Debates of June 5, 2006 (day 5)

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this opportunity to highlight a number of important initiatives undertaken by this government over the past year. I also want to bring Members up to date on an important national initiative that will be a large focus of our work over the remaining seventeen months of our mandate.

First, I would ask all Members of this Legislative Assembly to join me in recognizing and thanking the people and community of Inuvik, along with all the volunteers, emergency personnel, GNWT staff and others who assisted the people of Aklavik during the recent flood in that community.

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Mr. Speaker, we are very proud that community spirit such as this is alive and well in the Northwest Territories.

I also want to congratulate all Northwest Territories graduates. Last week, Minister Dent spoke about the record number of graduates we are seeing from high school and post-secondary institutions that bodes extremely well for the future of this territory. For each of these graduates and for all other students, I salute your hard work and commitment and I encourage you to put your knowledge and skills to work to build an even better territory for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, when the Members of this Legislative Assembly were first elected, we consulted widely with the people of the Northwest Territories on the priorities we should pursue during our term. Out of this consultative process, the government developed a strategic plan based on a vision of “self-reliant individuals and families sharing the rewards and responsibilities of healthy communities and a prosperous and unified Northwest Territories.”

Today, I want to highlight a number of initiatives we are undertaking with our partners to accomplish the vision set out at the beginning of our mandate. A number of these initiatives have been aimed at providing individuals with the tools to become more self-reliant.

Eliminating the incidence of violence against women and children is a priority of this government. In 2004, we tabled our response to the NWT action plan on family violence. While a great deal of work remains to be done to fight the scourge of family violence, I am pleased to report that the major elements of the action plan have been implemented. This accomplishment is, in large part, a result of the support and dedication of our NGO and federal government partners. Building on our achievements to date, we are committed to developing phase II of the action plan.

Last year, the Members of the Legislative Assembly enacted the Protection Against Family Violence Act. The provisions of this act have been used over 100 times to protect families from violent family members. Mr. Speaker, these court orders are more accessible and do not require a lawyer. In fact, victims can apply by telephone from any community in the Northwest Territories.

We are also committed to providing better policing services to protect our communities. In the past three years, 28 new RCMP positions have been added in our communities and we are continuing to work towards opening new detachments in communities currently not served full time.

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In the interim, RCMP officers are doing more patrols in these communities. We are also working with other available resources in new ways. For example, in Yellowknife, police are now doing foot patrols with bylaw officers.

Mr. Speaker, based on advice of Members, we will be piloting two new elder wilderness camp programs for eligible offenders in the Sahtu and Tlicho regions.

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These programs will allow inmates to participate in traditional activities under the guidance of an elder.

We are expanding critical health services. Beginning this year, Health and Social Services and ECE, in collaboration with regional health authorities, will create four new rehabilitation teams to serve clients in the South Slave and Beaufort-Delta regions, and to expand the outreach services provided through Stanton Territorial Hospital. These services include speech and language therapy, audiology, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. This will help reduce wait times and strengthen the capacity of our regions to help children and adults overcome functional limitations.

As well, we are expanding dialysis services for people with kidney problems to allow patients who need dialysis to remain closer to home. This service will be expanded to Hay River this year and we are looking at the feasibility of further expansion to Fort Simpson in coming years.

Mr. Speaker, we have heard the message loud and clear from the Members that we must focus more of our limited resources on programs for youth. To this end, we have established new funding to help youth develop skills and contribute to their communities. For example, MACA will be working with ECE on a Summer Trades Institute and other community-based leadership programs.

We are also taking significant steps to help build more self-reliant communities. Recognizing the financial pressures facing our communities, the government allocated $35 million of the Northern Strategy trust to be spent on local priorities agreed upon by all local governing bodies.

While this program has not been without its challenges in some communities, it is clear from the applications processed to date that this funding will result in a meaningful legacy for northern communities. Some of the exciting projects moving forward in communities include:

support for the local hydro development project in Whati;

an adult education centre for the Katlodeeche First Nation;

expansion of the planned community office buildings in Fort McPherson and Fort Liard, which will include facilities such as a community interpretive centre;

updating of playgrounds and purchase of recreational equipment in Gameti, Yellowknife and the Katlodeeche First Nation;

new youth facilities in Fort McPherson and Whati;

many communities are upgrading critical infrastructure including roads, community halls, and mobile equipment purchases; and,

investment in new economic opportunities such as community sawmills for Wrigley and Gameti.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, we are providing $28 million in direct new funding to communities to provide a more stable funding base for community infrastructure. This represents an increase of $11 million over historic average spending and, combined with the new federal funding through the Gas Tax Agreement, will provide communities with significant resources to help address their critical infrastructure deficit.

Mr. Speaker, the quality and security of drinking water continues to be an issue across Canada. Public Works and Services, Municipal and Community Affairs, Health and Social Services, and Environment and Natural Resources, are partners in implementing a drinking water quality framework.

New regulations that came into force this year required increased rigor by community governments in testing the safety and quality of drinking water, both at source and after treatment. New funding is available to help communities comply with regulatory requirements and to assist with the costs of increased testing.

In addition to continued investments in community infrastructure, we are also focussing on our commitment to support active living. This year will see the construction of the first gym facility of Nahanni Butte, a new arena for Lutselk’e and an expanded gymnasium as part of the new school project in Gameti.

Mr. Speaker, this government has also focused on a number of important territorial issues.

The face of governance in the Northwest Territories is changing as aboriginal rights negotiations are concluded and agreements are implemented. The completion and implementation of aboriginal rights negotiations will change the nature and function of the territorial government itself and bring certainty to the shape and structure of governance in the Northwest Territories, which is a positive step for those who live or do business here.

The government fully supports the timely conclusion of aboriginal rights negotiations and is committed to meeting its implementation obligations. A number of tables are close to significant milestones.

We are at the latter stages of negotiating a final self-government agreement with the Deline First Nations and are very hopeful that this agreement can be signed within the mandate of this Legislative Assembly. At the Northwest Territories Metis Nation table, we have made significant progress on an agreement-in-principle on lands and resources and are working to finish this AIP over the summer.

Mr. Speaker, an important part of increasing self-reliance is doing more to protect our environment. Environment and Natural Resources has been working with territorial land claim organizations in a collaborative process aimed at drafting a new Species at Risk Act. We believe this partnership will result in the finalization of this critical legislation during the life of this Assembly and could serve as a model for drafting a new Wildlife Act for the Northwest Territories.

Recent surveys have shown a sharp decline in the population of our barren ground-caribou herds. In response, we have taken steps to protect our caribou herds for future generations. In conjunction with our co-management partners, we have developed a Caribou Management Strategy to halt or reverse this trend.

Mr. Speaker, we are also providing the tools for individuals and organizations to do more to protect our environment. During the first five months of operation, almost seven million containers have been returned to depots across the Northwest Territories under the Beverage Container Program. In keeping with the direction of this House, every resident of the territory has access to this program in his or her home community.

Another important focus has been to improve critically required territorial transportation infrastructure. Work is expected to begin this year on the Bear River Bridge in Tulita. This bridge will improve the reliability and length of operating season for the Mackenzie Valley winter road. We are working towards the completion of a $7 million airport improvement project in Norman Wells that will see the runway, taxiways and apron at this airport resurfaced. We will also be partnering with industry and the federal government to undertake a more detailed study for options for winter road realignment and an all-weather road in the Tlicho area.

The Deh Cho Bridge project is a critical project that will permanently connect the North Slave region to southern Canada. We are working with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation on federal assistance to help offset the increased costs of this project resulting from rising steel and labour costs.

A relatively small initiative but one of great interest to Members and to the people of the Northwest Territories is the recent introduction of a new driver’s licence. This new licence will meet all national standards for document security and will also be more readily accepted in the South for identification and border crossing purposes.

Mr. Speaker, a self-reliant territory must have a strong and growing economy. We have undertaken a number of important initiatives to strengthen and diversity our economy.

Tourism is the largest renewable resource in the Northwest Territories. It benefits all communities and residents of the Northwest Territories and has great potential for growth with continued support and investment. To foster this growth, we have increased our tourism budget by an additional $1 million. As well, Industry, Tourism and Investment has worked with industry on Tourism 2010, a five-year plan to grow the tourism industry in the Northwest Territories.

