

As Members are aware, appropriate and predictable territorial formula financing, or TFF, arrangements and an increased GNWT borrowing limit have been key goals in this government's fiscal discussions with Canada. These goals have proven challenging to achieve, but I am pleased to report that we have been successful in resolving both issues.

The federal budget speech delivered on March 19th described a new TFF that will be used to determine the grant provided to the GNWT each year beginning in 2007-08. The new formula will be based in federal legislation that is expected to be approved in June 2007 and will result in predictable and stable fiscal arrangements with Canada.

The new TFF is based largely on the expert reports that were submitted to Canada over the past two years. The GNWT and many northerners were active in contributing to the development of these reports. I am pleased that many of these recommendations have been accepted and will become part of the revised TFF. Highlights of the new TFF include:

• • separate territorial financing arrangements for each territory;
• • improved certainty with respect to the calculation of the federal grant through the establishment of a single payment estimate in October prior to the next fiscal year;
• • use of the previous gross expenditure base escalator that measures population adjusted growth in provincial/local government spending;
• • an economic development incentive of 30 percent of adjusted own source revenues; and
• • an adjusted gross expenditure base that includes additional federal funding for fiscal years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.

The GNWT borrowing limit has also been increased effective April 1 of this year, from $300 million to $500 million. This is a significant step in providing the GNWT with flexibility to make strategic investments in infrastructure to improve the lives of northerners.

Mr. Speaker, I must acknowledge the leadership of the federal Finance Minister in addressing these two priority areas. Mr. Flaherty promised to deliver predictability and stability to our fiscal relationship with Canada and he has done so in a timely and collaborative manner.

---Applause

Based on the available information regarding the TFF, we expect that the federal grant for 2007-08 will be just over $788 million. This is an increase of nearly $25 million from that shown in the 2007-08 Main Estimates. Additional increases to the grant of $25 million in 2008-09 and $23 million in 2009-10 are also expected over the amounts in the recently approved main estimates.

The federal budget also included announcements related to changes in the Canada health and social transfers, several program-specific trusts and a one-time payment to the GNWT that is related to an outstanding tax matter. The federal eco-Trust has been effectively linked to our energy plan and Greenhouse Gas Strategy allowing us to expand our efforts in this important area.

The federal budget included an additional $25 million per year for seven years for infrastructure activities in each territorial and provincial jurisdiction. Federal infrastructure initiatives related to P3s and high priority highway projects were also announced. It is worth noting the details associated with potential requirements or limitations on usage for this infrastructure funding have not been clearly defined.

As with TFF, these initiatives are contingent on the passing of federal budget legislation, likely this June.

The federal budget also indicated discussions on resource revenue sharing will continue as part of devolution negotiations. Natural resource revenues will be treated separately from TFF. To be consistent with equalization, 50 percent of these revenues will be excluded from the offset calculation against the TFF grant up to a yet to be determined overall cap.

I am pleased to report the government's overall financial situation at the end of the 2006-07 fiscal year is generally

consistent with previous projections. Our cash position is somewhat better than expected due to capital carryovers and one-time funding received from Canada.

When I presented the 2007-08 GNWT budget in February, I noted the uncertainty surrounding the government's revenue picture. I committed to consulting with Members on the allocation of any further revenues resulting from the federal budget, and to return during this session with a revised expenditure plan.

Because of our strengthened fiscal situation, and following consultation with the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight, the government will now advance a proposal for modest increases in spending on selected programs and services during the 2007-08 fiscal year. The proposal is based on key areas identified in the government's strategic plan established at the beginning of the 15th Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the hard work of the past few years has been successful. We have appropriate territorial formula financing arrangements and an increased borrowing limit on which to base our fiscal planning.

During the term of this Assembly, we have successfully stabilized our fiscal picture while investing in key programs and services. The fiscal responsibility policy and an Aa1 credit rating from Moody's Investors Service are examples of our commitment to responsible financial management.

Government must continually examine activities, set priorities and make adjustments when necessary. As the term of the 15th Legislative Assembly comes to a close, we can be confident that we have achieved many of our financial goals and built a solid foundation for the legislators of the 16th Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. At noon today, the Status of Women Council of the NWT just announced they have secured funding for a northern women in mining, oil and gas project that could have a significant impact on women's involvement in industry across the North.

The northern women in mining, oil and gas is a $1.7 million pilot project that uses a holistic approach while training women to work in trades and industry. One goal of this project is to prove that providing supports to women in trades training will increase the number of women successfully completing the training and achieving certification across the Northwest Territories. The courses offered in this project will be for women only and will provide participants with the skills required to enter into trades. Participants will work with mentors, receive life-skills and workplace culture training, safety training, as well as ongoing post-employment support.

Over 100 women will directly benefit by taking trades and industrial-based courses as a result of this project. As well, many more women will be assessed and through that process will be better informed of the possibilities offered through trades and industrial-based occupations in the mining, oil and gas industry.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has been a member of the Project Advisory Committee since its inception and has provided bridge funding to the Status of Women Council to allow them to develop their project proposal.

Mr. Speaker, ECE as well as Aurora College, will be providing cash and in-kind contributions such as classroom space, instructors, career counselling supports, marketing and program development. The department's participation will also ensure that the training provided during this research phase will lead to accreditation and certification under the Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Act.

The department expects the research results will help to shape future trades training in the NWT and will assist both the GNWT and its industry partners in setting commitments and achieving targets pertaining to employment of women set out in various socio-economic agreements.

This initiative represents collaboration on the part of many sectors of government and education. The federal government, through the pan-Canadian innovations initiative, will be providing $1.3 million over the next three years to fund the research relating to this initiative.

This is an exciting project that will assist women to participate more fully in industry. This is good for women's equality in the Northwest Territories.

This project would not be possible without the vision of the Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories and partners such as the GNWT, federal government and industry who share the goal of a fair and equitable northern society. I would like to thank all those involved in making this project a reality. We hope this project will be a model for other projects that increase women's ability to participate fully in economic opportunities in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to touch briefly on tourism and Tourism 2010, which has been characterized in my constituency as being long on paper and short on cash and commitment as the government romances big oil. The concern, Mr. Speaker, is that it's not only underfunded, but we need to look at ways that we are going to be able to do a better job with tourism in the Northwest Territories. Specifically, I would like to make reference to the whole issue of eco-tourism and the accreditation and branding of

this particular type of delivery of nature-based tourism that has been developed in Sweden very successfully. It's been picked up in Australia, New Zealand and other European Union countries, as well as being looked at in the States.

It's a way that we can put a brand and a way of delivering a unique world-class product in the Northwest Territories that is not available any other place, especially, Mr. Speaker, when you consider the fact that the caribou numbers are affecting the sports outfitting and hunting sector of our economy. That type of switch would be a way to still bring people in who are willing to pay to look at the wildlife, to enjoy the natural wonders of the Northwest Territories, but in a different way. It requires an investment by the government to get involved with all the stakeholders. It's best driven from the bottom up. It has been successful in Sweden. They have some very successful websites and marketing. Once you have the accreditation, then you are able to put your name out there of your business and it allows you to access a whole new market segment.

So later today, I will ask the Minister responsible for tourism if he would consider looking at this particular area as a way to maybe improve the support in the small communities in the upcoming business planning process for '08-09. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Premier mentioned there was an AIP reached between the government, the Inuvialuit, Metis, Sahtu and Gwich'in on a devolution and resource revenue sharing position. I would like to commend these groups for doing what's best for the Northwest Territories.

I would like today, Mr. Speaker, to pay tribute to one of the main players of these groups.

I recently had the privilege of attending the Aboriginal Achievement Awards in Edmonton to honour a man of great vision and passion. Fred Carmichael, Mr. Speaker, has been on a quest to get, not only for the people he represents but the people of the Northwest Territories, what is rightfully ours. Fred has been a trapper, pilot, businessman and, more recently, he's been the president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council. He has been there, he's done that. So when he speaks, we should listen and pay attention because he speaks from experience. He understands that while we can still live a traditional lifestyle, we have to be in a position to seize any opportunities that will come our way as a result of development and that it's our land's way of still providing for us.

Fred could be sitting on his deck out at Shell Lake. He could be relaxing and watching the ice melt, but he has a vision that the people of the NWT should be the primary beneficiaries of our resources and he's doing what he can, Mr. Speaker, to make that happen. That's the type of leadership I admire and we should also strive to provide that type of leadership and vision.

I was able, Mr. Speaker, thanks to Minister McLeod and his staff, to have university students from my riding and across the NWT as my guests. I felt it very important, Mr. Speaker, that these young people join me in honouring a true role model and a great northern leader. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today I will make a statement regarding something that's really important regarding the graduating of 12 students at the end of this month. There is going to be approximately 32 graduates this year. There are a lot of graduates from other communities, the communities of Gameti, Wekweeti and Behchoko. Once they graduate, a lot of them are carrying on into the colleges and universities, which is very important.

Not only that, but we have Chief Jimmy Bruneau School. Most of all of these teachers have been in these schools for many years, and they should be recognized for the work they have been doing for our school for many years that they committed to our school. So on May 26th, we are going to have a celebration for them. (Translation ends)

...celebrating an historic event. We are proud to announce that this year's Grade 12 graduating class of Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School in Behchoko is the school's largest number of graduates ever, for a total of 32 graduates.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School has produced nearly 200 high school graduates since the graduation class in June of 1993. Many of these students are from Wekweeti, Gameti, Whati and Behchoko. Mr. Speaker, we are proud to say the vast majority of Tlicho high school graduates do continue their lifelong journey of learning by moving on to post-secondary education programs at various post-secondary institutions across Canada. Upon completion of their higher education, many of these college and university graduates return to the Tlicho region and hold a variety of positions. These are our future leaders and decision-makers, Mr. Speaker.

