Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have received several letters concerning the amalgamation of the Northwest Territories Workers' Compensation Board and the GNWT's department of occupational health and safety. One such letter reads, "The Workers' Compensation Board is a no-fault insurance program funded by employers, in which the money is held in trust for injured workers and families. As the principal stakeholders of the Northwest Territories Workers' Compensation Board, the undersigned are on record as being totally opposed to the process of the proposed transfer of the GNWT department of occupational health and safety to the Workers' Compensation Board and demand that it be stopped immediately. A thorough public review seeking input from the stakeholders, combined with an in-depth actuarial review are essential to the implementation of such a significant change in the WCB mandate." This letter is signed by the president of the NWT Federation of Labour, the president of the NWT Chamber of Commerce, first vice-president of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, regional vice-president of the Union of Northern Workers, president of the NWT Construction Association, president of the NWT Association of Municipalities, president of the NWT Chamber of Mines, vice-president of CAW Local 2304 and the president of the NWT Steelworkers Area Council.

In addition to this letter, I understand that there's a legal matter between the amalgamation of the two parties in question that still needs to be resolved. Mr. Speaker, I agree we need to reduce our costs and amalgamation is one way of doing that; however, we do need to do things properly and we cannot have all the stakeholders in this process against amalgamation. As such, I am asking the Minister of Finance to do a thorough public review seeking input from the stakeholders combined with an in-depth actuarial review before implementing such a significant change. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, be read for the first time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like the Member for High Arctic, Mr. Barnabas, I too have some good news to bring; it concerns a young man from the Yellowknife North constituency, Mr. Brent Beck. Brent left this morning to the Second Trofeo Topolino Sled Dog Competition. This is an international sled dog competition for juniors. The 1996 edition will take place at the ski resort community of Passo, Tonale, and the valley high above, Ponte di Legno. This event is an opportunity for children from different parts of the world to meet in the Italian Alps and celebrate together the snow, the mountains and sled dogs.

The race is open to all junior mushers who can show proof of appropriate experience in driving sled dogs, such as a recommendation from their mushing club, mushing school, national organization or a recognized musher. Brent will be representing the Yellowknife, the NWT and Canada as the only Canadian going. He will be representing us in the 13-to16-year age group with one to four dogs. I would like to congratulate Brent on his trip and he is being assisted by the new champion who won the dog derby here, Tim White. Tim donated $2,000 of his winnings so that Brent could attend this event. Thank you.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bills 2 and 3 and wishes to report that Bill 2, Write-off of Debts Act, 1995-96, and Bill 3, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 1995-96, are now ready for Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister inform this House if such a plan is able to be put in place? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance. It has come to my attention that people in remote communities should not be paying the GST. The problem is that the community has to apply for some sort of status in order to achieve this. In times of financial difficulties and restraint that we're in, I believe that it is our responsibility -- if this is true -- to help these communities achieve this status. Will the Minister of Finance commit to assisting these communities in attaining GST-exempt status if it is possible to attain?

Sorry, Mr. Speaker, I didn't hear the response because the honourable Member here coughed just at the same time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. I recently received a letter from the Union of Northern Workers which indicates that several years ago Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort Smith were designated as being qualified to benefit from a settlement allowance in the amount of $1,500 per year, I would like to know if this is true.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last time funds were distributed in Yellowknife, criteria were developed by the city of Yellowknife. As I indicated earlier, there were several people who were displeased with those criteria and how the funding was allocated. So I would like to know if the government will be providing guidelines within which the funds will be distributed, when his ministry is assisting these agencies. Thank you.