Mr. Speaker, today I would like to discuss the issue about fly-in workers to the diamond mines. This is a growing concern of my constituents. This is a growing concern among northern communities. They are constantly asking, is this government doing enough to this problem? The socio-economic agreements between the diamond mines and the GNWT set out employment targets for northerners and aboriginal residents, Mr. Speaker. These targets for northern resident employment during the mine operations are set at roughly between 60 and 70 percent. It appears increasingly difficult to meet these targets the mine is setting. What are we doing? Are we doing enough?

The high cost of living contributes to people not wanting to live in the Northwest Territories, to make their homes here, to contribute to the communities. Incentives for northern residents have steadily decreased over the years, Mr. Speaker. Since the third-quarter, the 2005 population census told us that we have lost approximately 850 residents, Mr. Speaker. I have no doubt some of those are mine employees relocating. Why are they relocating, Mr. Speaker? Because the mining industry is reacting to these changes as all good businesses do. But one such adaptation is they are now providing free flights to their employees from the South to work in their northern sites. Pretty nice, I will say. This is an attractive option for workers who do not live in the North, Mr. Speaker. It would be crazy for them not to take these options up. These are fly-in workers who are taking their earnings from our North, our only opportunity to get any benefit from these mines, and they are taking them south so they are not contributing to our North. Again, they are not contributing to our communities.

All socio-economic agreements have monitoring provisions in place. The Premier will know this, Mr. Speaker, because I will cite one in a second. The mining companies have agreed to consult with their northern partners to find ways to meet these set targets. The GNWT has an important role in monitoring these provisions. Mr. Speaker, tabled in the Fourth Session of the 13th Assembly in 1996, section 8.5 says, "If requested, the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development will call basically the diamond mine companies before an ad hoc committee or the Assembly if requested," Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

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

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the fact is, it is set out in the socio-economic agreements that we have the right to call these diamond companies to meet the Minister, to speak to the Minister on special issues written here discussing training, employment and business opportunities. It is to my understanding this clause has never been exercised to find out what is the problem and maybe what the GNWT isn’t doing.

So, Mr. Speaker, I demand this government to exercise this clause 8.5 in the agreement and to call these mining companies before this Assembly, before committee, and work on a partnership to find a solution to this important issue to our northern residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause