Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

... please take into account the special situations of the remote isolated communities where long-term and experienced government employees are providing critical services. They are relied upon by many people other than their own families and give critical support to local businesses. Cutting these vital positions to save money should be a last resort. It will only have a harmful effect on the delivery of the government programs. Secondly, I believe it is important that we work together to finalize the budget as soon as possible so that our employees know where they stand. I believe that the job losses may not be as bad as my constituents fear but they don't know that now. Everyone is afraid that they will lose their job. Mr. Speaker, today I will be tabling petitions from the dedicated government employees in Nanisivik and Arctic Bay and a letter from a long-term employee from Arctic Bay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that our government has financial problems and must cut its spending back. However, I wish to express my concern today that in the small isolated communities that I represent, lay-offs and drastic reductions in pay and benefits could cause serious problems in continuing to deliver vital government programs and could seriously affect the local economy. Let me use my home community of Arctic Bay as an example: Of 15 government workers in Arctic Bay, 11 are Inuit and the remainder are mostly committed long-term community residents. Our power plant superintendent has done that job for 11 years and our head nurse has been in Arctic Bay for seven years. Mr. Speaker, the employees represent decades of dedicated experience and commitment to my constituents. If they are laid off, it would be very difficult to replace them. Furthermore, since jobs are quite scarce in Arctic Bay, the Inuit employees are each supporting large, extended families. If there are drastic cutbacks in wages and benefits, it would affect many more people than the individual employees. Also, local businesses are very much dependent on these people for their spending power. These employees are committed to Arctic Bay. The money they earn stays in the community. If their wages and benefits are cut back drastically, they will no longer be able to support local businesses.

I am told that uncertainty about what will happen next is causing great anxiety. For example, one of my constituents was considering buying his government staff house but now he's hesitating because of uncertainty over his future as an employee. Mr. Speaker, I know that cuts will have to be made; however, I would recommend that the government and the Minister of Finance please take into account the special situations of the remote...

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask this question of the chair of the Cabinet Committee on Division; Mr. Todd. Can Mr. Todd tell us whether Mr. Irwin would be willing to meet with Nunavut leaders to let us know what federal Cabinet has decided for this division? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier, on behalf of the Nunavut Caucus that is scheduled to meet in Arviat. I believe that the Premier knows that the Nunavut Caucus is anxious to hold a meeting of Nunavut leaders with DIAND Minister, Ron Irwin, to discuss the submission Mr. Irwin will soon be bringing to the federal Cabinet concerning implementation of Nunavut. My question to the Premier: Has the Premier had an opportunity to speak to Mr. Irwin about the meeting with the Nunavut leaders to discuss the federal Cabinet decision?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to working with the honourable Minister and her staff and obtaining support from my colleagues in this Assembly to come up with a different approach to outdoor rinks which will work in the wind and cold of the High Arctic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This statement is directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. In recent discussions about the capital plan in communities in my constituency, I learned that communities like Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord, with populations under 250, are not eligible for an arena and are only eligible for an outdoor rink.

Mr. Speaker, the severe wind and cold experienced much of the year in these High Arctic communities in my constituency means that an outdoor rink, unless there is protection from the wind and blowing snow, would be quite inappropriate.

I know that the government believes in investing in our youth in these small communities. They are very much in need of winter recreation opportunities. I know they would love to skate and play hockey.

Mr. Speaker, community leaders agree that it would be very helpful if the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs would consider modifying their outdoor rink program to take into account the extreme climates of communities like Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord. The communities would like to see if a way could be found to protect an outdoor rink using a frame-sprung structure. I understand that this kind of facility, which is not too costly, has worked well for many years in Nanisivik, although it must be properly maintained.

Mr. Speaker, I have asked the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs for her support towards our goal. I am hopeful that the Minister and her officials would be open to modifying the policies and programs now in place respecting outdoor rinks, to allow for some shelter in extreme climates. Also, I have asked the Minister if her officials in recreation could advise on what kind of structure would be able to withstand the strong winds and cold climate and also what would be the most cost-effective.

Finally, if there is any other innovative solution which you might consider, it would also be appreciated. Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to present a petition signed by three residents of Nanisivik, Northwest Territories. Petition No. 16-13(2) reads as follows:

"We, the undersigned citizens of the Northwest Territories, do humbly petition the Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories as follows:

"That Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, be rejected outright by the Members of the Assembly as it implements an unfair regime of collective bargaining in the Northwest Territories; and further

"That should Bill 2 not be rejected outright, a minimum commitment to democratic action demands that the public be provided full opportunity to comment on the proposed bill, and further "That Members of the Legislative Assembly who fail to act to prevent the travesty that the passage of Bill 2 would represent, especially if done without public consultation, be condemned for anti-worker and undemocratic conduct." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Minister of Health and Social Services and Housing. I have a question regarding funding for alcohol and education programs. Why hasn't his department responded to the letters that were sent from my constituency --from Arctic Bay and Resolute --requesting funding for these programs? This program is being funded by the hamlet and it is getting to the point where it is accumulating a deficit for the hamlet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to recognize Mr. Ron DiPasquale, of Yellowknife, Bazel Jesudason's brother-in-law. With him are Makkosan and Satomeesan, long time friends of Bazel's from Japan, who are here in Yellowknife on their way to Resolute.

---Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko,