Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the 15th Assembly, the Department of Health and Social Services committed to completing a comprehensive human resource plan for the Stanton Territorial Health Authority. The development of the human resource plan was intended to be inclusive and involve input from all staff. To do this, a comprehensive statistics-based recruitment and retention survey was conducted and completed by most of the staff within the Stanton Territorial Health Authority.

To build upon the findings of the first survey, a second, more detailed survey was conducted with a smaller number of staff selected at random. This second survey was conducted by way of individual interviews, usually 30 to 60 minutes long, where staff had an opportunity to identify all of their areas of concern as well as things that they, as an individual, believe are working.

It’s my understanding that both of these surveys were completed over the past summer. It’s also my understanding that these surveys, in addition to other statistical information such as national reports, statistical summaries on sick time, and other information provided by the Department of Human Resources, were to be used to help identify the real challenges to the recruitment and retention of health and social services professionals within the Stanton Territorial Health Authority.

The recently appointed Social Programs committee has discussed this matter and are advised that the comprehensive human resource plan for the authority was to be prepared and shared with the committee by the end of summer of 2007. That has not happened.

As a new member of the Social Programs committee and as a Member of this House who is concerned about the morale of hospital staff and the effectiveness of the public services in general, I wonder about the status of this human resource plan. Clearly, the challenges facing the recruitment and retention of health professionals and social service professionals are high, given the national and international shortages of these professionals.

I look forward to receiving this report in the near future and to discussing the resulting recommendations. I hope that it will be a tool that will help to stabilize the workforce at Stanton Territorial Health Authority and that it will demonstrate the respect and commitment that this government has for its employees. They are our most valuable resource. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to say that I think that there is a huge amount of unfairness in the way that this has proceeded. I don’t feel that players should be allowed after rules have been fully investigated, from what I understand, some time ago. The rules were changed. There was agreement among all parties that the rules should be as they were, that the players should not be able to join teams from another region. I understand the Minister’s desire to have more players than fewer players compete, but I think it is an extremely unfair process. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not he is intending to review this process with all of the sports governing bodies which are involved and all the parties which are involved and if these rules will be changed back to the way they were and if those will be maintained for the next time trials come around. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is addressed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I want to follow up on the question posed by Mr. Ramsay relative to the soccer teams and territorial trials and changing of rules midstream. The Minister has addressed the issue of the deadline being changed, but it is my understanding, as well, that the regions were allowed to recruit players from other regions and combine players from one or more different regions to field a team within their own region, but that Yellowknife was not allowed this courtesy. I wonder if the Minister could give me some clarification, please. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources. As I mentioned in my Member’s statement, the United Way of Yellowknife contribution drive is well underway. The deadline for GNWT employees to sign up for payroll deductions is December 14th . Mr. Speaker, will the

Minister commit to use the resources at his disposal to provide a reminder of this deadline to all of us in the GNWT prior to December 14th ? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight a venerable and valuable volunteer organization that’s been with us for a long time. The United Way movement was born out of a community collective philosophy which began in Denver, Colorado, in 1887 and spread to Canada in 1917. The United Way of Yellowknife is still young, established about four years ago, but it’s an active organization. It’s been set up so that contributions can be made to your personal organization of choice and donations made through the United Way of Yellowknife stay in the NWT; 99.25 percent of the funds remain local.

The annual United Way of Yellowknife drive for contributions is currently underway and all NWT residents should assist the organizations in their community by making a contribution to the United Way of Yellowknife. Even though this branch of the United Way has Yellowknife in its name, it is possible to contribute to charitable organizations in NWT communities outside of Yellowknife through the United Way of Yellowknife. Some examples: The Canadian Mental Health Association, Inuvik Branch; Family Support Centre Safe Home Network in Hay River; and Uncle Gabe’s Friendship Centre in Fort Smith.

The Government of the Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada, and other employers offer payroll deduction plans. All you have to do is sign up. They make it really easy to give your money away.

It’s a well-known fact that non-government and charitable organizations are significant contributors to our society, that they provide valuable programs and services in support of NWT residents, that they’re the foundation for much of the health and social services networks in our communities. Your donations are critical to assisting them in their human services work.

Members spoke of the voluntary sector yesterday and its importance. The United Way is a great example of a volunteer organization doing good work.

The Department of Human Resources has kindly forwarded information on the United Way of Yellowknife to everyone in the GNWT through the GNWT Messenger service. I urge all employees and Members to take advantage of the United Way drive and commit to contributing to an organization or charity of your personal choice. I know I will. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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WHEREAS Rule 85 requires that Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure:

Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, the Member for Hay River South;

Mr. David Ramsay, the Member for Kam Lake;

Mr. David Krutko, the Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Mr. Jackie Jacobson, the Member for Nunakput;

Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh;

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure as alternate Members:

Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave;

Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh; and

Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, November 29, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure: Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, the Member for Hay River South; Mr. David Ramsay, the Member for Kam Lake; Mr. David Krutko, the Member for Mackenzie Delta; Mr. Jackie Jacobson, the Member for Nunakput; Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh; and further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure as alternate Members: Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave; Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh; and Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I encourage all Members of the House to take part in these 20th Arctic

Winter Games as a volunteer. It’s easily done. Go on-line to the Arctic Winter Games website -- www.awg2008.ca -- or, better yet, join the Host Society in a volunteer drive this weekend. You can get a taste of the games Saturday at the Multiplex. You can meet the 2008 Host Society members. You can see Foxy the mascot in action, and you can sign up right there to be a volunteer.

As has already been referenced, the voluntary sector has been invaluable to our communities and ultimately our economy. I urge you to become a part of that sector; be an Arctic Winter Games volunteer. I look forward to volunteering with my Member colleagues on March 9 to 15. Thank you.

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