Oral Questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. For quite a while now they have had a concern which they had asked to be set on the priority list of the capital budget. I wonder if anything has been done, to date, about the request for a big boat in Sanikiluaq for the purpose of search and rescue. I have brought this up in the House previously. They have been pushing for a big boat through the capital budget and they have requested it be put on the priority list. Will he be able to respond to me during this session on this request for a boat and how soon it could be purchased? This question is not new and this question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the problem. There has been research done in this particular area. There have been a number of large vessels in Sanikiluaq over previous years. When it comes down to search and rescue, though, that falls under the J.E.T. Program which is administered by Municipal and Community Affairs.

My suggestion to the Member, through you, Mr. Speaker, would be if you will allow myself and the Minister of M.A.C.A. to get together to get some indication from the community exactly what the use of the boat would be, then we can make a judgement on whose responsibility it would be and I will endeavour to do that, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Questions, supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This boat would be a multi-purpose boat. I have listed some of the things the boat would be used for and maybe you could get together and determine which department would be responsible for this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, one of the problems that we get into is if it is a multi-purpose vessel, if it is going to be used for fishing and search and rescue, then it is unlikely that we would be able to access funds from the federal government with regard to search and rescue because those vessels have to meet a criteria to being able to withstand sea conditions and being seaworthy themselves. It is difficult and we will have to determine what priority the community places on either a fishing vessel, a resupply vessel or a search and rescue vessel and we will take it from there.

Oral Questions. Mr. Bernhardt.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On June 29, 1992, this House passed a motion to give direction to the Minister of Personnel with respect to the development of a Hire North Policy. In September, the Minister responded with a statement to the effect that the government is doing all it can. If you look at the government's record within the regions, it is

clear that the government is not doing enough. In the Kitikmeot aboriginal people form 90 per cent of the population yet hold only 21 per cent of the Government of the N.W.T. management positions in the region.

My question is for the Minister of Personnel. Can the Minister advise the House what action he is prepared to take to address the serious inequities of aboriginal employment, particularly in management positions in regions outside of Yellowknife?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral Questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health. Yesterday I tabled in this House a letter from the Minister of Health to Dr. Covert, and I would like clarification regarding this letter. Mr. Speaker, as of Wednesday, November 18, 1992 I questioned the Minister of Health in this House. According to unedited Hansard he indicated that Dr. Covert was not appointed recently, he was appointed years ago for a period of time as the Chair of the Board of Inquiry set up under the Medical Profession Act and he still occupies that office.

Reviewing the act it indicates that the Minister may appoint for a term not exceeding two years. In his remark to me he said "for some years." I would like the Minister of Health to clarify for this House the statement which he made in his letter to Dr. Covert indicating that his appointment was effective September 2, and his statements he made in this House saying the appointment was in effect for some years. Thank you.

Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do appreciate the opportunity to clarify the situation. I am not sure if I described it accurately earlier in this House. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Covert was President of the Board of Inquiry for two years up until this fall, then his appointment would have lapsed but he was reappointed by me at that time. I think the Member has tabled the letter which reappointed him.

Around this time a matter was brought before the Board of Inquiry which required a hearing. It all happened more or less at the same time. His appointment lapsed, he was reappointed and a matter was put to the board for hearing, namely the matter in Fort Smith. This is how it happened, Mr. Speaker. I hope this clarifies the course of events for the Member. Thank you.

Oral Questions. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the plan is in place, it is being reviewed by Madam Premier. There are quite a substantial number of changes proposed in this plan. My understanding now is that it will go to Cabinet for discussion and then it will go to Mr. Koe's committee for comment by Mr. Koe, Mr. Antoine and Mr. Ningark before being proceeded with further.

Mr. Speaker, if it seems we are moving a little slow in this area. The people we have in the central agencies at the present time are really plugged up with the consolidation of Health and Social Services and a number of other issues which are taking place in departments. We are trying not to overload the system. It is our intention to comply with the wishes of Mr. Zoe's committee, to distance those two pieces of finance fairly shortly, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral Questions. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Pollard.

Certainly, by the end of this fiscal year. Thank you.