The Tlicho Nation will also acknowledge long-term service education staff of the Tlicho Community Services Agency during this Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School graduation ceremony. There will be five long-term dedicated community members that will be recognized for their endless efforts and tremendous contribution to the Tlicho school system. These are the individuals who have, over the last number of years, made a positive difference in the Tlicho region's education system.

Mr. Speaker, the Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School graduation will take place on Saturday, May 26th,

in Edzo. I will certainly be there to speak to the graduating class and share with my constituents the truly memorable and special event. Mahsi.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to speak again today about the Deh Cho Bridge project. Having now had the opportunity to read through yesterday's Hansard, I am left even more confused today than I was yesterday. After listening to both the Premier and the Minister of Transportation, it would appear as though the decision to proceed has already been made. This decision has been made in the absence of any federal funding and, Mr. Speaker, the question was asked yesterday: Is the project contingent on P3 dollars from the federal government? The Minister of Transportation responded, "That is a good question." His response leaves me very uneasy about where the government is allowing this project to go.

As I mentioned yesterday, each and every time the loan guarantee to the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation was increased, the excuse was they were waiting for the federal government to come in and help the project. Here we are today, Mr. Speaker, with the government admitting that they really don't need the federal dollars to build this bridge. I am left wondering why all of a sudden the Government of the Northwest Territories thinks it is a good time to start construction on the bridge this summer which, coincidentally, Mr. Speaker, is just a few months short of the next territorial election.

Yesterday, the Premier told the CBC Northbeat that the government would be committing to the project the $2 million a year it spends on ferry operations and ice crossing maintenance at Fort Providence, plus an additional $2 million per year. What I am seeking, Mr. Speaker, is proof that this is what it will cost us and that we will get a clear understanding of what the tolls and the concession agreement will look like before any agreement is signed off.

Mr. Speaker, is this too much to ask of the Premier and of the government? I want to understand how it is that the government can say construction is going to start this summer without first providing this House the details of the project. Both the Premier and the Minister of Transportation suggested the bridge project would lower the cost of living. That might have been the case four or five years ago when the tolls on this project were pegged at $4 to $5 per ton and the bridge was estimated to cost 70 to 75 million. With the project now over $130 million and tolls looking like they are going to be over $6 per ton, what will that do to the price of consumer goods in the North Slave region and the city of Yellowknife?

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I just want some answers. I want the government to commit to providing this House every detail of this project before it proceeds. Again, I want my colleagues to understand that I do support the construction of a Deh Cho Bridge. However, as an Assembly, we have...

Mr. Ramsay, your time for Member's statement has expired.

Thank you, 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. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. I just again want to reiterate I do support the construction of a Deh Cho Bridge. However, Mr. Speaker, as an Assembly and as stewards of public funds, we need to make an informed decision. Thus far, Mr. Speaker, I have not seen that. Mahsi.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that the Government of the Northwest Territories has recently made changes to the fuel tax regime that will have serious repercussions for businesses and consumers. I understand the Department of Finance has told fuel resellers who are also responsible for collecting the fuel tax on behalf of the GNWT, that as of April 1st they can no longer purchase heating fuel from their suppliers, only diesel and, further, that they can no longer sell heating fuel to their reseller customers. This has serious implications for residents of the Northwest Territories, and it is very recent. So I hope that other constituents and people involved in this business will certainly let their MLAs know of this concern.

The GNWT's fuel tax is currently 9.1 cents per litre for diesel. However, no tax is charged for heating fuel. The intent of the change is apparently to prevent people from trying to avoid the tax by purchasing heating fuel and then selling it as diesel. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, this new way of doing business will result in huge costs for northerners. The purchase price for diesel is higher than the price for heating oil. This increased cost will be passed on to consumers. Further, resellers will also have to pay the federal excise tax upfront for the diesel that they purchase and then apply and wait for a refund. This has placed a tremendous burden on small businesses with limited cash flow. Preventing tax evasion is clearly an important objective, but surely there are other checks that can be put in place that do not require increasing our already high cost of living or punishing the vast majority of businesses to operate honestly.

So, Mr. Speaker, I think this is a relatively new development. It is something that definitely requires our attention. It flies in the face of this government's commitment to address the issues of the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories. Maybe there had been some violators or some businesses that have not dealt with this the way they should have. But, as my constituency assistant said, we don't cancel the dance because two kids are drinking. So this is a very knee jerk, punitive, and draconian method of dealing with this. I will have questions for the Minister of Finance. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I stand here today to applaud the signing of the agreement-in-principle on devolution and resource revenue sharing that was announced by the Premier yesterday.

---Applause

The years of effort, the strain and expense that was involved in this are certainly evident, Mr. Speaker, that these deals are not easily achieved. In the past decades of the political, social and economic evolution and struggle in the Northwest Territories, regrettably there are many more examples of failure than the success in negotiating joint action and commitment. So it is a mark of real leadership, vision and courage that the Gwich'in, Metis, Sahtu and Inuvialuit nations have joined with the GNWT in this quest. They all deserve our acknowledgement and our thanks.

Mr. Speaker, this AIP is, of course, awaiting other First Nations to come on board. I do not look at this as rejection. Rather, Mr. Speaker, it should be looked at as continuing opportunity that I hope they will be able to realize even as they continue to negotiate their own land claims self-governments agreements with Canada and the GNWT. Mr. Speaker, I hope that the signing of this agreement-in-principle will be at more incentive for those other northerners to join in and, of course, incentive for Ottawa to do their part in helping us realize our vision of a prosperous North, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier, yesterday in his sessional statement, indicated the Mackenzie bridge would proceed as planned. Once again I feel the Beaufort-Delta has been left out on major projects. However, I stand here today to lobby and ask the government to allocate $15 million to construct the 22-kilometre access road from Tuktoyaktuk to source 177.

Mr. Speaker, the mayor of Tuktoyaktuk and members of the Tuk Highway Committee and I have met, on numerous occasions, with Premier Handley, the deputy minister of Transportation, and recently with DIAND Minister Prentice, to lobby and allocate infrastructure funding for the construction of a 22-kilometre access road. Mr. Speaker, if this government can allocate funds to the construction of the 22-kilometre access road, it will provide employment, training and economic stability for local people and regional businesses.

Mr. Speaker, the community of Tuktoyaktuk requires granular material to upgrade their road and prepare for lot developments. The Premier, in his sessional statement on May 9th, 2007, indicated, and I quote, "a lack of infrastructure is perhaps the single biggest impediment for further development in our territory." The Premier further mentioned a base of $25 million annually infrastructure funding will be available for the next seven years. Mr. Speaker, the Premier's promise holds true because if the infrastructure funding is not in place, we will not progress as a territory. By investing some of the $25 million into the construction of the 22-kilometre access road, it will generate employment and contracts for local businesses.

Mr. Speaker and Members, construction of the access road will be the start of an all-weather road between Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to invest some of the $25 million towards the construction of the 22-kilometre access road from Tuk to source 177. Mr. Speaker, by investing into the 22-kilometre access road, it will eventually lead to the construction of the Tuk-Inuvik highway, therefore enabling all Canadians to travel from coast to coast to coast. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I'd like to talk about Tamerlane and the Tantalus tragedy. When I think of the Tamerlane Ventures and their attempt to get hydro power from the NWT Power Corporation, I'm reminded of the Greek myth of Tantalus, whose punishment is now synonymous with temptation without satisfaction. The Greek gods punished Tantalus by forcing him to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches. Whenever he reached for the fruit, Mr. Speaker, the branches raised his intended meal from his grasp. Whenever he bent down to get a drink, the water drained from his feet so he could not get anything to drink.

So why tell this story, Mr. Speaker? Well, Tamerlane Ventures is forced to stand on their Pine Point property, where they can literally see the power lines out their front window, but the NWT Power Corporation won't give them any power. They won't even talk to them. As we all know very well, the NWT Power Corporation has an excess of five megawatts of power to sell from the Taltson hydro power, but they will not enter into discussions with Tamerlane about this or their power requirements. That power potential and customer just flows down the drain and is lost, Mr. Speaker.

So what then? Well, Tamerlane is actually forced to bring in diesel generators to supply power to their mining operation. Tamerlane Ventures is focussed on placing the Pine Point lead-zinc property into production. The deposit has historic resources of one million tons of grade zinc and lead. The company says their project will lead to almost a $90 million gross domestic product increase in the NWT that will generate almost $12 million in labour income and almost $16 million of other benefits through the south of the NWT.

Tamerlane has come to the Territories, filed their environmental application, negotiated with aboriginal groups, provided employment guarantees, training to our

residents, and yet the GNWT is not helping. Reputedly we hear about how companies are discouraged from exploring and further going forward on resource development because of the complex regulatory policies. We are now refusing to sell power to a mine -- clean power, Mr. Speaker -- which leaves very few options other than to bring forward diesel generators.

Mr. Speaker, at this time may 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. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. The Minister of the NWT Power Corporation has told us that in order to bring down power rates, we need a large customer base. Well, here's an opportunity to expand the customer base, but the Power Corporation won't sell power to this potential customer that has deep pockets and is certainly willing to pay. But, Mr. Speaker, we'll certainly put the cost of power generation on our citizens at a 12 percent power rate.

