Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In short, yes, but I would like to conclude the arrangement as soon as possible.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs. In the Constitution Act, section 35 recognizes the rights of aboriginal peoples of Canada, and under section 35-1, existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed. In section 35-2 of this act, aboriginal peoples of Canada include the Indian, Inuit and Metis peoples of Canada.

My question to the Minister is, does the Minister recognize the Metis as distinct, aboriginal peoples?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I take it that the question relates to Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, in all the government's involvement, and even with decentralization, certainly with Yellowknife, it continues to grow. I do not think that there has been any decline. We heard, just the other day, about the lay-off of Nerco staff, miners, and workers.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to suggest that, even though Yellowknife might have some foreboding feeling about being left out, or not being considered as a viable economy, that is not the case. Mr. Speaker, Yellowknife will continue to be a central area, which will benefit, much like Edmonton, in terms of forming other avenues to northern parts of the country.

As we develop any kind of economic approach in other parts of the Northwest Territories, it seems that there is always something left and some role for Yellowknife, in whatever happens, particularly in the western part of the Northwest Territories. Certainly, what I would see is that, with the continuing exploration of mining, that Yellowknife will play a big role in the supply area, and a focal point in distribution.

We see, even with hydro development, a lot of the spin-off benefits will come to Yellowknife mainly because of the infrastructure that is here. In terms of any other kinds of development, it seems that Yellowknife has a role to play, and does get spin-offs as a support community to other communities in the western part of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Recognizing the fact that the economy of this community, originally was based upon a non-renewable resource that would eventually disappear, and in light of the fact that much of the development that has taken place over the last 25 years has been as a result of the growth of government. I would like to ask the Minister, in view of the fact that we know that this kind of economy will eventually decline at some point in the future, what is there specifically in this budget, in that economic development budget, that recognizes that this is a capital city, which is of paramount importance for the economy of the whole of the Northwest Territories?

What, specifically in this budget, has this government done to ensure the economic well-being of this community?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I guess that question can be answered so many different ways. In terms of government, specifically, whether anyone is planning it or not, even though there are decentralization and some work-force adjustments, because of the population and the forced growth, there are 80 new positions that have been developed in Yellowknife, in education and different places, because of the general formulas that we have.

In terms of specific areas, I think that when we go to the Business Incentive Policy, many of the companies in Yellowknife have their headquarters here. So, even though there are other companies in the Northwest Territories, the companies that exist in Yellowknife automatically benefit from the Business Incentive Policy, because it happens that the major focus of their home operating base is in Yellowknife.

In terms of transportation routing into other areas, Yellowknife continues to thrive, because everything passes through Yellowknife. If we do something for Inuvik, Yellowknife generally benefits from it. There has been no direction to change the course of where medical patients from the Kitikmeot go, so the increased benefits, better facilities, comes to Yellowknife, and as a result, there has been the Kitikmeot Boarding Home, in which people come here, they enjoy the city, and take advantage of the business development. Also, because of the Yellowknife hospital, another facility was developed for the Dene people to come here, which in turn, Yellowknife benefits from the fact that it is a focal point. So, I think that no matter what we do, being a capital city, and one of the communities with most of the population, and most of the enhanced facilities, I do not believe that anything that is done outside Yellowknife, Yellowknife does not benefit in some way or another.

There are some economic proposals that are coming forward. I cannot be specific like Mr. Pollard could be to you, but I think there are some domestic type things that are being planned, and people are taking part.

I know that, as well, the aboriginal women's group has joined together with Robinson's Trucking to put up a type of motor hotel in Yellowknife next to the airport. I cannot exactly tell you point by point, but there are activities here that other people, and aboriginal groups, have established themselves, out of Yellowknife.

So, I believe that whether specifically, or indirectly, Yellowknife tends to benefits on all counts. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

I will just follow up then. My final supplementary, Mr. Speaker, on one issue raised by the Minister.

Since we do have a Business Incentive Policy, I know in contracting local communities which have local businesses, they are allowed a 15 percent kind of discount, if you like, or reduction, and if it is a local group they have an extra five percent.

Will the Government Leader assure me that policy of this government will apply for those companies that apply on contracts in Yellowknife, that they will also get that five percent extra, since they would be local companies that would be bidding on government contracts, because that is the government policy. Will she assure me that will continue to happen, in the future, for Yellowknife companies.

Mrs. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I think that the word was assure, you know, and I think that I can say that what exists today, I can assure that there is no plans to change the policy to reap benefits, or giving benefits to Yellowknife contractors. The Minister responsible would like to add on to my comments. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to assure the Member that the spirit and intent of the Business Incentive Policy will be implemented, and the spirit and intent of the policy is to equalize things. To give northerners 15 percent so that they are equal in bidding against their southern counterparts, and the five percent local preference is to equalize for local communities, when it is implemented.

For example, there is a portion of the policy that says it has to follow the spirit and intent of the policy, that is to create jobs for northerners, and to equalize it. So, in some cases the five percent local preference is waved in order to follow the spirit and intent of the policy, and in those cases, for example, a bridge contract where the contract may be $1 million, and six or seven hundred thousand dollars of that contract, is steel that is manufactured in Edmonton, that portion will not get the five percent, for the simple reason all bidders have to bring it out of the same area. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Minister of the Housing Corporation in regards to the H.A.P. Housing Program.

It is very appealing for people, especially when there is a shortage of public housing. I seem to notice now, or be more aware, that the people who get H.A.P. housing, it is not because they make errors in the building, but sometimes they are short of lumber.

Around 1980, I know that they were applying for H.A.P. housing, and if they were short of materials, then they were able to get more. Now adays, even when they are short of materials, even if they ask, it seems to be getting harder to obtain the material that they are short of, because they can only own it after five years of living in it.

I know it is not just with the housing authority, or the recipients. I wonder if this has been dealt with, if they can provide more material if there is a shortage. Thank you.