Debates of March 18, 2004 (day 3)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to report on progress made in advancing issues of importance to the Northwest Territories at federal/provincial/territorial meetings.

A First Ministers meeting was held on January 30th in Ottawa. I provided the Members of this House with a written summary of that meeting noting that there was general agreement by Premiers and the Prime Minister that the issue of sustainability of our national health system is a priority. The Prime Minister confirmed the $2 billion one-time funding commitment of the previous government to provinces and territories for health care. This will mean an additional $2.6 million for the Northwest Territories. The Prime Minister agreed to convene another First Ministers meeting this summer to tackle the issue of health care reform. We will also be exploring a collaborative national approach to the enhancement of public health capacity, especially in light of the global outbreaks of infectious diseases.

In follow-up to the First Ministers meeting, federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Pettigrew is seeking input from the provinces and territories to shape Canada/U.S. relations. Minister Pettigrew has called for a meeting with his provincial/territorial counterparts on March 19th.

I will be absent from the House on that day to attend this important meeting. The GNWT has a number of specific issues that we want to address at this meeting, including issues surrounding continental energy, ballistic missile defence and northern foreign policy.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to progress made at the First Ministers meeting, the GNWT is participating in the newly-formed Council of the Federation. The Council of the Federation is a unique intergovernmental relations forum because it was formed out of a desire by the provinces and territories to find areas of common interest and strength to facilitate our discussions with the Government of Canada.

At the Council of the Federation meeting February 23rd and 24th in Vancouver, I was very pleased to see that the issues and agenda items of concern to the Northwest

Territories were given attention and support by my fellow Premiers.

Premiers called upon the Prime Minister to include the $2 billion health supplement in base funding for 2004-2005, in the March 23rd federal budget. We reiterated the January 2003 plan to create a solid financial footing for health care in Canada and called on the federal government to provide sufficient funds to increase the federal share of provincial/territorial health and social program spending to 25 percent by 2009-2010. To that end, we agreed to launch a pre-budget campaign of television and print advertising to run March 8th to 17th, which generated over 270 media stories nationwide in the first few days.

The council also directed provincial and territorial Health and Finance Ministers to identify opportunities and challenges relating to health care reform and sustainability, including the important and unique challenges faced by rural and remote communities.

Mr. Speaker, the communiqué arising from the Council of the Federation meeting contained an important quote, which I would like to repeat in full. It said:

"Premiers reiterated that concluding fair devolution and resource revenue sharing agreements with northern governments will remove significant barriers to improved federal/provincial/territorial relations. A fair deal on devolution and resource revenue sharing will give northern governments what other jurisdictions in Canada already have - the authority to generate own-source revenues and control the scope and pace of resource development."

The value of this unequivocal national support for the NWT's struggle to conclude fair devolution and resource revenue sharing agreements, to at last be "masters in our own homelands," and to achieve the status of equal partners at federal/provincial/territorial tables cannot be underestimated.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that we also succeeded in having a most important and pressing issue for the Northwest Territories specifically addressed as a priority in the Premiers' follow-up letter of February 24th to the Prime Minister with the statement:

"The federal Finance Minister has also not fully addressed Canada's commitment to the three territorial premiers to deal with the inadequacies in the per capita funding formula. We strongly recommend that meaningful action be taken."

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to express appreciation to all the Premiers on behalf of this Assembly for their continued understanding and much-needed support, which was in evidence at the Council of the Federation meeting. I look forward to the next meeting of the Council of the Federation on July 28 to 30, 2004, as a further opportunity to advance the NWT's interests and collaboration on national issues of concern to the people of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot stress enough the importance of intergovernmental meetings in advancing territorial interests on the national stage. As a government, we are committed to building a strong voice at such national tables on behalf of the NWT and its people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, on the first day of this session, Mr. Yakeleya rose to speak about celebrating Aboriginal Languages Month. He spoke with passion about his own language and culture and how important that has been shaping the person he is today.

I would also like to recognize the importance of Aboriginal Languages Month.

Mr. Speaker, this month we celebrate the important role language and culture play in the daily lives of many of our residents. Aboriginal languages provide a way for aboriginal people to maintain and express their culture, traditions and build a strong foundation for self-determination and self-government.

We have a number of dedicated individuals across the Northwest Territories who have made the maintenance and enhancement of aboriginal languages their life’s work. Like those of us in this House, they recognize the importance of language and culture as a foundation for a strong and healthy future.

