Minister of Economic Development and Tourism.

I am aware of the goings-on in Japan and I think we are also looking at Germany as well, Mr. Speaker. I have asked the department for an accounting of that. I am unable to tell the Member at this time the benefits to the Northwest Territories, but I will endeavour to seek that out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

You are taking the question as notice, Mr. Pollard?

Mr. Speaker, the difficulty is that the event in Japan has just occurred and I will not know for some time if there has been any benefit accruing from that, so I would have to get back to the department and merely come to the House with what they think the benefit will be to the government. In that respect, sir, I am taking the question as notice.

The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs regarding his response on civil emergencies when he referred to the rangers and the Armed Forces on crashes and missing people, but my original question was with regard to emergency measures with regard to a highway spill. My main concern was that last year alone I believe there were about three accidents on the Mackenzie Highway where fuel was spilled, or other things were spilled on the side of the highways.

The Minister has not addressed that particular issue. In the event there is a dangerous spill which could possibly cause fumes or kill people, he has not responded to that. I would like to ask the Minister whether that particular emergency issue has been addressed.

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the honourable Member's question covers the area of transportation of dangerous goods and accidents or problems that could arise in connection with the transportation of dangerous goods, and I think those matters properly fall under the responsibility of the Minister of Transportation. If the question is asked to me, I think I would have to take it on notice. Thank you.

Mr. Gargan.

I think in the Hansard, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Allooloo referred the question to Mr. Patterson regarding my question on emergency, but I will direct my question to the Minister of Transportation. In the event there is an accident where dangerous chemicals are spilled on the road, where does the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act address the issue of an emergency response?

I understand from Mr. Patterson's response, because the question is posed to Mr. Allooloo, Mr. Patterson did not take it as notice. Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, this is one of the areas where not just one department is responsible, but in terms of the Member's concern over an accident in dealing with dangerous chemicals, I am told it falls under the jurisdiction of Renewable Resources. There is a response team set up in Hay River and equipment in Hay River, as well as in Enterprise. If I am wrong the Minister of Renewable Resources could correct me on that.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

I would like to ask the Minister of Renewable Resources if there is an emergency response team in Hay River and Enterprise.

Minister of Renewable Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am told that there is.

Minister responsible for Renewable Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Any time there is any oil spill it is very important to our environment. Yes, I will, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope my previous question to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism does not reflect on his ability to add numbers and balance the budget. In Hansard on Friday you also noted that Expo made job offers to 48 people. Is this the total number of staff that will be hired at Expo?

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism.

I think the number that I recorded, Mr. Speaker, was 48 Northerners. That is not the total number. I think the total number will be in excess of 50.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.