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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my thanks. First, I would like to say that I really appreciated the people of Arviat. They really welcomed us. I really enjoyed the dogteam ride. I would like to thank Joe Manik who gave me his winter clothing for the ride. I would also like to recognize a lot of the singers who we enjoyed watching. There were a lot of singers there. (Translation ends)

I would like to express my thanks to the Honourable Manitok Thompson for taking time out of her busy schedule to visit Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord on April 16th to 18th. The highlight of her visit, Mr. Speaker, was the official opening of the new hamlet offices and council chambers. For years, the hamlet council and staff have operated out of the old community hall and government offices. Up till now, council had to use the small entrance of the government offices for its council meetings, setting up tables and chairs and then taking them down after each meeting. Now that the hamlet council has taken on more responsibilities for delivering community services and is actively working on taking more responsibilities, I believe that it is very appropriate that the council and its staff finally have a proper place to meet and work.

I am very pleased that the honourable Minister and her officials were there to celebrate this happy event with local residents and also that she took time to meet with the mayor and hamlet council to discuss their desire for a covered outdoor rink, community access roads and land administration. I am also very pleased that Ms. Thompson was able to visit Canada's northernmost community. In Grise Fiord, following a community tour...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The deputy mayor went on to say that he expects this to be one of the many successes Tina will have in her life. I am sure all Members will wish to join me in congratulating this outstanding young woman. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (End of translation) I am pleased to rise today to recognize the outstanding achievement of one of my young constituents, Cadet Master Corporal Tina Muckpaloo of 3045 Arctic Bay Army Cadet Corps.

On April 29, 1996, Tina travelled to Ottawa to attend the celebrations for the 117th anniversary of the Army Cadet Corps of Canada. At a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries, including a grand parade and marching bands, Tina Muckpaloo was awarded the Silver Star Award for being the most proficient army cadet in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, Tina was given this award, not only for her good work with the Arctic Bay Army Cadet Corps, which is commanded by Mr. Dennis Hubbell, who is a local teacher, but also for her community service.

Tina has been in the Arctic Bay cadets since August 1993. She received the most-improved cadet award in 1995 and is one of the top female shooters on the rifle team and is a member of the zone 4 drill team. She has always had perfect attendance at school; where she is an exemplary student, and she never misses cadets. Her commanding officer, who nominated her for this award, says that he is often impressed with the great respect that is given to her by her peers. This is revealed by the immense concern for others in the corps and within her community. For example, Tina is the type of person who cleans her neighbour's house when they are ill.

This young woman is a credit to herself, her community and her family. Her parents are Koonoo and lama Muckpaloo. In a recent letter, the deputy mayor of Arctic Bay, Mr. Pauloosie Muckpa, said that Tina should feel proud of her personal achievement and for the healthy competition from her fellow cadets who helped her achieve the award. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue.

(Translation) That's it, Mr. Chairman.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends) (Microphone turned off) ... in previous years. Will a portion of the $40 million be used for creating Inuktitut curriculums?

Qujannamiik, Uqaqtii. Does the Minister of Public Works believe that this new policy will result in more Inuit companies and more Inuit employees involved with GNWT capital projects? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is about the statement made by the Minister of Public Works, Mr. Arlooktoo, about the new GNWT policy to comply with article 24 of the new land claims agreement. As I understand it, a 10 per cent BIP adjustment through the business incentive policy was necessary for the GNWT to comply with article 24. Could the Minister explain why there was no BIP adjustment referred to in his announcement this afternoon? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With no wage increases for years and sharp increases in the cost of living, they certainly can't afford to build their own houses either.

So how does the VTA benefit fit into this picture? Mr. Speaker, Nunatsiaq News suggests that the VTA is now what they call "an outdated relic of colonial times, when it was assumed that the territorial government's workforce would be made up of transient southerners who need extra incentives to live and work in the far north." Mr. Speaker, that does not describe the situation today. Most of my constituents who work for the GNWT are long-term Northerners. They are working in remote communities because they are committed to serving the public; as teachers, nurses or social workers, for example. For them, the VTA is not a recreational benefit. It has become an increasingly essential part of their income at a time when the cost of living and housing has increased very sharply. For my Inuit constituents who should be encouraged to work for the government, the VTA is most often used to finance family trips on the land and to allow the family to buy an outboard motor or skidoo for year-round use. The VTA income was especially valuable to these employees because when spent on vacation travel, whether in the South or in the North, it was a tax-free benefit. Cutting the VTA means employees lose not only what they consider to be an income, but also a tax-free benefit.

For my constituents who are doing these difficult jobs, Mr. Speaker, on the front lines in our communities, the VTA is considered as income, and the larger families who are further away from Yellowknife are the ones who are hit the hardest.

I am not concerned whether this is called unfair to Nunavut or not. What I am concerned about is that these front-line workers are getting discouraged. They are starting to feel that their employer does not appreciate their dedication and experience. What I am also concerned about is that employees with larger families who live in remote communities are losing more. Is this fair and equitable? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause