Speaker:   I will now call the House to order. We will proceed at this time with prayers.

Speaker:   We will proceed at this time with the Order Paper.

Tributes.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize that next week is Aboriginal Awareness Week in Canada. First introduced in 1992, Aboriginal Awareness Week is held on the four days that follow the Victoria Day long weekend. It was designed to increase awareness of aboriginal peoples among federal public service employees through various activities in the workplace. The most important element is the commitment to create awareness on topics related to aboriginal peoples.

Yukon aboriginal people are part of the fabric of Yukon society, its history, the present and its future. Nationally, the contributions made by aboriginal peoples make our nation richer. For example, Yukon First Nations are national leaders in modern-day treaty and self-government negotiations. They have led the way. Our government has moved to formalize the relationship with Yukon First Nations based on mutual respect, consultation and cooperation for the benefit of all Yukoners. The objective is to reduce barriers between us and provide a more constructive form of governance in the Yukon.

This government is working on many fronts to ensure there is an awareness of aboriginal initiatives and issues. First Nation languages are taught in every Yukon community, in the schools and through community programs, in all eight languages and the many dialects that are here in our territory.

Promoting Yukon First Nation arts and culture is a priority of this government. Cultural awareness programs are offered regularly through the Department of Education, First Nation health programs at the hospital, and the Yukon Public Service Commission. Through the staff development branch at the PSC a traditional knowledge workshop will be offered with the goal of increasing awareness and ultimately, through this increased awareness, developing better working relationships on a daily basis as employees of our governments as we continue to work together. As well, the representative public service plan is designed to increase aboriginal participation in the Yukon government workforce.

These plans are in place for the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, the Na Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation, the Teslin Tlingit Council and the Little Salmon-Carmacks First Nation. A similar plan is being developed for the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation. The goals of the plan have also been expanded to include assisting Yukon First Nation governments in building their capacity or in developing their labour force. The training takes place at Yukon government so the participants can learn methods and processes of our government and take that back to their First Nation government. This leads to greater capacity, greater understanding and improved relations between governments. It also provides the individual employee with additional experience, skills and knowledge that can enhance their opportunities for success in future employment competitions.

Finally, we trust that the increased awareness at the federal level through Aboriginal Awareness Week will also contribute to greater understanding and commitment, to fully implement the final and self-government agreements as indicated by the Auditor General of Canada and also by the new Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

Thank you.

Mrs. Peter:   I rise on behalf of the official opposition to recognize Aboriginal Awareness Week four days after the Victoria Day long weekend.

Juuk driin dinjii juu gwitchin thuk enjit chii driin gwaa lia. Dii ginjik chit trig geenhii, sut nitso trigwundii thuk dii yanjit gwii yandoo gwii zii. Dii gii, sut dii chaii enjit gwandoo chil aa.

In translation, Mr. Speaker: this week is set aside to acknowledge First Nation people in our country. Our language and our culture are very important to us, especially for our children and our grandchildren.

There are 608 First Nation administrations in Canada. They are diverse, made up of 52 distinct cultural groups located in every corner of our country, speaking over 50 aboriginal languages and many more dialects.

In the north, a large proportion of our population is aboriginal and, because of this, we are fortunate that general awareness of aboriginal culture and issues is relatively high compared to most of Canada. The experience of land claims and self-government in the Yukon has served as a positive educational experience for First Nations and non-First Nations alike. We take pride in the uniqueness and adaptability of all our citizens.

Aboriginal people in Canada have made enormous advances over the last century. They have taken on the challenges of cultural change, embracing new technologies with vigour and creativity. More and more aboriginal people are in universities. Aboriginal businesses are flourishing. New forms of governance are being explored. A national television network and the Assembly of First Nations reflect aboriginal issues and culture.

However, aboriginal people in Canada experience extremely high mortality rates from violence and from disease that should have been eradicated. They have yet to reach the educational levels of the rest of Canada. In parts of Canada, they are still negotiating settlements as old as our country. Aboriginal people struggle to obtain employment and legislative representation proportionate to our population.

It was not until 1949 that Dr. Frank Calder became an MLA in B.C., the first aboriginal to be elected to any Canadian parliament. But we must remind ourselves that status people were given the right to vote in federal elections only in 1960, the last section of society in Canada to be enfranchised.

We in this House must be proactive. We cannot allow ourselves to be complacent about the need for change in our Canadian aboriginal population and we must meet the challenge. Mahsi’ cho.

Ms. Duncan:   I rise on behalf of the Liberal caucus to pay tribute to Aboriginal Awareness Week. Aboriginal Awareness Week is actually celebrated on the four days following the Victoria Day long weekend. The spirit and intent of the week is to increase awareness of aboriginal peoples among federal public service employees. The Yukon focus, which respectfully, Mr. Speaker, might be a more inclusive approach, has been to celebrate National Aboriginal Day on June 21.

There is strength and a deepening of respect for one another as our understanding increases. Whether Yukoners choose to enhance their understanding of First Nations during Aboriginal Awareness Week or on National Aboriginal Day, I encourage everyone to celebrate and deepen our understanding of our different traditions and cultures and each other’s contribution to our Yukon way of life.

Thank you.

Hon. Mr. Lang:   I rise today to ask my colleagues in this House to join me in recognizing Yukon Mining and Geology Week. Mining and Geology Week takes place in the Yukon this year from May 22 to 28. Mining and geology play an important role in our everyday lives and have influenced our history, culture and economy in many positive ways.

This year, the gold show will kick off the Mining and Geology Week. Considering the important role Dawson miners played in our economy, it is the ideal setting for this event. The Department of Energy, Mines and Resources is hosting Mining and Geology Week in partnership with Yukon Chamber of Mines and the Klondike Placer Miners Association. A host of activities and contests are planned at the Elijah Smith Building free for the public and for school kids. There are also interpretive geology hikes in the evenings. I encourage everyone to participate in Mining and Geology Week.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker:   Are there any further tributes?

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the House to pay tribute to National Public Works Week.

Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Highways and Public Works, I rise at this time to take opportunity to pay special tribute to the many Yukoners who are employed in the public works sector.

Yesterday saw the commencement of the National Public Works Week, which is the annual celebration of tens of thousands of women and men in North America who provide and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known as Public Works.

Here in the Yukon we rely on hundreds of Public Works staff employed throughout the territory. Broadly known as the Department of Public Works, this area of service includes facility management, building construction, water and sewage service, waste removal, recycling, building operations, security, procurement, translation services, fleet vehicles, printing, information technology and communication technology, just to name a few.

The daily contributions by these truly unsung professionals are endless. Their work provides the support that permits the ongoing service levels that each of us unconsciously enjoy and come to expect. It is important that we recognize these individuals who are dedicated to supporting and improving the security and quality of life for the present and the future generation of Yukoners.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker:   Are there any further tributes?

Hon. Ms. Taylor:   It is indeed my honour to rise today to pay tribute to International Museums Day on May 18. International Museums Day has been celebrated all over the world since 1977. It is a day to celebrate museums of the world, of Canada and of the Yukon.

On this day and throughout the week of May 18, we celebrate and acknowledge the efforts of museums to promote their respective institutions and to reflect upon a particular theme. The international theme for this year honours museums as a very important means of cultural exchange and for enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among people.

The Canadian Museums Association will be highlighting some of Yukon’s museums in a radio broadcast — Radio Bob in Ottawa. Yukon museums have also provided some prize packages in support of this very national celebration.

This year Yukon’s museums kicked off the week of celebration on Sunday, May 16, to allow more Yukon families to participate. Museums here in Whitehorse offered special promotions on Sunday to encourage the public to celebrate our cultural heritage and our museums.

Many Yukon families, some visiting our local museums for the very first time, took the time on Sunday to participate in one or all of the exciting events in our Whitehorse museums, including MacBride Museum, the Old Log Church Museum, the Yukon Transportation Museum and the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre. Tea was also hosted at the Donnenworth House, sponsored by the Yukon Historical and Museums Association.

In the Yukon we are indeed very fortunate to have facilities in many communities that celebrate both our heritage and culture. These are special places filled with information and displays that highlight the Yukon’s rich past and cultural heritage. Each museum, cultural centre and interpretive centre offers an incredible learning experience. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize all the knowledgeable and dedicated staff within Yukon’s museums, our cultural centres and interpretive centres who provide an outstanding service, day in and day out.

I certainly encourage all Yukoners and all members of the Legislature to take some time this week and throughout the year to visit one of our unique and interesting museums and heritage facilities. I can assure you that you will enjoy the experience and learn a little more about Yukon’s culture and heritage.

Thank you.

Mr. Hardy:   This year the theme for International Museums Day is "Intangible heritage". Most of us are well aware of our tangible heritage: the artifacts of our culture we can touch and see. Intangible heritage is perhaps the more substantial part of our culture. It is how we speak, the accumulated knowledge we use, and our customs and beliefs. It is what makes us who we are.

Tangible artifacts must be preserved and protected from destruction, but our intangible heritage survives and is strengthened through its use. We learn our ethics and our values from the lessons learned from our seniors and elders. We pass along our language to our children. Actions with our peers are based on expressions of our attitudes and beliefs.

In Canada we actively support and take great pleasure in our multicultural heritage. Most of that heritage is intangible: dances, language, religions and ideas.

Museums and festivals are a major part of our economy in the Yukon, bringing in tourist dollars and local employment. Communities such as Dawson City are destination points due to our history, but museums and festivals do more than support our economy. They safeguard and thereby increase our intangible heritage. Much of the work of museums and festivals is through volunteers who sit on boards, seek funding and take an active part in presentations. We extend our gratitude to these people whose valuable time is spent helping us preserve our heritage.

Speaker:   Introduction of visitors,

Mr. Cardiff:   Twenty years ago I had the good fortune to marry the love of my life and my soul mate, so on the occasion of our 20^th anniversary I’d like to ask the House to make welcome my wife, Kathy Hanifan.

Mr. Cathers:   I would like to ask all members of this House to join me in welcoming a constituent of mine and former member of this House, Mr. Al Falle.

Speaker:   Are there returns or documents for tabling?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   I have for tabling the Yukon Economic Outlook 2004.

Mr. McRobb:   I have for tabling a Hansard transcript that explains how Bill No. 45 can be amended to provide for sewage upgrades.

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   I have for tabling a letter from the Conflicts Commissioner.

I also have for tabling a report by BDO Dunwoody on the Museum of Yukon Natural History and animal inventory evaluation.

I also have for tabling a report by Yukon Engineering Services on the same Museum of Natural History.

Speaker:   Are there any further documents for tabling?

Are there any reports of committees?

Are there any petitions?

Mr. Cardiff:   Mr. Speaker, I have for tabling a petition that reads as follows: "To the Yukon Legislative Assembly, this petition of the undersigned shows (1) that the electors of Dawson City acted lawfully and in good faith when they elected a mayor and council to manage the financial and administrative affairs of the Town of Dawson City; (2) that the Minister of Community Affairs unilaterally removed a duly elected mayor and council from office and appointed a trustee and chief administrative officer to manage Dawson City’s municipal affairs; (3) that the residents have a right to a full and unbiased disclosure of all events and circumstances contributing to the municipality’s current financial situation and the minister’s unilateral action to remove the mayor and council; and therefore the undersigned duly qualified electors of the Town of Dawson City ask the Yukon Legislative Assembly to direct the Minister of Community Affairs, in the exercise of his authority under the Municipal Act, to establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the matters outlined above and to release the commission’s findings to the people of Dawson City and the Yukon public at the earliest opportunity."

Mr. Speaker, in addition to the 161 signatures that are on this petition, I am informed that at least two pages’ worth of signatures were removed from the places where signatures were being collected. I am also informed that several other people expressed support for the petition but unfortunately they declined to sign it for fear of retribution from this government.

Speaker:   Are there any bills to be introduced?

Are there any notices of motion?

Ms. Duncan:   I give notice of the following motion:

THAT it is the opinion of this House that

(1) The Member for Klondike in his capacity as Minister of Health has failed in his duties to properly represent Yukoners by failing to meet with Minister Carolyn Bennett on healthcare issues;

(2) The Member for Whitehorse West in her capacity as Minister of Justice has refused to answer questions that are directly related to her department and has refused to replace an unsafe facility in the Whitehorse Correctional Centre;

(3) The Member for Porter Creek North in his capacity as Minister of Environment has failed to properly consult with Yukon First Nations on issues of importance; and

THAT this House urges the Premier to immediately remove the Member for Whitehorse West, Porter Creek North and Klondike from their Cabinet duties and replace them with the Members for Lake Laberge, Pelly-Nisutlin and Southern Lakes.

Mr. Cathers:   I rise in this House today to give notice of the following motion:

THAT this House urges the sport and culture ministers of the Yukon government to work in cooperation with their counterparts from the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and the 2007 Canada Winter Games Host Society to develop a pan-northern approach to sharing unique northern sports and cultures when the Canada Winter Games come "north of 60" for the first time.

Speaker:   Are there any further notices of motion?

Is there a ministerial statement?

Speaker:   Before we proceed to Question Period, the Chair would like to make a statement on events that occurred during Question Period yesterday. The Chair sensed some disorder in the Assembly during the question raised by the Member for Copperbelt. It appears to the Chair that some members expressed displeasure with the question asked by that member. It is in this regard that I would draw attention to annotation 75 of Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and Forms which states: "The privilege of freedom of speech is both the least questioned and the most fundamental right of the Member of Parliament on the floor of the House and in Committee."

As Speaker, I have a duty to ensure that the rights and privileges of all members are protected. I would ask all members to respect each other’s privileges in this Assembly.

We will now proceed to Question Period.

Mr. Hardy:   Yesterday I told the House that the deputy ministers would be receiving a pay raise of approximately 25 percent. I was wrong, Mr. Speaker, and I apologize for that.

In fact, deputy ministers at the bottom end of the scale have just received an increase of 36.285 percent, and that’s just a start, Mr. Speaker. There was a two-percent increase retroactive to January 1, 2003, and there was 2.5 percent more on January 1, 2004. That’s 40.8 percent so far, Mr. Speaker.

There will be another 2.5 percent next January and three percent more on January 1, 2006, plus deputies get an automatic merit increase of four percent a year for the first six years. The bottom line: a deputy minister who starts January 1, 2003 is in line for a 70.3-percent raise by January 1, 2009, and that is before compounding — what a double standard.

Union workers have to threaten to go on strike or agree to arbitration. People on welfare get cut back to $500 a month under this government. What signal is the Premier giving about who counts and who doesn’t under a Yukon Party government?

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   I find it rather confusing how the leader of the official opposition seems to have such an issue with staff getting increments.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to make something perfectly clear: this government does respect all staff who work for government and the deputy ministers just so happen to be part of that staff.

Let’s talk about what this government has done for staff: a three-year collective agreement for the teachers; a four-year agreement with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, totalling millions of dollars. That’s what this government thinks about staff and we do respect our staff and will continue to do so.

Mr. Speaker, another fact I’d like to put on the record is that there has been no revision since 1993, so both the opposition parties, at one time or another, were requested to do this very thing. I understand it is a very complicated decision and maybe they weren’t up to speed on it.

I would like to say that this decision is about making the Yukon jurisdiction compatible with our neighbours. The Yukon is far lower than the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and B.C., so we are competing for deputy ministers and therefore this increment is well-justified, in my opinion.

Mr. McRobb:   Last week there was an announcement on the government’s Web site saying the Yukon government was releasing a report on the potential of coal-bed methane in the territory. Meanwhile, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources was telling us in this House that he wasn’t promoting coal-bed methane in the territory. Suddenly the announcement disappeared.

For the record, will the minister end this Yukon Party double standard and declare a moratorium on this harmful industry, as our neighbouring jurisdictions have done?

Hon. Mr. Lang:   The responsibility for coal methane was transferred to us with devolution. It is an issue that our government is looking at. It exists. It’s a commodity and we have to handle it accordingly.

As far as burying our heads in the sand and pretending it doesn’t exist, it exists and we will be working with it. Hopefully down the trail we’ll have an answer to some of the questions that the general public has, but we will certainly be working with them on a plan for how to manage the coal methane gas that exists in our jurisdiction.

Ms. Duncan:  Shortly after coming to office, the Premier and the MLA for Klondike told the Minister of Justice that there would be no funding for a jail because the Yukon Party wanted to build a bridge in Dawson instead — once again, a decision based on pure politics and completely lacking in ethics. The jail is unsafe for inmates and staff alike; however, the Yukon Party is refusing to do the right thing and replace it. Of course, that has been a main characteristic of the government: a complete lack of ethical and moral leadership.

Will the Minister of Justice show some backbone and return to the Legislature in the fall with construction plans and funding for a new jail?

Speaker:   Before the minister answers, I would just like to remind the leader of the third party that when you challenge somebody’s ethics, that’s inappropriate and I would ask the member not to do that. Please answer the question.

Hon. Ms. Taylor:   I always welcome every opportunity to discuss the redevelopment of the Whitehorse Correctional Centre. Our government has said on a number of occasions — and I would be very happy to repeat our stance on this particular issue — that we are committed to replacement of the Whitehorse Correctional Centre. Our government, however, wants to ensure that the facility that does go up to replace the facility that currently exists properly reflects the needs of the community it serves.

Perhaps what the opposition should be asking is: why do people end up in our jails? Why is it that we have one of the highest recidivism rates in the country? Why is it that most of our inmate population — 75 percent to 80 percent — is made up of First Nation ancestry? Perhaps the question that the members opposite should be raising is: what are we doing?

These are all questions that we have on this side of the House and we’re working to find solutions to these particular questions and problems. With that said, we are working together with the Grand Chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations to develop and to work together in partnership on a government-to-government basis to identify programming to go in the facility, inside and outside, so that we can start addressing some of these serious issues in our territory.

Mr. Fairclough:   My question would normally go to the minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, but I don’t think there’s any point in that, so I’ll go straight to the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Ever since last fall, we’ve been asking when this government will be hiring an ambulance trainer for rural Yukon. Eight people were interviewed in March but still there’s no trainer. For the record, and for the sake of the people in rural Yukon, who deserve quality ambulance service, will the minister now stop stalling and fill this important position?

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   The member opposite knows full well — failed to debate the budget in the House. There’s almost a half a million dollars of additional funding placed in this area by our government: the first time there has been an increase in honorariums for emergency medical service workers, the first time since the early 1970s, Mr. Speaker, the first time that there has been a major increase in clothing allowance for emergency medical workers, the first time there has been a purchase of new equipment for quite a number of years, and it’s not just two new ambulances, Mr. Speaker.

The member opposite knows full well that in the hiring process, when someone is selected, there’s a grievance procedure, and that is what is underway in this matter. So the member is fully versed with all the background information on this, and our government is fully committed to ensuring that emergency medical services is provided at the highest level possible for Yukoners.

Mr. Cardiff:   Last week I raised concerns with the Minister of Highways and Public Works about a piece of equipment parked along the Alaska Highway near Wolf Creek. It posed a safety hazard by not having the required flashing lights. Section 20, item 8 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act states that where a project is on or adjacent to a public way, all machinery, equipment and material that might be a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic shall be marked by flashing devices.

That piece of equipment is moved now, Mr. Speaker, not because the minister acted but because I ended up reporting it to the occupational health and safety branch. I filed a complaint and it was moved.

So, for the record, and in the interest of public safety, will the minister make sure that all highway crews and all contractors engaged by his department obey the Occupational Health and Safety Act in performing their duties, please?

Hon. Mr. Hart:   For the member opposite, I’m glad that he followed through on his process and he achieved the answer that he requested.

Mrs. Peter:   There is a big difference between what the Minister of Environment defines as the use of a trapline and what First Nations do. Some First Nations families have occupied traplines for generations, and they use these areas to teach their children and their grandchildren. They have worked to clear trails and to build cabins.

Why is the minister pushing ahead with a trapline allocation policy that defines the use of a trapline according to the fur markets and ignoring the traditional uses of these areas?

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   Fur prices are certainly a very large part of the matrix in getting at least that aspect of the trapline in use, and we are certainly very well aware of the other diverse uses of traplines. But, Mr. Speaker, as fur prices increase, the Yukon Trappers Association has done a marvellous job in promoting the Yukon’s soft gold and opening our markets worldwide.

At the moment, there are 51 registered trapping concessions that are not assigned. Of these, 21 fall within overlap or traditional territories where there is no final agreement. As such, they cannot be referred to a renewable resource council for an allocation recommendation. To facilitate the assignment of these vacant concessions, the Department of Environment developed an allocation process based on a lottery system similar to the permit-hunt authorization draw or the land lottery system used to acquire Commissioner’s land. The process will apply to the 21 concessions that are in an overlap or in traditional areas where there is no final agreement.

Mr. Speaker, many of these concessions have laid vacant for many, many years. If they’re not in use, it makes reasonable sense to get them in use.

Mr. Arntzen:  Mr. Speaker, I have a question today for the Minister of Community Services regarding the 2007 Canada Winter Games. For the first time ever, the Canada Winter Games will be held north of 60 and it is anticipated that Yukon will play host to some 3,500 athletes from across Canada competing in 21 sports. Yukoners will be interested in seeing our local athletes do very well at these games. What is this government doing to help prepare our Yukon athletes for the 2007 Winter Games?

Hon. Mr. Hart:   The department is looking at developing our Best Ever program, which we have in the budget for this year and the continuing years. The aim of this program is to develop our athletes to be prepared for 2007. It’s also to provide assistance for improving coaching and the opportunities for our rural athletes to get the coaching and training necessary to be ready for 2007. We have a signed agreement with the Government of Canada for the next three years, which is also relative to coordinating our coaching and assisting our athletes in improving their skills throughout their careers between now and 2007.

The Best Ever program is designed to be responsive and forms part of our decade of sport and culture, with the premier event being the 2007 Canada Winter Games as well as the 2010 Olympic Games.

Mr. Arntzen:  As I mentioned, this will be the first time that the Canada Winter Games have been held north of 60. It may be some time until the next time that happens in a northern region. What efforts are underway by this government to include our northern neighbours of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to develop a pan-northern approach to the 2007 Canada Winter Games?

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Recently the premiers agreed to work on the 2007 host society to feature the north as an accessible, contemporary and diverse cultural tourism destination for the 2007 Canada Winter Games. Our sport and cultural ministers will be working together to develop a mechanism over the next while for a pan-northern approach to these games in order to emphasize the northern culture and to provide a very good venue in which to demonstrate to our southern neighbours just exactly what the culture and northern aspect can provide for them.

Mr. Arntzen:  Yukoners will also be concerned that all necessary facilities, such as the multiplex and the athletes village, will be ready in time for the games. Will the minister please provide an update on how this work is proceeding?

Hon. Mr. Hart:   We are working with the host society on this issue very closely. We have government staff members on this particular aspect. We’re working with the city. We understand that the master plan for the village will be completed sometime this June. We are also very cognizant of the fact that time is beginning to be very short, and we’ll have to advance on that particular issue. The village is intended to be placed up at the College, and we hope to have everything in place in time for the games. The multiplex has commenced already; in fact, it started even before the signing of the contract. We anticipate that they have a very good management facility in place for the completion of that contract, and we anticipate that it will be done on time sometime by late next fall.

Mrs. Peter:   The situation of homeless youth in Whitehorse is shocking. Some of them have to steal, some of them have to beg or go to the dumpsters as their source of food. Forty-three percent describe themselves as addicted to alcohol and drugs. These young men and women show us our future. They and we deserve better. As the minister responsible for the Youth Directorate, what is the Premier doing to address the plight of homeless youth in Whitehorse?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   First I think we have to focus on what hasn’t happened in this Legislature over the last number of months, and that is constructively debating the biggest budget in the history of the Yukon. Within that budget, not only is the Youth Directorate investing in youth — specifically youth at risk — but so are the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Social Services. There is over a million more dollars — resources — being applied to deal with this issue in today’s Yukon by this government and a collective of departments and agencies. Unfortunately the members opposite chose political rhetoric instead of constructive debate where they too may have contributed in line-by-line discussion on even improving the situation for youth in the territory.

What a sad day in this House and for the territory, given the conduct of the official opposition and the third party.

Ms. Duncan:   I have a question for the Premier about the double standard he condones for ministers filling out their conflict of interest forms. These forms are filled out once a year and they spell out any business transactions the minister may have with the government. The Minister of Energy gives us the details about his business ownership but not how much money is made from these businesses. The MLA for Klondike does the opposite: he says how much money he makes but refuses to disclose all the corporate holdings. At least the members of the government are consistent: they both have outstanding loans.

The Premier stood back and condoned this for two years. That, of course, is not unexpected from this Premier. Why is enforcing a consistent high standard so unimportant to this government?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   First, Mr. Speaker, let’s look at the process of putting in place the conflicts documents and all that goes with it. The ministers responsible are following the direction of the appropriate authority, the Conflicts Commissioner. So there is absolutely no double standard on this side of the House.

But let’s look at the double standard that exists in this Assembly in this territory between the government side, the official opposition and the third party. I’ll deal specifically with the third party. When in government, they clearly expressed to the public a sentiment — an anti-native sentiment — in this territory on partnership; by dismantling the Women’s Directorate, they spoke loud and clear to the Yukon public that they were anti-women; by demonstrating their lack of desire to debate this budget — the biggest budget in the history of the Yukon Territory — they are demonstrating a serious lack of interest in the Yukon’s future.

That is a double standard, Mr. Speaker. The product coming from this side of the House, the rhetoric from that side of the House — that is the double standard.

Speaker:   Order. Before the member asks the next question, I previously made a Speaker’s statement on rhetoric and the use of descriptive adverbs. I’d ask the hon. Premier to respect that.

Mr. Cardiff:   My question is for the minister responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board. The Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board has brought in a policy that doesn’t respect the intent of the prior year’s legislation. As well it discriminates against injured workers based on income and their right to manage their own affairs.

For the record, why does the minister continue to allow this discrimination and when will he do his real job and stand up for injured workers?

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   Mr. Speaker, there is no discrimination. There is nothing being done that contravenes the act. That is the way things are being operated by the board. There was a glitch recently where some information was inadvertently released. The president apologized. That is about the only major glitch that has occurred in the operation of the Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board. One only has to look back at the benefit package that is provided. It’s one of the best in Canada, and we as a government want to ensure that is maintained. That benefit package has the highest possible amounts that we can provide to those who are injured while, at the same time, providing all of the safety nets and providing all of the basic infrastructure necessary to ensure compliance by all parties to occupational health and safety regulations.

Speaker:   Prior to the members speaking, my apologies again. We rarely get into the rarefied atmosphere of 15 to 16 questions. I had missed the government private member. Was there a government private member question?

Some Hon. Member:   Point of order.

Speaker:   Government House leader, on a point of order.

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   On a point of order, we deferred our question and the Question Period rotation, as we would see it, would be picked up at your discretion, Mr. Speaker — either the official opposition, the third party or the independent, as you see fit.

Speaker:   Mr. McRobb, on the point of order.

Mr. McRobb:   On the point of order, Mr. Speaker, this is one of the rare occasions where we agree with the government House leader. Nobody on that side stood up. We used the question slot. And furthermore, the time for this point of order should be added to the Question Period.

Mr. Fairclough:   My question is for the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker, the Education Act review took place so long ago, maybe the minister should simply ignore the Legislature and send the recommendations straight to the archives for future historians. But in the spirit of ending this session on a cooperative note, I will give the Minister of Education one more chance.

Will the minister stop making excuses, stop stalling and take actions on the recommendations that came out of the Education Act review?

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   I believe this question has probably been answered for the member opposite about four or five times on the floor of the Legislature. For the record I will repeat it again: there was a process developed by the previous government. That process was followed through and carried over into this government. This government honoured the process and to date the reports that were to be tabled were incomplete as the First Nations did not write their written report. That’s where the Education Act sits today.

Mr. McRobb:   All MLAs need to recognize the opportunity we have this afternoon to amend Bill No. 45 to allow small business operators in the territory to amortize the cost of their septic upgrades, which are required to meet this government’s regulations. The document I tabled earlier clearly spells out how that can be done. It’s going to take everyone’s cooperation to provide the time necessary this afternoon to table the amendment to Bill No. 45 before the guillotine slams shut at 5:00 p.m. Will the Community Services minister tell this House, would a further amendment to his bill — as I have proposed — not accomplish that goal? Yes or no.

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   The issue that the member opposite is referring to is one of four lodges in the member opposite’s riding that are having difficulty with the septic system. These are commercial operations and usually the problems come to the department’s attention when there’s a potable water issue and there’s contamination in the potable water supply. That has been the case with two of these commercial establishments. The one that the member is bringing forward — this suggested amendment — goes back to 2002. At that time I didn’t hear the Member for Kluane bringing that to the attention of the Liberal government of the day to see what they could do on this very important issue.

But to that end, our party’s commitment is to safe, affordable, potable water, and we will ensure that that takes place across the Yukon.

Mr. McRobb:  Yesterday the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources refused to tell us whether or not he would be extending the contract for his hand-picked $175,000-a-year chair of the Yukon Development Corporation. That’s because the minister controls the chair and therefore is politically interfering in the operations of this Crown corporation and its subsidiaries, including the Energy Solutions Centre.

Will the minister now answer the question about the contract extension? Yes or no?

Hon. Mr. Lang:   In answering the question from the member opposite, the extension of the contract will be done by the board of directors for the Yukon Development Corporation. Unlike the member opposite when he was in government, we certainly don’t manipulate the Yukon Development Corporation in any way. The board of directors is responsible for the daily management of the corporation.

Of course, being a Crown corporation, the Energy, Mines and Resources department oversees that corporation. However, the decision on the extension of the contract will come from the board of directors.

Speaker:   Before the next question, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources intimated that the Member for Kluane had manipulated the board. That’s unparliamentary, and I would ask the minister not to do that.

Next question.

Mr. Arntzen:  I have a question for the Minister of Community Services regarding Hamilton Boulevard. Yesterday I asked a question concerning the extension of the Hamilton Boulevard in order to provide a second access road to the area. The minister mentioned that he is exploring the options that are available in conjunction with the City of Whitehorse.

Will the minister please provide an explanation of those options?

Hon. Mr. Hart:   That is exactly what we are doing. We are exploring the options with the City of Whitehorse as to exactly how we are going to address the situation of Hamilton Boulevard and the residents there. This has come about as a result of a long-term agreement that was signed many years ago for this particular development. In essence, that’s the stage we’re at. We are in negotiations with the city to try to alleviate this situation.

Mr. Arntzen:  Mr. Speaker, residents of the area are concerned that this fastest growing and largest residential area in Whitehorse has only one access for ambulance, fire truck and emergency response vehicles. Can the minister provide an indication to the area’s residents of when a secondary access route will be provided — a time frame?

Hon. Mr. Hart:   As I mentioned, we’re dealing with the options on how we’re going to deal with it. There are a couple of exit routes that are possible, coming out of that particular venue. We’ll have to wait until we work out what the actual costs are and then go back to those residents, with the city, to deal with that issue.

Mr. Hardy:   What has the Yukon seen during this sitting? It has seen a travesty of the way things should be: two ministers giving totally unconvincing answers on why the owners of a reindeer farm don’t deserve the same consideration as the operators of two other animal facilities. The minister responsible is refusing to answer for his department on the grounds of a business conflict, when the same minister apparently saw no conflict in dealing with the same issue outside this House; the Minister of Justice refusing to answer critical questions about her department’s policy on how mentally ill inmates are treated. Is the Premier proud of what this kind of behaviour tells the Yukon people about his government?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   You know, I really thank the leader of the official opposition for this opportunity to express how proud I am of this team, of the Yukon Party government and its team, of how proud I am of the deputy ministers in this government, of how proud I am of the Yukon government employees and the tremendous contribution they’re making, of how proud I am of Yukoners and how their sense of optimism is building, and of how proud I am of the delivery and the product coming out of this government in less than two years — a tremendous accomplishment: the biggest budget in the history of the Yukon, by getting our fiscal house in order first; the huge, largest investment in capital investment in the history of the Yukon to stimulate our economy and connect and link to the mid-term and long-term economic future — more people in the territory — some 937 people more in today’s Yukon, 1,200 more in the workforce in today’s Yukon. You bet I’m proud: the third lowest unemployment rate in the country. Yes, I’m proud, Mr. Speaker, very proud of this government, its team, its effort, its ethics, its morals.

Thank you, leader of the official opposition.

Mr. Hardy:   Let’s tone the rhetoric down a little bit. Maybe the Premier can calm down a little bit. Let’s talk about what he’s proud of. I’ve already mentioned some of the examples. What we’ve seen is the government House leader openly stage-managing the Community Services minister’s attempt to justify the politically motivated move against Dawson City’s elected council. That’s what he’s proud of.

We’ve seen the government House leader whisper instructions to other ministers about to answer questions about Cabinet ministers’ unpaid government loans when he should have had nothing to do with this issue. That’s what he’s proud of.

We’ve seen the government House leader manipulate the agenda of House business in a manner that has been the exact opposite of the cooperative style this government promised at election time. That’s what this Premier is proud of.

How does the Premier intend to correct these problems before the next sitting because the people of this territory are sick of this?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   In the first place, it would be very difficult to correct something as demonstrated by the member opposite when all the information just put on the floor of this House is incorrect.

I think there is an issue of pride here, and if I were the official opposition I would be seriously considering what they have done and accomplished in this sitting in debating this budget. They have failed to enter into any line-by-line debate. They have failed Yukoners in that regard because they had the opportunity in line-by-line debate to even improve the budget and the stimulus we are providing in this territory. If I were the official opposition, I certainly wouldn’t be proud of that accomplishment and of that conduct in this House on behalf of Yukoners. That is a problem for the official opposition.

Mr. Hardy:   I’d like to thank the Premier for that lecture. However, something else the Yukon has seen this sitting is the Premier and his political staff muzzling ministers and bullying the media when they dare to ask questions on behalf of Yukon people. That’s what he’s proud of.

They’ve seen a government that’s riddled with double standards. Of course he’s proud of that.

They’ve seen one standard for people at the top and another for people lower down in the payscale. The Premier is proud of that. One standard for some parts of the Yukon, another standard for the rest of the territory. One standard for some people who owe the government money and another standard for others. Before the next sitting of the Legislature, will the Premier adopt a new code of conduct for this government — this is a positive suggestion that may help them out — starting with the way ministers behave in this House and extending to treat all Yukon people in a fair and respectful way?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Well, there is a standard being set by this government, and that is to improve the lives of Yukoners, to create a better and more prosperous future for Yukoners. This government is focused on building that future. The members opposite are focused on reconstructing the past.

As far as muzzling ministers, that is nonsense, Mr. Speaker. This government will not enter into speculative debate. This government will not react or respond to rumours. If members opposite and/or the media misrepresent the situation in this territory that may cause harm to the Yukon and its future, we will challenge the opposition, and we will challenge the media in those cases.

This government is committed to building a better and brighter future for Yukoners. That is the standard being set by this Yukon Party government.

Speaker:   This then brings us to the end of Question Period.

Speaker:  Before we proceed to Orders of the Day, the Chair wishes to inform the House that Motion No. 293, standing in the name of the leader of the third party will be dropped from the Order Paper, as the tabling of the Yukon Economic Outlook 2004 satisfies the action requested in that motion.

We will now proceed to Orders of the Day.

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   I move that the Speaker do now leave the Chair and that the House resolve into Committee of the Whole.

Speaker:   It has been moved by the government House leader that the Speaker do now leave the Chair and that the House resolve into Committee of the Whole.

Chair:   Committee of the Whole will now come to order. The matter before the Committee is Bill No. 10, First Appropriation Act, 2004-05. I believe the department up for debate is Economic Development.

Before we begin, do members wish a recess?

Some Hon. Member:   Agreed.

Chair:   We’ll take a 10-minute recess.

Chair:   Committee of the Whole will now come to order. We will continue with Bill No. 10, First Appropriation Act, 2004-05, Vote 7, Department of Economic Development.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Thank you, Mr. Chair.

During the last election we vowed to re-establish the Department of Economic Development, and that’s exactly what this government has done. Our government believes it is important to explain why we needed to bring back the department and the important role it plays in working with the many component parts of the Yukon economy.

To begin, the department works with the private sector in determining the best opportunities to advance the territory’s economic health. The department has an equally important role in working with other governments and other departments to ensure that the policy and regulations facilitate responsible development and do not place unnecessary red tape on the backs of our economic engine, which is the private sector.

With the transfer of resource management authority from Canada under devolution and the near conclusion of the remaining land claims, the Yukon is poised for self-determined economic growth for the first time in its history. For the first time, First Nations can claim their rightful place in creating a positive economic future. For the first time, Yukoners will decide how our resources are developed and where. For the first time, we are able to work together to decide how the Yukon’s economic future will be created, and that is what the new Department of Economic Development has been doing.

Working with this new vision and mandate to stimulate the Yukon economy, the department began by focusing on the most important part. Working in partnership with key stakeholders in business, industry, First Nations, labour and local governments, the department created a new economic direction, and it represents a collective view of how government and the private sector will improve the Yukon economy together. The new direction was created with the valuable input of approximately 100 representatives from 18 organizations to gather their input, their views and suggestions on the direction we should take to build the Yukon economy.

The result is much more than a document. It is a process that will assist us as we continue to develop a stronger, competitive and sustainable Yukon economy. The stakeholder group that helped create the new direction has agreed to continue to work with the department as the Partners for Economic Progress, or the PEP committee, as we call it. They will provide their input and suggestions on a regular basis so that we can maintain a closer communication and be more responsive to the other factors that may influence the Yukon economy.

As the old song goes, accentuate the positive, and that is what we are doing. We are identifying and developing Yukon’s competitive advantages and promoting these to the investment community. We are in competition for investors with every other jurisdiction in Canada and, in some cases, the world. These investors may be interested in our resource sectors, like mining or forestry. They may be interested in the creations of our local innovators. They may be interested in our regional tourism potential. They also may be looking for partnerships with First Nation development initiatives.

They may be looking for opportunities with community governments or our private sector. The Yukon has a lot to offer the investment community and we will work hard to develop our competitive advantages and to promote the Yukon strategically to strengthen our economy.

First let’s deal with the Yukon economic development focus. We are focusing our efforts to develop our strategic industries and our strategic projects; that is, projects that will provide positive economic impacts in a region and benefit the territory as a whole. The department is working to facilitate the development of strategic businesses and projects through regional planning and investment promotion. By fostering the creation of strategic businesses, these projects in the rural regions, benefits will flow to more communities and the territory as a whole. Therefore we need to work on improving the enabling factors that bring these projects into reality, such as our regulatory regimes, entrepreneurship skills, innovation and economic infrastructure. We must recognize that the importance of our First Nation business development corporations and their role in developing our regional economies is critical. We have organized two new branches with the department to address these important areas: the strategic industries development branch and the regional economic development branch.

Working with sector representatives and other government departments, we will identify opportunities for success and how to address challenges this sector may be working to overcome. We will identify how each sector can be stimulated and what is required to make that happen.

From this work we will have a more focused and meaningful perspective on how we can effect positive growth within our strategic industries and facilitate strategic projects that will bring economic benefits. We still have a great deal of work to do, but we are already seeing positive economic indicators from the work completed thus far.

Mr. Chair, consider this: the unemployment rate is the lowest on record at six percent. The number of people who have moved to the territory over the past year is 937. Real estate transaction values increased in the last quarter of 2003 by some 17 percent. Construction-related building permits in 2003 were near $30 million. Vacancy rates for rental accommodations are decreasing and are near 5.6 percent.

In December 2003, retail sales, compared to the same time a year prior, is up 4.2 percent. Mineral exploration is way up, and projections show we could hit the $30-million threshold. Devon Energy’s 2004 investment in oil and gas is an anticipated $10 million. There is renewed optimism for a healthier Yukon economy — that is priceless.

Mr. Chair, the Yukon economy is indeed heading in a new, positive direction. Several factors play into this economic turnaround. One of the key influences is a simple one: we listened to the people who create the wealth — our private sector. We listened to the business people who work 18-hour days to keep their operations growing and their staff employed. We listened to the economic sector leaders, who have witnessed tremendous change in global trade and our northern economy. We listened to the First Nations development corporations, who are considering joint ventures in a wide range of projects designed to bring new wealth to their traditional territories and people, and indeed will net benefit Yukon.

We listened to the community governments and heard their concerns about stimulating their local economies. We listened closely to all our economic sectors, and we heard the important things they were telling us. They said, "Focus on the big picture; get our regulatory house in order, attract outside investment. Do not be adverse to risk; orient government toward development — not away. Aggressively market the territory; be pro-economic development within and outside of government."

Mr. Chair, we have listened; we heard them, and we are acting on what we have heard. The capital budget for the Department of Economic Development is designed to further stimulate the territorial economy in specific ways. Let’s take capital expenditure. Our first area is the enterprise and trade development fund of $1 million. In fulfillment of our commitment to foster the development of the Yukon’s sustainable, competitive advantage and in response to the stated needs of the business community, Yukon Economic Development is establishing an enterprise and trade fund. The purpose of the fund is to enhance the ability of Yukon businesses to expand the markets for Yukon products and services and to grow the export development to markets located outside our territory. There are some outstanding products and services Yukon companies market to the outside world. The enterprise and trade fund will help them to expand their client base and grow their operations to better serve the international marketplace. The enterprise and trade fund is to be administered by the investment trade and business development branch of the department.

A second area is the strategic industries development fund of $1.5 million. The purpose of the strategic industries development fund is to identify and facilitate development opportunities within the Yukon’s strategic industries and to assist strategic projects with potential for broadly based economic benefits.

Strategic projects are those that not only have potential to provide an immediate economic stimulus, they also have potential for secondary benefits. These downstream benefits may include purchases of local goods and services, opening up new export markets and stimulating growth in other areas.

The strategic industries development fund is to be administered by the strategic industries development branch of the department.

Regional economic development fund: this is a $500,000 investment in the budget. In recognition of the need for coordinated economic planning at the regional level and capacity development, we have established the regional economic development fund. The purpose of the regional economic development fund is to facilitate cohesive and inclusive planning leading to investments that generate mutual benefits for all parties with economic interests within a region.

Somewhere in the territory today are Yukoners with great new ideas, ideas that could be revolutionary or it could be an idea that puts people to work. The role of the regional economic development area in the department is to find these strategic opportunities through regional planning and see what we can do to make the good ones workable and to in turn put people to work and bring some new wealth to our rural communities. This fund will especially be important for First Nation development corporations in consideration of the many opportunities they are exploring all over the Yukon. The regional economic development fund is to be administered by the regional economic development branch of the department, and I hope we’re not keeping the Member for Kluane awake.

Film and Sound Commission, $675,000. That’s another example from the Member for Kluane of their lack of interest in Yukon, its economy and its future. The Yukon film industry is an exciting economic sector that utilizes just about all the other sectors in the course of making films.

Aircraft companies, hotels, merchants, rental agencies, our cultural workers and a wide variety of goods and service providers all benefit from our growing film industry. The Yukon Film Commission, in partnership with our local film industry, is making tremendous progress in establishing the territory as a great place to make movies, commercials and documentaries. Recently renamed the Yukon Film and Sound Commission, they have been busy with a number of film projects that were concluded last year, and more are starting up in the near term.

Film projects for 2003: Ice Rain is a full-length feature film for the Korean market shot here last spring and is slated for release in the Asian marketplace this fall; the film Last Trapper, shot for 32 weeks in a number of Yukon locations, is to be released in the European marketplace December 2004; additionally, eight documentaries and five commercials were shot here in 2003; a major motion picture, The Big White, shot in Whitehorse and in the White Pass area recently, and more than 200 Yukoners worked on this production while it was here filming and many Yukon businesses benefited economically.

The Film and Sound Commission is in discussion with several other feature film production companies that are considering the Yukon as a location for filming. They are also working with Yukon producers to bring Yukon stories to the screen, including a television series written and produced by a Yukoner.

Mr. Speaker, the Film and Sound Commission is doing some exceptional work in developing this important sector of our economy. We have created some new funding programs for the film and sound sector so it can grow and develop into the vibrant industry it has the promise to become.

Yukon film incentive programs are another area. The Yukon film incentive funds are used for growing this important and exciting economic sector. The funds can be used for leveraging new investment into Yukon-based film projects, expanding the skill sets of our local crews and associated resources, and creating new employment opportunities.

The Film and Sound Commission is working with their partners, such as the Yukon Film Society and the Northern Film and Video Industry Association in the Yukon film industry to build capacity and skills both above the line and below the line. They are also working with the National Film Board to provide opportunities for Yukon creative people like writers and filmmakers so that more Yukon stories can be put on the big screen or television and we can further market this wonderful territory of ours. The Film and Sound Commission capital budget has been designated to accomplish these goals and objectives.

Now, Mr. Chair, the community development fund of $3.5 million continues to provide stimulus in Yukon communities. A total of 81 projects were funded from last year’s community development fund program. These projects range from creating community gardens to restoring heritage buildings, community wellness programs, recreational facilities and many more projects that help improve Yukon communities and help put our citizens back to work and create a positive feeling of well-being in Yukon.

The technology innovation fund of $150,000 is another investment. The Yukon Technology Innovation Centre contribution helps to encourage more Yukoners to develop their ideas toward new products, services and business creation opportunities. The Technology Innovation Centre has the mission to expand the IT industry. Without continued development through partnerships, the Yukon will fall behind in the area of technology and telecommunications. Partnerships with the Innovation Centre, industry society and the First Nations will provide a focused approach for new development and increase the capacity of Yukon residents and business to develop and use high-end technologies and skills.

A technology partnership investment of $100,000 — this project develops partnerships with the private sector and First Nation governments to increase the capacity of Yukon residents and businesses to develop and use high-end technologies and skills.

The digital age is well upon us. There is a need to extend new technologies out to our communities so that Yukoners may utilize them for their businesses and personal lives.

The First Nations leadership is supporting a mandate of the Grand Chief in a five-step process to bring all communities, including First Nations, to a high level of technological capability, including the provision of high-speed network access. Partnerships with First Nations and the Innovations C`entre will provide a focused approach for new development. Funding will support the commitment to help facilitate change and development in the high-tech sector.

In conclusion, these are just some of the initiatives that the Department of Economic Development is undertaking as it focuses on growing the Yukon economy. This budget provides the tools required to undertake that work and advance the development of economic activity through the territory.

Working with other departments, the private sector, industry, the First Nation development corporations and our partners in economic prosperity, we will strengthen the Yukon economy and provide the means to improve the quality of life for each and every Yukoner.

Mr. Chair, I would hope that the kibitzing experienced here in the last few moments by the Member for Kluane is not a reflection of the member’s capacity to understand the Yukon economy or a reflection of his intention of how he will debate this particular area of the largest budget in the history of the Yukon. This is a revamped, more focused Department of Economic Development, which is prepared to continue its good work and grow the Yukon economy, something that may be foreign to the member opposite.

Mr. McRobb:   I certainly won’t be taking that bait from the Premier. As far as his speech goes, we’ve heard it all before. We had the opportunity to ask questions in last month’s debate of the supplementary budget. Further, we’ve asked questions to the officials in the briefing for this department in the mains budget. Instead, we wish to expedite debate and devote time to amending Bill No. 45 this afternoon to allow septic upgrading. To that end, let’s clear general.

Chair:   Is there any further general debate?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Now let’s reflect on what just transpired. The Member for Kluane is charged with the responsibility and the duty to stand on the floor of this Legislature and debate the budget. Now the members opposite, when it comes to amending Bill No. 45, had weeks and weeks of time available to them to do the constructive thing. Instead, what did we get? Day in and day out of endless discourse, circular discourse, of political wrangling from the members opposite, with no focus, no contribution to the economy of the territory, or to the budget, or indeed to the territory itself. Now the member feels that this burning riding issue of the member suddenly takes precedence over the rest of the territory and the biggest budget in Yukon’s history.

Some Hon. Member:   (Inaudible)

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   I think I heard something that was totally out of context for this House, and if the member opposite continues this nonsense, we may have to chastise the Member for Kluane. It has no place in this Legislative Assembly. The member opposite is lowering the bar in this House to an all-time low of debate.

The member opposite should well know that it is customary when someone has the floor to allow those who have the floor to submit their debate to the House. The member will have every opportunity to stand on his feet, wax eloquently I’m sure, and provide to Yukoners, hopefully, some sense of indication that the member understands what the economic development of the territory is all about.

The member is famous for not engaging with the private sector. In fact, the member’s party, the official opposition, is totally against the private sector. The members opposite in the official opposition are adverse to profit. Profit is not something the members opposite want anything to do with. The members opposite do not believe in partnerships with the private sector. The members opposite believe in total dependence on the southern taxpayer. Why? I can’t say, Mr. Chair, but we have experienced in this territory for many years now that that is the wrong course to follow.

That’s why this government, the Yukon Party government, has changed that course and it began when we first took office by getting our fiscal house in order and getting a firm grip on the finances of this territory. Secondary to that, we increased the financial position of the Yukon — increased it dramatically — and now we are taking the results of that work and investing it in the Yukon, investing it in areas to promote stimulus now, investing it in areas to help create further cash flow in the interim in the Yukon, and investing it in areas that have a linkage to the long-term economic health of the Yukon Territory, be it infrastructure or incentives to attract investment to the Yukon.

In short, it is our willingness to partner with the private sector and our willingness to partner with First Nations. This is in direct contrast to the official opposition, who are against all those things. That is maybe why the Member for Kluane has no desire to debate the Department of Economic Development. It is because the members opposite, led by the critic for Economic Development in the Yukon and the official opposition, are against economic development and economic growth. They do not want to see that happen in this territory. They are against those things. They are of great value to Yukoners.

I would encourage the member opposite to stand on his feet and, instead of dealing with a riding-specific issue, as he is prone to do — and examples of that have been witnessed throughout this sitting — let us debate the Department of Economic Development. Let the member stand and challenge the government and Yukoners — the many Yukoners who contributed to the new economic direction. Let the member stand on his feet and critique and challenge the government on strategic industries, strategic projects, regional economic development, the community development fund and First Nation partnerships. The list goes on and on. That is what constructive debate is about. That’s what we urge the member opposite to do.

Chair:   Is there any further general debate? We will proceed with line-by-line.

Mr. McRobb:   I request unanimous consent of the Committee to deem all lines in Vote 7, Department of Economic Development cleared or carried as required.

Chair:   Mr. McRobb has requested the unanimous consent of the Committee to deem all lines in Vote 7, Department of Economic Development, cleared or carried as required.

Some Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Some Hon. Members:   Disagreed.

Chair:   We do not have unanimous consent. We will proceed with line-by-line debate.

On Deputy Minister’s Office

Mr. McRobb:   Obviously the government side is ignoring the needs of constituents Yukon-wide to get to Bill No. 45. They’re intentionally wasting time this afternoon. The opposition is the one that provides the checks and balances on this budget. This government side has no interest in doing so. We automatically clear each line item. The government showed no cooperation in clearing them as a whole as members on that side have asked previous governments to do when they were in opposition. There’s a double standard here and it’s despicable.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Well, the member opposite just stated that the government side is not addressing the Yukon as a whole. How, then, can it be an issue that the government, in tabling the biggest budget in the history of the Yukon, balanced throughout the Yukon — looking at the community capital breakdown is evidence of that.

If the members opposite have no desire to delve into that on behalf of their constituents, one can only wonder what their position is when it comes to the Yukon and its future. This is an important area for all Yukoners. It is of the highest priority. It was a huge election issue. The government side is acting on its commitments, delivering on its commitments. The official opposition has just shown their colours. They have no intention of entering into debate on economic development for the territory. They are anti-economic development for Yukon. They are against economic development for the Yukon Territory. They should be ashamed of themselves. That is a clear double standard.

The government of the day — focused on economic development and delivering. The members opposite, led by the official opposition and the third party also, are anti-development. That double standard should not exist in this House because they are doing a disservice to the Yukon people.

Chair:   Is there any further debate on the line Deputy Minister’s Office?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Chair, I think it’s important that the opposition actually exercise their obligation here and get into this area. This is a very strategic component of the Department of Economic Development and possibly, if the opposition has no interest in the economy of the Yukon or this budget, we’d be better served to adjourn this House and its proceedings, bring in the Commissioner and give passage to the largest budget in the history of the Yukon.

Let’s look at the objectives here in this area. It’s to promote the Yukon’s competitive advantages for business and industry investment, to assist Yukon businesses to export and expand on their markets. These are all valued initiatives that have a bearing on where we will be going in the future of the territory. It’s to facilitate new and existing small and medium enterprises, much of what comprises the Yukon’s business sector. We want those enterprises to develop and expand, to provide ongoing assessment and monitoring of the business climate. These are all very important objectives, and the members opposite, led by the official opposition in their total fixation on shutting down the Yukon economy to make sure the private sector moves out of the territory — that is what I would call despicable, unlike what the Member for Kluane alluded to moments ago.

This is an important investment. The total of $1.592 million is being invested on behalf of Yukoners in trade and business development. The official opposition sees no value in debating that, in putting on record what they would do in helping to expand and develop new and existing small and medium enterprises. How can the official opposition sit in this Legislature and not even enter a word of support for those small and medium enterprises? How can the official opposition live with themselves knowing how they have negatively impacted the Yukon’s small- and medium-sized businesses? This is not acceptable. The members opposite have an answering to do and that is to the Yukon’s small- and medium-sized enterprises. They have to answer to the Yukon public on why they are so averse to profit.

They have to answer to the Yukon public on why they chose not to engage and contribute to this budget and this sitting. The attacks on the government side were of little purpose or use. This government has not been deflected, not in the least. This government is totally focused on delivering the agenda it was elected to deliver. All the attacks from the official opposition and the third party, all the incorrect information, none of these things would deflect this government or cause us to deviate from our vision and our plan.

The members opposite have the responsibility and obligation to put on record what their vision for the territory’s economy is, what their plan for the Yukon economy is, what their plan for the Yukon future is. We’ve seen examples of the official opposition’s negativity, how they have labelled the Yukon as a place of madness and misery, how they have put forth to the Yukon public, through this Assembly, their total lack of desire to contribute to the Yukon. They have to answer to that. Here’s an opportunity for them.

Chair:   The item under debate currently is the investment expenditure of $191,000. Is there any further debate on the line Investment, $191,000?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Chair, I would pose a question to the critic of the official opposition for Economic Development on how he envisions this particular investment of $191,000.

Chair:   Is there any further debate on the line Investment?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   I think it’s important that we hopefully can discuss this particular economic engine. It is a strategic industry for the Yukon. The members had much to say prior to this sitting when the government chose to move the Film Commission and all that goes with it into Economic Development. They had much to say then. Well, we have done that. We have listed, earlier this afternoon, some of the successes of that move and what we are doing with the film and sound industry in the Yukon. Here is an investment of $431,000. There’s an increase of 51 percent. Does that spark any sort of debate from the official opposition in terms of what they would do with this strategic industry, the film industry?

Mr. Chair, I find it somewhat disturbing that the members opposite are focused on the downstream end of a flushing toilet instead of the future of the Yukon economy.

Chair:   Order please. Such references are beneath the dignity of this Assembly.

Is there any further debate on the Film Commission?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   This particular line item breaks down into significant areas. The total of $237,000 breaks down to personnel costs of one FTE, consulting services, advertising, various costs to host meetings and seminars, and miscellaneous support costs. The personnel costs are $109,000; consulting services, $46,000; advertising, $9,000; various costs to host meetings and seminars, $52,000; miscellaneous support cost of $21,000.

This is an important area of the department under O&M expenditures. The objectives are obvious: to become the Government of Yukon’s focal point for First Nation economic development, to foster regional and community economic development, to work in partnership with First Nations and others initiating or implementing regional economic plans and to proactively administer the CDF fund. This directorate and its activities are very much involved in that. The total expenditure of this area is important, Mr. Chair — $237,000 at the directorate level and we will get into the other areas of expenditure.

The members opposite are silent on this. This is very unacceptable, Mr. Chair. They have to present to Yukoners what they would do with the Yukon economy in every area that it exists in. The third party is also silent, but then we all recognize how the third party handled First Nation economic development. The third party was anti-First Nation economic development partnership, unfortunately.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   This $172,000 investment breaks down and includes personnel costs of $75,000, consulting services to facilitate business workshops, round table meetings and marketing development of some $55,000, program materials for meetings of some $10,000, and support costs, including travel honoraria, rent and communication costs of $32,000 — another investment in building a relationship with First Nations, another investment focused on economic development and the meaningful participation of First Nations in that development. Do the members opposite have anything to add to First Nation economic development in this territory or are they focused on their amendment, their own political focus versus the territorial focus?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   This is a sizable investment — $461,000. The activity includes personnel costs of $310,000, consulting and other costs related to facilitating community and regional planning, its workshops and meetings, $106,000, and some miscellaneous support costs of $45,000.

This is an investment in regional development. Regional development is a strategic focus of the Department of Economic Development. The official opposition must have some idea how they would deal with regional economic development considering that the bulk of the population of the Yukon is centred here in Whitehorse. Obviously the largest portion of the cash flow in the Yukon economy is here in Whitehorse. How would the members opposite deal with rural Yukon?

They had an opportunity in this budget debate to improve on that situation, especially in line-by-line. They could have amended line items in the budget. The members opposite, the official opposition, could have contributed constructively to this budget and to the future of the Yukon. They chose not to do it, and at every opportunity the Yukon government, the government of the day, will ensure that the public is aware of that unacceptable behaviour and lack of commitment to the Yukon and its economy.

Mr. Cathers:   It’s clear that the opposition has no interest in discussing the Department of Economic Development, but I can’t help notice on this line that this is a 1,904-percent increase from last year. This represents a rather significant shift in the direction of spending, and the opposition may have no appetite to discuss this but I’m sure Yukoners, particularly those in rural Yukon, would appreciate an explanation from the Premier and Minister of Economic Development on what this represents and how it’s being directed and what is hoped to be accomplished from this.

Chair:   Is there any further debate on the line Regional Development?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Chair, let the record reflect that the official opposition and the third party had absolutely no input or contribution to the regional economic development of the Yukon Territory. That is a shameful display of conduct in this House.

On Directorate

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Chair, this is another important area. Strategic industries are vital to the Yukon economy, its growth, its sustainability and its diversity.

So it’s important to lay out the objectives. That may spark some response from the official opposition and the third party who are simply not engaged at all in the Yukon economy obviously. The objectives here are to promote and facilitate development in the Yukon’s strategic and emerging industry sectors, to work in partnership with industry and governments, to establish common priorities and plans for growth and expansion, to identify and promote strategic opportunities for business projects to benefit the Yukon economy, and to facilitate closure by supporting stakeholders through government policy and approval processes. The directorate has an expenditure of $303,000: personnel costs of two FTEs at $161,000; consulting and other costs required for specialized professional services, $18,000; transfer payments to Yukon organizations’ investments, $65,000; advertising, $9,000; communications, $4,000; training, $13,000; and support costs, such as program materials, travel, et cetera, $33,000.

Now it’s fair to say that the taxpayer has invested heavily to provide a venue for the official opposition and the third party to communicate and their silence is overwhelming. Their silence is actually deafening. Considering that contribution by the Yukon taxpayer, one can only wonder how the Yukon taxpayer will view the response of the official opposition and the third party when it comes to the Yukon economy.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   This is an important area for the department. Certainly an example is the investment here. It’s some $421,000 with personnel costs of $83,000; consulting costs for non-renewable resource marketing and business development, which is a lever we pull to further grow our economy, $223,000; contracts to develop the Yukon’s strategic and emerging industry sector, another investment of $77,000, and of course an investment for support, travel, communication, et cetera, of $38,000.

The official opposition should have some response to non-renewable resource industries as they are completely averse to resource extraction. So maybe there’s something here that might spark the interest of the official opposition.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Chair, Yukon’s renewable resources, such as forestry, are obviously something we believe to be strategic industries, so we are providing an investment there of some $131,000. There is $84,000 to personnel, $23,000 for developing the renewable resource sector and support costs, et cetera, of $24,000. This is an important component of the Yukon economy. Let the record show that the official opposition and the third party could care less.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Surely the official opposition has some input when it comes to cultural industries. Surely the official opposition must recognize the link between cultural industries and our First Nation culture, heritage and history. Surely they are not going to ignore that important part of the fabric of Yukon society: its history, present and future. This is a sad, sad display by the official opposition when it comes to the Yukon economy, the most important issue to Yukoners.

This obviously is something that the members opposite — the official opposition — have missed entirely. Cultural industries are an important part of the Yukon’s economic future. We are investing in it. Obviously the official opposition and the third party could care less about the cultural industries of this territory; they could care less about First Nations culture and its history; they could care less about culture as a whole in the Yukon. They are more interested in septic tanks. Well, that’s too bad, Mr. Chair.

There is $84,000 for personnel costs, $23,000 for consulting and, of course, support, et cetera, is $14,000. That’s an investment, as we’ve invested in potable water and affordable, safe drinking water. The members opposite have no desire to debate the economy of the Yukon.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Obviously with the dismantling of the Department of Economic Development under the previous Liberal government and the misguided renewal process that turned government upside-down, we had to find a new place for Economic Development. We had to pull all the resources and personnel that were spread throughout the government corporate structure and get them back into focus on economic development, and the need for office furniture, equipment and space was quite evident. That’s what this expenditure is all about.

I see no real reason why the members opposite would want to enter into debate on this, but it’s important that it’s understood that this cost is a direct result of the third party’s meddling in the corporate structure of government.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   The members opposite should know that the business incentive policy of this government is alive and well. It was transferred to the Department of Economic Development. There is a bit of an incentive tool here that can help generate better retained investments in the Yukon. And this is an important facet of the Yukon’s ability to ensure we involve Yukoners in what government invests in capital projects. The personnel costs here are about $81,000, support is $4,000, and the rebates — this is money back into the hands and pockets of Yukoners under this policy — of $915,000 out of the total $1 million. And, of course, we have to wait for what update there is on BIP and future projects and have to calculate recent projects concluded to know through that calculation what our go-forward amounts for the business incentive policy will be, but I think it’s a significant investment when you consider that over $900,000 is now back in the hands of businesses that help make sure Yukoners have jobs. Yukon service and supply areas were part and parcel of government investment. So this is a good thing. I’m sure that the official opposition would support this expenditure, although they probably won’t put it on record.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   The program objectives for policy, planning and research are important. They are to develop policies, strategies, programs and legislative instruments to support sustainable economic development; to provide information, analysis and advice to decision makers to ensure balanced and considered economic actions; to monitor and evaluate economic trends, issues and opportunities affecting the Yukon and to work closely with other governments — national, regional, First Nation and municipal — to cooperatively achieve Yukon benefits. In that regard, the investment in economic infrastructure development of $100,000 goes to funding for professional costs required to facilitate research and planning for various potential major strategic projects. This investment is important. This investment is setting the stage, as we pointed out, to mid-term and long-term economic growth.

It would be interesting to hear from the official opposition on their view of the mid- and long-term economic picture for the Yukon. So far this afternoon, we’ve heard very little about the economy and a whole lot of focus on some sort of political manoeuvring.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   This is a good item to discuss with the official opposition, especially the leader of the official opposition who had, previously in this Legislature, a misunderstanding of what the microloan program does in relation to other loans in government. Again I would point out to the leader of the official opposition that this is a contribution to Dana Naye Ventures who manage the microloan program on behalf of government. They approve the loans. We forward the investment. The investment, trade and business development program is to promote the Yukon’s competitive advantages for business and industry investment, to assist Yukon businesses to export and expand their markets, also providing ongoing assessment and monitoring of the business climate — all of these things are important.

The microloan is certainly helping small and medium enterprises to develop and expand. But the official opposition and the third party are voting against small business in this territory and the investments to help them.

Microloan Program in the amount of $98,000 agreed to

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   That investment is a contribution to the Technology Innovation Centre to promote innovative technology applications. We see this as an important sector. It will certainly assist the Yukon in getting it ready for the world stage, especially the world marketplace, not only to deal with investment but also to present ourselves in a more efficient manner. This is obviously a wise investment; however, the official opposition and the third party have no desire to discuss the economy because they obviously have nothing to contribute to the Yukon economy.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   This is a very important investment. It certainly relates to private sector and First Nation governments and partnerships in that area. It’s a contribution to the Council of Yukon First Nations to support their mandate to utilize IT to enhance First Nation economic social governance capacity, $60,000, and a contribution to the Yukon Information Technology Industry Society for coordination of industry, government and education and the development of the IT sector — an investment of $40,000.

Mr. Chair, I know the third party is adverse to partnerships, especially with First Nations. That has been shown clearly; the evidence is clear. But maybe the third party might have some contribution to the Yukon economy and partnerships and what it means to the third party. Here’s $100,000 that the member could certainly look into to see if the member for the third party would have invested in the same area or has a better idea.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Chair, this is to assist Yukon businesses to enhance market expansion, export development and business planning. It’s a $1-million investment, which will certainly provide some positives to our small business community in helping them increase their market base.

Mr. Chair, the official opposition should have some valued input on this particular area, because it has some reflection on what once was with the New Democrats. It has some reflection also on what wasn’t with the third party when in government — the former Liberal government — who killed this fund immediately and reduced small businesses’ ability to present themselves beyond Yukon borders.

Mr. Chair, as I pointed out earlier, the official opposition had a lot to say. With that, I will leave the floor open to any discussion.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   About the move for film into Economic Development — the government side can only conclude, and obviously the Yukon public can only come to one conclusion, that the official opposition does not believe that the Yukon film industry is an economic engine at all, that the Yukon film industry has nothing to do with the Yukon economy. Maybe the official opposition should tell Yukoners what they think the Yukon film industry is, what it does and where it belongs.

This investment is laid out as follows: this project is designed to position the Yukon to compete in the international marketplace for film location activity; train Yukoners to work in the industry; provide Yukoners with incentives to develop commercially viable productions; and promote incentives for sound recording. There are four components for this program: the Yukon film production and development fund, $500,000; the Yukon film location incentive of $140,000; the Yukon film training initiative of $10,000; and the Yukon filmmakers fund of $25,000. That’s the breakdown of the $675,000. We are showing successes in this area. We are showing that the Yukon film industry is an economic engine. The official opposition says, "No, it’s not." They should tell Yukoners what they would do with it. The third party is wondering what’s going on with the film industry.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   A $500,000 investment for regional development programming is important. The regional development program provides contributions to stakeholders with regional-level economic interests. It allows for the facilitation and development of the regional economic opportunities plans, processes, projects and capacity development. This $500,000 investment is part of the surgical approach that the Yukon government’s Department of Economic Development is taking.

We are very pleased with this particular area. There’s no response from the official opposition and the third party; therefore they are clearly showing they have a complete lack of interest in regional development and programming.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Again, contrary to the many dissertations by the third party and the official opposition that this government does not deliver on its commitments, here’s another example. Throughout the budget there are many examples. Here’s one clear example again on the commitment to re-establish the community development fund to original levels — and we’ve done that. This is an important program. It especially assists rural Yukon in creating well-being and jobs, and leaves something positive behind in the communities.

Some of the breakdown on this money is — you will see there is a four-percent breakdown Yukon-wide: Burwash Landing is at two percent of total; Carcross is at one percent; Carmacks at three percent; Dawson City at 23 percent; Destruction Bay, one percent; Faro, six percent; Haines Junction, two percent; Keno City, one percent; Mayo, one percent; Mount Lorne, one percent; Old Crow, one percent; Ross River is at four percent; Teslin is six percent; Watson Lake is one percent; and Whitehorse is 41 percent; Whitehorse rural at one percent.

The members opposite may have a discussion on that breakdown, considering the percentages. I know that the Member for Kluane would probably take issue with the fact that his little community of Haines Junction only received two percent of CDF funding, knowing how he believes in this program, Mr. Chair.

He was once a staunch supporter. Obviously he isn’t any more. There’s a lot of flip-flopping going on with the official opposition. I’m trying to establish some political foothold. I know it’s difficult when you’re standing on a political lily pad, but that’s where they are. It appears to me that they’re sinking.

The government side continues to snorkel away, building the Yukon’s future.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   This particular area, again, is strategic industries. The Yukon government of the day and the Department of Economic Development use strategic focuses as the critical element to improve the Yukon economy. Obviously, within that focus, strategic influences become important, as do the development of these industries.

This is the program to do exactly that. It’s a $1.5-million investment and the project provides for a fund to facilitate the development of strategic industries and projects through identification, collaboration, development and promotion. These stages lead to the completion of a strategic project. That’s very important. Those projects are what we desire and want to achieve. They have the potential for broad-based economic benefits, which is another important objective in growing the Yukon economy. The official opposition simply does not have that view. They want to shrink the Yukon economy and create a growth in dependence on the southern taxpayer. Well, too bad.

Funding includes such items as feasibility studies, business plans, after-care assistance, opportunities for research and promotion. Maybe there should be more here for investing in after-care for the opposition once they tumble out of this sitting into the morass of negativity they are mired in.

Strategic Industries Development Program in the amount of $1,500,000 agreed to

On Recoveries

Chair:  That concludes Vote 7, Department of Economic Development.

I understand we’re now returning to Vote No. 51, Department of Community Services, and general debate.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   I’m pleased to rise today to present our budget for Community Services. I look forward to engaging in some constructive debate with the members opposite on our particular budget. I am very pleased that we are looking at moving forward in some of our rural communities in relation to sewer and water as well as issues regarding improvements to our waste water disposal plants.

We’re also looking at dealing with issues of upgrading our volunteer fire department equipment, both in radios and service and supply. We’re looking at issues that relate to providing service for all Yukoners as they relate to wild land fire management.

Some Hon. Member:   Point of order, Mr. Chair.

Chair:   Mr. Cardiff, on a point of order.

Mr. Cardiff:   Point of order, Mr. Chair. I believe you asked, "Is there any general debate?" I’d like to point out that yesterday when we left Community Services, we were in the lines, specifically on property and assessment taxation. Maybe the minister could get with the program and deal with the line we’re in, at least.

Chair:   Thank you for correcting me. The Chair was in error. Indeed we are in line-by-line debate in the budget item of Community Development on the line Community Affairs. I thank the member for bringing that to my attention.

Is there any further debate regarding the line Community Affairs?

Hon. Mr. Hart:   I’d like to provide a breakdown of the entries under this aspect. I think it provides very good information. We have approximately $764,000 that has dealt with personnel. We have $202,000, which consists of $23,000 for travel; $40,000 for contract services; $10,000 for rental expense; $11,000 for supplies; $31,000 for program materials; $12,000 for communications; $7,000 for advertising; $9,000 for computer systems; and $59,000 for various other program needs. A big portion of this particular aspect relates to the $12,179,000 for the comprehensive municipal grant; $70,000 for community and local advisory operations, and maintenance grants; $70,000 for the contribution to the Volunteer Bureau; $75,000 for the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter; $20,000 for the Dawson City Humane Society, and $100,000 for the Association of Yukon Communities.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   We’re looking at a breakdown of $291,000 for personnel. We’re also looking at the balance being provided at $7,000 for travel in the Yukon; $204,000 in contract services. This is mainly for water delivery and dump maintenance. We’re also looking at $397,000 for various repairs and maintenance to our facilities; $13,000 for vehicle rentals; $29,000 for program materials; $52,000 for utilities; $36,000 for fuel, and this is mainly for our water and sewage trucks; $25,000 for internal charges, and a transfer of $7,000 for various other program needs.

Mr. McRobb:   I request the unanimous consent of the Committee to deem all remaining lines in Vote 51, Department of Community Services, cleared or carried as required.

Deputy Chair:   Mr. McRobb has requested the unanimous consent of the Committee to deem all remaining lines in Vote 51, Department of Community Services, cleared or carried as required. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Some Hon. Members:   Disagreed.

Deputy Chair:   There does not appear to be unanimous consent. We will continue on with line-by-line.

On Motor Vehicles

Hon. Mr. Hart:   I think this is a very important item. The objective of this department is to provide Yukon individuals and businesses with efficient, convenient ways to access government services, information and products.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   I’d like to comment on this particular aspect. We are looking at encouraging and maintaining equitable and responsible employment practices to promote public interest in positive labour management relations through enforcement of minimum employment standards. We’re also looking to encourage and ensure orderly and responsible commercial activity through the maintenance of enabling legislation, disclosure requirements, and public information registries.

We’re also looking to protect and enhance the public interest in professional commercial services and assist in consumer protection through education, provision of information and enforcement of legislation, and to support and administer and enforce the building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical standards in conjunction with reviewing the development permits and maintaining a building information repository.

Aspects of the items going down — of the $537,000, we have approximately $464,000, including salaries and benefits. $73,000 is made up basically of $13,000 in travel, $13,000 in honoraria, $42,000 for contract services, $2,000 for program materials and $3,000 for other various other requirements.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Mr. Chair, I’d like to advise that the breakdown for this particular line item consists basically of $800,000 for personnel, and it includes benefits in the administration, electrical, mechanical, building, plumbing and safety areas. The remaining balance consists of $42,000 for travel, $70,000 for rental expense, $4,000 for program materials, $9,000 for internal changes, and $2,000 for various other program needs.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   I believe that protective services branch provides an important element to all our communities. It’s to promote and foster emergency preparedness through the provision of guidance, coordination and support for the safety of people, the mitigation of risk, protection of property, provision to the public of information and the continuity of government in the event of disaster or major emergencies, in conjunction with other levels of government. We’re also looking at community emergency coordinators and volunteer organizations such as the Emergency Measures Organization and search and rescue. We’re looking to support health, safety and public protection through the administration and enforcement of fire prevention and the protection program, along with other safety-related programs like fuel storage and vehicle extraction response. We’re also looking at protecting communities, families, individuals, property and other natural, historic, cultural and community values from the harmful effects of wild land fire through the wild land fire management program and the policies of the FireSmart program.

There is $1.5 million set aside for the FireSmart program for this upcoming season.

Ms. Duncan:   I would like to raise a concern for the record regarding the administration of this particular program with the minister.

The Porter Creek Community Association and several other community organizations have raised the concern with me that over the five-year life of the FireSmart program, we’re now getting to the point where these volunteer organizations have quite an administrative load to carry as volunteers.

Let me explain this more clearly for the minister. It’s only volunteer organizations and community groups that can apply for FireSmart money. Administering that FireSmart money and dealing with the contractors, dealing with the bid preparation and so on, has placed quite an administrative load on volunteers. We’re heading to a high burnout level of our volunteer organizations. There is also a concern being raised by contractors in that the same rules don’t apply. For example, the Government of Yukon has a set of contracting rules, Yukon hire, and so on — or they used to have — and volunteer organizations aren’t always familiar with all of them, so it’s a concern.

I’m very supportive of the FireSmart program; I believe very strongly in it. We put more money in it when we were in government. As a volunteer myself, who does administrative work for a volunteer organization, I can understand the burden that is being placed on these volunteer organizations dealing with payrolls, the Receiver General and dealing with the contracts. Contractors and community groups are expressing a frustration with the way it is being administered now. I just want to register that concern publicly with the minister and ask that if he wishes he could speak with me further about it, or I could put him in touch with some of the individuals who have raised the concerns.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   For the local subdivisions within Whitehorse, we are working with the City of Whitehorse on their master plan and dealing with that issue. We are also dealing with the City of Whitehorse crew on the Ember report, which was recently completed last year on their behalf. This is to ensure that our experts in wild land fire management are working with them to ensure that the work projected by the City of Whitehorse is done in the safest way possible.

We are also looking at assisting the subdivisions within the Whitehorse area with their administration, through the City of Whitehorse. We are dealing with that particular issue.

Anyway, I accept the member’s comments. We are currently looking at dealing with the technical issues as they relate to FireSmart in hopes of standardizing some of these issues. Then we can hopefully reduce the burden on the volunteer association in dealing with it.

Currently more and more First Nations and municipalities are taking up the cause. Hopefully this will relieve some of the pressure on these small volunteer associations. I will say that there are several volunteer associations that are dealing very well with the process and the program. They are achieving a lot of local support for the continuation of the program.

I do recognize the member opposite’s concern. We are doing our best to rectify it.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   I would just like to point out a couple of items under this particular line. We have $65,000 for firefighting equipment territory-wide and to provide fire-fighting equipment for volunteer fire departments to the standard of the fire protection policy. We have $50,000 for the planning phase of the construction of the Golden Horn fire hall. We have $60,000 to replace older portable and mobile radios and upgrade the pagers and repeaters and telephone interconnects; $20,000 for the purchase of five self-contained breather apparatus tanks, and we have $225,000 for the purchase of a fire truck to be hopefully reallocated in our fleet. We have $500,000 for the construction of the fire hall in Mendenhall. All these things, although small, do provide our volunteer fire departments with upgrading of equipment and mean a lot to the individual volunteer fire department halls.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   There are basically 14 projects in this particular line item. I’ll briefly run through them. We’re looking at paving the retardant and loading aprons at Carmacks and at Mayo. We’re looking at a secure storage building at our Mayo air tanker base, and we have an air tank refuelling system at the Dawson air tanker base. We’re looking at initial attack trucks, and we’re looking at planning the design work for the Beaver Creek initial attack base. We’re looking at weather station replacement and outdated equipment. We’re doing lookout tower repairs and upgrades. We’re looking at a link repeater for radio communication in the southeast Yukon, a communication shelter for repeater and weather station in southeast Yukon again, a hose tower for Ross River, a portable fuel storage building, equipment replacement to maintain fire management inventory for pumps, hoses, chainsaws and other hand tools and communication upgrades for handheld field communication equipment.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   This item consists of four projects. $75,000 is for repairs and upgrades for existing recreation facilities and small capital projects in unincorporated communities. We’re looking at $30,000 to proceed with detailed design and continue with renovation for first and second floors of the Ross River recreation centre. We’re also looking at $50,000 for detailed engineering design work for a community centre in Carcross. There is $140,000 for conceptual detail design for a new recreation centre in Marsh Lake.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   We’re looking at a breakdown on this particular line of two projects for water supply at M’Clintock bridge of $30,000 to investigate the options and cost for delivering potable water for the residents of the surrounding area, and a water delivery truck for Ross River, $180,000.

Ms. Duncan:   Has the minister undertaken any consultation with the water delivery companies or have there been discussions around these water initiatives by the government? Has he engaged with them in consultation or discussion?

Hon. Mr. Hart:   That is all being handled through the Department of Health and Social Services. For this particular aspect at M’Clintock River, we’ve been requested by the residents of that area for a water supply in light of the fact that their previous water supply had an arsenic level in it and they were no longer able to use it. We’re now searching for an alternative supply for them.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   This particular line item consists of basically two projects: a sewage disposal plant upgrade at Carmacks, for $1.1 million, for detailed design and additional environmental assessments to upgrade and replace the existing sewage system; and the balance is for the sewage trunk line main in Teslin for the construction of a trunk sewage main that will connect the village system and the sewage treatment disposal facility.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   This is for the replacement of gravel and heavy rock to put on the banks of the Porcupine River in Old Crow to help stabilize the bank. It also forms part of our plan with the First Nation in dealing with the long-term program in that community. We look forward to that.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Projects under this program must be approved by the Yukon, Government of Canada and supported by the Association of Yukon Communities. The level of funding for each project is yet to be determined. Some anticipated potential projects are the Mayo community centre, Watson Lake pumphouse upgrading, Ross River sewage disposal, Watson Lake water and sewer lines.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   This particular line item was to develop a rock quarry and upgrade the existing road access and construction and production of crushed gravel. This crushed gravel will be utilized to upgrade the Old Crow Airport in the ensuing couple of years.

Chair:   That concludes the Department of Community Services.

It is the Chair’s understanding that we’re continuing on with Vote 10, the Public Service Commission.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   Today I am pleased to introduce the 2004-05 budget for the Public Service Commission. The commission is requesting $15,134,000 for operation and maintenance expenditures over the next year. I would also like to say that this government is pleased to uphold and honour the collective agreements with the Yukon Employees Union and the Yukon Teachers Association. We recognize that the agreement with the Yukon Employees Union is the first four-year agreement, and we are pleased with the stability this offers.

In keeping with our desire to foster enhanced relations with our two unions, the Public Service Commission has reinstituted formal joint consultation meetings with both unions. Regular informal weekly meetings with the Yukon Employees Union are a new feature of our desire to improve relations with the union and to find ways to work collaboratively to make the Yukon government a desirable place to work.

One of the most exciting initiatives being undertaken by the Public Service Commission is the start-up of the workplace diversity employment office. This office addresses two of the government’s priorities; to get on with our responsibility to encourage the employment of people with disabilities and to continue in our efforts to fully honour our long-standing and ongoing commitment to land claim negotiations.

The workplace diversity employment office is actually two offices in one. It will include the existing position of the representative public service consultant and the new position of disability employment consultant.

Both of these employees will report directly to the director of corporate human resource services. Furthermore, an administrative employee will provide support services to the consultants who will be managing the tasks of their specific offices.

By establishing the position of disability employment consultant, the government is acting upon recommendations in their report entitled "A Framework for Diversity of Staffing: Disability Within the Yukon Government". This report, written in March 2003, is based on research done under the direction of a project steering committee set up to develop a framework for disability staffing within the Yukon government. The steering committee included representatives from the Public Service Commission, the Yukon Employees Union and the Yukon Council on Disability.

To further underscore the government’s commitment to the work of this office, the representative public service consultant position, which has been a term position funded on a year-to-year basis since 1999 through land claims implementation has been made a permanent position within the public service.

Mr. Chair, $291,000 in new funding is being requested to ensure that the employment initiatives of both offices in the workplace diversity employment office will make the Yukon government representative of the people it serves.

Next, Mr. Chair, significant policy initiatives that support the goals and departmental objectives under the Public Service Commission for the coming year are: to provide strategic direction for departments in response to immediate and emerging needs; to provide policies that help departments manage their human resource needs; and to deliver services to help departments manage employment matters.

First of all, the commission will be working with departments to deliver on the provisions in the recently finalized accommodating employees with disabilities policy.

The policy lays out the roles and responsibilities of the employer for accommodating the needs of employees with disabilities. Second, the commission has developed a new job experience program policy under which the Public Service Commission is responsible for the overall administration of the new cooperative education program. The departments will manage the recruitment and hiring aspect of the program. This program will offer work opportunities throughout the Yukon to post-secondary students in co-op education streams. It will help government departments fill hard-to-recruit positions. Students will be hired as casuals under the Public Service Act. Besides the new cooperative education program, the job experience policy covers existing job experience programs such as Y2C2 and STEP. This policy initiative provides human resources staff with consistent terms and conditions of employment for all departments who hire employees for job experience programs.

Mr. Chair, the commission is also continuing its work to provide cooperative leadership in human resource management in areas such as the administration of employees’ benefit plans and the human resource management system, which is now fully staffed and running. This system provides the basis for informed decisions on government-wide human resources management. It is the core database that makes it possible to manage human resources more effectively. These important initiatives are just part of what the budget of the commission funds. The workplace harassment prevention office, for example, has new resources identified for additional staffing in order to have more opportunity to pursue early intervention strategies such as mediation in cases of workplace conflict.

The office will also provide more training for employees on what is expected of them in the workplace. Mr. Chair, $116,000 is being sought to implement this upgrading in the 2004-05 budget. The staff development branch of the commission will continue with staff training and professional development opportunities for employees. The branch will also continue its work in career counselling, the executive coaching program and the Yukon government leadership forum. In fact, the Yukon government leadership forum, a program that is part of the government’s succession plan to replace retiring management-level public servants, will graduate its second intake of participants this June.

The work of the Public Service Commission as a central agency in this government is pivotal for many of the functions that not only serve employees but which also reach out into the broader Yukon community.

This concludes my introduction to the operation and maintenance budget of the Public Service Commission for the fiscal year 2004-05, and I will be pleased to answer any questions at this time.

Mahsi’ cho.

Mr. Hardy:   I thank the minister for the presentation. I just have one question, and we’ve talked about this a lot already. We’ve had many questions in Question Period; we’ve had questions around it in general debate of the budget. The minister has already given some information I was looking for, so my simple question is: is the government planning to bring whistle-blower legislation forward on their own within the term, so probably by 2006? Is there an intent to do that?

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   I believe the government has agreed to refer debate on Bill No. 104 to a select committee to ensure the issue gets the full consideration it’s due.

Mr. Hardy:   Thank you.

Ms. Duncan:   I believe that the leader of the official opposition said "thank you", so I think that’s recorded in Hansard, but I have one question for the minister. It concerns the policy that was brought in concerning additional security requirements. I don’t have the exact policy. There’s a general administration manual policy number that I don’t have at my fingertips.

That policy, as I understand it — I have two questions: does the Public Service Commission or the Department of Education intend to consult with the Yukon Teachers Association about that policy? The second question: there is a cost involved in doing the security check, including fingerprinting, and as I understand it that revenue, if you will — that cost — is given to a crime prevention trust. That’s where the fees are paid. Are they paid by the person who is asked for the security check or the Public Service Commission?

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   The answer to the first question is that the Yukon Teachers Association was consulted on this policy, and the cost will be incurred by the candidate.

Ms. Duncan:   I would respectfully suggest to the minister that there be some additional work done with the Teachers Association on that particular issue. There is a hole and a gap in the legislation, in the policy, and it should be dealt with because there’s a problem in our legislation. It’s something that needs to be dealt with in the clean-up of legislation. The fee that’s paid by the candidate is an additional cost. Could I just have it stated for the record that the fee is not a revenue collected by the RCMP, per se; in fact, my understanding is that it’s turned over to Justice, so perhaps I should redirect that question to the Minister of Justice in the future.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   I’m advised that the fee is paid to the RCMP, and the Public Service Commission is not sure where it goes or what is done with it. I want to put on record that this is a very important area, because we’re dealing with children and every precaution must be taken. I will take the concerns of the third party under advisement.

Ms. Duncan:   For the record, it’s not only children: it’s also a definition called "vulnerable persons", so we’re hiring an additional 30 workers for opening up the beds at Copper Ridge and Macaulay Lodge. They would also be subject to this policy, so it’s very important that we get it right and that we do the appropriate consultation. I appreciate the minister’s response.

Chair:   Is there any further general debate?

We’ll then go into line-by-line.

Ms. Duncan:   May I request the unanimous consent of the Committee to deem all lines in Vote 10, Public Service Commission, cleared or carried as required?

Chair:   Ms. Duncan has requested the unanimous consent of the Committee to deem all lines in Vote 10, Public Service Commission, cleared or carried as required. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Some Hon. Members:   Disagreed.

Chair:   There is not unanimous consent.

We will proceed with line-by-line.

On Administration

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   Mr. Speaker, I think this is an important issue to talk about. This program has to do with staffing the workplace diversity employment office. The 2004-05 budget has an increase of $321,000. This increase is as a result of the addition of $291,000 to the workplace diversity employment office. This office promotes the goal of a representative public service workforce. The remaining increase of $30,000 is the collective agreement.

Mr. Chair, I’m especially pleased to be able to draw attention to the fact that the job posting for the new disability employment consultant position was in the paper on Friday last week. This is a major step forward for the Yukon government and one that I’m pleased to have had take place while I am minister responsible for the Public Service Commission. I see our work to fully accept, accommodate, and embrace people with disabilities within the public service as a step of great merit. I see it as a partnership that is built on trust and communication. When Jon Breen came to my office to talk, it was my job to listen. It was also my job to act, and I’m pleased that staff in the Public Service Commission worked hard to follow through with the recommendations of the project steering committee and the report of March 2003.

When the current recruitment process for the disability employment consultant is done, we will move ahead with hiring an administrative support person. I believe that when all of this is in place, the government will be better able to meet its commitment to encourage the employment of people with disabilities.

I am committed to making the public service representative of the people it serves. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   I also wanted to mention something about the representative workplace. This was a position that falls under the Umbrella Final Agreement. Over the years, it is to ensure that First Nation hiring and training takes place within government. That position was funded year to year in the past. This government this year has made this a permanent position within government.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   This is another important area to have on record. The 2004-05 budget has increased by $84,000 for employee compensation. This results from the collective agreement impacts of $28,000 and an increase of $56,000 for benefits administration. The benefits administration funding will be used to improve the communication with employees regarding their benefits by provision of benefit booklets and information packages.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   In response to the long-term service awards, 10-year awards were estimated at 125; 15-year awards was 164; 20-year awards was 62; 25-year awards was 28; 30-year awards went from five last year to 13 this year; and the number of 35-year awards was one. The total was 392. I want to congratulate all of those people who spent so many years in government.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   This budget shows an increase of $100,000 and this is a result of collective agreement impacts.

Human Resource Management Systems in the amount of $440,000 agreed to

On Administration

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   This has to do with the policy and planning and has a budget increase of $113,000. This increase includes the collective agreement impact, as well as funding for a manager for the workplace harassment prevention program.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   The budget this year shows a decrease of $2,515,000. In 2003-04, there was a one-time transfer to the liability account of $2,256,000 for the devolved employees.

Also included in 2003-04 was $259,000 for leave and termination benefits as several long-term senior employees have retired in the past years.

Employee Leave and Termination Benefits Adjustment in the amount of $3,969,000 agreed to

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   Personnel dollars for this item include amounts paid to retiring and/or resigning employees and the amount required to bring the liability to the amount as determined by the actual assessment. The amount to be paid to employees is estimated to be $2,873,000. The amount to increase the liability is estimated to be $1,096,000.

On Administration

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   The 2004-05 budget shows an increase of $29,000 for the staff development branch, and this is the result of collective agreement impacts.

On Recoveries

Chair: We will continue on with capital expenditures. For members’ benefit, the page reference is 14-4.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   Mr. Chair, today, I am pleased to introduce the 2004-05 capital budget for the Public Service Commission. The commission is requesting $86,000 for capital expenditures over the next year. This funding will be used to replace computers and equipment for use by employees in the Public Service Commission to assist them in providing service to the government.

This concludes my introduction to the capital budget of the Public Service Commission for the fiscal year 2004-05. I will be pleased to answer any questions at this time.

On Office Furniture, Equipment, Systems and Space

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   The 2004-05 capital budget has an overall increase of $30,000. This year’s funding will be used to replace older computer workstations and printers, as well as to replace office equipment.

On Prior Years’ Projects

Chair:   We will proceed with the Department of Environment

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   It gives me great pleasure to present the budget for the Department of Environment in the largest budget in the history of the Yukon.

The Department of Environment has a number of different mandates to ensure that the renewable resources and the environment of the Yukon are managed and used in accordance with government policy. We do this in a number of different ways. We maintain and enhance the quality of Yukon’s environment for the present and for the future generations through ecosystem-based management, conservation of resources and the protection and maintenance of biodiversity. I stress, Mr. Chair, that the management for future generations is always a very high priority of this government.

We also have to implement the principles of the Yukon conservation strategy and ensure that the Yukon people have the opportunity to be involved in the development and review of departmental programs, policies, legislation and regulations through open and effective communication and processes. We have to manage renewable resources in a manner that promotes integration with other sectors, such as economic development, so that the optimum benefits can be derived for all Yukon people.

There’s an old saying in my profession: no money, no medicine. In this case, no economy, perhaps no environment.

We need to help both at the same time.

We have to manage Renewable Resources in a manner that promotes integration with other sectors, such as economic development, and always keep that in mind. We also have to participate, of course, in national and international measures designed to enhance environmental quality and to encourage sustainable use of renewable resources. There is a very active national and international community that we participate in.

We have to integrate, implement and manage additional authorities and responsibilities in water resources, since devolution, and environmental management as devolved from the Government of Canada, that are consistent with the Government of Yukon’s policy on constitutional objectives. We also must undertake resource management activities that meet the Government of Yukon’s obligations and respect the rights of aboriginal people and relationships established through land claims and self-governing agreements. We have to provide overall direction and management to ensure that the natural environment of the Yukon is managed and protected in a sustainable and balanced manner for the benefit of all Yukoners.

Our program objectives are wide and varied to assist the department in managing its financial, human and information resources in an efficient, effective and economical manner by providing administrative support services to departmental personnel. We have to have the resources to assist the department to ensure that its assets are acquired and maintained in a manner that adequately fulfills all operational requirements.

We have to promote the effective use and integration of information through the appropriate use of technology to meet departmental and client needs. This becomes even more important in this budget as we have significant increases in infrastructure and resources to manage databases and other such things, which are very, very important as we continue with our biodiversity initiatives.

We have to coordinate and undertake the analysis, development and evaluation of legislation, regulations and policy.

We have to coordinate strategic environmental and resource management initiatives and we have to coordinate the department’s land claim activities, which include coordinating and fulfilling the Government of Yukon’s obligations under the terms of even the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, something that many Yukoners forget about. We have to coordinate and represent departmental interests to support the negotiation of First Nation final agreements across the Yukon and implement plans and transboundary claims. We have to oversee and coordinate the department’s implementation activities to fulfill obligations of First Nation final agreements, self-government agreements and transboundary claims.

Within the entire sector of natural resources, our job is to manage and protect the Yukon’s natural environment. We have to provide sustainable fish and wildlife harvesting and viewing opportunities for cultural, recreational and economic purposes, and this isn’t always easy when conservation needs sometimes mean restrictions on opportunities that have been there for previous years. It’s a difficult job indeed for all of our staff and I think they do a marvellous job in that area.

We have to promote and enhance participation in land-based activities, such as hunting, fishing and trapping, and we have to try as best we can to sustain that unique Yukon lifestyle. We have to provide opportunities for economic benefits through the sustainable use of fish and wildlife resources. We have to ensure the effective implementation of agreements and political accords by working cooperatively with other governments and public structures, which are quite diverse in this department, to establish and manage a system of wilderness preserves, natural environment parks and ecological reserves, Canadian heritage rivers, campgrounds, recreation sites and to provide information in interpretive centres for Yukon residents and visitors alike.

We have to provide regional delivery of all of our departmental services, and it’s very important that we not neglect any of the regional needs and don’t look at this as a single delivery unit. We have to develop and implement management programs to maintain biological diversity and to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of fish, wildlife and habitat resources.

This subject became the topic of a great deal of discussion at the Canadian Council of Resource Ministers. The Species at Risk Act, federally, the Canadian Council of Ministers for Endangered Species — all of these various national initiatives really come down to maintenance and protection of our biodiversity. Simply dropping a park in the middle of a place and having then to deal with all of the ramifications once that park is identified, I submit, is not the best use of our planning resources. We must know what our biodiversity is. To this end we will be establishing a very strong biodiversity coordination unit within the department so that we make decisions based on data and science-based decisions, not simply intuition and, sometimes, a flip of the coin.

We have to develop and provide management and protection of Yukon’s environment through education — a very large part of our department in that respect, Mr. Chair. Regulation development, monitoring and inspections, including water quality, water quantity, assessment and mitigation of resource developments and pollution prevention programs — they’re all part of this department — to contribute to public safety and protection of property through the monitoring of water-related hazards. We have to co-ordinate research activities and contribute to national and international research projects. We have to develop and provide public information that enhances awareness, understanding of and adherence to the laws pertaining to renewable resources and the environment through monitoring, inspections, education and enforcement.

We have to provide service to the public at the community level in areas of licensing and permitting, human-wildlife conflict and other departmental programs. And we have to provide public education respecting the Yukon’s environment through our public safety.

We do this through a variety of different mechanisms, Mr. Chair. Some of the major initiatives, of course, are the interim management and operation of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and involved with this, too, is the planning and the execution of the 2004 Canadian Council of Resource Ministers meetings and fostering cooperative and collaborative intra- and intergovernmental working relationships between various Yukon government departments and First Nation governments.

The deputy ministers’ meetings of the Canadian Council of Resource Ministers, the Canadian Council of Ministers of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Canadian Council of Endangered Species, the Canadian Council of Ministers of Forestry and Ministers of Wildlife — the deputy ministers will be meeting in Haines Junction in the very near future, and the main meetings will be occurring in September and we look very much forward to hosting this and having the opportunity to showcase Yukon’s unique environment. We also have a unique opportunity at that point in time to have the relevant federal ministers up here, and federal ministers I’ve spoken to have expressed a great interest — depending on their survival, of course, in the next few weeks — in touring through the north, through the North Slope, through our parks system. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has expressed an interest in taking a much closer look at the Dawson situation privately. We have a great ability to gain a great deal of information and disseminate a great deal of information at that.

Our information and technology section provides a variety of ongoing information-related services to the department and to the public at large, including coordination, information management and information systems and Web site development, geomatics, data administration, network and system administration, of course, and Web site administration. In 2004-05, this section will provide support for specific department initiatives, including parks and special management area planning. NatureServe is a buzzword for the national program to collect data into a database that will be available to all governments and all jurisdictions, and the Yukon is the first of the territories, I believe, to sign into this program. Our NatureServe section will begin to develop this information and make it available to the public. I’m pleased to say that some of the money involved in the information technology section of the budget will be going to support this initiative.

We also continue to do wildlife surveys. We continue to collect wildlife harvest and biophysical database development in support of migration and the various data applications on this. Global positioning standards and implementation are also a good part of what we do, and biodiversity and the state of the environment report preparation is of course another part of getting the information out to people.

Our client services section has a number of major initiatives. They basically do everything that people see up front. The unit is responsible for issuing hunting licences, fishing licences and a variety of wildlife permits — with support from our conservation officers of course. They administer the campground permit program, our library — which many people amazingly don’t know about — our records management, management of departmental assets and the environmental awareness fund and, basically, public information and referral. Human resources, of course, are always a part of that.

Our policy and planning branch will continue to conduct review and analysis in support of the departmental policies and legislative development. The major initiative that we are working on right now and will continue to work on is the development of the Parks and Land Certainty Act regulations. We will continue to analyze the Species at Risk Act and options. For the members opposite, we have had extensive discussions on the national front with the federal Minister of Environment, who has indicated that he is quite pleased with our approach on that.

We continue to integrate DIAND’s water resource policies and directives, as our water resources branch has been brought in under devolution. We are very pleased and proud to get some very talented people to add to our personnel and human resources on that issue. That has really helped to fill out the department — very much so.

We continue to revise the outfitter base camp ownership policies. We implement the fish farming framework with very active — hopefully continuing to be active — fish farming. I remind the members opposite that these are in pothole lakes and have nothing to do with salmon or any exposure to British Columbia. It is a very different way of fish farming and one I think will be very successful.

We continue to consolidate and annually update hunting regulations. Of course, we always have to do the paperwork for the minister’s office and the deputy minister’s office. It’s also through the policy and planning section that we work with the state of the environment reporting and the Yukon Council on the Economy and the Environment.

We work with claims implementation and aboriginal affairs, of course. This is always a big section. We will continue to implement, coordinate and oversee the department’s activities to meet the obligations and commitments contained in the Yukon First Nations final agreements.

The Inuvialuit Final Agreement and the Gwitchin comprehensive claim are also a part of that. We can’t forget our close involvement in those areas. In addition, it will be the departmental lead in the resolution of trapper and outfitter compensation claims arising from the settlement of land claims and will commence preparatory work on revisions to the Wildlife Act to address consistency between the act and provisions in the Umbrella Final Agreement and the various final agreements.

The section provides support in the administration of membership nominations and appointments and budget review for the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board and the renewable resource councils. The section oversees the administration of annual contribution agreements with the Yukon Fish and Management Board and those RRCs and others that will come up in the future.

We have been very fortunate to partner in community stewardship in fish and wildlife management as our primary means of implementing fish and wildlife provisions of the final agreements. Coordinating and unifying the management priorities of the First Nations, Yukon government, boards and councils, new regional plans will be developed in the Little Salmon-Carmacks area, Champagne-Aishihik and Selkirk traditional territories. These are mostly in existence now, and we will continue, as other land claims are settled.

As well, the bison and elk management plans will be updated, and those are all in the works.

Planning will take place for the development of habitat protection areas of Ddhaw Ghro, Devil’s Elbow, Big Island, and the Old Crow Flats special management area. Management plans for the Horseshoe Slough, Loucheux and Nordenskiold wetlands will hopefully also be implemented soon.

The conservation data centre I mentioned earlier, called NatureServe Yukon, has been established in the Yukon, and NatureServe will provide objective and comprehensive information on plants, animals and communities of conservation interest. It’s always interesting that the number of people who look at the Department of Environment forget that we have botanists. We have a great commitment to the maintenance of our plant resources, and this is all part of biodiversity. It’s all part of knowing what we have there and how we’re going to manage it.

NatureServe Yukon brings together understandings, wisdom and observations from many sources and is supported by partnership among governments and non-governmental organizations. NatureServe Yukon will provide essential information and support to various programs and commitments, including the national accord for the protection of species at risk, federal and territorial species-at-risk programs, land use planning and industrial development activities.

To implement our obligations under the national accord for the protection of species at risk, we will develop territorial species-at-risk programs to enable Yukon to respond to federal initiatives and to develop a Yukon-made process for wildlife status assessments, designations and recovery programs. This will include continued support for NatureServe Yukon and continued recovery actions on the ground to assist species or populations at risk, in partnership with First Nations.

Chair:   The member has two minutes.

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   Thank you.

Those partnerships, of course, Mr. Speaker, include management of the wood bison herd, which is, if not the largest, among the largest of wood bison right now, which in many parts of North America are endangered. And the Chisana caribou herd — and I’m very proud to announce, too, that the Chisana herd program continues to thrive, and we have staff out there, and they are doing a very, very good job at recovery of this very unique and very rare subspecies.

We also promote wildlife activity viewing, and many of the areas we will be developing and hopefully be doing a better job than putting up a small sign that says, "Forest Fire 1958". That doesn’t really give anybody — Yukoner or visitor — a good idea of what happens here and what the natural cycles are in the north. We have to do a better job than that.

So with that, I put the budget on the table and hopefully invite meaningful debate.

Mrs. Peter:   I’d like to put on the record that during this sitting, the official opposition has tabled more than two dozen motions on the environment. In contrast, it is very, very obvious that taking care of the environment is not a priority for this government. And that is shocking.

This government has big plans for resource development in mining, industry and oil and gas and forestry, expending energy on promoting the Alaska Highway pipeline and supporting the idea of a railroad running through the territory. By the time it comes to environment, there is no commitment. The protected areas strategy has disappeared. We have heard nothing from this government about the Kyoto Protocol or the problem of global warming.

We have not seen any tangible support from this government for lobbying against oil and gas exploration in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. The Premier has failed to take a stand against offshore drilling in the Beaufort Sea. The Minister of Energy said he’s not interested in a company’s environmental practices outside the territory. The Minister of Environment has ignored the legitimate concerns of many people who came forward about game farming and private ownership of animals. He has sidestepped concerns about proposed departmental changes to trapping policy without proper consultation with First Nations in this Yukon Territory and with RRCs, and that says a lot because what this minister is trying to do is dictate to the First Nation people in the territory about who can or cannot trap within their own traditional territory, and that violates the final agreements held by the First Nations.

For a government that says they have government-to-government relationships, that’s very important. What happened to the proper consultation that was to take place? The traplines that are owned and used within our traditional territories are used for many reasons.

Those reasons will be made very clear to this minister if he takes the time and makes that time to listen to the concerns of the leaders out there in the communities and of the members. The 70/30 percent concession that is being proposed is unacceptable. Some of these traplines out there have been used for generations. It’s not only for trapping. These places are used to teach our young people about our way of life.

Today we did a tribute in this House about aboriginal awareness in this country. These types of issues that we address in this House, such as trapping, are the very foundation of our people out there. If we don’t teach our children about our culture and our traditions, then we will not survive. If this government wants to make statements such as those about government-to-government relationships, how important First Nation people are in this territory, then that’s where it begins.

That’s where it starts. To allow other people to go into somebody else’s trapping area, Mr. Deputy Chair — I’ll share with you right now that that is an unspoken law in our communities. My mother owns a trapping area a few miles from our community. Out of respect, no one in the Vuntut Gwitchin traditional territory will enter that area. Those areas are handed down from generation to generation.

If you want to learn about respect for our people, Mr. Deputy Chair, that’s where we need to begin. The list of issues goes on and on, but the main point is that this government has not given any evidence of concern about the Yukon and the Yukon’s environment. The very least that we should expect from a Minister of Environment who has and holds his portfolio is that he would stand up clearly for the environment in the Yukon Territory. We should be able to expect the minister to be one voice of moderation and environmental awareness in a government that seems to put economic development ahead of everything else.

We need to seek some balance. We need to make sure that land use planning throughout our territory is completed.

I have had many questions for the Minister of Environment through this session with very few responses. Those are my comments, Mr. Acting Chair, and I would just request at this time the unanimous consent of the Committee to deem all lines in Vote 52, Department of Environment, cleared or carried as required.

Acting Chair:   Mrs. Peter has requested the unanimous consent of the Committee to deem all lines in Vote 52, Department of Environment, cleared or carried as required.

Some Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Some Hon. Members:   Disagreed.

Acting Chair:   There is not unanimous consent.

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   Thank you, Mr. Deputy Chair. Well, certainly on this side we are used to the comments from the member opposite.

She mentions two dozen motions. None of them were ever brought up in the House to discuss.

I would like to point out that the Department of Environment has a larger budget than Economic Development. Is that the opposition’s take on not giving it its proper due? The opposition, at every point, has failed to debate. They have managed their time completely wrong. They have ended up in the situation we have today, which shows that they in fact have very little interest.

The member opposite is critical of game farming. I do invite her to have a chat with members of her own caucus. The Member for Mount Lorne is a paid member of the Friends of the Wildlife Preserve. He supports game farming.

Over 800 people in one weekend bought paid memberships to the Friends of the Wildlife Preserve. I submit that to say there is no support out there is a very narrow way of looking at things. I’d also like to point out to the member opposite that in the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Final Agreement 100 percent of all traplines are allocated through agreement to the people of the Vuntut Gwitchin. So the 70/30 split certainly in her riding is not there, but when you look at other areas and other First Nations within the final agreement, there are 51 registered traplines and trap concessions not assigned in this territory. Of these, 21 fall within the overlap of traditional territories where there is no final agreement, if they cannot be referred to a renewable resource council for allocation. Many of these have been vacant for years and perhaps it’s time that we try to make some progress on filling that.

In terms of Kyoto, one of the reasons our status of the environment report is late is that I was rather shocked when I read in there that 47 percent of greenhouse gas emissions come from the Kotaneelee wells. The wells are in the Yukon but everything is shipped out. When I questioned this, I found out from the federal minister and from the federal Department of Environment that they didn’t visit the site. They didn’t even bother to go out and look at the place. When we brought this up as a definite problem, it went from 47 percent to 0.04 percent — a slight discrepancy on that.

We certainly value the environment and work for the environment. We will continue to work for the environment. But to take totally uninformed criticism is simply not reasonable. I just look at some of the other criticisms that have come of this department, and I have to shake my head, Mr. Deputy Chair. For instance, when you start looking at the background and why we are on this side of the House — I submit that in the final election, the people in the Yukon were pretty clear. They gave 17 Fs and 1 D. I submit that perhaps the last government spent too much time on one item.

I also have to go back and take a look at some of the comments on the captive wildlife review. There is a requirement in the Umbrella Final Agreement to consult with the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board on all things that are relevant in there. The requirement, interestingly enough, does not extend to First Nations; but it has been a long-standing practice of this government to directly consult with First Nations, and this was done and it has been done at many, many different points. In May 2002, all First Nations and the Council of Yukon First Nations were formally invited to a public meeting in Whitehorse.

Chair:   Order please. The time has reached 5:00 p.m. on this, the 30^th day of the 2004 Spring Sitting. Standing Order 76(1) states: "On the day that the Assembly has reached the maximum number of sitting days allocated for that Sitting pursuant to Standing Order 75, the Chair of the Committee of the Whole, if the Assembly is in Committee of the Whole at the time, shall interrupt proceedings at 5:00 p.m. and, with respect to each Government Bill before Committee that the Government House Leader directs to be called, shall:

"(a) put the question on any amendment then before the Committee;

"(b) put the question, without debate or amendment, on a motion moved by a Minister that the bill, including all clauses, schedules, title and preamble, be deemed to be read and carried;

"(c) put the question on a motion moved by a Minister that the bill be reported to the Assembly; and

"(d) when all bills have been dealt with, recall the Speaker to the Chair to report on the proceedings of the Committee."

It is the duty of the Chair to now conduct the business of the Committee of the Whole in the manner directed by Standing Order 76(1).

The Chair would now ask the government House leader to indicate which bills now before the Committee of the Whole should be called.

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   Mr. Chair, the government directs that Bill No. 10, Bill No. 44 and Bill No. 45 be called at this time.

Chair:   The Committee will first deal with Bill No. 10, First Appropriation Act, 2004-05. The Chair will now recognize Mr. Fentie as the sponsor of Bill No. 10 for the purpose of moving a motion pursuant to Standing Order 76(1)(b).

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   I move that all clauses, schedules and the title of Bill No. 10, entitled First Appropriation Act, 2004-05, be deemed to be read and carried.

Chair:   It has been moved by Mr. Fentie that all clauses, schedules and the title of Bill No. 10, entitled First Appropriation Act, 2004-05, be deemed to be read and carried.

As no debate or amendment is permitted, I shall now put the question. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Some Hon. Members:   Disagreed.

Chair:   I think the ayes have it. I declare the motion carried.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Chair, I move that you report Bill No. 10 without amendment.

Chair:   It has been moved by Mr. Fentie that Bill No. 10 be reported without amendment. As no debate or amendment is permitted, I shall now put the question. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Some Hon. Members:   Disagreed.

Chair:   I think the yeas have it. I declare the motion carried.

Chair:   The Committee will now deal with Bill No. 44, Act to Amend the Municipal Finance and Community Grants Act. The Chair will now recognize Mr. Hart as the sponsor of Bill No. 44 for the purpose of moving a motion pursuant to Standing Order 76(1)(b).

Hon. Mr. Hart:   I move that all clauses and the title of Bill No. 44, entitled An Act to Amend the Municipal Finance and Community Grants Act, be deemed to be read and carried.

Chair:   It has been moved by Mr. Hart that all clauses and the title of Bill No. 44, entitled Act to Amend the Municipal Finance and Community Grants Act, be deemed to be read and carried. As no debate or amendment is permitted, I shall now put the question. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Chair:   I think the ayes have it. I declare the motion carried.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Mr. Chair, I move that you report Bill No. 44 without amendment.

Chair:   It has been moved that Bill No. 44 be reported without amendment. As no debate or amendment is permitted, I shall now put the question. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Chair:   I think the ayes have it. I declare the motion carried.

Chair:   Committee will now deal with Bill No. 45, Act to Amend the Assessment and Taxation Act. The Chair will now recognize Mr. Hart, as the sponsor of Bill No. 45, for the purposes of moving a motion, pursuant to Standing Order 76(1)(b).

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Mr. Chair, I move that all clauses and the title of Bill No. 45, entitled Act to Amend the Assessment and Taxation Act, be deemed to be read and carried.

Chair:   It has been moved by Mr. Hart that all clauses and the title of Bill No. 45, entitled Act to Amend the Assessment and Taxation Act, be deemed to be read and carried. As no debate or amendment is permitted, I shall now put the question. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Chair:   I think the ayes have it. I declare the motion carried.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Mr. Chair, I move that you report Bill No. 45 without amendment.

Chair:   It has been moved that Bill No. 45 be reported without amendment. As no debate or amendment is permitted, I shall now put the question. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Chair:   I think the ayes have it. I declare the motion carried.

Chair:   As all government bills remaining in Committee of the Whole have now been decided upon, it is my duty to rise and report to the House.

Speaker:   I will now call the House to order.

May the House have a report from the Chair of Committee of the Whole?

Mr. Rouble:   Mr. Speaker, Committee of the Whole has considered Bill No. 10, entitled First Appropriation Act, 2004-05, and has directed me to report it without amendment.

Further, Committee of the Whole has considered Bill No. 44, entitled Act to Amend the Municipal Finance and Community Grants Act, and has directed me to report it without amendment.

Further, Committee of the Whole has considered Bill No. 45, entitled Act to Amend the Assessment and Taxation Act, and has directed me to report it without amendment.

Speaker:   You have heard the report from the Chair of the Committee of the Whole. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Speaker:   I declare the report carried.

Speaker:  Standing Order 76(2) states: "On the sitting day that the Assembly has reached the maximum number of sitting days allocated for that Sitting pursuant to Standing Order 75, the Speaker of the Assembly, when recalled to the Chair after the House has been in the Committee of the Whole, shall:

"(d) with respect to each Government Bill standing on the Order Paper for Third Reading and designated to be called by the Government House Leader,

I shall therefore ask the government House leader to identify which of the bills now standing at third reading the government wishes to be called.

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   The government directs that Bill No. 8, Bill No. 43, Bill No. 10, Bill No. 44 and Bill No. 45 be called for third reading at this time.

Clerk:   Third reading, Bill No. 8, standing in the name of the Hon. Mr. Fentie.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   I move that Bill No. 8, entitled Third Appropriation Act, 2003-04, be now read a third time and do pass.

Speaker:   It has been moved by the Premier that Bill No. 8, entitled Third Appropriation Act, 2003-04, be now read a third time and do pass. As no debate or amendment is permitted, I shall put the question. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Member:   Division.

Speaker:   Division has been called.

Speaker:  Mr. Clerk, please poll the House.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   Agree.

Hon. Ms. Taylor:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Lang:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Agree.

Mr. Rouble:   Agree.

Mr. Hassard:   Agree.

Mr. Cathers:   Agree.

Mr. Hardy:   Disagree.

Mr. McRobb:   Disagree.

Mr. Fairclough:   Disagree.

Mr. Cardiff:   Disagree.

Mrs. Peter:   Disagree.

Ms. Duncan:   Disagree.

Mr. Arntzen:  Agree.

Clerk:   Mr. Speaker, the results are 11 yea, six nay.

Speaker:   The yeas have it.

Speaker:  I declare that Bill No. 8 has passed this House.

Clerk:   Third reading, Bill No. 43, standing in the name of the Hon. Mr. Fentie.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   I move that Bill No. 43, entitled Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be now read a third time and do pass.

Speaker:   It has been moved by the Premier that Bill No. 43, entitled Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be now read a third time and do pass. As no debate or amendment is permitted, I shall now put the question. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Member:   Division.

Speaker:   Division has been called.

Speaker:   Mr. Clerk, please poll the House.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Lang:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Agree.

Mr. Rouble:   Agree.

Mr. Hassard:   Agree.

Mr. Cathers:   Agree.

Mr. Hardy:   Agree.

Mr. McRobb:   Agree.

Mr. Fairclough:   Agree.

Mr. Cardiff:   Agree.

Mrs. Peter:   Agree.

Ms. Duncan:   Agree.

Mr. Arntzen:  Agree.

Clerk:   The results are 16 yea, nil nay.

Speaker:   The yeas have it.

Speaker:  I declare that Bill No. 43 has passed this House.

Clerk:   Third reading of Bill No. 10, standing in the name of the Hon. Mr. Fentie.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill No. 10, entitled First Appropriation Act, 2004-05, be now read a third time and do pass.

Speaker:   It has been moved by the Premier that Bill No. 10, entitled First Appropriation Act, 2004-05, be now read a third time and do pass. As no debate or amendment is permitted, I shall now put the question. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Division.

Speaker:   Division has been called.

Speaker:   Mr. Clerk, please poll the House.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   Agree.

Hon. Ms. Taylor:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Lang:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Agree.

Mr. Rouble:   Agree.

Mr. Hassard:   Agree.

Mr. Cathers:   Agree.

Mr. Hardy:   Disagree.

Mr. McRobb:   Disagree.

Mr. Fairclough:   Disagree.

Mr. Cardiff:   Disagree.

Mrs. Peter:   Disagree.

Ms. Duncan:   Disagree.

Mr. Arntzen:  Agree.

Clerk:   Mr. Speaker, the results are 11 yea, six nay.

Speaker:   The yeas have it.

Speaker:   I declare that Bill No. 10 has passed this House.

Clerk:   Third reading, Bill No. 44, standing in the name of the Hon. Mr. Hart.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill No. 44, entitled Act to Amend the Municipal Finance and Community Grants Act, be now read a third time and do pass.

Speaker:   It has been moved by the hon. Minister of Community Services that Bill No. 44, entitled Act To Amend the Municipal Finance and Community Grants Act, be now read a third time and do pass. As no debate or amendment is permitted, I shall now put it to the question. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Division.

Speaker:   Division has been called.

Speaker:   Mr. Clerk, would you please poll the House.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   Agree.

Hon. Ms. Taylor:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Lang:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Agree.

Mr. Rouble:   Agree.

Mr. Hassard:   Agree.

Mr. Cathers:   Agree.

Mr. Hardy:   Agree.

Mr. McRobb:   Agree.

Mr. Fairclough:   Agree.

Mr. Cardiff:   Agree.

Mrs. Peter:   Agree.

Ms. Duncan:   Agree.

Mr. Arntzen:  Agree.

Clerk:   Mr. Speaker, the results are 17 yea, nil nay.

Speaker:   The yeas have it.

Speaker:  I declare that Bill No. 44 has passed this House.

Clerk:   Third reading, Bill No. 45, standing in the name of Hon. Mr. Hart.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill No. 45, entitled Act to Amend the Assessment and Taxation Act, be now read a third time and do pass.

Speaker:   It has been moved by the hon. Minister of Community Services that Bill No. 45, entitled Act to Amend the Assessment and Taxation Act, be now read a third time and do pass.

As no debate or amendment is permitted, I shall now put the question. Are you agreed?

Some Hon. Members:   Division.

Speaker:   Division has been called.

Speaker:   Mr. Clerk, please poll the House.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Jenkins:   Agree.

Hon. Ms. Taylor:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Edzerza:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Lang:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Hart:   Agree.

Mr. Rouble:   Agree.

Mr. Hassard:   Agree.

Mr. Cathers:   Agree.

Mr. Hardy:   Agree.

Mr. McRobb:   Agree.

Mr. Fairclough:   Agree.

Mr. Cardiff:   Agree.

Mrs. Peter:   Agree.

Ms. Duncan:   Agree.

Mr. Arntzen:  Agree.

Clerk:   Mr. Speaker, the results are 17 yea, nil nay.

Speaker:   The yeas have it.

Speaker:  I declare that Bill. No. 45 has passed this House.

Speaker:   We are now prepared to receive the Commissioner, in his capacity as Lieutenant Governor, to grant assent to the bills that have passed this House.

Commissioner:   Please be seated.

Speaker:   Mr. Commissioner, the Assembly has, at its present session, passed certain bills to which, in the name and on behalf of the Assembly, I respectfully request your assent.

Clerk:   Third Appropriation Act, 2003-04; Act to Amend the Income Tax Act; First Appropriation Act, 2004-05; Act to Amend the Municipal Finance and Community Grants Act; Act to Amend the Assessment and Taxation Act.

Commissioner:   I assent to the bills as enumerated by the Clerk.

I wish a good Yukon summer to all the members, and to the staff. Thank you.

Speaker:   I will now call the House to order.

Speaker:  As the House has reached the maximum number of days permitted for the spring sitting, as established pursuant to Standing Order 75(3), and the House has completed consideration of the designated legislation, it is the duty of the Chair to declare that this House now stands adjourned.

03-1-104

Yukon Economic Outlook (dated April 2004) (Fentie)

04-1-105

Animal inventory, valuation of (report dated March 2004) by BDO Valuation Inc. (Kenyon)

04-1-45

Conflict of Interest Commissioner, letter dated April 21, 2004) to Hon. Jim Kenyon, MLA re letters from Hon. Mr. Kenyon to Conflict of Interest Commissioner David Jones (Kenyon)

04-1-46

Yukon Engineering Services, letter from Darrell March, Manager, Financial Services, Department of Environment, re: assessments/estimates on civil improvements on aspects of Buchanan’s game viewing operation (Kenyon)