Good afternoon, colleagues. This is a reminder again that there are two interpreters with us; channel two is South Slavey and channel three is North Slavey. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling the 2009-2010 Tourism Marketing Plan prepared by Northwest Territories Tourism. As Minister responsible for tourism, I approve the annual plan on the recommendation of the Tourism Marketing Advisory Committee.

This committee is made up of 10 members from the tourism industry as well as two government representatives. The Tourism Marketing Advisory Committee provides strategic direction to Northwest Territories Tourism on development of the marketing plan for each year.

The Tourism Marketing Advisory Committee and Northwest Territories Tourism work well together, and through constructive dialogue, the marketing plan has improved each year. The plan for 2009-2010 has benefited not only from guidance from committee, but also from direct advice from our industry sectors.

The plan has a number of highlights, including clear goals and objectives by market, greater investment in our business markets, and recognition of the importance of our high spending competition closer to home in Alberta and British Columbia.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to report some good news on developments in our tourism industry in light of the challenging stories we have been hearing about the travel industry lately.

While there is no doubt that the current economic downturn is having negative impacts on travel worldwide, I am confident that the tourism industry in the Northwest Territories will be, over the long term, healthy and robust.

In our Tourism 2010 plan, the Legislative Assembly approved initiatives designed to increase tourism spending to $145 million by March 31, 2011. I am pleased to report that as of March 31, 2008, most recent estimates indicate that visitor spending was just over $137 million for 2007.

Growth in business travel has driven much of the increase in visitor spending. Our investment of $1 million annually through Tourism 2010 has helped prepare our tourism operators to take advantage of this opportunity. Research, training and product development initiatives funded through Tourism 2010 has resulted in new partnerships and tourist package products, as well as new products aimed at both business travellers and leisure markets.

While we still have two years left in the Tourism 2010 plan, we are consulting with the tourism industry on Tourism 2015, a new plan to build on the momentum, experiences and successes achieved through Tourism 2010.

I would like to pass on to my colleagues the appreciation that the industry has expressed to me for the support that the Legislative Assembly has provided to our tourism businesses. Your support in providing investment in this sector will benefit our residents and our economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Mr. Speaker, I wish today to commend the Royal Canadian Army Cadets of Fort Simpson who have been excelling at cadet skills competitions. On January 18th in Whitehorse, they

swept the awards ceremony in the Western Arctic Area Skills Competition again. This past weekend in Iqaluit, at the Regional Cadet Skills Competition, they came in first in marksmanship and first in leadership and also achieving team silver in overall competition. In these events, cadets compete in marksmanship, a time leadership task, volleyball and a drill competition. To win the competition, cadets must use a variety of skills and become a cohesive working team for each of the activities. This competition encompasses many of the skills taught both in the Army Cadet and Air Cadet programs. Cadets from Fort Simpson continue to excel and three members of Fort Simpson out of a team of six will represent the Northern Region at the National Cadet Biathlon in Ottawa.

Cadets also had the chance to qualify for their marksmanship qualifications in Whitehorse. Nakita Larter qualified as a first-class marksman. Deirdre Yakineah and Alex Porter qualified as expert marksmen. Katelyn Herald, Alicia Norris, and Brandon Norris qualified as distinguished marksmen. Cadets from Fort Simpson had six of the 14 qualifications awarded.

Cadet Warrant Officer Charlene Deneyoua was also presented with the 2008 President’s Award for the Top Army Cadet in the Western Arctic by Mr. David Laxton. Charlene is the first recipient of this award. She was chosen for the award because she continuously demonstrates the values of the Cadet Program, such as loyalty, professionalism, mutual respect, and integrity. She was also presented with a Cadet Service Medal and accompanying bar for her five years as a Royal Canadian Army Cadet.

The Cadet Program is a community-based dynamic youth program which aims to develop citizenship, leadership, and physical fitness in Canada’s youth through a set of fun, challenging, well-organized, and safe activities.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

The success of this program and many others is the dedication and commitment of those that volunteer. In that light I also would like

to at this time commend the commanding officer, Lieutenant Diane Porter, and her staff, Officer Cadet Rhonda Landry, Second Lieutenant Steven Nichol, CI Nathalie Lavoie and CI Brian Herald. Congratulations to you all and keep up the good work.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to use my Member’s statement today to follow up on the Premier’s statement on energy from yesterday. The Premier announced that there will be a review of the structure and efficiency of the Power Corporation. It’s great news that he has committed to a formal review of the NWT Power Corporation. As noted by the Premier in his statement, customers, Members, and municipal leaders have long asked for the GNWT to look into how NTPC operates, if it has the organizational structure that it should, if it operates as efficiently as it should, if the management and board are cutting all the corners that they can to keep NWT residents’ power costs to a minimum.

In two Member’s statements that I made in October 2008 I said we have to look at revamping the corporation itself. NTPC must be renewed and reorganized. That NTPC is arm’s length from the government is a good thing, but it has led to a mentality in the organization that they can do whatever they wish without consequences. There seems to be little concern for the consumers, for good business practices on the part of the NTPC leadership, little desire to increase efficiencies and identify savings in order to keep our power rates at a reasonable level. A culture of efficiency and effectiveness must be instilled, with cost savings the number one priority for this company.

There are lots of possibilities where savings can be found. The corporation can eliminate management bonuses, trim administrative fat, and get creative with technology and innovation, for starters. Only after NTPC has clearly demonstrated that all avenues for cost savings have been explored can it be allowed to consider power rate increases for its users. It is the duty of the Power Corporation to do all it can to minimize the impact of power generation costs on the ordinary Joe or Joe the Plumber.

My opinion and my comments from October remain the same today. Now, more than ever, a review of NTPC is necessary. I welcome the announcement by the Premier and I look forward to the results of this review, hopefully by our fall sitting.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon I’ll talk about and highlight the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, YACCS, and their dedication and many contributions to Yellowknife and the NWT. YACCS has been active for 25 years, working with and on behalf of seniors in Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. YACCS is a recognized leader in the NWT for work with seniors, providing them with high quality community living choices, and advocating for their needs. They also worked to develop a wide range of services that allow seniors to age in their communities, close to families and other support systems. YACCS is committed to the safety and well-being of their clientele and employees, as well as continuous improvement of their organization.

YACCS has achieved great success at providing much needed facilities, programs, and services to seniors of the Northwest Territories. Two thousand and eight marked the 21st anniversary of Aven

Manor, a long-term care facility where caring and capable staff provide nursing and personal care to seniors 24 hours a day. They also offer a full schedule of activities for all residents to enjoy. Consistently at full capacity, Aven Manor is an asset to our community.

YACCS provides independent housing for seniors at Aven Court and, since December 2007, at Aven Ridge. These conveniently located units offer safe and attractive housing options for people 60 years of age and older.

The Baker Community Centre will celebrate its 11th anniversary this year. The Baker Centre is a multi-purpose facility that accommodates many social and recreational activities for seniors and the community-at-large. The Baker Centre project was initiated by a donation made by the late Ed Baker and completed through fundraising and community support. The Baker Centre is operated by the Yellowknife Seniors’ Society, which continues to enjoy an excellent partnership with YACCS.

Soon, in late 2009, YACCS will begin operating the NWT’s first dementia facility with 28 beds. YACCS has been an advocate and champion for the development of this Territorial Dementia Facility. Without their drive and commitment I believe the Territorial Dementia Facility currently under

construction on YACCS’ property would not have seen the light of day.

YACCS is a valuable association made up of people who are deeply committed to the health and well-being of our senior citizens and ultimately the community as a whole. I’d like to take this opportunity to ask Members of this House and the public to join me in applauding all the staff and volunteers of YACCS for their hard work and dedication. Their contribution is appreciated.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In January 2009 the consumer price index for Yellowknife was released. It showed that the overall cost of goods increased by 2.7 percent compared to a year ago. This increase was due primarily to the high price of food, which rose by 9.6 percent from January 2008. These statistics reflect the cost of goods in Yellowknife only and do not measure the increased cost of goods in our smaller and more isolated communities. In 2008, for example, food prices in the Sahtu region were almost double the prices in Yellowknife.

Reducing the cost of living is something that we as Members of the Legislative Assembly have identified as one of our key priorities. The government has established that reducing the cost of living is a strategic initiative and have introduced a number of actions aimed at addressing these high costs. In the long term these actions will help to address the cost of living. Right now people are dealing with the increases of their electricity bills, higher prices for food and other essential items, at a time when the NWT is being impacted by global economy turmoil in which there are fewer job opportunities. People are struggling to make ends meet. They need some relief as soon as possible.

We have talked about these issues for many years. It’s time to take some real action. I urge the government to review its approach to reducing the cost of living and bring forward a concrete plan that will address the high cost of food and other essential items for people in smaller and remote communities sooner rather than later.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In times of economic and environmental challenges we can still find ways to reduce costs. I’d like to recognize the efforts of a group of employees in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources known as the Green Team. They have been working to reduce their department’s impact on the budget and the environment with a number of small measures adding up to big savings. All the printers in the department are set to print double-sided and one-sided sheets are used again. They have switched the entire department to recycled printer paper. Signs around the department remind staff to switch off lights and computers, and they have set appliances like energy hog coffee makers on timers to shut off at night and on in the morning. Simple and easy measures to take but in the long run they make a big difference.

The Green Team has also been participating in the commuter challenge, which encourages people to walk, bike or carpool to work instead of driving alone in a vehicle. Another measure that my colleague Wendy Bisaro was touting last week is to encourage caterers to not use bottled water and encourage staff to avoid disposable containers.

Mr. Speaker, while seemingly small and to many just common sense, most of the GNWT is still not following these kinds of steps towards a greener and more frugal way of doing business. Here at the Legislative Assembly I am happy to report most briefing binders coming through are printed double sided. Our use of unnecessary lighting is cut back and we are actively investigating other energy efficiencies for implementation. However, while ENR has been doing this for months, we are just now finally investigating the routine use of recycled paper.

Mr. Speaker, this morning I heard a Weledeh constituent interviewed on CBC. Mr. Blake Rasmussen eloquently described all the practical ways he has cut back his costs, reduced fossil fuel consumption and built an increasingly healthy lifestyle for his family and himself. He heats his home with wood that he carefully selects from the Duck Lake area. He keeps water hot on the woodstove for washing and to humidify the air. He gets his meat supply from the moose and caribou of the land. There is nothing to lose here, Mr. Speaker, and much to be gained.

I honour these early adopters and I encourage the entire government, our businesses and our families to take advantage of these practical and simple opportunities. By changing small habits bit by bit, we will move towards a more sustainable way of

doing business which can only bring benefits to us all. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am speaking in regards to computers in the schools in Nunakput. Speaking to the principal in Ulukhaktok, Nunakput communities, the schools have all outdated, second-hand and broken-down computers. Shame. These computers are often incompatible with modern software such as e-ware or, according to Mr. Bryant, most computers are even incompatible with the satellite link up in Ulukhaktok. Because of their isolated and unique communication challenges, limited access to the southern retailers, our schools should have modern, updated computers.

Mr. Speaker, if we are going to truly educate our youth to be competitive nationally and even internationally, we must commit to supply our schools with adequate resources required for today’s technological challenges and needs. Most schools have had the same computers for five to seven years. However, because these computers have been refurbished, they are an additional three to four years older. Mr. Speaker, it adds limitations to all Nunakput communities. Either lack of qualified computer technicians or do they not have enough to meet the needs of the community? Therefore, educators and students need the computers to be properly working and to not have technical problems. One educator in my riding told me that every computer in the community and the school has a serious problem. I believe education for our youth is very important. I believe preparing them for…

Mr. Jacobson, your time for Member’s statement has expired.

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

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe education for our youth is very important. I believe preparing them for a rapidly advancing world is equally important. I believe the “C” in education in teaching the ABCs is computers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Governments around the world, including our federal government and provincial governments, realize that they must take action to protect and preserve our economy during these turbulent economic times. Mr. Speaker, our government has been very quiet when it comes to talking about our economy and how we may be able to help businesses stay alive. Obviously, much has been made of the Opportunities Fund and the process that allows the $34 million to be made, and the Minister of ITI was in the media last week ramping up expectations that the $60 million left available in the fund would be used to stimulate the economy. However, the process that will allow the $60 million to flow may take months to work out, Mr. Speaker. I have grave concerns that this money will not help small businesses in need of assistance. We don’t have months to wait.

Last fall I asked the Minister a number of questions about the BDIC and its role in economic development in our Territory. Today nothing has changed. The BDIC continues to lose staff. It lacks focus, has little to no direction from the Minister of ITI or Cabinet. They, quite simply, continue to prop up subsidiaries and manage delinquent accounts.

In today’s economic environment, we need to look at modifying existing policies and giving some solid direction to the BDIC. We can’t allow the corporation to continue to languish in the shadows of ITI. Now, more than ever before, this Territory, our economy and entrepreneurs need a meaningful, comprehensive and coordinated suite of services. The direction has to come from Cabinet and ITI to look at examining options that will foster business development and survival. New loans should not be subject to exorbitant or punitive interest rates; access to financing for existing businesses requires immediate review.

Mr. Speaker, it is my opinion that ITI should get out of the way of the BDIC and let it become all it was supposed to be, especially now when business, our economy and our residents will need the BDIC the most. Mahsi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have had a chance to be in my constituency this

weekend and talk to several constituents. I was struck by the marked increase in the concern that is being caused by the uncertainty about our future in relationship to our economy, employment opportunities and the cost of living. People are desperately seeking some kind of indication of how far things are going to deteriorate or may deteriorate. The guest speaker at the Chamber of Commerce AGM, Patrick LaForge from the Edmonton Oilers Club, suggested, in his very lively speech, that the global recession is perhaps being fuelled by the Globe and Mail. There is a certain element of that as well, Mr. Speaker, but the reality is that times are changing.

Because people do feel overwhelmed by this barrage of information, mostly bad news, much of which we have very little control over, they are looking to leadership from government, including our government, to bring some perspective and also affect the conditions in any way that we can. We know that many economic trends are cyclical, but in this day and age of unprecedented communication we know of and feel potentially impacted by almost every source of bad economic news. However, we do have a role to play, Mr. Speaker, and to have a hand in the things over which we do have control.

I am very interested in hearing from people in Hay River and across the North about the real and tangible things that we can do to relieve the pressures that they are experiencing in this time of high cost of living and potentially reduced economy. That is what we are here for. Like the famous saying that was attributed to Herbert Hoover at the outset of the Great Depression, he suggested there should be a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.

Mr. Speaker, maybe we should divert some of the money that we are spending on expensive reports and studies and all kinds of other things which tend to collect dust on a shelf and do something tangible, Mr. Speaker, like a woodstove in every house...