Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to raise the issue of nursing shortages. Mr. Speaker, this problem is occurring all over the NWT. The government and our health boards are having to rely on private southern nursing agencies to fill the vacant positions for the community-based nurses. Several of the nurses have said that the long hours, stress, low pay and no VTA's have affected the retention and new hiring of nurses. I met several of the nurses at the Baffin hospital earlier this spring when they were holding a public demonstration about some of these issues. Mr. Speaker, does the government have the solid plan to hire and retain nurses? Later today I will ask the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services questions on this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand that last summer there were renovations done in Arctic Bay to the RWED office. I understand the contract was awarded to a southern company from Edmonton. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for contracting, Mr. Antoine, why the contract was awarded to the southern company, when the government has business incentive policies, to award

contractors from local communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister responsible for Resources,

Wildlife and Economic Development. My question is, what has the government done to avoid copying patents of carvers? (Translation ends)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Women's Auxiliary Groups in small communities. Since this government cut the compassionate travel and escort travel the Women's Auxiliary Group have done all they can to raise funds through fund raising. The immediate family has to travel to meet the need of the ill person or the family or to attend a funeral in a different community. Many times relatives have to travel from Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay or to other communities in the High Arctic without volunteer groups like the Women's Auxiliary Group travel would not be possible. It is something that the Nunavut government would have to review on April 1, 1999.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Minister responsible for the Women's Directorate, Honourable Manitok Thompson for assisting these groups when they are in much need of assistance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. The committee wishes to consider Bill 1, Family Law Reform - Statutes Amendment Act and Bill 2, Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) Act. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, it has been several months delay for the community of Arctic Bay and the community of Resolute that have to share a social worker with Grise Fiord. Why is this happening? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last Friday I had a Member's statement on social workers in the communities that I represent. Mr. Speaker, I know there are government programs that are available to fill these programs. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng, how long does the government wait to fill these positions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will be directed to the Minister of RWED, Mr. Stephen Kakfwi. Mr. Speaker, last year I understand QIA said that there was lack of funding to clean up the tailing pond in Nanisivik. Mr. Speaker, I want to know if the government had done anything to increase that funding? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on a concern that was raised by my constituency regarding the social workers in the communities I represent. Mr. Speaker, even in small communities social problems occur just like any other community. Mr. Speaker, in Arctic Bay and in the constituency I represent, in Grise Fiord there has been no social worker in those two communities for the past six months in Arctic Bay and over a month now in Grise Fiord. What I would like to address to the government is that these small communities need social assistance as well as bigger communities. For this reason, I rise today to address this issue of the social workers in these two communities. When the appropriate Minister is in the House, I will be asking questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.