Mr. Speaker, the language communities play an important role in determining priorities, planning activities and ensuring that the Government of the Northwest Territories understands the needs of the various language groups. Even in these times of fiscal restraint, the language communities are working hard to bring their language to the forefront of daily life in their communities.

I would like to assure those working in the language communities that this government is committed to continued support for language activities. To meet the recommendations laid out in the report of the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is establishing two language boards. These boards will play a vital role in our ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance aboriginal languages. I am asking language communities to consider which individuals they would like to see on these boards. Mr. Speaker, a formal nomination process will be initiated by the department in the near future.

With community support, commitment and efforts, aboriginal language activities will continue to show positive results. Mr. Speaker, I join Mr. Yakeleya in urging the celebration of language and culture. Mahsi, quanna, marsi, qujannamiik.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on April 1, 2004, comprehensive changes to the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, Hamlets Act and Charter Communities Act will come into force. After years of development and consultation with community governments, the previous Legislative Assembly approved this legislation which provides municipal governments with a broad legislative framework that recognizes the important and diverse role they play in governing our communities.

Mr. Speaker, these new acts will dramatically change the rules under which municipal governments operate in the Northwest Territories. Under the new legislation, community governments will have broader bylaw-making powers. They will have the authority to plan for debt and investment, and to borrow money to support infrastructure development. In addition, the requirements for approval of activities by the Government of the Northwest Territories will be reduced, and there will be a corresponding increase in accountability of councils to the people they represent.

Mr. Speaker, these new laws also set out the purpose of municipal government and the roles and responsibilities of mayors and councils.

This legislation has been a long time coming. The process that has resulted in these acts began in 1995 when the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Northwest Territories Association of Communities jointly started the municipal legislative review. The purpose of the review was to identify the changes to legislation needed to keep up with other developments in community governance. The partnership approach between my department and the Northwest Territories Association of Communities was very productive and I would like to commend the association for their insights and advice throughout the development and approval of these acts.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise that this partnership is continuing as we collaborate on preparing communities for the implementation of the new legislation. Given the comprehensive changes that are included in this new legislative framework, it is important that affected community governments are fully informed and prepared for the implications. My department and the Northwest Territories Association of Communities have worked to develop an implementation plan that provides community leaders and administrators with the information they need to operate successfully under these new acts as of April 1st.

Mr. Speaker, this new legislation will provide our communities with greater latitude to deal with the challenges and opportunities facing them. My department looks forward to supporting communities as they move forward with this exciting new legislative framework. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that our cooler weather this winter has been favourable for the winter road system. The Department of Transportation had earlier scheduled this Tuesday for closing the Sahtu and Deh Cho winter roads. The cool weather, however, has allowed the department to get an extra week from the season and extend the closing date for the Wrigley-Tulita, Tulita-Deline and Tulita-Norman Wells winter roads until Monday, March 22, 2004. In order to comply with the Fisheries Act, the department will then begin clearing the stream crossings to make sure that no debris contaminates the waterways.

As weather conditions permit, the department will keep the Norman Wells-Fort Good Hope and Fort Good Hope-Colville Lake winter roads open for intercommunity travel on a day-to-day basis. Similarly, the Trout Lake and Nahanni Butte winter roads remain open on a day-to-day basis. Beyond Monday, March 22nd, though, these roads are subject to closure on short notice.

In the North Slave, the Wha Ti and Gameti winter roads will stay open as long as weather and travelling conditions permit. The Detah ice road will also remain open until the approaches deteriorate.

Regular maintenance on the Mackenzie Delta and Beaufort ice roads to Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk will continue as scheduled until Friday, April 16, 2004. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take up the issue again -- one that has frequently occupied the time of this Assembly -- of this government's decision to claw back from many, many families in the Northwest Territories the national child benefit. Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for this area, Mr. Dent, to his credit met with the organization Alternatives North a short while ago to receive an extremely well-developed proposal and argument they are putting forward, Mr. Speaker, that this clawback should stop. The Northwest Territories is one of only five jurisdictions, I understand, in Canada that now do this. The impact, I understand, is somewhere in the neighbourhood of $800,000 to families who right now, Mr. Speaker, are well below the poverty line.

Currently the GNWT is taking money away from those living in the deepest poverty, says the report, and those with lowest income to fund programs that a variety of people can benefit from and provide cash benefits to working families. This decision, Mr. Speaker, is an arbitrary one on the part of this government. Yet, the mothers and families who lose the benefit, in some cases, and perhaps many cases, can’t access the programs that they are involuntarily helping to fund.

