Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in order to ensure the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum is informed, I am wondering if the honourable Minister would direct his staff to communicate a request and a positive response from the Minister to the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum office in Cambridge Bay? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when I made a Member's statement regarding alternative needs of communication, my mind was focused at the Minister of Health. In essence, I indicated I would ask a question. My question should more appropriately be directed to the Minister of Public Works and Safety instead of the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum talked about the communication system, a problem with the communication system in the Kitikmeot region. We have heard from our colleagues that they have similar problems in the west. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to emergency situations, having a problem with communication is very critical. My

question to the honourable Minister of Public Works and Services is will the Minister communicate the need to have an alternate means of communication in our region? In this case, perhaps we can provide MSAT to health centres in the Kitikmeot region in the event the communication system of the conventional type is out of order. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, while my colleagues are talking about a communicating line problem in the territories, I want to talk about the same issue, which relates to the Kitikmeot region. Mr. Speaker, when I attended the Kitikmeot Leaders' Forum in Cambridge Bay, that took place from November 13 to 15, many issues I indicated yesterday were discussed. One of the important issues, I think, was the communication line in the Kitikmeot region. Mr. Speaker, communication is critical, especially in the smaller remote communities. The Kitikmeot Leaders' Forum recognizes, Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot region have continually experienced problems when attempting to call outside half the communities. Mr. Speaker, the isolated communities of the Kitikmeot region depend on a reliable communications system. Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot Leaders' Forum were looking for the alternative means of communication that can be accessed in emergency situations. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister of Health for alternative communication solutions in the event of a medical problem in

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to my question. I thank the Minister for her adequate response and for making her response clear to me. I understand that funding is a problem. Can the Minister indicate to me as to when she can expect to get back to me? Hopefully, it will be prior to my return to my community, before December 11th. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Madame Thompson. The Hamlet of Pelly Bay wrote to me and to the MACA department in one of the other communities in the central Arctic regarding a gymnasium in Pelly Bay. Mr. Speaker, at that time in 1999, we understood construction was to begin on this new gymnasium, but on a smaller scale. Now, the hamlet board has indicated their request for a bigger gymnasium to be built at a later date. My question to the Minister is, can the Hamlet of Pelly Bay receive further funding to expand on the current size of the gymnasium that is planned to be built in that community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the honourable Minister for his response. In the Recruitment and Retention Plan, I am wondering, one could never overemphasize the need for training for young people, or give them the opportunity to work in the area they choose. In the retention plan, does the honourable Minister include the need for training in the area of health? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my Member's statement, my question is in regard to health with social services in the Kitikmeot region and is directed to my colleague, Mr. Ng. Mr. Speaker, again, during the meeting of the Kitikmeot leaders, the leaders talked about inadequate staffing in some communities in the region, they talked about high staff turn-over rates, and they talked about lack of training and development opportunities for people in that region. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has indicated that he tabled the health Human Resources Recruitment and Retention Plan some time ago. Yet we still see the problem in the area of health in the Kitikmeot region. Not only the Kitikmeot region but, as well as throughout the NWT in the smaller communities. When will the honourable Minister, put into action the recruitment and retention plan he has tabled? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure and opportunity of attending the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum from October 13 to October 15, in Cambridge Bay. I thank the Kitikmeot Leader's Forum for allowing me to participate fully in this forum. Mr. Speaker, many issues and concerns were discussed adopted and passed. I should say, Mr. Speaker, that there were about 20 resolutions passed in that meeting. One resolution that stands out in my mind is in regard to health, human resources recruitment and the retention plan in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, here are some of the more serious issues facing the NWT that were brought up at Kitikmeot Leader's Forum. One, inadequate staffing levels in some communities include Pelly Bay. The second, highest staff turnover rates. Number three, compensation and benefits that are no longer competitive. Number four, lack of training and development opportunities for staff. Number five, health board often having to rely on inexperienced staff et cetera. Mr. Speaker, there are many more concerns that were brought up at the Kitikmeot Leader's Forum, but this what I mentioned are few and Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking

the Minister, will this government as a priority develop a training and retention plan designed for northerners in all health and social services professions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, a letter from Quqshuun Ilihakvik, a principal in Gjoa Haven written to the director of Kitikmeot Board of Education. Thank you. It is regarding the fume problem in Gjoa Haven.