Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do

not have all the details in front of me so I will take that question as notice. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Pasha Bruce in the pink sweater up there, from Coral Harbour, and also my son, my buddy, Randy, in his jacket over there, he cannot wait to get out of this place. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to introduce in this Assembly, students from my riding who are acting as Pages, Ryan Netser, Trevor Thompson, Darrin Bruce and Kenny Saviakjuk. They are probably the last student Pages before we divide the territories from my riding. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling two reports of the Municipal Legislation Review Committee, "Empowerment Through Community Government Legislation - Nunavut and the Western NWT".

Over the past three years, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been working in partnership with the NWT Association of Municipalities on a review of municipal legislation. This review was undertaken to improve the legislation so that community governments can better serve their residents.

Since the review began, this Assembly has passed three bills which brought about much needed changes to the legislation. In addition to the amendments that were made last year, the Municipal Legislation Review Committee has recommended substantial rewrites of the Charter Communities Act; the Cities, Towns and Villages Act; the Hamlets Act; and the Settlements Act. The committee has recommended further amendments to the Local Authorities Elections Act and the Property Assessment and Taxation Act. A legislative proposal based on these recommendations was considered by Cabinet and the Standing Committee on Infrastructure earlier this year.

With only a few months remaining until the creation of two new territories, this Assembly would not have had enough time to give full and proper consideration to such important and complex legislation. As a result, the government decided not to proceed with the drafting of a bill.

However, to ensure that the recommendations and proposals of the review committee are available to be considered by the governments of the two new territories, the committee has produced a record of its work in the form of this report entitled, "Empowerment Through Community Government Legislation". This report includes detailed drafting instructions that will assist the governments of the two new territories to undertake further consultation, or to quickly prepare bills to implement the recommendations as they see fit.

Mr. Speaker, communities across the north have asked for more flexible legislation. Modern legislation should recognize that communities are unique, and should allow for differences in how they set their priorities and tackle issues of concern. New legislation is needed to make it easier for communities to make the best use of their human and financial resources. At the same time, there is a need to build in safeguards to ensure the territorial government can still identify and assist communities in difficulty. Where possible, the legislation should be made easier to use and understand. The review committee's recommendations and proposals are addressing exactly these things.

I would like to congratulate the review committee on an excellent job, and thank them for their dedication and commitment to this ambitious project. I would like to especially recognize the contributions of NWTAM President, George Roach, and former NWTAM President, Dennis Bevington. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased with the accomplishments we have made so far. I strongly believe the recommendations and proposals in the review committee's report can provide a solid foundation for the future of communities and their residents in both new territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can say that there has been a lot of responses in regard to the question that was asked by the Member. Last year, the department was working with the community and as I stated before when he asked me the question, when there is a community transfer to the hamlet, there is a negotiation process that goes with the transfer and, if the hamlet does not want the building, it is up to them. I do not know the details up-to-date, but I do know that the regional office in Iqaluit was dealing with the issue and I will have to take the question as notice. I do not have the details in front of me, but I do know that the department responded to the community for that particular building the Member is talking about. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Sport North Federation hosted a Coaches and Volunteers Symposium in Yellowknife last weekend.

This symposium was developed for coaches and sports volunteers from communities across the Territories. Approximately 125 Northerners from all regions attended the symposium. Discussions focused on three areas: community coaching, high performance coaching and volunteerism. It is only through the active participation of many coaches and volunteers that more people are trained in this important area. I am happy to inform you that the initial feedback from the participants to the symposium has been very positive.

Mr. Speaker, sport and recreation is more that a pastime. It is a positive and essential contributor to community wellness. For this reason, I am pleased to announce that regional coaching seminars have also been organized for Rankin Inlet on December 4th to 6th; Cambridge Bay on January 15th to 17th; Iqaluit on January 29th to 31st; and Inuvik on February 20th to 22nd. These regional seminars will focus on the delivery of National Coaching Certification Programs for sports chosen by the regional recreation organizations. The training will help to increase the number of certified coaches available to work with northern athletes.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, many activities are being planned for the winter. These include: regional workshops in sport first aid, the Speak Out Program on Harassment and Sport Development Camps in Fort Resolution, Fort Smith, Hay River, Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Wha Ti, Rae-Edzo and Fort Providence. This training reflects the department's continued commitment to develop sport volunteers at the community level.

Mr. Speaker, our young people are our future. Their positive development relies on experiencing a good quality of life in their own communities. Sport and recreation contributes in a significant way to the quality of life in the north and coaches are the key to making this work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to inform Members about the recent development of the School of Community Government. This is a collaborative effort between MACA, Aurora College, a number of GNWT departments and non-government organizations.

Mr. Speaker, this government understands the many challenges communities are faced with. We have recognized the need to improve health and wellness of individuals, families and communities; reduce dependency on government; and strengthen and develop community governments. In this way, communities can become more sustainable and self-reliant.

The School of Community Government has been designed with these goals in mind. More specifically, the purpose of the School of Community Government is to improve the capacity of community governments and non-government organizations. In the past, training programs have been available from many different sources. There have been growing concerns that the lack of coordination affects the suitability and availability of training. Mr. Speaker, the School of Community Government will offer a coordinated approach to training opportunities.

MACA is working closely with Aurora College to develop a school which will provide an expanded range of training programs. The School of Community Government will deliver training in broad areas including: - political development and governance; - community management and administration; - works and works management; - public safety; - community development; and, - recreation and lands

Mr. Speaker, to make sure the training needs of community governments can be met, MACA is investing with other training providers such as Aurora College, GNWT departments, Nunavut Arctic College, professional associations and private industries. We expect that a shared approach to this program will allow us to pool our financial, administrative and instructional resources. This will provide increased training opportunities for communities.

Mr. Speaker, the School of Community Government represents an exciting opportunity for communities and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Communities will be able to access quality training, tailored to their needs while developing and expanding their capacity and responsibility. I am proud that we are able to contribute to the development of communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that Bill 24, Community Employees' Benefits Program Transfer Act, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill provides for the transfer to a federal, not-for-profit corporation of the benefits program administered by the Community Employees' Benefits Program Board under the Community Employees' Benefits Act, together with the ownership and responsibility for all of the assets and liabilities of the board under the act.

This bill also dissolves the Community Employees' Benefits Program Board, repeals the Community Employees' Benefits Act and makes consequential amendments to the Charter Communities Act, the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, the Hamlets Act and the Settlements Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 24, Community Employees' Benefits Program Transfer Act.