Alternatives North, Mr. Speaker, goes on to say in no uncertain terms that the stigma of poverty is reinforced by this approach. It further goes on to say that the childhood programs that we do invest in, while the do certainly have merit, don’t address the core goal the federal government assigned in creating the national child benefit, which is to prevent and reduce child poverty. The point is very clearly made, Mr. Speaker, that the GNWT is using money aimed at the lowest income earners to subsidize programs that are universally accessible.

I’m going to be asking for the Minister’s comments on this latest argument to stop clawing back the national child benefit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A few weeks ago we all heard the Auditor General tell us that the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs needs to do a better job implementing the land claim agreements to reflect the spirit of those documents. Mr. Speaker, we like to criticize Ottawa now and then, but in this case maybe we should invite the Auditor General to the Northwest Territories, too. The GNWT also needs to improve how they admit the land claim obligations.

The Inuvialuit final agreement was signed in 1984. The Gwich’in agreement was signed in 1992. The Sahtu agreement was signed in 1993. We have all these nice chapters on wildlife, forestry, lands and economic measures. They aren’t doing us much good, Mr. Speaker. We are still waiting for the amendments to the Wildlife Act and the Forest Management Act and other legislation.

The Mackenzie Valley is about to see major developments. Things are moving fast, so we need our land claim agreements to be in full effect so we can manage our lands, resources and economics. That’s what the agreements were supposed to give us. The GNWT has to change its laws to make this happen.

Mr. Speaker, I’m very happy for my Tlicho friends who were finally able to sign their agreement last year. I sure hope they have better luck than the Sahtu and Gwich’in people and that they’re not still waiting around 10 years from now for this government to live up to its obligations.

At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I’ll be asking the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs how he plans to make sure this government is up to the letter and spirit of the land claims obligations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement is in regard to the Tuktoyaktuk-Inuvik highway. The Department of Transportation conducted an extensive consultation process, review and study on highway strategies along the Mackenzie Valley and came out with a report in October 1999. In the report, the department looked at three routes for the Tuktoyaktuk-Inuvik highway. In the report, the department agreed that PWC-77 alignment was the most logical route to link Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik. This route is approximately 140 kilometres. The residents of Tuktoyaktuk expressed overwhelming support.

Mr. Speaker, given that the in-depth consultation and study is complete and the fact that there is overwhelming support in the Beaufort-Delta region, my constituents of Tuktoyaktuk are prepared to move forward on making this road a reality. The report indicates two approaches the government may take if the projects should proceed. Given that building new highways is the responsibility of the federal government, the report has discussed the option of a community construction approach. This option is to build one kilometre of road per year. It would contribute to the economic development of the region and provide training for equipment operators and heavy duty mechanics.

Taking the community construction approach would jumpstart the project by using GNWT and community resources. This approach can provide a mechanism for local access to exist in government training and business development programs, creating regional economic development with a highway construction focus.

The department should also continue to work with the claimant groups to explore their role in more detail. Any equity participation by the three groups may augment and enhance the government-sponsored activity.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I believe a community construction approach is the best option for the Department of Transportation to build the Tuktoyaktuk-Inuvik highway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I have done regularly during my time as an MLA, I attended the parent advisory group meeting at Range Lake North School last evening. In listening to the parents, Mr. Speaker, I was reminded again -- and it is my job, I believe, to remind this House again -- about the situation of crowded classrooms in our Yellowknife schools.

Mr. Speaker, while the last Assembly made important progress in reducing the pupil-teacher ratio by legislation from some, I believe, 18:1 to about 16.5:1 and even in a shorter time frame than originally planned, this has not resulted in a noticeable improvement in actual class size as we had anticipated.

Mr. Speaker, I have seen for myself how crowded the classrooms are with too many students, especially in the upper grades 7 and 8 at Range Lake North School. When added with the pressure of having the students with varying levels of needs in attention and instruction requirements, the teachers and students are really feeling the impact of this seriously less than adequate situation.

Mr. Speaker, I also know that this is something that is being experienced at practically all the schools in the city. As we enter into the details of our budget in earnest today and knowing what we know about the financial pressures we’re in, I nevertheless believe that I will have to do my utmost to make sure that the essential programs and services as important as educating our children and the condition under which they are learning will be protected and enhanced to the fullest extent possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to draw attention to an apparent problem that has arisen within our government. The problem I refer to, Mr. Speaker, is the fact that several of my constituents have waited an inordinate amount of time for their record of employment from our government.

