Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the H.A.P. clients receive their material package, they have a materials list that accompanies the package, and they are supposed to check off the list all the materials they have. If there is any shortage they are supposed to report it to the Housing Corporation and the Housing Corporation will ensure that shortage of material is given to them. Thank you.

Oral questions, supplementary Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A lot of times, when they start building, they do not open all the material right away. They seem to be treated differently now. I wonder if he can find out about to this?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be happy to look into any specific matter the Member has, maybe later on today when we have a meeting, he can advise me of specifics, and I will take care of it. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Renewable Resources regarding the use of humane traps, or quick kill traps.

In his statement today, or response to a question, the Minister stated that there will be a delay in the exchange of traps, but I have got a concern that it is becoming costly for trappers to participate in the exchange program, and I know it is going to be law that they do. In a lot of cases, new traps are not readily available, and they are especially not readily available in the size that they need for the different animals that they trap.

My question to the Minister is, can the Minister assure trappers that there are going to be enough traps of the sizes that are adequate for their needs?

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this point, I cannot assure the Member that there will be enough traps available. For that reason, the manufacturers are manufacturing as fast as they can. We were able to get, so far, 300,000 traps for our trappers. I think, for a short period of time, there could very well be a shortage of traps. I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, we are able to get 30,000 quick kill traps for our trappers. Mr. Speaker, there could very well be a shortage of traps for a short period of time, until the manufacturers are able to produce enough traps for our trappers. We will try to make sure that there are enough traps, but that depends on the manufacturers. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

I guess it just expounds on the problem that we are trying to introduce new laws and new legislation, and we do not have all the resources available for the trappers. One of the complaints that I have received from trappers, is that it has costing them money. They do not have enough traps and they are obliged to trade in their existing traps. The new traps are not available, or if they are, they are too heavy, too bulky, as was mentioned by Mr. Gargan the other day.

What financial assistance is available to trappers to compensate them for loss of trapping if they do not have the proper traps available, the new traps?

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a trapper exchange program that the department runs. The trapper will give the old leg hold traps to our Renewable Resources, or in some cases to the Hunters and Trappers Association. The trapper is then given the new traps, the quick kill traps. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

It seems to me then, that this is an opportunity for entrepreneurs in the north. When I was in the business of trying to promote economic development, there were some investigations on manufactured traps in the north. Has there been any further work done in this regard, to look at the possibilities, or feasibilities of manufacturing traps in the Northwest Territories?

Mr. Allooloo.

Yes, I believe there was a study done to see if the traps could be manufactured in the Northwest Territories. I will work with the Economic Development Minister to see how far that study has gone and how viable it is to produce traps in the Northwest Territories. I am sure it could be a boost to our economy. Thank you.

This is your last supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Will the Minister please provide Members with the research and information that is available, and what he finds in this regard?

Mr. Allooloo.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask Madam Premier this question. In regard to the regional councils, I know there was legislation established in September 1983, and also the established their policy for funding in July 1984. Today, looking at the operating and maintenance budget, there will be a cut of $128,000. What is the government's planning strategy in the future on the regional councils?

Ms. Cournoyea.