Good morning, colleagues. Welcome back to the House. Orders of the day. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on a point of personal privilege under Rule 20(1) to insert some truth into an inflammatory news story reported by CBC Television yesterday evening.

The report misinformed viewers as to my eligibility to receive a ministerial housing allowance in Yellowknife. Let me state the facts for the record. And these are the facts given to the reporter in discussion with myself and the deputy minister of the Executive, but left out of the story.

My statutory declaration signed in the fall of 2007 confirms that I maintain a principal residence in my constituency. That remains true and accurate. I still own property in Inuvik. I pay the mortgage, I pay the gas, the power and the water bills on that property in Inuvik and I live in that residence when I am in Inuvik.

Following my election in 2007, I moved my family to Yellowknife and I am entitled to reimbursement of housing costs in the capital. I entered a lease for accommodation in the city and remain the tenant of record on that lease. I have repeated confirmation from the appropriate deputy minister that as long as that remains to be true, I am entitled to this benefit. Let me be clear that I am not receiving any additional benefit or allowance over and above that to which I am entitled.

I have updated the Conflict of Interest Commissioner regarding the recent changes in my personal life and I will continue to make necessary representations to reflect this reality as required. Our attention at the Legislative Assembly should be focused on moving forward and improving the lives

of Northerners, not on inflammatory and misleading reports that rob those not in a public arena of their right to privacy.

Mr. Speaker, the CBC’s journalistic standards and practices states the media must be socially responsible. In my opinion, the CBC failed to live up to its obligation last night and fell short of its duty to provide consistent, high quality, socially responsible information. I trust that these facts I have provided, for the record, will allow NWT residents to make their own informed decision. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland.

Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Bob McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last fall I advised this Assembly that the Department of Human Resources was proceeding with a Corporate Human Resources Strategic Plan for the Northwest Territories public service. Today I am pleased to provide an update on that important work.

Over the past several months, our consultants led a consultation process with key stakeholders including Government of the Northwest Territories employees and managers, members of this Legislative Assembly and bargaining agents. Eight focus groups with government employees were held in four communities to ensure that a cross-section of staff would be represented. One focus group was held with aboriginal employees and another with self-declared persons with disabilities. These focus groups will ensure that their unique experiences and challenges will be reflected in the recommendations.

Individual interviews were conducted with some Members of this Assembly, with the Union of Northern Workers and the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that more than 1,100 government employees responded to a survey which was available on-line and in hard copy. I believe that this high response rate is indicative of the importance our staff put on this exercise.

I have written to community government leaders and aboriginal governments. We want to invite them to share their views on this important process. The key building block of an effective strategy will be to build successful partnerships with other levels of government to maximize our investment in training and staff development and ensure quality public service for all residents.

Mr. Speaker, we expect that final recommendations for action will be based on this important stakeholder input. The work of reviewing all the responses is still ongoing, but our consultants have shared some initial findings with the department and I would like to touch on a few of these highlights today.

The consultation results indicate that the majority of our staff are concerned about the need for training, mentoring, and coaching opportunities. Of the staff surveyed, 60 percent see an opportunity for the government to provide improved support in this area.

Another common concern was the need for improved efforts to recruit staff and to find ways to keep them within the public service. This is especially important as it relates to affirmative action candidates and the need for targeted training and support programs was mentioned by many respondents.

Our staff are concerned about maintaining work/life balance and finding ways in which the government as an employer can support them to do so. Also raised was the need to do good succession planning to ensure that staff can take advantage of promotional opportunities and that we can ensure continuity of service as longer-term staff prepare to retire.

We also heard that we need to do a better job of communicating with our staff.

And finally, an underlying theme that was heard throughout the consultation was the need for stability and the delivery of human resources. Staff want to know that their pay and benefits will be handled promptly and efficiently, and managers want to know that they can rely on the support and advice of the Department of Human Resources.

These results are no surprise. They reflect the concerns that have been raised by Members of the Assembly and that have been articulated within departments. This feedback provides us with a

sound basis for completing the strategic plan secure in the knowledge that it will reflect what our employees and other partners consider to be priorities for action.

Once we hear back from our various stakeholders over the next few weeks we will work with our consultants to finalize the strategic plan that will identify our vision and goals for the next 10 years. Going from that vision and goals will be a three-year action plan which will provide a roadmap for action, objectives, time frames, and performance results to be achieved over the life of the 16th Legislative Assembly.

I look forward to sharing the completed strategic plan and action plan with Members of this Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to provide the House with information on the NWT Housing Corporation’s plans with respect to two of its upcoming initiatives: the Northern Sustainable Housing Project and the 2010 Northern Housing Forum.