As most people are aware, Mr. Speaker, a record of employment is required by Human Resources Development Canada in order for a person to qualify for unemployment benefits. Mr. Speaker, in the employment insurance guide issued by HRDC it states that a record of employment must be issued within five calendar days of the interruption of earnings or the date that the employer becomes aware of the interruption.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents are indicating to me that they are having to wait up to two months for their record of employment. This is totally unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. These same people have families to support and they are not able to access employment insurance until they receive this document.

Mr. Speaker, one constituent wrote to me that this is the second year in a row that he has had to encounter the same problems with receiving his record of employment from the GNWT. I would like to quote an excerpt from his letter to me in this regard. It states: “I would request that you do whatever you can to correct this injustice so that no other family, man or woman have to go through this unreasonable delay in getting benefits that are rightfully theirs.”

I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Speaker. I believe that we owe it to our employees to ensure that this situation is rectified so that it does not happen again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided) I would like to take this moment to reflect upon our road to the northern leaders meeting in Hay River, NWT, in the first week of April. I was pleased to be involved in a dinner that the Aboriginal Summit hosted in January. At this informal gathering it was observed that never before had northern leaders and the whole of the GNWT MLAs gathered to discuss items of mutual concern. At the outset of the 15th Assembly, we did indeed recognize that we as the GNWT are no longer the only government in the North. Our regions are more formidable presences now. I can say that we do indeed recognize this as the GNWT.

This morning we again gathered as northern leaders with the Aboriginal Summit and the federal government. Minister Mitchell, MP Ethel Blondin and Senator Nick Sibbeston were also involved. I believe that this is another big step for us as northern leaders to focus our energies and the issues that affect us all today and the future we wish to build.

In closing, I just want to make mention that indeed our desire to have more say in how we build our North is unfolding as it should. I believe that indeed we do have an appetite for more control of our future and we can only do that on a united front. I am proud to be part of this process that we are in. The point of power is in the moment. What we do today and the decisions we will make will create our future. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to use my Member’s statement to draw attention to an item that I feel very strongly about. That item is the establishment of a permanent trust fund for the residents of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign a few short months ago I had the opportunity to discuss this idea with both constituents, some candidates from other ridings and, as well, with the Premier. From all accounts, it was well received.

As we are all well aware, the federal government definitely has the upper hand in taking our resource royalties from us. There is little doubt that we need to get a fair deal in terms of resource revenue sharing to be able to foster our own development as a territory. This government and the one before it and the one before that -- and I could go on and on -- and I believe each and every government over the past 20 years has been attempting to get more control over our own resources. While each government has failed to get anything substantive from Ottawa, our people are the ones who suffer and continue to pay the price. Hopefully this government has better luck in dealing with Ottawa and we do get a fair deal.

Mr. Speaker, this brings me back to the point of my statement today. While Ottawa continues to milk us on resource royalties, as they have for years, can we not tell them to start putting this money aside for us in trust so we can benefit from it in the future? Mr. Speaker, the state of Alaska has a permanent trust fund, established in 1982, that pays a dividend yearly to each Alaskan. Every year in the state of Alaska each person receives a cheque which can vary from year to year from $1,300 to $2,200. There are over 600,000 residents in Alaska, Mr. Speaker, and their trust fund is based on oil and gas revenues.

The NWT is rich in oil, gas, diamonds and other precious metals and certainly a trust fund here for our 42,000 residents would only make sense. We, as a government, have to start paving the way for our future. The establishment of a trust fund would benefit the North in many ways. It would be an incentive for people to move here. It would also be an incentive for people to stay here and it would help offset the high cost of living faced by all residents of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are not. You may conclude your statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In closing, I would like to encourage all Members to get behind this idea and that we start telling the federal government that this money taken from our territory’s soil should be set aside for our future, not wasted on billion dollar boondoggles, ad scams, computer scams, gun registries and other gluttony. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was just going to use this opportunity in my Member’s statement to drive home some of the concerns I made yesterday in my Member’s statement in the House. Just to express some of my concerns with the government’s lack of accountability with regards to increasing the number of aboriginals hired to senior management positions.

As far as I’m aware, Mr. Speaker -- and I’m sure a lot of the MLAs of previous governments are also aware -- this government is not meeting the expectations for aboriginal hiring in senior management positions and has no tools or policies in place to date to measure the results of the human resource accountability framework that was developed to address this issue in 1997. Mr. Speaker, this issue does not specifically have to do with the lack of the human resource strategy that the government has developed for all the departments to adhere to, but more directly to do with the lack of a clear, measurable way that the departments are monitored and made accountable should they not be able to meet the targets and expectations in aboriginal hiring and training for the senior management positions.

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated yesterday, this government is interested in looking at ways to increase the number of aboriginals particularly in senior management positions and to increase the overall percentage of aboriginal government employees. We all have to work together as a government on how to best proceed and to develop some tools that compel the deputy ministers, government administrators and human resource managers to be more accountable and committed to ensuring that we can be successful to a greater degree to resolving this problem.

Mr. Speaker, I am committed to working with this government to develop a clear and concise document and/or action plan that will pave the way to a new, accountable, open and transparent government for all our constituents, especially for the men and women that are currently working in this government so that they too can feel that they are an integral component to ensuring that the needs of all the aboriginal northerners are being addressed and resolved. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the beginning of the Third Session of this 15th Assembly I’ve raised, through a Member’s statement, oral questions and the reply to the opening address, the wishes of my people in the riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes and their vision for change. Mr. Speaker, today my Member’s statement is about listening to the people. Members of my community have articulated their frustration upon us simply because they say we are poor listeners. For example, people from the small communities consistently say that the government employees interpret our government policy as a personal tool when dealing with their concerns. Mr. Speaker, I’m convinced that this is most probable in many cases. The government employees aren’t paying attention to what is said to them. What has been stressed to me is that they are sitting there planning their next response.

Mr. Speaker, this could be said about us as politicians. I’ve listened well to my constituents, so when I ask the Premier and his Cabinet to provide definitive answers on our constitutionality when amending procedural format I do wonder if they are listening. Mr. Speaker, we currently function under a federal statute. I’ve listened attentively to the Finance Minister’s budget address where he inferred that many of his difficulties in dealing with the federal government on pages 6 and 7 of the address are well articulated.

Mr. Speaker, this clearly gives us some indication that we have no negotiation powers under the current constitutional powers of the NWT Act other than to be supportive to the federal system that extends right down to the grassroots level. So, Mr. Speaker, I’m asking that this government begin to listen to the people so that deep relationships are built on acceptance, understanding and being a good listener. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to acknowledge a couple of constituents of mine: Derek Graf and his father, Ron Graf. Ron happens to be an employee with the GNWT, a director of RWED. Last weekend Yellowknife hosted the NWT badminton championship. In junior division, Derek played hard and received a gold medal in men's singles. To follow that up, Mr. Speaker, Derek also won a gold medal in men's doubles with his badminton partner and best friend Luke Coedy.

Mr. Speaker, if you thought that wasn't enough, well I have more. In the men's open division for doubles, Derek and his team won a bronze medal just placing behind his father's team, Ron Graf, who won the silver.

The purpose of this recognition, Mr. Speaker, is to recognize Derek and his father, Ron, for their determination and sportsmanship. Keeping active at all ages is important to whatever degree, but it truly is especially nice to see a family component in any sport. The only thing I can say is you have to recognize this truly must make good dinner conversation with the competitive spirit being held at home.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot stress enough that being an athlete at any level requires the development of certain characteristics, such as discipline, determination, leadership, teamwork, a sense of accomplishment and, above all, having fun. The idea here is that recreational activities keep people young, happy and healthy. To see a family participating together in this way I'm sure brings competitive moments, yet I'm sure these will be positive memories held by the family.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I mention the Graf family as an example to demonstrate the value of active living in the NWT, and the value that helps build strong families and strong communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, about 1,500 people die in Canada each year as a result of impaired driving and thousands more are injured. Per capita, statistics are even worse in the North. In June of 2003, the last Assembly approved amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act targeted at impaired driving. The intent of these amendments, Mr. Speaker, was to put some teeth into the Motor Vehicles Act, to create tougher sanctions aimed at getting impaired drivers off the road, and encouraging drivers with alcohol dependency issues to get help.

There are several programs available in the NWT designed to teach residents of the NWT how to use alcohol…Pardon me.

---Laughter

…how the use of alcohol and drugs impairs a person's ability to operate machinery or drive snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, boats and vehicles. These programs are available, Mr. Speaker, and they are effective. Members who were here during the last Assembly will remember that the amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act allows the registrar of motor vehicles to require any individuals convicted of an impaired driving offence to participate in one of these drug awareness education programs before their licences are reinstated and they can get behind the wheel again.

I was very supportive of this amendment when it went through last June. Drug and alcohol awareness is a crucial component of the fight against drunk driving in the NWT. To my knowledge, the Minister of Transportation has yet to implement the amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act. As we wait for the Minister to do this, appalling and preventable alcohol-related accidents continue to occur on a regular basis in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Transportation at the appropriate time. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight report on the review of the draft mains, 2005-2005.

The standing committees of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories met from February 16 to February 28, 2004, to review the 2004-2005 draft main estimates for each of the departments of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The mandate of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight includes the overview of the government-wide budget and fiscal framework, as well as the budgets of the Executive offices, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Financial Management Board Secretariat and Department of Finance.

The future prosperity of the Northwest Territories also depends on the outcome of the negotiations for a fair share of resource development revenues.

In order to increase its revenues and reduce the deficit forecast for 2004-2005, the government proposed a number of changes to taxes. The Minister of Finance provided a full briefing to the committee on February 16, 2004.

Members were concerned about the impact of these tax changes on the already high cost of living and doing business in the Northwest Territories.

The committee advised the Minister it would support an increase to the corporate income tax rate. Members believe this increase is unavoidable. At the current rate of 12 percent, the GNWT is suffering a net revenue loss due to the formula Canada uses to calculate its grant.

With the signing of the Tlicho Final Agreement last year and significant progress at other negotiating tables, self-government will soon be a reality. No one can reasonably expect that the new governments will be able to operate without an increase in the total number of dollars available to northern governments to provide programs and services. Self-government will bring many benefits to northerners, but it will also result in a loss of economies of scale, which means that government will cost more. There has been considerable discussion with the federal government about responsibility for these incremental costs.

Members strongly agree with the government’s position that incremental self-government costs are the responsibility of the federal government. The committee fully supports the Minister and government in holding firmly and consistently to this position. The committee also urges the government to maintain a strong position with respect to self-government implementation costs to ensure the GNWT does not pay costs that are the responsibility of the federal government.

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight recommends the government continue to hold to its position that incremental self-government costs are the responsibility of the federal government;

And further, that the government maintains a strong position with respect to self-government implementation costs in order to ensure the GNWT does not pay costs that are the responsibility of the federal government.

The committee was made aware that the 2004-2005 draft main estimates reflect a government-wide 25 percent cut in travel budgets from 2002-2003 actual spending. The total travel expenditure reduction for all departments is $3.171 million.

While the committee applauds the government’s efforts in this area, Members believe further savings are possible.

The Premier advised the committee that all international travel must be approved at the ministerial level. The committee would urge the Premier to ensure this requirement is followed strictly, and that no staff, including deputy ministers, are ever authorized to approve international travel. The committee would also urge the Premier to ensure that the costs of any international travel are clearly justified by benefits to the Northwest Territories.

Attendance at federal/provincial/territorial Ministers meetings is another area where Members believe the government may be able to make reductions. Travel costs for these meetings include not only Ministers’ travel costs, but also those of staff traveling with the Minister. While there is a clear need for the GNWT to have a strong presence at some FPT meetings such as those for Health and Finance Ministers, there are many FPT meetings that have little or no relevance to the Northwest Territories. The Premier advised committee that each FPT is assessed for its relevance. The committee urges the Premier and Ministers to ensure each FPT is warranted and has real benefit to the NWT.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That concludes the introductory portion of the report of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Committee 1-15(3) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) and have Committee Report 1-15(3) moved into Committee of the Whole for today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present our first report of the Standing Committee on Social Programs. The report contains comments and observations and recommendations where appropriate on each of these departments, and will be addressed in Committee of the Whole when the detailed budget of each department is considered. That concludes my very short introductory portion of the report of the Standing Committee on Social Programs.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) and have Committee Report 2-15(3) moved into Committee of the Whole for today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Menicoche on Tuesday, March 16, 2004, regarding the NWT housing needs survey.

Specifically, Mr. Menicoche inquired about the lack of allocations in Fort Liard and how the needs and allocations are determined.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT Housing Corporation has allocated three units in Fort Liard this year and there are six new houses being completed this spring for clients partaking in the corporation's homeownership programs.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT Housing Corporation bases allocations to communities on the results of the housing needs survey. The survey is used by the NWT Housing Corporation to monitor changes in housing conditions and needs. The survey findings provide the NWT Housing Corporation and communities with the information needed to make decisions on where funding should be directed to address the specific housing problems and needs identified.

Mr. Speaker, we hope to table the results of the 2004 NWT community survey later this session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my constituency assistant from Inuvik, originally from Sachs Harbour, and this time I will get it right, her name is Brenda Dillon.