Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In looking at some of the numbers outlined for the budgets and comparing what the department required last year from the main estimates, and what the target is for this year, I see that they are looking for an increase from $3.7 million from the main estimates last year to a preliminary target of $4.6 million. That is about a $900,000 difference.

I can see this reflected in the job the department is doing and is mandated to do. One way I can measure this, is that we are going from five negotiating tables to seven in the coming fiscal year. The workload is increasing and therefore the resources have to increase as well. I am okay with that.

I would reflect on something that my colleague, Mr. Lafferty, talked about, which was the idea that as we go through the various negotiations, what are we learning? And with how much more we find, can we streamline the process?

I do not get too much of a sense here that the department is able to apply what it has learned in other processes to upcoming processes. We really almost seem to have to re-invent the wheel each time a new claims process comes to the table.

Another aspect of the escalating cost here is not only that Aboriginal Affairs is seeking new dollars, but in the Executive, there is growth in the area they want to create called regional community relations, which has as one of its major initiatives, looking at transition as land claims and self-government institutions are established.

Also, under the Executive is the start up of the intergovernmental forum. I know there is not a direct relationship with claims negotiations, but there is a lot of similarity between the people and the agendas involved in the long-term goals.

We also know the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and Justice have very specific roles in here. Bear with me, I will get to a question in a moment. I see five different departments very closely involved in essentially aboriginal agendas.

My question is, does the Minister see in the reasonably near future that some of these can be merged? That there may be some efficiencies and economies in bringing what now seems to be some fairly widespread camps into some kind of amalgamation? Maybe use that as a way of curbing some of the growth in this very expensive and fast growing sector of our cost? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On many occasions in the early days of our new Assembly, Members have talked about the concept and ideas for the vision, objectives and strategies of the 14th Assembly. Defining that vision and how we can make it happen was among this Assembly's earliest tasks.

In February, we enjoyed the hospitality of the community of Fort Providence for four days. We compared, argued and compromised with the values and agendas of 19 freshly elected, vigorous and highly principled politicians. We did not fully achieve our goal that week.

Subsequently, Mr. Speaker, we met for another two days earlier this month to finalize our work. Today, I address the House as the Chair of Caucus to advise the people of the Northwest Territories that our document has cleared its final revision and is now at the printers.

Mr. Speaker, our plan is to release this important document next Friday, March 31, 2000. It is called "Towards A Better Tomorrow", and it takes its inspiration from the words of a prayer by Fort Providence elder Mitch Landry, at the tremendous feast the community hosted for us.

The Honourable Joe Handley, House Leader of the government, will join me and Caucus deputy chair Steven Nitah, the Member for Tu Nedhe, in its release and in taking our message out to the people of the Northwest Territories. We will also be distributing copies to every mailbox in the Northwest Territories, and making direct contact to a broad range of other governments and agencies. We want to talk about the plan and get some response and reaction.

Our expectation is not that we will get instant approval from everyone. That would be too easy. Rather, we hope this paper will spark a renewal like fine spring weather in our optimism and outlook for the future. I look forward to rising in the Assembly next Friday and tabling the document that will help us towards a better tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The committee, in its review of the proposed 2000-2001 interim appropriation and the 2000-2001 five-year capital plan, noted that some capital projects were the subject of funding discrepancies. See page 1-4, Capital, Departmental Submissions, MACA, 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation.

Committee members were also concerned that funding may have weighed favourably for Ministers' constituencies.

The department, at the request of the committee, agreed to provide further detail concerning any funding discrepancies for its capital projects to the committee prior to the review of the proposed Interim Appropriation in the Legislative Assembly.

The department also agreed to provide to the committee a constituency breakdown of all proposed capital projects that were put on hold.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That concludes the committee's report.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee met with the Minister and his staff on March 17, 2000 to review the proposed 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation for the department. The committee made note of the following issues.

Forced Growth

The committee noted that in the opening remarks given by the Minister, the department gave notice that a "forced growth request for consideration of the Financial Management Board" was made recently but "was not reflected in the Interim Appropriation request".

The committee asked the Minister for further detail, and he explained the request is to ensure increased fuel costs are met for the remainder of the year. The request for $730,000 in proposed forced growth is still waiting for consideration by the Financial Management Board.

The department, at the request of the committee, agreed to provide further detail concerning the request.

Land Development

Committee members noticed that some communities received funding for land development whereas some did not. See page 3-4, Land and Buildings, Capital, Departmental Submissions, MACA, 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation.

In many smaller communities, capital projects including land development, provide much needed employment opportunities, and an important contribution to the local economy.

The committee reiterated its position for equal across the board funding cuts, instead of funding cuts to specific regions or communities.

The department, at the committee's request, agreed to provide additional details concerning all existing and proposed land development projects.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One final question and it is budget driven. Does the department see that it is going to have to dedicate more financial resources to preserving the calibre and quality of interpretation that is needed, or is this something that Arctic College would share in? In general, does the department see having to put more money into specific court interpretative training and service? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Cooper, for that answer. You picked up a couple of follow-ups for me. From my understanding, regarding the transfer of the responsibility for interpreters, it used to be government staff who were the interpreters, and this has now moved to a contract basis. Would the department say that this in most respects is working? Is it efficient? Is it cost effective? And is it still maintaining standards? Is that the general sense the department has, that contracting is the way to go?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The area I would like to ask a little about is language services in our courts. I will try to relate it to the interim appropriation.

I would like a little bit of background, if I may first. Could the Minister tell us approximately what percentage of the activity in the courts requires translation and interpretation services in the official languages of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question this afternoon is for the Minister responsible for Youth, Mr. Allen. As I have stated in my Member's statement, Mr. Speaker the St. Patrick's Students Against Drunk Driving organization will be hosting the 11th Annual Canadian Youth Against Impaired Driving Conference in Yellowknife in March, 2001.

They are also seeking to establish SADD chapters in Northwest Territories communities. Will the Minister inform this House how the government might support this SADD initiative and ensure that all Members have a better understanding on this positive approach by youth in dealing with the consequences of drinking and driving? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In our sparsely populated Territory, I am sure each Member of this House knows a young person in their constituency who has met with tragedy while operating a motor vehicle, be it a skidoo, motor boat, automobile, motor bike or ATV. In the last ten or so years, alcohol was a contributing factor in 60 percent of the fatal collisions in the Northwest Territories. A Department of Transportation report believes too many people are being killed and injured as a result of drinking and driving. I would like to thank the Member for Mackenzie Delta, David Krutko, for sharing with me the grim tragic accident facts that have been collected by the Department of Transportation.

In Yellowknife, we are fortunate to have Students Against Drinking and Driving, an organization active in our high schools. I believe there is also a chapter of this organization in Hay River. Through their efforts, these communities are made more aware of the devastating effects of mixing alcohol and motor vehicles.

I am pleased to say that other Yellowknife MLAs and I met recently with representatives of St. Patrick High School's Students Against Drinking and Driving, who have been successful in their bid to host the 11th Annual Canadian Youth Against Impaired Driving (CYAID) Conference in Yellowknife in March, 2001. Conference organizers are anticipating 500 student registrants from across Canada for this conference, which may be one of the largest conferences ever to be hosted in our Territory.

Students Against Drinking and Driving Northwest Territories, as part of this initiative, has a goal of expanding this student led program into other northern communities.

I know various government departments and agencies such as the Coast Guard and Coroner's office have been most supportive of Students Against Drinking and Driving.

I believe that this initiative by Yellowknife SADD students has a tremendous opportunity for positive results and they would like to bring their message to the Members of this House and to all northern communities.

As this is primarily a youth initiative, I have raised this matter with the Minister responsible for Youth, the Honourable Roger Allen, and later today I will ask the Minister how this government might further this important youth initiative.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.