Mr. Speaker, just like the intended hydro plan bill about running clean power up to the diamond mines, let's seize this opportunity to show that the government is open for business, not closed, by linking the hydro power to the Pine Point project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to bring my Member's Statement to the point of bridges since we're talking about the bridge that's going to benefit the people of the Northwest Territories; specifically the city of Yellowknife and also to the community of Fort Providence in terms of having a bridge being constructed across the mighty Deh Cho.

I want to ask and talk about my statement in terms of the Great Bear River bridge in the Sahtu River that has been somewhat postponed. I'm afraid to say cancellation because of the increased costs of this bridge. However, the people in our region have been waiting for a long time in terms of seeing what they can do to work with industry to increase the benefits into our region and to extend the winter operations such as oil and gas and mining exploration; also for the people in the Sahtu to use the winter roads. There's a very small window of opportunity for them to drive out with their families, do some shopping in Yellowknife, Hay River, even Fort Simpson, in terms of reducing their cost of living in terms of the grocery bills. But also to look at where they can look at opportunities for the communities to train and have businesspeople look at the types of benefits that could build capacity within their own community.

I'm here in somewhat, I guess, a frustrated mode in terms of the Deh Cho Bridge can get full support of this government, even on a risky basis, to go ahead with this and I certainly see the benefits of this and I would like to have the same type of opportunity to be given to the people of the Sahtu in terms of putting our bridge forward. It seems that we're getting stopped in terms of how do we put a bridge at the Bear River and not expand on some of the oil and gas companies that could be used in our region to boost our economies a little further there. So, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to remind the government that life is beyond the region here, and our region, so far, has been shut out and shut down and no wonder we hear comments of being the isolated region. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to speak today in support of the Premier's statement yesterday that the GNWT and the Fort Providence combined council are in the final stages of negotiating the concession agreement and project financing for the great Deh Cho Bridge project. Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate that questions about the details are warranted and should be provided, and they will be forthcoming. I also respect that Members may have differing opinions on things. But I do believe very strongly that it's very important for us to not lose sight of the fact that this is a very important project that deserves ongoing support from this government.

Mr. Speaker, I may be going back a little in history, but during the last Assembly this was a particularly big issue of debate as the GED committee held hearings in Yellowknife and up and down the valley on a bill that would set up the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and allow the corporation to levy a highway toll on commercial vehicles to allow the bridge to happen. The law is very detailed on what the corporation is allowed to do and not, and many questions being asked now were thoroughly examined and answered to in the last Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, what we should keep in mind is that there is a need for public funds for building of a bridge like this and it's not a frivolous expense, it's a good investment. We incur enormous costs for businesses and individuals on a daily basis from being cut off from the rest of the world every spring and fall. In fact, during our public hearings, the NWT Trucking Association told us that the trucking companies charge premiums for having to cross the ferry, not to mention the cost that we bear as we watch the trucks idle on both sides of the river and the warehouse sits empty when the road is cut off, or when sometimes warehouses have to carry excess storage as well in anticipation of the closure of the road in the spring and fall.

Mr. Speaker, these costs will not go down; not the cost of building the bridge and not the cost of living for all of us who have to bear the cost. So, Mr. Speaker, another important aspect of this is the fact that this is a very important community project for the Fort Providence area who have not been able to benefit from a lot of industrial projects that are going on this end of the road. Mr. Speaker, the details of this project are important and they need to be answered, but I want to make it very clear that I support...

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Members' statements. Reports of standing and special committees. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We're joined in the gallery today by a number of people who are with the Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories who were here at noon for the press conference announcing the northern women in mining, oil and gas project. Sharon Thomas is the executive director of the council; Theresa Handley is the office manager. On this side of the House she's also known as the boss's wife.

---Laughter

We are also joined by Leila Besarra who is the community development worker; Lorraine Phaneuf who is programs and research manager; Renea Agrey who will be running the northern women in mining, oil and gas project; Cassandra English who is the assistant researcher; and Samantha Dechief who is the executive and programs assistant. With them is Karen Willy who is the acting special advisor to the Minister responsible for the Status of Women. I know that on behalf of all Members, Mr. Speaker, we'd like to say thanks for the pencils and we'd like to encourage all Members to remind their female constituents about this program and encourage them to take part in it. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize all the Status of Women delegation and particularly my wife, Theresa. She's not the boss's wife; she is the boss.

---Laughter

But without her support it would be very difficult to do my job and I appreciate that. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize my wife, Judy, who's down here on annual leave to come and watch us in the Assembly. I'd also like to recognize -- they were in the gallery just a couple of minutes ago -- two constituents of mine: Elijah and Mabel Allen, who were down also for, I think, graduation ceremonies taking place tomorrow and they thought they'd take in some of the Assembly. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we've missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the House. It's always nice to have an audience. I hope you're enjoying the proceedings. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In following my Member's statement today about the concern of Tamerlane not being able to hook up to clean hydro energy, Mr. Speaker, I have questions to the Minister of the Power Corp. The first question would be: Can the Minister of the Power Corp tell me if the Power Corporation is mandated to make a profit and how do they justify not selling surplus power to Tamerlane Ventures? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are in the business to make a profit and we have definitely been working with Tamerlane with regard to discussions we have had with them to trying to assist by supplying power. Again, we do have to work out a power purchase agreement and make sure they do have the project.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister brings interesting news, because the vice-president had just recently told me that they are not in any type of discussions to formalize any type of power agreement. So could the Minister at least take back this as a commitment to look into this a little further and to make sure that we are proceeding with this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will commit to meeting with the Power Corp, but I have spoken with my office this morning and they have informed me that they are in discussions with Tamerlane in working out an agreement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to follow up on my Member's statement and ask some questions to

the Minister of Transportation. It gets, again, back to the Deh Cho Bridge project. Mr. Speaker, five years ago -- and some of my colleagues here have been talking about that -- five years ago when this project was first publicly vetted through the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation Act, I, as a city councillor, attended committee meetings where the NWT Trucking Association was here; local business groups were in attendance. Mr. Speaker, back then, that Deh Cho Bridge project was estimated to be between 70 and 75 million dollars; tolls on the bridge were $4 to $5, in that range. Mr. Speaker, things have changed tremendously since five years ago. This project is upwards of $130 million; tolls, we don't know what they're going to be, in excess of $6. I'd like to ask the Minister of Transportation when will the public and the Regular Members of this House get an opportunity to publicly vet the details of the Deh Cho Bridge proposal? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Absolutely, the Deh Cho Bridge has been on the books not only of this Legislature, but on the minds of our Northerners for many, many years. I think it's about 50 years, even, Mr. Speaker. However, I'm proud to be the Minister that is looking after this now and it's something that our government has really considered a priority and we'd like to move forward with it. The Member is asking for more involvement. Certainly, we've briefed committee before and I can commit to brief committee for further details soon, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we did receive a briefing about a month ago. However, Mr. Speaker, we don't know what the total cost of the project is going to be; we don't know what the tolls are going to be; the public hasn't been involved at all. I believe we, as a government, at the very least we should go back to the stakeholders in the North Slave region where costs of goods are going to increase if the tolls on those trucks crossing that bridge are going to be in excess of $6. I'd like to know what the impact is going to be on residents in my constituency and the rest of the residents here in Yellowknife in the North Slave region. Has the Minister got that level of detail on what the increased costs will be to residents here in the North Slave? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Some of the discussions that are ongoing with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation are exactly that, are doing the financing modelling and certainly the toll is between $4 and $6 per ton. Just as an example, Mr. Speaker, $6 per ton, that's like $250 per truckload and that's the figure that's currently being used in our financial modelling right now, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would hazard to guess that tolls will be in excess of $6. I mean it doesn't take a mathematician to figure that out. With the project in excess of $130 million, the tolls are obviously going to have to be over $6. It was obvious from yesterday's discussion that the government isn't going to wait for the federal government to come in with capital dollars to put into this project. It is obvious. I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation, has the government drawn a line in the sand where it can say too much is too much? Be that either on tolls or on construction costs, on costs to the government over the 35 year period. Is there a line that has been drawn? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I am not too sure what the Member implies by drawing a line in the sand. If there is a line to be drawn, Mr. Speaker, we cannot wait any further for a project of this significance. However the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation is doing their negotiating on this. Our government is really involved as a P3 project. Previously, DIAND has committed up to $3 million in equity to get the project off the ground. They continue to stand by that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what I am hearing the Minister say today is it doesn't matter what the project costs. If it costs 150 or 160 million, it doesn't matter what the toll will end up being at the end of the day; $6, $7, or $8, that doesn't matter. What matters the most to the government is that the bridge gets built. I think that is foolhardy, Mr. Speaker. I think the government has to come up with the real numbers and provide the House with the details on this project. No agreement should be signed off until Members of this House have a chance to look at it and question what the tolls are going to be and what the cost to the government is going to be over 35 years. Without doing that, we are failing the residents here, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister, when can we get a briefing with the Minister and perhaps the Premier on this project? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The tolls are laid out in the Deh Cho Bridge Act. It is $6 right now plus inflationary factors as the years go on. As well, I can commit to having a briefing with the committee any time soon. But as for divulging the information to the public right now, Mr. Speaker, where sensitive negotiations are ongoing, that is something that is just not doable at this time. I can reassure that the real winners of this project are the North and northerners, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are in relation to the Member's statement I made today and my questions are for the Minister of Finance. Can the Minister please explain his department's reasons for restricting fuel resellers from purchasing heating fuel? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the work that we are doing within Finance around fuel tax collectors -- and there are about 30 of them in the Northwest Territories -- comes out of a result of a number of things that have occurred. One, in the tax administration of how we deal with home heating oil versus diesel, or motive diesel as we call it. In the Northwest Territories, there is no distinction between that. When a supplier purchases from a bulk supplier, there is no difference when it comes in the Northwest Territories. In fact, they can purchase home heating oil and motive diesel, but it is put in the same tankage. Our problem in the Northwest Territories is when it comes to reselling that. The changes that we are looking at are as a result of doing some of the work. We are realizing and having to focus on some of our collectors around the sale. We see a lot of purchases of home heating oil which doesn't have any sales tax on it or fuel tax in the Northwest Territories, but motive diesel does have a fuel tax applied to it. We see a lot of purchases of home heating oil, but we are starting to look at it and question the fact is there that much home heating oil being sold or is it being sold as motive diesel. We have to follow up on that. That is what is happening here. We have to follow up on that and do better work on our end, and that includes involving some of the fuel tax collectors. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. That is a nice way of involving our fuel tax collectors. I want to ask the Minister what consultation, if any, took place between the Minister's department and the fuel tax collectors and resellers who are impacted by this decision? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our normal procedures are we have contact with the fuel tax collectors around tax season or regularly as we get input. We have some good tax collectors. The status of our fuel tax collectors is good. We also have areas where we are challenged in and doing further investigation. We normally would contact them initially with written correspondence around any potential changes and inform them through that avenue. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given perhaps unforeseen impact that this restriction on purchasing heating oil will have on small businesses and customers, would the Minister agree to rescind his department's earlier direction? I think there must be some other way of addressing this tax issue without taking such a broad sweep approach to it. I would like to ask the Minister, does this inability of fuel resellers to buy home heating oil...Am I going to have to pay as a consumer? Am I going to have to pay the extra 9.1 cents that includes the tax for my home heating fuel if they are not allowed to buy home heating fuel? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this goes on from quite a long process; it just didn't come up overnight. We have worked with our tax collectors, those that have that status, in collecting the taxes. We don't charge home heating oil any fuel tax. The problem is, as those that purchase the bulk supply, they buy under the home heating oil banner and, for the Northwest Territories, there is no limit to that. What happens as a result of this is the federal excise tax can kick in, because what we are saying in the Northwest Territories now is that everyone purchasing fuel would purchase it under motive diesel, which then our fuel tax arrangement falls under. But if they resell it as a home heating oil and can prove it is being sold as home heating oil, then there is a reimbursement that occurs. So there is no tax there and we are not limiting the motive diesel or home heating oil. It is at the time of reselling that we have some issues with and are following up on. Again, this is not going to be a broad stroke approach. We have looked at that and heard some of the concerns. Those that are in good standing, we are not going to enforce further rigid controls on, but those that we are having some issues with, we are going to continue to pursue.

I have heard some of the concerns and directed the department to look at meeting with those that have tax collector status to try to work out some of these concerns that are being raised. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

So is the Minister saying that, of the 30 operators that collect tax for the Northwest Territories, this only impacts a few, this is not an across the board thing? What evidence does the department or the Minister have that this fuel that was being purchased as home heating fuel was not being sold as home heating fuel? What evidence does the government have to impose such an onerous administrative burden on these businesses? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in some cases, yes, there are a couple of additional steps that are required because of the federal excise tax piece of it, but a number of the companies that have tax collector status on fuel sales have already done quite a thorough job. As they supply us information, it is very clear as to what happened.

Mr. Speaker, just to highlight some of the concerns, when we have problems with the administration or the processes of change an application to rebate taxes to entities that have used fuel for purposes of having a lesser tax rate than the one that is paid, it gets complicated. But sometimes these things are re-branded, as we call it, because it is all in one tank. It can be sold from one supplier to another under different headings until the final resale portion where it goes into a tank beside somebody's home that goes into their furnace. It can be re-branded about three times. For us to track through that and to make sure that the right tax is being paid, or no tax in the case of home heating oil, is very difficult. The fact that we have a small group going out and doing these, it is a very intensive process. Hence, the commitment I now made with my department to get out there and meet with those that have tax collector status to see if we can work out some scenarios here. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this afternoon are for the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Menicoche. It regards information that I recently heard that there are fuel shortages at the Yellowknife Airport, Mr. Speaker.

A few weeks ago, the airport in Fort Simpson encountered a similar situation due to what was understood to be an error by the fuel supplier. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise the Assembly of this problem or confirm that this problem does indeed exist at the Yellowknife Airport? Does it pose any threat to reliable air transportation for the region, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I was advised earlier this week of a potential problem of a fuel shortage at the Yellowknife Airport. We have made some inquiries. There is enough fuel in the city of Yellowknife that is provided for aeronautical needs up until next Tuesday or Wednesday, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Mr. Speaker, has the department notified all of the air carriers? What contingency plans are in place to ensure uninterrupted air service should we hit that unfortunate circumstance by early next week, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I should have added that there is good news for the Fort Providence ferry. It will be running this coming Monday. It is good for the travelling public.

---Applause

As well, the suppliers are aware of this. They do have stock waiting at Providence right now to cross on that first ferry to provide for aircraft fuel for the city of Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the information by the Minister. He gives us a certain extraordinary confidence that the ferry will be in the water by Monday. That is four days from now. A lot can happen in that time. I am going to return to the question that I originally asked. Has the department advised the air carriers of this problem? Are there contingency plans in place? I am not ready to accept that the ferry will resume service on Monday, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the department has not offered an advisory to the aircraft carriers, but there are other contingencies that are being looked at. We don't feel it is a problem at this point.

One of them, of course, is landing and using the Hay River Airport there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, whose responsibility is it to maintain adequate fuel supplies at the Yellowknife Airport especially at such a critical time? It is break-up season not just for the resupply to Yellowknife but all across the Northwest Territories. Fuel supplies are essential at this time of year. Whose responsibility is it to maintain this fuel supply? Just what happened to cause this potentially disastrous situation, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The responsibility for providing necessary fuel does not lie with the department. However, we do facilitate discussions with suppliers and users of the fuel. In this case, once again, it is the early shut down of the ice bridge that led to this. Hopefully, some of the few things that we are doing which, of course, long term is the Deh Cho Bridge. It will help alleviate these kinds of problems. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to question the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment regarding our important language and it being taught in the schools. We want to be able to teach our language in our schools. I want to ask him a question regarding that. (Translation ends)

...address my question to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. I would like to, first of all, congratulate the Minister and his department for the recent decision to allow the Athabaskan language communities to work independently on their own language curriculum. While there may be some similarities between the Gwich'in curriculum document and the Dene language curriculum, such a move recognizes distinctive language differences of these language communities, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask a question to Minister Dent. How much time and money was spent on the initial curriculum? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right; it is very important that we have good curricula in all of the regions so that aboriginal languages may be taught. What we were hoping to do is initially have something that worked like Dene Kede. Dene Kede was a framework that was developed and could be used all across the Northwest Territories. Each of the cultural groups filled in different parts of it to make sure that it was appropriate in their areas. We are finding that is not working as well as we had hoped with the curriculum that is being developed in the Gwich'in area, so we are now expanding into other areas. It was always the intention that each language would have to have some work done to develop that individual curriculum to support that language.

I can't say here today exactly how much has been spent to date, but I can assure the Member that we are intending to work with all of the regions to ensure that there is a curriculum available in all of the regions for all of the languages.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear the Minister is committed to working with other aboriginal language organizations in different respective regions. Mr. Speaker, I would like to continue with my question concerning these distinct and philosophical differences each group expressed in the development of the original curriculum. Is the Minister prepared to provide the same amount of financial support to Athabaskan language communities for the work on the new curriculum? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In order to develop the curriculum for the different language groups we have in the Northwest Territories, it may take more in some areas; it may take less in others. We are prepared, over the next few years, to spend what it takes to develop appropriate curriculum in each region. We have to work within existing budgets, so it may take longer to do in some areas or it may take less time depending on how quickly the work can get done.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when questioned on this issue -- it was addressed during the previous session -- the Minister informed this House all the areas that are part of the curriculum in the Northwest Territories have to receive attention and make sure there is an important curriculum in place. Considering the state of our languages and the rapid rate of language loss, the need for aboriginal language curriculum is urgent. What measures will the Minister take to ensure that the language curriculum is given equal priority to other subjects and funds are found to guarantee its success? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member is aware, we have issued a directive ensuring that all of the DECs and education councils have to deliver aboriginal language and culture according to the directive. We want to see the money spent where it is going to do the most good. We have the same commitment to aboriginal languages as we have to social studies to English to all of the other areas of the curriculum. We are investing in those areas.

Mr. Speaker, one of the other things we've done recently is make sure that this year we have a base-funded program to help the college deliver a program for aboriginal language and culture instructors, and those people will also be needed to help us develop the curricula. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, maybe I can throw in another angle. Assuming that the DEAs, the teaching and learning centres, the language communities, have committed to working together to create a language curriculum that fits their needs in the regions, will the Minister at least commit to considering the work plan and suggestions put forth by the Aboriginal Languages Special Advisory Committee? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course we can consider work plans that are brought forward by people who are specialists in that area from the region. It's important to remember, though, like the development of the Dene Kede which took many years to develop in each of the regions so that it actually works for all of the different cultures in the Northwest Territories, it's going to take a number of years for us to develop all of the curricula for languages in the North. But we are committed to doing that work and working with people who are experts in that area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.