The traditional economy plays an important role in small communities by allowing our people to realize economic, social and cultural benefits from existing and accessible resources and as well displacing costly imported food commodities. To ensure the growth and sustainability of this sector, MACA, ITI and ENR will be expanding the youth trapper training to give young people more on-the-land skills.

With respect to the Mackenzie gas pipeline project, we are pleased with the Joint Review Panel and the National Energy Board reviews of this project. These are important processes that allow all residents and stakeholders of the territory to have input into the process.

As Members know, we believe this project is vital to the long-term economic and social well-being of the Northwest Territories. We are working with the proponents of the project to conclude a socio-economic agreement that will set out concrete expectations for this project both in the construction and operational stages.

Mr. Speaker, this is an exciting time for our territory. The election of the new federal government earlier this year, combined with the development potential of our territory and the heightened interest this brings, creates a political environment offering great opportunity.

I am pleased with the solid working relationship that we have established with the new national government, particularly with Prime Minister Harper and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Honourable Jim Prentice. We are delighted that Minister Prentice could join northern leaders at the Third Annual Northern Leaders meeting in Norman Wells in April to discuss issues and priorities important to northern governments.

The recent decisions of the new federal government to honour the $500 million socio-economic impact fund, the $50 million affordable housing initiative and the residential schools agreement have been important early steps in building good relationships with Ottawa.

Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, the process being undertaken nationally to address the fiscal imbalance will significantly impact the work we do as a government and Legislature over the next year and a half.

As the Minister of Finance noted in his fiscal update last week, provincial and territorial Premiers established the Council of the Federal Advisory Panel on Fiscal Imbalance in May 2005 to conduct an independent review of both horizontal and vertical fiscal imbalances and to recommend solutions to resolve these imbalances.

The advisory panel recognizes the three territories face “enormous difficulties" in providing basic public services to their residents and must deal with critical social issues. The report acknowledged these difficulties and emphasized the unique territorial characteristics of small, dispersed populations, developing economies, underdeveloped infrastructures, high living costs, challenging social conditions relative to southern Canada, and evolving political systems.

The panel made a number of recommendations to address these issues including a new financing mechanism based on the expenditure need and eligible revenues for each territory, future adjustments following an adequacy review, and specific recommendations concerning per capita funding and devolution and resource revenue sharing.

Today, the federal Minister of Finance released the report of the federal Expert Panel on Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing. At first glance, we are generally pleased with the recommendations contained in this report. On Thursday, I will be joining my provincial and territorial colleagues in Edmonton to be briefed on this report in more detail by the expert panel.

These two reports will form the basis for discussions over the course of the summer on new fiscal arrangements that will have fundamental and long-term implications for the Northwest Territories. For too long, we have had fiscal arrangements that do not address the fundamental issues we face and are unresponsive to our new economic realities. We are hopeful this process will lead to a resolution of these issues.

Of course, Mr. Speaker, we remain firmly of the view that the long-term solution is to transfer responsibility for land and resources and revenues they generate to northern governments. We are encouraged by the statements of Prime Minister Harper and Minister Prentice that northerners should be the primary beneficiaries of development of northern resources…

Hear! Hear!

…a principle fully embraced by all Canadian Premiers.

Mr. Speaker, all Members of this Legislative Assembly have an important job to do in keeping the priorities of the Northwest Territories on the radar screen of the federal government. In April of 2005, we joined with aboriginal and business leaders to go to Ottawa to explain our case to federal leaders. I am hopeful we can undertake a similar initiative in the fall to meet with the new federal Ministers and other representatives in Ottawa to explain the challenges and opportunities that exist in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we have been busy since the end of the budget session in working with our partners on issues of importance to this territory. I would like to thank all Members for their work and look forward to continuing our collaborative approach this summer in meeting with our aboriginal government partners during their respective annual summer assemblies. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is National Tourism Awareness Week in Canada, a week aimed at raising awareness of the tremendous economic, cultural and social benefits provided by this sector to all Canadians.

In the Northwest Territories, tourism is a $100 million industry. That is the amount spent by the over 61,000 visitors to our territory every year.

Mr. Speaker, tourism dollars are new dollars to our economy and flow into our communities through our many valued tourism operators and outfitters. Along the way, this benefits NWT residents and businesses working in areas such as the transportation and accommodation sectors, retail and food outlets, recreation and entertainment industries.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is working in partnership with Northwest Territories Tourism on a number of initiatives to mark this week and to celebrate tourism in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude all Ministers’ statements filed with the Clerk for delivery today.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The Minister is seeking unanimous consent to conclude all Ministers’ statements filed with the Clerk today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may continue, Minister Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. An open house was held last week in Hay River. A brochure highlighting the tourism industry is being distributed in all NWT communities, and we are working with the Northern Frontier Visitors Association to support the second annual Discover North Tourism Awareness Golf Tournament this Friday.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our tourism industry personnel for their dedication to this important industry and thank them for a job well done. I would also like to take this time to underscore some major initiatives that this government has undertaken in support of the tourism industry.

Through our Tourism 2010 Strategy, we have invested an additional $1 million this year into marketing, product development, infrastructures, human resource training, research and planning; a serious commitment to developing tourism in the Northwest Territories that will generate returns well beyond the five-year focus of our plan.

Earlier this year I approved the appointments for a new Tourism Marketing Advisory Committee to more clearly differentiate between the lobby and marketing mandates of the Northwest Territories Tourism Association. This committee, which consists principally of private sector representatives, will act independently of the paid membership of the association to provide strategic direction in the development of marketing strategies for implementation by Northwest Territories tourism.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, later today I will be introducing a new Tourism Act to replace the Northwest Territories Travel and Tourism Act.

The new Tourism Act will streamline and simplify licensing requirements for tourism operators, and provide a more transparent and user-friendly regulatory environment for members of the NWT tourism industry.

Mr. Speaker, tourism is by far our largest renewable resource. It continues to be a key priority for this government; a commitment that I believe has been reflected in our work to date and in the initiatives outlined to you today. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the natural resources, clean air, water and wildlife found in the NWT make us the envy of numerous jurisdictions. Protecting these elements is of the utmost importance to the economic, social and cultural sustainability of our territory.

Two key pieces of legislation are planned to help achieve these goals: an updated Wildlife Act and a new Species at Risk Act. Both pieces of legislation have been under development for a number of years by the Government of the Northwest Territories land claim organizations. Progress has reached an impasse over how the legislation would be developed and drafted.

In April 2005, along with the Minister of Justice, I met in Inuvik with the aboriginal organizations with settled land claims and reached agreement on these process issues. It was agreed that because of the short time left in the life of the 15th Assembly, that it would be best to focus on getting a Species at Risk Act ready and into the House for passage. The Wildlife Act, a more complicated piece of legislation, would follow, using the same processes agreed to for the development of the Species at Risk Act.

Currently, Mr. Speaker, the NWT has no legislation to protect species at risk. If our government does not provide appropriate legal protection for these species, the federal government is obligated to step in. While this may work as a stop-gap measure, federal legislation does not address any of the unique challenges that exist in the NWT.

Over this past winter, Mr. Speaker, we have been working in conjunction with land claim groups on the development of a "collaborative drafting process" for a new Species at Risk Act. This process allows for the direct involvement of land claim organizations in the development of the draft bill. This cooperative approach has recently lead to an agreement on models which will govern both the assessment and the listing of species at risk. To date, Mr. Speaker, the working group is reviewing draft legislation and is making recommendations on improving it.

By the early part of fall 2006 we expect that the draft act will have made its way through this collaborative process and will be available for public review. Following a public consultation period during the fall of 2006, we anticipate introducing a bill during the early part of 2007. This timeline would allow us to introduce and pass an important piece of legislation during the life of this government.

As you know, Mr. Speaker, there are strong linkages between species at risk and wildlife legislation. Members of this and previous Assemblies have sought to develop a new Wildlife Act for residents of the Northwest Territories. While substantial work has been done in this area, the introduction of such legislation remains. The reasons for this vary but centre around the process by which all stakeholders are involved in the development or any new legislation.

We believe that the process established through the development and finalization of the Species at Risk Act can serve as a roadmap for a new NWT Wildlife Act.

Mr. Speaker, advancements such as these do not happen by themselves and only come about through hard work. Members of the Species at Risk Working Group, which include land claim organizations as well as staff from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, are to be commended for their creativity and cooperation on this file. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak in regards to the WCB’s policy toward those with chronic pain syndrome and the implication of the Valic decision.

Mr. Speaker, from my reading, this is a groundbreaking decision that requires substantial changes to the WCB policy and its failure to allow for permanent and partial disability to those with chronic pain syndrome at all levels of adjudication. It is not a good thing in administrative law, Mr. Speaker, to be told that a decision body was patently unreasonable, violated natural justice, it's fettered its discretion and it has violated someone’s Charter rights under section 15. I have to say to the Minister and the board, in case your lawyer is not telling you this, this is definitely a Supreme Court judge telling you that somebody somewhere in your organization, and I see many in the decision, have missed the boat and you better clean it up and clean it up fast. That means doing a lot more than simply reconstituting a new appeals tribunal as suggested by the Minister last week.

Mr. Speaker, Justice Schuler also ruled that the tribunal did not give any real consideration to reports of physicians who had provided evidence of Mr. Valic’s impairment that could qualify for PPD. Where have I heard this before, Mr. Speaker? There are so many cases similar to Mr. Valic’s situation in my constituency. Justice Schuler also rejected the board’s argument that Mr. Valic was not discriminated against, because, basically, he was treated as badly as everyone else with chronic pain syndrome. Thank goodness, Mr. Speaker, the court had the sense to say that two wrongs or many wrongs done equally does not get you out of section 15 requirements.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, in paragraph 76 of her decision, she stated that because WCB be recognizes chronic pain as a temporary condition only, it lends itself to the interpretation that if treatment is unsuccessful, that is likely the fault of the worker. This approach to chronic pain as a temporary condition does not accept that some workers may be permanently disabled by it. Accordingly, WCB does not provide for these workers and, in failing to do so, discriminates against these workers infringing on their section 15 rights.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you, what could be more clear? I suggest that the Minister and the board stop listening to their in-house counsel and step up to the plate and start making some real progressive and proactive policy changes forthwith. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. About a year and a half ago, all three territorial governments and Canada agreed that the North needs a new deal with Canada. A very interesting process was created, Mr. Speaker, called Developing your Northern Strategy. It was an initiative that was launched by the previous federal government, again at the urging and with the collaboration of all three territorial governments. It canvassed many residents, Mr. Speaker, and solicited government involvement. It was something that I think we all entered into realizing that this was not going to be the golden answer to all our issues, but it marked the turning point, at least for me, Mr. Speaker. It suggested that Canada, after 140 years of paternal, colonialist governance of the northern frontier, was going to do something to help us make sure that our voice was going to be heard as loudly, as clearly and as equally as other Canadians. We have come a long way. With the new government in place, I want to ask, where are we now?

Mr. Speaker, Minister Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the person most responsible for this file, did give us some words of encouragement in Norman Wells a little while ago at the Circle of Northern Leaders. He said, and I quote, "This government recognizes that the North now plays a larger role than ever in Canada’s sovereignty and prosperity. Northerners must help define the North’s role in Canada by participating in decision-making processes that shape key policies." Further, Prime Minister Harper has committed to ensuring that northerners participate in benefits from resource development projects. Great words, Mr. Speaker, but I want to find out some more about this.

With the development of our natural resources by the year 2010, the federal government stands to harvest $1.3 billion in taxes and royalties. Only about $100 million out of $1,300 million is going to come to the NWT. Clearly, Mr. Speaker, we still need progress on our arrangement with the federal government on our future with Canada. I am going to be asking the Premier for an update on this progress later on today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fate of the flat-rate power debate, one-rate zone, what is it? What are we debating about? How will it affect me and my constituents? These are questions constituents have been expressing to me over and over again. The Public Utilities Board is submitting the rates that is due this fall. Under the current situation, large and hydro communities benefit while small communities that rely on diesel powered generators will be hit hard. When I think of this government’s approach on the flat-rate debate, I ask, can this government evaluate all the impacts that changes will have on the communities? I believe we can. Can this government thoroughly explore other options mutually beneficial to all NWT residents? I believe we can. Can this government discuss and consult these issues with the communities? I believe we can. Will this government work with the PUB to compose and approve an equitable ratio to all residents? I believe we can.

Mr. Speaker, I also ask, is this government going to approach a dramatic increase in the cost of fuel with the status quo or, even worse, start offloading costs onto the communities through a complex and unfair formula or a non per capita basis? The Northwest Territories is always talking about a red hot economy and using this as a reason why certain things are done or certain services are reduced. As an MLA, we all have the honour and privilege of talking with our residents, our youth and our elders. Lately, these discussions have been primary on increasing costs of living in the small and remote communities.

Last winter, the MLAs asked the various ministries to be proactive rather than reactive to what was inevitable. Many constituents have stated that with the escalating costs of living, choices in healthy living is quickly becoming a lifestyle for the privileged. The phrase "one-rate zone" means that families do not have to choose between food or power, trading living needs for fuel. When this government discusses the flat rate debate, we should consider that we don’t approach our community services differently when it comes to health care or education, so why central utilities, Mr. Speaker? Mahsi cho.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, June 5th to the 11th is Water Safety Week in the NWT. I mention this because every year about 500 Canadians drown in water related fatalities. Each year, more than 100 children and youth in Canada drown and many more have close calls and injuries.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Water Safety Week, I just want to recognize the Canadian Coast Guard and the work that they do in Hay River and in the North. They put their lives at risk for us in order to ensure our safety when we are out on the water. In 1962, the Canadian Coast Guard selected Hay River and its abundance of good harbours and docking areas in the small delta as the main base for their operations which stretch from Saskatchewan and Lake Athabasca to the Arctic Coast. In the Northwest Territories, the Canadian Coast Guard has three major programs: rescue, safety and environmental response, ice breaking, and communications and traffic service.

Hay River is the principal transportation link for the movement by barge of bulk petroleum products and dry cargo to many communities, oil and gas exploration sites, and defence installations across the North. If the pipeline goes ahead as planned, Imperial Oil and its partners are planning to send dozens of barges loaded with fuel and supplies onto the Mackenzie River and this will increase the traffic on the river dramatically, Mr. Speaker.

We are fortunate to have an organization in the Territories keeping our waters navigable and keeping our waters safe. So many communities rely on the water of the Mackenzie River. Most of us, however, are just familiar with the Coast Guard’s search and rescue services, which include monitoring for mariners in distress and rescuing them and coordinating with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, a volunteer rescue program. Every time we’re out on the water or someone we know is out there, whether they’re barging, fishing or just boating, we can be grateful to know that the Canadian Coast Guard is never far away.

Mr. Speaker, I know that you will join me today in thanking the Canadian Coast Guard and the volunteer auxiliary service for their contribution to keeping northerners safe. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, June 5th is a significant day for the Inuvialuit. It was June 5, 1984, when they signed their land claims agreement and many Inuvialuit in the Inuvialuit settlement region are getting together today, enjoying a day off, but there’s three of us still working.

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Since that day, Mr. Speaker, the Inuvialuit built their capacity and invested wisely, and many Inuvialuit have and will benefit from the investments that come from dividends they invest into the education and assisting harvesters and so on. Many Inuvialuit still continue to practice a traditional lifestyle, but also realize that development is coming and are getting themselves into position to take advantage of the opportunities. Mr. Speaker, many of us still believe that we can have the best of both worlds. The Inuvialuit are proud, confident people who know that they have the ability and capacity to be major players in any type of development without losing sight of who we are and where we came from.

Mr. Speaker, I’m also pleased to see other groups down the valley starting to work on settling their claims. Their people will benefit and I urge the leadership from across the NWT to work together and be visionaries and know that we have to take advantage of anything that goes on in the Northwest Territories, not be left out in the cold while our resource money continues to go south. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement is about the federal transit funding for the City of Yellowknife; the transit money, Mr. Speaker. In addition to the funding available under the New Deal for cities and communities, the federal government is making over a million dollars available for existing NWT public transit systems. I’ve been given to understand that this money is available and is just being held up by MACA’s inability to come up with a definition of what they can’t decide is existing transit, Mr. Speaker. This money’s been available since its initial announcement of June 1st of last year under Bill C-48 and it was finally profiled under Parliament’s Bill C-66 in November. So, Mr. Speaker, it’s been out for over six or seven months.

If the MACA Minister can’t decide what he wants to do, well, let me inform him that Yellowknife has the only operating public transit system. I’m sorry to say, but there are no other communities in the Northwest Territories that have one. Mr. Speaker, I’m not going to quibble with the Minister on whether community buses or community groups, NGOs or other agencies that transport either the handicapped, the elderly or whatever, constitute as a public transit system, but the fact is, sadly, I have to admit, the federal program does not recognize them as existing public transit systems. So the point here is, Mr. Speaker, we have one transit system here in the Northwest Territories. Why does the Minister want to again quibble, or I should say dither, over the definition of what transit is?

Mr. Speaker, the City of Yellowknife needs this cash infusion sooner rather than later. It will improve our transit ridership in Yellowknife, it will get more people off the streets, and you know what? It may even spill into solving problems created and acknowledged by the Kyoto problem. Mr. Speaker, we need the MACA Minister to show some political leadership because if he continues to want to dither over this money by trying to re-profile it, well, let’s at least take the initiative of giving the City of Yellowknife 80 percent of their money and then we can continue to discuss this a little further. Let us drill down to the facts, Mr. Speaker. This doesn’t mean the transit ridership should not be ignored anywhere else in the Northwest Territories, but the fact is Yellowknife money is being held up by the MACA Minister.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, Yellowknife MLAs such as myself would never stand in the way of community money, such as the $500 million for the federal pipeline money that will go to affected pipeline communities. The fact is, I look for the same support from the MACA Minister when Yellowknife’s money is being held back by a MACA Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s all I have at this time.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to discuss the issue of caribou management in the Northwest Territories and how our government seems to be avoiding some very important steps along the way. In February of last year, the Bathurst caribou management plan was tabled in this House. It is very clear what caribou provide to us and their overall importance, as they have been ever since man first set foot here; to our culture, our way of life, our economy and our identity. My concern last year was the fact that we need a comprehensive, coordinated approach to caribou management. The government seems intent, for whatever reason, to study and manage individual herds. In fact, it’s going to continue to be a costly proposition to continue this shotgun approach to caribou management.

In the Northwest Territories and Nunavut there are eight recognized herds sharing the same land area. What needs to happen is that all jurisdictions from east to west, Labrador to Alaska, have to come together to understand what is happening to the caribou in northern North America. Caribou do not recognize borders; they migrate great distances, they intermingle, interbreed, and as such need to be managed in an all-encompassing way. We should try to avoid any duplication in the management of the various herds.

What I would like to know is why there has never been a meeting of all the stakeholders. I just don’t see any coordination and, like I said last year in this House, when these herds move around as much as they do it’s imperative that we deal with the total number and act accordingly.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has an opportunity to bring all stakeholders together under one forum. Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, they could call it the Caribou Summit. Invite all jurisdictions and stakeholders to attend. Share their experiences, data, and understanding with each other. All governments involved should be ready to participate and jointly fund such an effort, and, Mr. Speaker, if you’re going to do anything I always say make sure that you do it right. I have to say, there isn’t any evidence to date that suggests that the Government of the Northwest Territories is doing this in terms of caribou management. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this month and last month, many parents down the Mackenzie Valley and the whole Northwest Territories and all the students in the schools had something to celebrate. A lot of these parents put their children through high school; blood, sweat and tears of these young students. I know; I put a couple through myself, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these parents when they first put their little ones into kindergarten, you know how time flies. The number of hours, the number of times you talk to your children, get them to school, get dressed, comb your hair, you know? Kiss the boo-boos when they get hurt in school. This bunch, of all the parents that are going to be celebrating in their heart, you know, they wish the best for their children. Some of these students have dropped out, Grade 10, Grade 9, 11, and, lo and behold, some of these students go back into school to get their Grade 12. There were a couple in our region last year that graduated. I understand this year also down in the Sahtu there’s a few students going back to school. There might be some down in your own communities.

Mr. Speaker, I’m proud to say, along with the Minister and Premier who announced today, there is a record number of students who have graduated. Our students are going through the system. They are making it. In the Sahtu, you know, in high school, 33 students this year are going to be graduating from high school.

