Just one other question, Mr. Chairman. Do we have a rebate system in here? A rebate system for the western Arctic, a credit, or whatever it's called, because of the amount of rent they were paying?

Yes, Mr. Chairman, with regard to the 30 per cent, 30 per cent, 30 per cent, and 10 per cent, that is 100 per cent of the rent, based on 30 per cent, right?

When do we expect this exemption to start?

Just one, Mr. Chairman, and that's with regard to the exemption. The exemption is pretty well the same with the exception of students, right? That's the only difference?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'll direct my question to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Madam Speaker, over 10 years ago now, a program started in Hay River on the reserve with regard to the egg quota. I think we met with the Minister last fall, or last spring, I think, when we were in Fort Smith. We flew down with Mr. Pollard, myself and Mr. Todd, and we met with the band on the Hay River Reserve regarding egg quotas. I know that the band itself, Madam Speaker, has spent up to now around $100,000 of their own resources to try to resolve this issue. The government has also put in $500,000 and so have a vested interest in the whole issue being resolved. I would like to ask the Minister, what is the status of the issue of egg quotas?

Thank you, Madam Speaker and honourable Members. When we consider the development of the new legislation, we must ensure that we attempt to protect the community from the effect of these addictions. If that should mean restricting the hours by which operators may serve alcohol in the community, then the option to restrict these hours should be reflected in the legislation.

This may mean that the new legislation may have to include substantial increases to the authority of the community to make more decisions on how liquor should be distributed, when it should be distributed and to whom it may be distributed.

As well, Madam Speaker, the legislation must reflect the need of the Northwest Territories as a whole. One suggestion I have is that the Lord's Day, Sunday, be respected and free from the consumption and distribution of alcohol. I believe this should be expressly stated in the new legislation. One day per week free from alcohol and the damage that it produces can only help communities towards dealing with the effects of alcohol addiction.

Madam Speaker, the information on alcohol and drug addiction programs and services that we provide to the people of the north may not be enough. Awareness programs that are aimed at children will only have an impact if they have adult role models to emulate.

It is our responsibility as Members of the Legislative Assembly, as legislators, to assist and protect the public we serve. I strongly urge their support and input into the new liquor legislation and the legislative action paper that has been tabled, to help in ensuring more healthy and fit northern communities, as well as a stronger and more able future.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I would, once again, like to commend the Minister, the Honourable Richard Nerysoo, who has proven the efforts his departments have taken to obtain public contribution in not only the development of the new liquor legislation, but also in providing the legislative action paper on the heritage resources and a discussion paper on the new Education Act for public input.

Through his actions, he has proven that the public of the north does have a voice that is heard in this House. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, national addiction awareness week is celebrated once a year across the country. However, I sometimes worry that people may be getting mixed messages, the message to celebrate national addiction awareness week. Some people, Madam Speaker, are doing just that.

On Sunday, I was proud to be a participant in the sobriety walk in Fort Providence. Many members of the community participated in the walk. I was pleasantly surprised to see not only those people who have committed their lives to sobriety, but also those who are just beginning their struggle to overcome an addiction. I applaud the people who participated.

As we recognize national addiction awareness week, it becomes very important to note that the Northwest Territories is in the midst of developing new liquor legislation which will be based on the legislative action paper that the Minister tabled in the House just yesterday. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Minister for the thorough consultation with the communities this department and, in particular, Mr. Allan Downe who is the senior advisor of social projects, has done in the development of this important piece of legislation.

The consultation with the communities was not smooth and some controversy over the issues of alcohol has surfaced, such as the issue of serving alcohol to pregnant women. However, it is through public input that the Northwest Territories will arrive at legislation that reflects the needs of northerners.

Madam Speaker, I can only hope that the new liquor laws will be designed to reflect the lives of the people of the north and not be designed for the institution that serves alcohol. I would suggest that one way the legislation can best serve the people of the north and, in particular, those people who have an addiction to alcohol, would be to develop an individual liquor licence, like a drivers license, that would be issued by the tribunal to those people who qualify. I am aware that this may be an individual rights issue; however, in some instances, I believe the public interest should outweigh the rights of the individual.

Alcohol, drugs and other types of addiction are not just an individual's problem. These addictions affect the well-being of the children, families and communities. When we consider the development of the new legislation, we must ensure that it protects the community from the effect of these addictions.

Madam Speaker, I would like to get unanimous consent to complete my Member's statement.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to first of all thank you for inviting an elder from the Hay River Reserve who was unable to come, Mr. Daniel Sonfrere. In the gallery today is the chief of Fort Providence, Mr. Greg Nyuli. Greg has been the chief now for about two years.

---Applause

He's also, since 1921, the only chief who is single.

---Laughter

Thank you, Madam Speaker and all the Members. Aboriginal people have a special relationship with the land. It must be stressed that before any new mining or energy programs are developed, the government must ensure that environmental impact studies and reviews are completed and the results concluded that no harm will come to our land, the animals or our people.

This is the only way, Madam Speaker, that we can protect our land for future generations. The land and our people must take priority over the mining industry. Mahsi cho, Madam Speaker.

---Applause