YELLOWKNIFE - Regular members passed a motion directing cabinet to implement mandatory criminal record checks for government employees and volunteers who have contact with children.

It was introduced by Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen, who was responding to concerns following the discovery of convicted pedophile John Melanson living and working in Hay River.

While Melanson worked as a chef, it was also learned he volunteered at the local secondary school and played Santa Claus at the public library.

"Some folks may say that this type of criminal records check might create some kind of offence that will discourage people from volunteering," said Groenewegen. "(But) if you weigh the inconvenienceÖ against the possibility of even one instance of a child being hurt by a sexual predator, I would say we should proceed with this and not worry about those kinds of negative implications."

The motion is non-binding.

Don't spare the chipseal

Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger went to bat for finishing the job chipsealing the rest of Highway 5, but it appears he may have to settle for 18 kilometres instead of the 100 kilometres it would take to seal the deal.

"We appreciate any amount of chipsealing on the roads, even if it's repairs and no matter how small the distance, it's better than nothing as has been the case in the last number of years," said Miltenberger.

"What other steps are required to look at the chipsealing of the remaining 100 or so kilometres?"

Transport Minister Kevin Menicoche responded that kilometre 88 through to 106 was being chipsealed.

"We are looking at the whole highway system. We are dedicating some resources to an engineering study that will tell us exactly what the deficiencies are and Highway 5 and where we must strategize and look forward to, hopefully, chipsealing the whole highway."

More user pay recycling fees?

When the rubber hits the road heading for the NWT, Jane Groenewegen wants to make sure there are tickets out for those used tires.

"Even if you can't get it figured out what you are going to do with them after you collect them, at least get the tax and the rebate system put in place so we can start getting them to one place where we can do something useful with them," said the Hay Rive South MLA.

According to Minister of Environment Michael McLeod, a private contractor is conducting research on how to expand the department's waste recovery program, which recycles beverage containers through a deposit system.

Another study requested for power rates

Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) wants more money for its electricity and MLAs are asking for a comprehensive review of the Territorial Power Subsidy Program (TPSP).

The government contributes $10 million annually to the crown corporation's purse to subsidize expensive rates of generating electricity in diesel dependent communities. Currently, all NTPC customers pay the Yellowknife rate of approximately 20 cents per kilowatt hour for the first 700 hours used each month.

Last week Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya moved a motion directing cabinet to "Immediately undertake a comprehensive review of the TPSP, including a comparison of power consumption levels in various regions and during different months of the year."

The motion also wants the government to explore implementing an annual maximum consumption level instead of the current monthly rates of 700kW/h for residents and 1,000kW/h for businesses.

Education issues in Behchoko

Monfwi MLA Jackson Lafferty pressed Education Minister Charles Dent over the Gameti school renovations and demanded funding for aboriginal language studies be on par with other subjects taught.

On the subject of Gameti's school Dent said that bids for extending learning space and adding a gymnasium were too expensive and that a funding review was currently underway.

"When the bids came in, they were so much over budget that we couldn't proceed," Dent said. "So at this point, Municipal and Community Affairs, my department and Public Works are examining what the options might be."

As to the issue of language curriculum development funding Dent committed to spending 'whatever it takes.'

"It may take more (money) in some areas and it may take less in others," said Dent. "We are prepared, over the next few years, to spend what it takes to develop the appropriate curriculum in each region."

Mackenzie bridge? What about us

In the wake of Premier Joe Handley's announcement the territorial government is going to forge ahead with the $130 million bridge-across-the-Mackenzie-River-project, Nunakput MLA Calvin Pokiak remind cabinet of his region's infrastructure requirements.

Pokiak asked the government to consider allocating $15 million towards construction of a 22 kilometres access road to Tuktoyaktuk's gravel source 177, adding he hoped its construction would lead to building the Tuk-Inuvik all-weather Highway.