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In Deline there’s 15 students, for example. Deline has always been a strong community in terms of getting their kids through the high school system. In Tulita there’s only nine this year. So those numbers are improving. We can say a lot of things about our education system, but the parents, they know the value of education, they know what it takes and these communities also. So we’ve got to really tip our hats off to these students that are going to school in this time and age. It’s not like we used to go a long time ago. So in all, in the post-secondary education system and through all different funding from the Sahtu, total of students in our whole region, 61 students at post-secondary school or certificate management, that’s a huge number. So we know we’ve got a bright future. So I wanted to say thank you to all the parents, all the teachers, all the hard work they have done to get these students. These students are number one in my heart and number one in the Territories. You know, they’ve got a good future for them. So thank you, Mr. Speaker. Congratulations.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to travel back to my riding this weekend and I would like to congratulate the 20 graduates from the Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson.

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I would like to encourage each and every one to continue on with their education and that path and also take on the concept of lifetime learning. I think it’s important that they all take advantage of the many opportunities we have in the Northwest Territories and especially what we have to offer.

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, I travelled to Aklavik to see firsthand the effects of the flood from last week. I had a chance to talk to my constituents and also work with the different agencies on exactly what it’s going to take to resolve this problem. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of flood damage to individuals' homes and also the private property and also the infrastructure in the community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the mayor, his council, the many volunteers and the RCMP for their long hours that they’ve put in over the last week just to ensure that people were able to be evacuated safely and also be able to get them back home.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community of Inuvik for the hospitality that they gave to the residents of Aklavik when they hosted them last week. More importantly, I’d like to thank the mayor, his council, people in the emergency measures staff, especially John Picek in regards to MACA and his staff, and also the Department of National Defence for allowing us to use their base out at the airport. With that, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank all the departments and agencies I may have missed, but, more importantly, I’d like to thank them on behalf of the people of Aklavik for their support and say mahsi cho. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to recognize my former constituent who lived in Weledeh and is now living in Winnipeg, continues to be my constituent-at-large and was in town for the graduation of one of her children. Thank you. It’s Ms. Major Karen Hoeft. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Handley. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member from Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize Paulette Panzeri, the director general for human resources for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada who is also my older sister and it’s the first time I’ve had the opportunity to welcome her to this House.

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I’d also like to recognize Mr. Daryl Dolynny, a pharmacist who works at Shoppers Drug Mart, past-president of NWT Pharmacies Association who has been very instrumental in the work we’ve been doing on getting a Pharmacy Act brought forward.

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Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member from Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize, as well, Mr. Daryl Dolynny, a former constituent, president of Aurora World Corporation. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member from Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the past few minutes I have seen a constituent of mine, Mr. Lee Selleck in the gallery and I would like to welcome him to the Assembly. Thank you.

---Laughter

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Thank you, Mr. Braden. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member from Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although mentioned a couple times already, I’d also like to recognize Daryl Dolynny, a well-known community supporter in the city of Yellowknife and he goes a long way to helping a lot of good causes. So thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister responsible for Justice. Recently we’ve heard some news in the media that perhaps the North Slave Correctional Centre doesn’t have the capacity that’s required for persons incarcerated in the Northwest Territories. I’d like to ask the Minister, when the North Slave Correctional Centre was built, how many inmates was it intended to house in relation to how many are in it today? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 50-15(5): Capacity Of North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The design was for 154 beds. I believe that’s the number of beds that are there now. My understanding, the latest numbers are in the neighbourhood of 128 and 130. I don’t have today’s numbers, but that’s fairly recent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 50-15(5): Capacity Of North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister in possession of any trends or projections which might indicate that these numbers are going to increase in the near future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 50-15(5): Capacity Of North Slave Correctional Centre

Mr. Speaker, I guess I would say that we hope not, but 128 is close to the capacity at 154. We’re not there yet, but should we see pressures, we do have to talk about our corrections model. That is why you’ve seen some of the piloting of on-the-land corrections camps and we’ll continue to look at other ways that we can do that. But it, going forward, could be a concern for us and we’ll have to continue to keep an eye on it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 50-15(5): Capacity Of North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to know if a demand for increased capacity would include re-examining the vacant space and vacant cells which now exist in the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre in Hay River. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 50-15(5): Capacity Of North Slave Correctional Centre

Mr. Speaker, yes, it would. We’re going to have to make sure that we’re utilizing all of our facilities to the fullest extent possible. We are in discussions with the warden and our management people around possible uses for some of the space at SMCC and we’ll continue that. Thank you.