Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I read with great interest a recent editorial in the Nunatsiaq News about the effect of the reduction in vacation travel benefits on GNWT employees in Nunavut. The editorial pointed out that most ordinary people don't get a VTA benefit at all, that government employees are lucky to have had that benefit. I agree. The editorial also pointed out that when you take into account the loss of vacation travel benefits, people with families are hit harder than single people...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to present Petition No. 13-13(3), dealing with the matter of a plebiscite on liquor control. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 41 signatures and, Mr. Speaker, the petitioners say, "We, the citizens of Resolute Bay, hereby request to hold a plebiscite in the hamlet of Resolute Bay to further our options pertaining to the control of liquor." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to recognize Mr. Peter Flaherty of Grise Fiord, who is receiving the award for outstanding volunteer service for 1996 and his mother, Rynie, and his sister, Mary.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Elders have been telling us that young people, especially, should be assisting those who need help. This kind of volunteer work will be even more important in the years to come, when government programs cannot go as far as everyone would like.

Mr. Speaker, Martha Flaherty, who is the president of Pauktuutit, the Inuit women's association, is Peter's sister. She and Peter are the oldest in the family of five girls and four boys. Martha told me that Peter and his family went through a lot of hardship when they were relocated from northern Quebec; in 1955, the same year Peter was born. Martha gives great credit to their father, Josephee, who died in 1984 and their mother, Rynie, for helping the family to survive during those hard times.

Ms. Flaherty also said that as president of Pauktuutit, she believes that it's about time that one of many people who are volunteering to take care of others in our communities are being recognized. She says that many of these volunteers are women who are doing very important work every day helping our government deal with social problems.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to join me in congratulating these many volunteers and today this outstanding constituent, an excellent role model and good example to all the people of the Northwest Territories: Mr. Peter Flaherty. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although we had bad news today, I have good news today. I would like to give very good news. An outstanding citizen of Grise Fiord is being given a high honour today. Mr. Speaker, I know that there are many people like Peter Flaherty who work selflessly for others out of the goodness of their hearts and without concern about being paid.

What we are celebrating today, Mr. Speaker, is not only the honour being given to Peter Flaherty, but also that our government is conveying a high honour on one of the many people who are doing so much to help others every day of their lives in our communities.

The mayor of Grise Fiord, Jarloo Kigutak, wishes me to express the pride of the entire community of Grise Fiord that one of their most-respected citizens is being recognized in this way. Mayor Kigutak tells me that Peter Flaherty is always helping whoever needs help, every day. He'll show up anywhere, the mayor told me, asking if he can help. Even if not asked, Peter will shovel snow off an elder's steps or help someone preparing for a hunt. Even as a teenager, he was always helping out. He is a very generous man who is outgoing and friendly to all. "Peter has a heart," his oldest sister Martha told me.

Mr. Speaker, Peter is described as mentally challenged. I want to recognize that there are many other people like him in our communities who are not always recognized. Many of them make very important contributions to community life. In our Inuit culture, helping without expectation of reward or recognition is a strong part of our tradition.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is unclear from the announcement of the Honourable Ron Irwin yesterday, whether the GNWT will have the responsibility for major construction of infrastructure for Nunavut. What will the Minister be doing to ensure that the federal government knows that our government is ready and willing to take on the responsibility for the Nunavut infrastructure?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Public Works. Mr. Speaker, I believe it has been the position of the Government of the NWT that the money set aside for infrastructure required for the Nunavut government should be managed by the GNWT, which is directly accountable to the people of the Northwest Territories for employment and other northern benefits. Is it the position of the GNWT that the government should have a major role in the construction of the offices and buildings required for Nunavut?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to make a motion that we report progress.

Mr. Speaker, today I am presenting a petition signed by employees from Grise Fiord. This petition states that the members of the Union of Northern Workers are not the cause of the deficit. Cutting positions and wage rollbacks are not the solution. Cutbacks will bring widespread hardship to each northern community. Private enterprise works for profit, and privatization will cost more. The petitioners believe it's your duty to oppose the cut-and-slash policy adopted by the Government of the Northwest Territories in contract negotiations with the Union of Northern Workers. Petition No. 8-13(3) has been signed by 16 people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.