Energy efficiency is an important cornerstone to the sustainability and longevity of our northern housing. Due to the rising cost of energy and utilities experienced over the last couple of years, affordability has become a major concern to the NWT Housing Corporation, homeowners, and home occupants.

The Housing Corporation is pleased to announce that one of the ways it’s addressing the issue is through its Northern Sustainable Housing Project. Under this initiative the Housing Corporation is partnering with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, CMHC, on design and construction of a northern sustainable housing duplex. As I previously stated in the House, the Housing Corporation is currently making improvements to the design and specifications of new homes to ensure that they meet an efficient standard that will reduce emissions and associated utility costs.

At the minimum, the Housing Corporation is striving to meet a rating of EnerGuide 80 in accordance with the Natural Resources Canada EnerGuide for Houses EnerGuide System for rating the energy efficiency of homes. However, the goal of the Housing Corporation and CMHC is building the northern sustainable housing duplex to try and

design this home to an EnerGuide 85 rating of efficiency. Criteria for this project also specify that the home will be economical to operate, can be maintained by the local housing organizations, and can be constructed in any community in the NWT with only minor modifications.

The first northern sustainable housing duplex is scheduled to be constructed in Inuvik by 2010. Once constructed, this unit will be monitored by the Housing Corporation and CMHC, and the data will be collected on the building and systems to determine if expected energy savings targets will be achieved.

Design and review teams will be developing alternate construction and insulation plans and completing energy modeling to evaluate the design performance. The NWT Housing Corporation also expects that this concept may be used in future housing design as it will be a building that was designed specifically for use in the NWT, taking into consideration things like climate, logistical challenges, energy conservation, cultural needs, and maintenance considerations, and will be reflective of the unique environment and lifestyle of the North.

The Housing Corporation is also pleased to announce another initiative that addresses housing issues specific to the North. The Housing Corporation will be hosting a Circumpolar Northern Housing Forum in Inuvik in March of 2010 that will be a venue for other northern jurisdictions around the globe to generate discussions and share information regarding northern housing issues, challenges, and solutions to building housing in the North.

The forum will highlight northern housing research, design, and construction while fostering relationships with others involved in the circumpolar housing industry. It will provide an opportunity for stakeholders across the Arctic circumpolar region to showcase their designs and technologies that have worked in the NWT and other countries in the Arctic circumpolar region. For example, the Northern Sustainable Housing Project will be featured at the forum. As well, as I have already noted, the Housing Corporation is in the process of implementing a high efficiency standard for its housing units in accordance with the Natural Resources Canada EnerGuide for Houses minimum 80 rating for high efficient homes. We’ll also be in a position to display these new designs at this forum.

The forum is expected to attract a high range of people in the housing sector, including designers, architects, planners, researchers, contractors, trades people, goods and services suppliers, policy advisors, and other housing professionals and

representatives from across northern Canada and from other Arctic nations. The last northern housing forum took place in Alaska in 2007 and attracted over 150 delegates. It is expected that attendance at the forum planned for Inuvik will be similar and as well attended.

Our partners in this forum include CMHC, the Cold Climate Research Council, the National Research Council of Canada, the Yukon and Nunavut Housing Corporations, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The GNWT Department of Public Works and Services has also had involvement in planning this forum.

I look forward to updating this House on our progress as we move forward with these initiatives.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to build on Minister Lee’s important message about Nutrition Month by speaking to the importance of ensuring Northerners of all ages have the nutrition and health required so that they are ready to succeed.

Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services, the district education councils and authorities, and non-government organizations such as the Food First Foundation, engaged in an array of activities to help students and families in this area. I have already spoken to the Drop the Pop during this session. Now I would like to share an example of activities that schools are engaged in.

At Kalemi Dene School in Ndilo last month students participated in the Moose Head Lunch. Students cooked fish stew and bannock while elder Muriel Betsina prepared moose head from a moose that had been shot by a teacher, Todd Hamilton. All the students had the opportunity to try this traditional and nutritious delicacy and I am told that many young students came back for seconds or even thirds. This kind of activity, which helps students to understand the negative impact of highly processed foods and the value of traditional foods, is what Drop the Pop is about.

In April, on completion of Kalemi Dene’s unit on trapping and pending success on the trap line, another traditional food lunch is planned. This one will hopefully feature beaver or muskrat, at the suggestion of Ms. Betsina. This is all part of the school’s commitment to traditional nutritious foods.

This year three NWT district education councils, the South Slave District Education Council, the Deh Cho District Education Council, and Yellowknife Education District No. 1 have joined together to access Health Canada funding to establish a school nutrition coordinator position that supports the needs of schools in the area of nutrition. A working name for this partnership is Together for Healthy Learning. Among the projects under development in the “eat smart” category are nutrition lesson plans developed within the Dene Kede framework, resources to support schools in traditional food preparation, and a family fun night to encourage families and community members to enjoy an evening at the school learning about nutrition in a fun and supportive atmosphere. This is a very exciting partnership and we are anticipating a pilot on these programs in the very near future, Mr. Speaker.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has also taken steps to ensure northern families have access to healthy foods through our Income Assistance Program. We are the first region in Canada to use a nutritious food basket measured for each community to determine the food benefits available through this program.

The Government of the Northwest Territories also funds homeless shelters that provide hot nutritious meals and a warm, safe shelter for those Northerners who are in greatest need. The Healthy Children Initiative provides funding to community-based organizations to support healthy child development in young children and their families. Providing healthy foods to young children supports their growth and development and begins building healthy eating habits that remain with them throughout their lives.

Mr. Speaker, in the last year, the Food First Foundation of the Northwest Territories has helped fund 18 breakfasts, lunches, and snack programs, feeding 1,627 students across the Northwest Territories. These programs take place in communities across the North, across the NWT from up in Ulukhaktok down to Fort Smith in the south and from Fort McPherson across to Lutselk’e. In addition to breakfast, lunch and snack programs, fruit and vegetable grants have been provided to most NWT communities and cooking programs for kids have been funded in nine communities. The foundation is led by a volunteer council that includes nutrition, health, education professionals as well as First Nation, student, teacher, and Parent Advisory Committee representatives. Food First is doing great work for NWT students. I look forward to further collaboration with them on nutrition awareness in the future.

Mr. Speaker, good nutrition helps students to concentrate better and helps to improve the overall

quality of life for people of all ages. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been said over and over in this House that communities in the Northwest Territories require new water treatment plants, even to upgrade them or to build new ones. Mr. Speaker, the community of Deline needs a new water treatment plant. The water treatment plant is situated on the shore of Great Bear Lake right adjacent to the community landing dock. Now, Mr. Speaker, in the past, there were several incidents that put the water treatment plant in jeopardy with the water delivery in Deline. Thank God nothing serious had happened.

Mr. Speaker, over the past years, the community of Deline and MACA officials have been working very closely to work out ways to build a new treatment plant there, but it has been said on numerous occasions with MACA officials that the leaders in Deline would like to relocate the water treatment plant.

Mr. Speaker, due to limitations of funding requirements, the community reluctantly agreed to keep the water plant in its present location by not risking to lose its funding or to pay for it themselves in the future. Recently, as of last December, I received a call from Deline stating that the federal government was conducting an environmental assessment and there was progress in the vicinity of the old water treatment plant. I have been advised that the area where the water treatment plant is presently located is contaminated and the community would like to ask MACA to work with them to relocate a new water treatment plant elsewhere, away from the contaminated area. I will have questions to the Minister at the appropriate opportunity. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Medical travel is something that all our communities have to

deal with in most cases. People are referred from more communities to either regional centres, Yellowknife and also to Edmonton for surgery by way of cancer treatment, back surgery, dental care and other services that are needed in our communities. Mr. Speaker, this last week I received two calls from two constituents who were very upset in regards to their treatment by the Inuvik Regional Health Board in regards to their medical travel.

Mr. Speaker, one patient had to come here to Yellowknife for cancer treatment and surgery and was told you cannot get an escort; travel light, don’t carry anything heavy and you’ll be okay. Mr. Speaker, these patients have to travel long distances and then also be in a hospital for a period of time. Mr. Speaker, I received a phone call this morning from another constituent who has been approved to go to Edmonton for back surgery and being told by his doctor that he cannot have this surgery unless he has an escort. But yet, Mr. Speaker, after going to the health centre yesterday, he was told, sorry, you cannot have an escort and that they will not pay for it.

Mr. Speaker, we are the ones that are referring patients out of our community to get that care. They should have the escort with them when the doctor refers them, saying that the only way that you will get this medical surgery…Then being told, well, after your surgery, you are going to be in a wheelchair. For me, that is a shock enough as it is, but then being told by the health centre that you cannot have an escort because we don’t think you need one. I think that is not appropriate for this government or the Department of Health and Social Services, especially the Inuvik health board telling our patients that we will have to travel to Edmonton for either cancer treatment, back surgery or any type of surgery that they should be accommodated by an escort when they are referred by a doctor. I think when we are undermining a doctor’s decision in order for those patients to have an escort, I should think it should be automatic. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services on this question later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wasn’t going to make a statement today, but since the Premier raises the issue of the Northbeat report last night on CBC, I feel I need to respond to that.

Mr. Speaker, this is what I heard in the report last night. I heard that the Premier’s statutory declaration of residency indicates a different address than where he lives and a different address than that indicated on a recently filed conflict of interest disclosure, and that is according to his comments. I get from the story that, although the Premier indicates that he remains the tenant of record on a lease for a home on School Draw, he says he no longer lives there.

I get that, although the Premier and his new partner have a combined household income that exceeds $250,000 per year, he asks if we would have him turn his wife and children out. Have they not already been through enough? Mr. Speaker, I think that is a question the Premier needs to answer, not ask us and not ask the public.

Although the Premier declares this to be a personal and private matter, why does he insist on dragging us, the public, and the public interest into this by wanting us to pay the cost of housing for his estranged wife and his children? Why does he ask if we, I assume the public, would have him turn his wife and children out? That is a question he should be asking himself. Of course not, Mr. Speaker. His personal choices have nothing to do with us, unless he expects us to become involved in footing the bill that he should be rightly responsible for.

The Premier says that he has been repeatedly assured that he complies with the Ministerial Benefits Housing Policy, but we all know that the eligibility for the reimbursement of accommodation expense turns on the stated sworn address of where the Member normally resides. The Premier knows this and the opinion that he seeks and this assurance that he seeks comes from hardly an arm’s-length opinion, Mr. Speaker, considering that we know is the deputy minister’s opinion and interpretation and that all deputy ministers are at-pleasure appointments by the same Premier. For that reason, an impartial ruling will soon be hopefully responded to by the Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

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

Mr. Roland, what is your point of order?

Mr. Speaker, under rules of debate 23(i) and (k), Member Groenewegen has now on a number of occasions continues, but especially this morning in her Member’s statement, to impute false or hidden motives to myself and uses abusive and insulting language under (k) of a nature likely to create disorder. She is putting her

own opinion on a story last night. I spoke to the facts that needed to be addressed and the facts that do stand and are clearly represented, and she has put her opinion and her own debate brought to this House, once again, on a situation that she’s fully aware of, has all the information, and is fully aware of all of the benefits Ministers and Members are entitled to. She can’t claim not being aware because she’s benefited from that herself in her past life as a Minister. She has the information but yet raises it in this House and continues to add allegations or her own opinion and interpretation as to what has happened in my life or the benefits or policies that apply to me as a Minister of this government. She’s aware of the situation. In fact, I’ve had a discussion with her personally after our meeting in Caucus back in December about my situation and living conditions. She’s aware of all the information, but instead stands up in this House and again tries to add to the story and build on something that’s there or not there and add to the level of discussion, or the lower level of discussion, that this Member continues to do.

Mr. Speaker, under these sections I am saying that the Member again has raised on a couple of points that brings further disorder to this Assembly and creates dissention, as well as puts out her own opinion on what the facts are or not there and continues to try to draw this down in this Assembly although we’ve already had debate on this area.

Mr. Speaker, the fact that the Member continues to lower the level of debate with her own opinion on things and not go with the facts that she’s fully aware of is creating, as I see it, Mr. Speaker, a point of order on, minimum, 23(k). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland, for your point of order. I would normally allow debate on a point of order; however, I am not going to allow debate on this point of order. I will take it under advisement. The Member for Hay River South has indicated that this matter has been referred to the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, therefore, I am not going to allow debate because of the fact that it is being looked at from another source.

The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Two days from now, on Sunday, is International Women’s Day. The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States in 1909. Then in 1977 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a

day for women’s rights and international peace. After that, Canada declared March 8th as

International Women’s Day in Canada.

It’s a day that connects women around the world and celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. It is a day to celebrate the women in our lives and our communities, to honour the advances women have made, but at the same time remember the need for continued action to ensure that the equality fought for and gained by the women who have passed before us is maintained in all aspects of our society.

To quote an old advertising slogan: We’ve come a long way, baby. But in many ways and in many places in the world and the NWT we still have a long way to go. We only have to look to the recent death of a Gameti woman to see that.

Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day this year is “Strong Leadership. Strong Women. Strong World: Equality.” The same reflects the belief that increasing women’s participation and access to leadership roles and opportunities will help women and girls thrive, reach their full potential and fulfill their dreams. In doing so, they will change our world for the better.

I’d like to mention a few facts. Women make up the majority of full-time students in most university departments. The House of Commons currently has 69 women, the highest number ever elected; not nearly enough, however. Forty-seven percent of self-employed Canadians are women and one in 10 women are self-employed. For the NWT our theme is Women Lead the Future, and NWT women are strong leaders, Mr. Speaker, and we find women leaders everywhere. They’re the women in our aboriginal and community governments and in our businesses. They’re the girls in our school councils. They are the women and the girls who volunteer selflessly to help others.

Five strong, very special women leaders will be recognized on Monday at noon here in the Great Hall. The Status of Women Council of the NWT will present the 2009 Wise Women Awards. I’m proud to say that Lynn Brooks, a very deserving Frame Lake resident, is the council’s North Slave region Wise Woman Award winner. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Lynn Brooks is the recipient for the North Slave region Wise Women Award winner for 2009. Lynn has worked tirelessly for the protection of women and for women’s rights for many years. I offer my congratulations to Lynn and to all of the 2009 Wise Women Award winners. They will lead us to be a

strong, equal world in spite of all obstacles. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize and honour the 2008 winners of the Arctic Energy Alliance Energy Action Awards which were presented last night. The awards highlight Northerners who are taking action to increase their energy efficiency and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

There are four categories in which nominations could be made: youth and schools, individual, business, and community. The winners for youth schools were industrious students from the Aurora College Trades Access II C lass who ran a pilot winterization class in Inuvik. The students received hands-on training while helping to winterize the homes of five elders and eight others, reducing heating bills and helping to reduce carbon emissions. Word has already spread about this project and I hear that residents of Tuktoyaktuk are already asking for a similar project in their community.

The winner for the individual category was Kaad Mukhtaar who was the first taxi driver in the NWT to switch to a hybrid vehicle. Kaad helped the Arctic Energy Alliance do a case study on hybrid vehicles in the North. By switching to a hybrid, Kaad has saved himself $5,000 a year by reducing his carbon emissions by 9,000 kilograms.

The business winner this year was NPR Commercial Property who had performed efficiency upgrades in four of their buildings, reducing their energy consumption by 23 percent, which translates to 502 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of removing 100 cars from the road every year. The company also has the added benefit of reducing their energy costs by $370,000.

The community category honoured our own City of Yellowknife this year for taking real steps to implement a community energy plan. Some actions the city has taken to reduce energy consumption are one of the most efficient building codes in Canada, installing a wood pellet boiler at the Yellowknife Community Arena, the Yellowknife Curling Club and Ruth Inch Memorial Pool, and thereby putting it well on its way to meeting its greenhouse gas targets years ahead of schedule, conducting a geothermal study concluding energy audits on all facilities and developing a smart growth plan.

Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Energy Alliance must also be given recognition. Under the exceptional leadership of Mr. Andrew Robinson, the hardworking staff have far surpassed their goals of this year. Opportunities for our residents to save and benefit the environment exist and the Arctic Energy Alliance is helping residents to realize that. All kudos to our energy warriors. Mahsi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to speak today about diamonds and the Government of the Northwest Territories Diamond Policy.

I was very disappointed earlier this week when I found out that Toronto, Ontario, will be home to a Canadian diamond bourse. I suppose I shouldn’t be too shocked given our government’s lack of focus and solid policy in the area of diamonds. The last government decided to gut ITI’s diamond division and today we have very limited staff resources on the development of our new Diamond Policy.

Last fall I questioned the government on its involvement in a feasibility study on the establishment of a Canadian diamond bourse. The work was being carried out by the Province of Ontario and it is no big surprise that Toronto has gotten the diamond bourse. We even gave them $20,000 to help them decide on Toronto. The work was being done by the Province of Ontario and I doubt that Yellowknife was even given a chance.

I’d like to know exactly what our government did to get us involved in these discussions. I’d also like to know if they even visited Yellowknife before a decision was made.

The City of Yellowknife has worked long and hard at establishing the city as the Diamond Capital of North America. How do we, as a government, just stand by and let the Province of Ontario get out in front of us?

A diamond bourse in Yellowknife would have certainly cemented the Northwest Territories presence as a diamond centre on a global scale. The sad thing is, we were actually involved in allowing Ontario to scoop our opportunity and we just let it happen.

I’d like to know when the government is going to wake up and realize the full potential and opportunities that exist with diamonds. The Minister of ITI said in a media interview earlier this week that the Diamond Policy review would be coming in the

fall. Can we not get this process advanced any sooner than this fall? We’ve had diamond mining activity in our Territory for well over 10 years and a review is long, long overdue.