Debates of January 20, 2004 (day 1)

Welcome back and happy New Year. As you look forward to a new year, I know that this has been a busy time for each of you and I thank and commend you for your concerted efforts to familiarize and prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead.

I trust that you have also found the opportunities, particularly over the holiday season, to spend time and connect with your families, friends and constituents.

As you begin your term as Members of this territorial Assembly, you represent a territory that is on the brink of unprecedented development and growth.

There are opportunities in this growth to bring benefit to the Northwest Territories through jobs, contracts and resource revenues. There are also inherent responsibilities to ensure that this growth does not happen at the expense of what we value most: our northern environment, cultures or traditions. Your guidance and wisdom will be the key.

Together, you must find ways to build and strengthen relationships with each other and with government and industry partners, to deliver programs and services in efficient and effective manners, and to move forward with important negotiations for land and resource ownership. This is no small task and it will not happen on its own.

It will take difficult decisions, debate and choices. It will take all of you and many others working together toward a common vision or goal. Most of all, it will take a true and honest commitment to the spirit and intent of consensus government, on which this Legislative Assembly is based.

I thank you in advance for your continued and earnest consideration and good judgement in the days, weeks, months and years that lie ahead. Before I declare open the Second Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly, I would like to remember Dennie Lennie who passed away January 13th. Mr. Lennie was a leader in the Inuvik and Northwest Territories business community and a tireless contributor to the community of Inuvik. More importantly, he was a friend and supporter to all who had the pleasure of meeting and working with him.

I offer my personal condolences to his wife Barb, and their children Jolene, Allison, Dayna and Issac, and the many friends and loved ones Dennie Lennie has left behind. I would also like to include at this time and give my sincerest condolences to all the families who lost loved ones before this last session.

During this session, the Government of the Northwest Territories will be introducing a bill entitled Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2003-2004, for consideration by this House. Mr. Speaker, the government considers this bill essential to the good conduct of government business and, as such, I recommend its passage.

As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I now declare open the Second Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are well into 2004 and already busy on a number of fronts. As this is our first time back in this House since the Christmas holidays, I would like to take the opportunity to wish the Members of the Assembly and all people of the NWT a happy New Year and best wishes for 2004.

I look forward to the coming year with enthusiasm and optimism. We will have significant challenges to face, but I sense a strong will amongst all Members of this Legislative Assembly to roll up our sleeves and get to work as a team on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories.

Trust is the foundation upon which good relationships are built, both at home and in the workplace. It takes time to build trust. It has to be earned with consistent actions, respect for input received, and a demonstrated commitment to live up to promises made.

There is agreement among Members that we must find ways to better work together. The challenge is to translate our good intentions into concrete actions.

We have started off with informal meetings to explore ideas about the setting of priorities. Discussion focused on how the Members of this Assembly might reach out to the public more effectively and build partnerships with other northern governments and stakeholder groups. As a Caucus, we are determined to find ways to open up the lines of communication with all northern residents.

As a beginning, it is important that we find new ways to talk with other northern leaders; discussion that allows for a frank exchange of views and creates a foundation for understanding and working together.

All 19 Members of Caucus are committed to establishing productive partnerships with other northern leaders. It will be my pleasure, later today, to join Caucus Chair Mr. Kevin Menicoche, as he announces an initiative to bring northern leaders together in the spring to discuss common issues.

Mr. Speaker, as all residents of the Northwest Territories know, the face of governance in the Northwest Territories is changing as aboriginal rights negotiations are concluded and agreements are implemented. This environment is a complex one. A variety of agreements deal, in varying degrees, with aboriginal rights over land, resources and self-government, and these agreements are in different stages of negotiation or implementation.

The Inuvialuit, Gwich'in and Sahtu have concluded land claims agreements. The Inuvialuit and Gwich'in are pursuing a joint self-government agreement and signed an agreement-in-principle last year. In the Sahtu, Deline signed a self-government agreement-in-principle last summer and Tulita has just recently begun the process of negotiating a self-government agreement. The Tlicho Comprehensive Land Claim and Self-Government Final Agreement is the first combined land claim and self-government agreement in the Northwest Territories. Framework and interim measures agreements have been reached with the Deh Cho First Nations, Akaitcho Territory Dene First Nations and Northwest Territory Metis Nation.

The jurisdiction and responsibilities of aboriginal and public governments are in a process of transition that will establish new relationships between the peoples and governments of the NWT. As we move forward with aboriginal rights negotiations, the shape and structure of government in the Northwest Territories will change, including the territorial government.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is fully committed to the negotiation and implementation of aboriginal rights agreements in the NWT; agreements that will bring further clarity and certainty to governance in our territory.

Mr. Speaker, we have much work remaining to reach our full potential as a fully self-reliant and prosperous territory; one where our people are healthy, educated, employed and living life to the fullest.

For the territorial and other northern governments, this means a better fiscal deal with the federal government. We need to conclude an improved formula financing agreement with Canada. We need a fair deal on devolution and resource revenue sharing that will give us what most other jurisdictions in Canada already have: a reasonable opportunity to generate own-source revenues, that can be used to pay for the social and infrastructure costs associated with the unprecedented boom in development that we are now experiencing.

We need additional resources to invest in our people and infrastructure now so we mitigate the impacts of development on our communities. We need to continue to work together to ensure these messages reach Ottawa.

It is a simple fact that what separates the "have" from the "have not" provinces and territories in this country is the ability of any given province or territory to generate its own revenues and pay its own way. We have the great good fortune of being a resource-rich part of Canada, so we have the ability to generate our own resources and become a net contributor to the nation.

There is a strong relationship between the economic self-sufficiency we seek and having the ability to determine our own future. Having one means gaining the other.

For individual residents of the Northwest Territories, self-reliance is just as important on a personal level. Personal independence means making healthy choices, taking responsibility for oneself and one's family, and contributing to the community in which we live.

As Members are well aware, we face significant fiscal challenges. While we pursue a new fiscal balance with the federal government, we must also explore other avenues that maximize the resources at hand. We must take a hard look at how we are managing spending in order to ensure operational efficiency wherever possible.

Even at the best of times, governments are in a constant state of change. This is because we are challenged every day, with examining our current circumstances and making the necessary adjustments required to stay on target. Our spending should reflect the priorities that we hold most dear. We face some very tough choices and it is important that we work together to make those choices over the next four years.

Tomorrow, the Honourable Floyd Roland will provide the Members of this House with an update on the budgetary process that we have laid out.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, we are deeply committed to running the business of government in a more open and cooperative manner. I believe the Members of this House share the desire to demonstrate to the rest of Canada consensus government at its best, in spirit and in its actions.

While we intend to run a tight ship, we will also look to make strategic investments that make sense in light of the priorities we collectively establish - as a government, as a Caucus, and as northern leaders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the passing of Dennie Lennie of Inuvik. Dennie was a highly respected northerner, a person who contributed to the development of the Northwest Territories in many ways.

Dennie was an active member of the NWT business community as the owner of Arctic Esso in Inuvik.

Dennie was very active in the Inuvialuit organizations where he served in a variety of capacities. For the past 10 years, Dennie served as chair and chief executive officer of the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, one of the most successful aboriginal business corporations in Canada. He also served on the boards of a number of IDC investments including NorTerra Inc. and Akita Equtak Ltd., where his thoughtful advice and wisdom was greatly appreciated.

Dennie’s knowledge and experience was widely recognized throughout the territory and he was often asked to contribute to panels and boards focused on the development of the NWT economy. Dennie served as a member of the GNWT Economic Development Strategy Panel, the Business Credit Corporation and most recently as co-chair of the Economic Development Advisory Group.

Mr. Speaker, Dennie also contributed in many ways within his home community of Inuvik where he has served in a variety of important positions including town councillor, deputy mayor and as chair of the Inuvik Community Corporation.

Dennie’s quiet manner, his sharp intellect and his passion for business gained the respect and devotion of staff and those with whom he worked and associated.

Finally and most importantly, Mr. Speaker, Dennie was a loving husband to his wife Barb and his children Jolene, Allison, Dayna and Isaac. On behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I ask all Members to join me in extending our sympathies to Barb and her family. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring the House up to date on the serious fire that occurred at the Fort McPherson power plant on January 19th and the steps that are being taken to restore power as quickly as possible while ensuring a high level of safety is maintained.

A fire began in the Fort McPherson power plant early in the morning of January 19th causing severe damage. The corporation and its insurers are still assessing the damage and whether any of the equipment can be salvaged. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the fire marshal. Fortunately, no injuries were incurred.

The fire was reported to the corporation’s Inuvik staff at 3:30 a.m. and the corporation immediately mobilized its emergency response plan. A mobile generating unit was dispatched from Inuvik along with an emergency team of personnel from across the corporation. Partial power was restored to the community beginning at 3:00 p.m., approximately 12 hours after the fire was reported.

A second mobile unit and more personnel were chartered to Inuvik by Hercules aircraft arriving in Fort McPherson at 2:00 a.m. this morning. The crew has been working since then to get this second unit up and running. Mr. Speaker, as we speak, I understand that unit is running now.

Mr. Speaker, restoring power to the community under these emergency conditions is very much a co-operative effort. The corporation is working closely with the local EMO, community leaders and the RCMP. The people of Fort McPherson are playing a vital role in restoring power by dramatically lowering their consumption of power and by helping out in many other ways. The corporation would like to thank everyone involved for their efforts to date and for their continued support.

Mr. Speaker, while the immediate emergency is in hand, with some power restored to the community, much work remains to be done to ensure a reliable power source for the community. The corporation is closely monitoring the mobile unit and local emergency generators currently serving the community. Load will remain limited until the corporation can undertake the next step of installing additional generating capacity to ensure reliable service until the plant is restored. It is expected to take about three to four days to ensure reliable service back to the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the first week of February, the Northwest Territories will reach a milestone. Since 1964, we have been certifying and recognizing our apprentices in their chosen fields.

During the past 40 years, our territory's buildings, roads and communities have been built through the efforts of certified tradespeople. Ever since 1968, when Colin Adjun from Kugluktuk received top tradesperson status in his course as a heavy equipment operator in Fort Smith, there has been no stopping northern residents from distinguishing themselves as electricians, plumbers, cooks, welders and in 37 other trades. Mr. Speaker, during the past 40 years, over 4,500 men and women have received their journey certification in the NWT.

Many residents have gone on to become entrepreneurs and today's leaders. People such as Bob Hanna of Fort Simpson, who not only holds five tickets but also runs a successful plumbing and mechanical business. I would be remiss if I also didn't recognize two successful tradespeople who are Cabinet Ministers, the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, a journey carpenter by trade; and the Honourable Floyd Roland, a journey motor vehicle mechanic. Mr. Speaker, in paying tribute to those who have literally paved the way during the past 40 years, we need to recognize what the latest generation of tradespeople will do for our Territories in the very near future.

These are the people who will build the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline, our bridges, maintain and create our infrastructure, develop new power plants, build new mines and polish diamonds. Tradespeople are in high demand now and will be even more so in our future.

Mr. Speaker, while our apprenticeship and trades programs have been very successful over the years, we need to ensure that our northern workforce is better trained and benefits from future resource development. Programs such as the Schools North Apprenticeship Program where secondary school students can become registered apprentices in designated trades are now more important than ever. Work that is being done with our industry partners and through Aurora College will continue to be critical to our future success.

I will be inviting all Members to the apprenticeship awards ceremony on February 4th, to help honour our apprentices.

We know how far we have come in the last 40 years. We need to ensure that our northern workforce is ready and prepared to take us into the future. Please join me as we salute those who will create the roads for us to get there, and the homes we will live in…the tradespeople of the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hear, hear!

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have just gathered as the 15th Assembly for the second time and there has been much reference at the outset to the merits and principles of consensus government. Premier Handley’s remarks after being acclaimed as Premier included, “I think we have to work together, working together toward common goals.” In his sessional statement today, the Premier referred to working together, trust and translating our good intentions into concrete actions.

As Mr. Handley said, later today there will be a press conference. An idea that actually emerged with the 14th Assembly will be acted upon when the 19 Members of this House meet sometime in April with other community, northern and aboriginal leaders. Mr. Speaker, this is the backdrop and the context in which I raise my concern today.

I heard comments in the media early on in our mandate which have caused me concern, and I have to believe have caused other northerners concern as well. Back in December, Mr. Handley made reference to the trilateral approach to negotiating devolution; that it had been slow and hadn’t resulted in significant progress. In the absence of any reference to an alternative, immediately I began to wonder how this would be perceived by our aboriginal government partners who have been at the Intergovernmental Forum table with us. If a new approach to negotiating devolution had been considered, developed or approved, it is news to me.

Then, as recently as this morning, there it was on the CBC news: “Health Minister Michael Miltenberger proposes changes to health board operations. We need fewer boards and we should amalgamate education and health boards.” If that’s a government initiative or approved direction, it’s not one that I had any part in developing or discussing. I don’t know what my constituents would think of this idea because, like me, they just heard it on the radio this morning.

I don’t want to belabour this, Mr. Speaker. I think the Premier and the Minister get my point. It’s an affront to the Members elected to this Assembly and to other northern and aboriginal leaders who we say we want a closer working relationship with, and to our constituents, to hear on the news in this manner, any reference to sweeping reform of governance structures for two areas of service and programs as significant and critical as health and education.

Hear, hear!

Of course, the Members of this House, including myself, want to work together in a cooperative and constructive way, but hearing news as we did today is not going to serve that purpose. So let’s get the line drawn right now, up front, that we’re here to have meaningful input on this side of the House, on behalf of our constituents and we will not tolerate anything less. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to extend my best wishes for the new year to all the Members of this House, my constituents, the people of the NWT and especially my family. Mr. Speaker, as the honourable Member for Weledeh, our Premier indicated earlier that trust is a key component to making this government a productive partner in building a strong working relationship with other northern and aboriginal governments. As this government embarks on developing these new agreements with other governments, I can assure all the Members of this 15th Assembly that I will be at the forefront working to establish this trust and will be supporting this government so that we can all move forward with this new working relationship with the people of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to inform the Members and my constituents that I am committed to continue working on the many issues in health, housing, education and economic development over the next four years, with particular emphasis on issues that can only be resolved if there is a trust between all governments, the Members of this House and the people of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, in light of our fiscal situation, I realize -- and I’m sure many northerners do too -- that we all have to start working together in order to maximize our potential and to ensure a more efficient, effective and responsible delivery of programs and services for our people. I’m committed, and I trust this government is too, to meeting this challenge with enthusiasm and hard work. We cannot do this alone. This government will not only require the support of all our communities, but also some direction and dedication from all our strong northern leaders so that we can all make a positive change and set the stage for a brighter future for all our children. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start off my first statement of the new year by wishing a happy New Year to all my constituents and the other residents in the Northwest Territories and Members of this House, as well. My Member’s statement today is one that I’m very proud to make, Mr. Speaker. I wish to recognize and acknowledge two constituents who have been honoured by winning the Minister’s Award for Academic Achievement. This award is issued to the person receiving the highest mark in the Northwest Territories on departmental exams.

Mr. Sean McGee received the 2002-2003 award for Biology 30. Congratulations on a job well done. The next young gentleman I would like to make mention of and acknowledge is Mr. Jonathon Millard, who incredibly scored the highest marks in both Physics 30 and Social Studies 30. Mr. Mallard is currently attending the University of Toronto. I again would like to congratulate both young men on their outstanding scholastic achievements and wish them both well in their future endeavours. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as most Members are aware, the Honourable Chief Judge Robert Halifax has retired after some 26 years of distinguished service to the residents of the North. A common theme that was echoed by many at Chief Judge Halifax’s retirement party, Mr. Speaker, was the relationship with the people of all nine of the communities south of the lake that Robert Halifax was able to establish as a resident judge based in Hay River.

Mr. Speaker, in 1976, the Government of the Northwest Territories made an important decision to place a resident judge in Hay River upon the completion of the courthouse. Mr. Speaker, Hay River has been a judicial centre since that time and the residents of the South Slave have enjoyed the services of a resident judge for almost 30 years.

Mr. Speaker, there are many inherent benefits to having a resident judge in the South Slave. For example, a resident judge is essential to establishing continuity, both within the justice system and within the communities that are served. As well, they will get to know the families involved and the people’s background, which I believe is key to an effective judicial process.

Another key benefit to a resident judge, Mr. Speaker, is the justice of the peace program, which has proven to be a tremendous success over the years. There are a number of long-serving justices of the peace south of the lake and it’s essential that this vital and valuable program be continued. Also, we would be in danger of losing, Mr. Speaker, the community-based justice programs that have been so effective in the South Slave.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that it’s imperative that we, as legislators, create a sustainable economic base at the community level. The support services for a resident judge are firmly established in Hay River. We have all of the infrastructure in place to fully support a resident judge and our location within the South Slave region is ideal for travel to all of the communities in the South Slave.

Mr. Speaker, there appears to be a force at work that is compiling statistics that imply a reduced workload for a judge in the South Slave communities, thereby justifying the argument that a resident judge is not required. Conversely, the statistics that I have been able to garner, which are far too extensive to go over in this forum, clearly show that there is a demonstrated need for a resident judge to serve the South Slave and that there is no reduced workload.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent to conclude your statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I feel that it is incumbent upon the Minister of Justice to ensure that the needs of the residents of the nine communities south of the lake are taken into consideration when determining a replacement for resident Chief Judge Halifax. Mr. Speaker, I urge the Minister to do the right thing and ensure that a resident judge is placed in Hay River. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the course of the past several months, a great deal of criminal activity has occurred in the riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes, as well as other parts of Inuvik. This raises a community-wide concern. In the opinion of my constituents, this issue has surfaced too many times in a number of forums without any recourse or corrective action.

Mr. Speaker, the issue of youth crimes is not the only source of contention or the only problem from my community’s perspective. At issue is the Criminal Code as it is applied under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Mr. Speaker, the “judicial measures” parts of the Youth Criminal Justice Act only reference how to deal with the conduct of judicial proceedings against young people.

Mr. Speaker, although the act itself conforms to the jurisprudence under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms where a young person must be provided with the opportunity to exercise his or her rights to counsel in private, subsection 25(2) requires the police to conform to this provision upon arrest or detention of a young person. Mr. Speaker, the majority of my constituents emphasize that this speaks mainly to the provision of counsel and in no way does this subsection refer to the powers under which the young offender can be arrested or detained. We need further clarification on the due process for the act to effectively reduce or minimize youth crime in all our municipalities.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to discussing this very important matter more thoroughly with the Minister and his officials, in an attempt to make my constituents more aware of the effectiveness of this act and I will ask the Minister pertinent questions at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’m here to talk to you about family. This past weekend, I happened to have the pleasure of attending a special surprise birthday party for a couple of constituents of mine, Larry and Hermie Pineda. They’re 75 years and 74 years of age respectively, and they’ve been married almost 54 years. I think that’s an incredible feat to recognize and it’s with an amazing amount of respect you have to look towards folks like this. They don’t just build a family; they build a community, folks like this.

On that note, sometimes you can look around and there are sad stories out there that don’t necessarily have happy endings and we have to pray extra hard. So at this moment, I want to recognize the teamwork of the Department of Health and Social Services over the Christmas season.

As we all know, Christmas is a stressful time. A constituent of mine came to me with a concern that truly was a life-and-death circumstance; it wasn’t blown out of proportion. It was reality. I have to stress that the staff of the Department of Health and Social Services recognized the compassion needed to deal with the issue. They took a realistic approach with a willingness to find a solution. The staff did find a solution by taking reasonable steps and they worked within the policy and found a way to make this happen to unite a family.

So with that being said, I just want to take a moment to recognize them and say that though sometimes happy stories get overlooked about departments, I want to bring this forward today.

I’m going to close my statement by pointing out that I’m going to put this government on notice of my high expectation of a good working relationship between Cabinet Ministers and regular Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to wish the House a happy New Year and say that I’m looking forward to working with the Cabinet on new initiatives for this year. Over the past couple of months, from early November to a couple of days ago, there were many deaths in the Sahtu region. This Christmas, there were Christmas cards, New Year’s cards and sympathy cards. In the Sahtu, we had many losses and communities were heavily impacted. I want to acknowledge the families because it was one death after another and families, grandparents and children were all impacted. It was just one after another. The communities are really feeling it now. We need to do some work on dealing with losses in our regions, especially in our communities in the Sahtu. I want to look at that more closely.

However, Mr. Speaker, I want to just acknowledge the people in the Sahtu communities who have already dealt with these losses and hope that this government will also look at an approach to dealing with the losses of the families in the small communities. I want to say, Mr. Speaker, that there are elders who were lost in our communities and a lot of knowledge left with them. People in our region are looking forward to working with their elders to deal with some of the issues that are being faced today. That’s all I have to say, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to start by complimenting Mr. Handley on his sessional address and the messages that he has again sent to the Assembly and to the people of the NWT about the desires that we have to really be an Assembly that demonstrates how consensus can work, and how we can get on and really prove by our actions that we can and will do a good job.

This morning, as my colleague Mrs. Groenewegen indicated in her statement, we heard on CBC news that Minister Michael Miltenberger was suggesting that sweeping changes to health, social services and education boards and authorities were in the offing. My concern, Mr. Speaker, is not with the substance of the idea but, at this early point in our Assembly, with how it was presented.

Hearing of an issue, even in the most general ways, but of something with the scope and the range of this kind of news is not the way we want to operate. It compromises us, Mr. Speaker, as regular Members, when we hear about this kind of thing outside of our process or, indeed, as one of our Members did in the coffee shop first thing this morning. It forces us into a reactive mode and, as I’m doing right now, a critical mode.

I don’t want to work this way, Mr. Speaker. I want to be collaborative, constructive and, where I can, supportive. This is what consensus is all about. I know I speak for my colleagues when I say that we want to see this Assembly set a new standard for consensus. What we heard this morning, Mr. Speaker, does not meet that standard. I’d like to remind Ministers that their best sounding board, their first sounding board, is just down the hall in the offices of the Members and in our committee rooms. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hear, hear!

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, mahsi cho. (Translation) Today, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to speak about the pipeline. (Translation ends) I would like to let them know that I’m on a steep learning curve, but I am getting up to speed.

Speaking of getting up to speed, Mr. Speaker, the GNWT needs to get up to speed on dealing with the opportunities that will come with the construction of the gas pipeline down the Mackenzie.

---Applause

Oil and gas remains central to the economic development and viability of the Deh Cho region and the NWT. Even though this government has placed great emphasis on the Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline, it has not attached the necessary resources for communities to capitalize on the opportunities that will be available to them in the very near future. For example, the communities future loan fund in my region is one of the smallest in the NWT.

In short, Mr. Speaker, we need to get ready for the pipeline. We need to have funding in place to support aboriginal and local businesses in getting their share of opportunities. We need to have employment and training opportunities coordinated with the needs of industry.

I believe, Mr. Speaker, there is a need for a central agency in Fort Simpson to coordinate all economic and GNWT activities relating to the construction and operation of the pipeline up the Mackenzie. The federal government has created a pipeline readiness office to deal with the pipeline from their perspective. I believe the time is now for the GNWT to show leadership and open a similar office in Fort Simpson. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we embark on our work as the 15th legislature in earnest today and in response to the Premier’s sessional statement, I would like to take this opportunity to express my strong and very broad desire to work very hard and to do everything I can during the life of this Assembly to improve the social conditions of the residents of the Northwest Territories.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, just in the two months since our election in November, not a week has gone by when we haven’t heard reports in the media about an array of tragedies befalling our people. Just in this month of January, we’re on the verge of breaking all records in suicides, homicides and other incidents, most of them related to alcohol and drug use and abuse.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we’re very well aware of the enormous economic and political potential we have as a territory and people. We’re experiencing already a great deal of wealth coming from mining industries. Yet, there are so many in our communities and in our city who are unwell or hurting too much from abuse to enjoy this wealth and progress. We have too many addicted to alcohol and drugs or unrecovered from abuse they have suffered in the past, or those who are born with the effects of alcohol.

Mr. Speaker, I firmly believe that at the end of our time here, no amount of progress in devolution or formula financing self-government agreements would mean much or make much difference, or be of much value, unless we make an equal progress in addressing the social conditions of our people so that our children are growing with a fair chance at a full life, that they are given opportunities to educate themselves and take full advantage of all that our economic and political advancements have to offer. We need to heal the adults suffering from abuse and addiction of all forms so that they can raise our young and be full participants of our society.

I would like to close this statement, Mr. Speaker, by pledging my commitment to work with everyone in this House, and my proven energy and tenacity to move this agenda and to put the government on notice that they should expect to hear from me about these issues in the days and months to come, in and out of this House, in whatever means I can possibly express them, to make sure that we make real and substantial progress by the end of this term. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to speak about health and social services and staffing in my riding of Nunakput. For the past number of years, the Nunakput riding has experienced reductions in services and staffing. A number of other concerns are raised by my constituents, such as elderly patients traveling without escorts and the lack of translation services. Recently, Mr. Speaker, on my return to Yellowknife, I received a short memo from the Minister of Health and copy of the letter indicating the closure of the health centre in Paulatuk, from January 6th to the 9th, 2004. This concerns me as well as my constituents.

The Inuvik Regional Hospital may at times provide translation services. Plus, let's not forget the Inuvialuit. There are different languages, dialects. How can this be addressed to ensure my constituents receive proper translation services? Also, Mr. Speaker, escorts for elderly patients should be reviewed because our loved ones may not feel comfortable when traveling alone to an urban or city centre.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, these reductions in services and staffing cause great frustration both to the nurses, doctors and the public. So where do we go from here?

In closing, Mr. Speaker, again, I will follow up with the Health Minister on these issues sometime during the next session of the legislature. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have in the gallery, students from Kiononia Christian School in Yellowknife. The students came and visited here last year during the last assembly and we enjoyed it so much that they insisted that they come back here and they call this House "righteous house." With the indulgence of the House, if I may recognize the students one by one, if they could get up and be recognized: Lydiah Rabesca; Layah Rabesca; Nadia Wilson; Devon Allooloo; Michael Fowler; Jena Westergreen; Hannah McLeod; Nathan Rabesca; Liam Cameron; and the parents, Titus -- a former Member of this House -- Titus Allooloo; Cathy Allooloo and Mrs. Westergreen; and the teachers, Mr. Gordon Johnston and Morina Feenstra. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Welcome to the House. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have three constituents in the gallery I would like to recognize today: Mr. Blake Lyons, who is president of the NWT Association of Communities and a constituent; also, Ms. Karen Hamre, a businessperson in town and a former candidate in the NWT election; also, Barb Wyness, with the UNW, who is joining us again. I should mention that she is beside Mr. Todd Parsons and both of them participated in a reading buddies program at Weledeh with me. Also I would like to make special note of an old friend, Mr. Ed Jeske, who typically joins us on our openings in the House here. Thank you.

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Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to note one of our most notable seniors in Yellowknife, Mr. Ed Jeske. I believe he is up there, he was waving to me when I came in. Thank you.

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Welcome. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to recognize Yvette Gonzales, executive director for the NWT Association of Communities. She is up there somewhere.

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Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome…as Mr. Menicoche said while I'm on a learning curve, I would like to recognize the visitor in the gallery, my spouse, Cheryl Bonnetrouge, who also supported me through this process. I want to say I love you, babe.

---Laughter

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Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Zoe beat me to the punch but I would like to recognize Yvette Gonzales, the ED for the NWTAC, and also a constituent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause