Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not know anything about this holdings company. Possibly, my department does. I will find out about it. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have spoken to the Premier elect this week, stating our concerns that the trans-boundary water agreement is a priority. I suggested that we go back to negotiating. At the time, he was not able to state clearly when the negotiations would start. He indicated that he would get his department to start working on it. Yesterday, my department contacted the Department of the Environment in Alberta and stated again that we need to have an agreement in place to protect the waters that are coming into the Northwest Territories. The Department of the Environment in Alberta was not able to indicate to my department when the negotiations would start. They are aware that we are very concerned about the water coming into the Northwest Territories and we will do our utmost to get their attention and start negotiating. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, yes, I can assure the Member and this House that I will do my best to go down to Alberta as soon as possible to meet with the Minister of the Environment. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Status of Women. Mr. Speaker, there was an action plan for equality for women with the previous government. This contained objectives that called for the Women's Secretariat to further the cause of women who wished to start small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, if she can indicate whether it is still a priority of this government to foster private sector opportunities for women in business? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the Status of Women and the women's groups have been highly preoccupied with violence against women, sexual assault, and more of the social problems that are inherent in many of the communities. I know that many of these women would like to expand past the social activities and get into more of the private business sector. At this point, we are continuing to actively support the native women's business in the project at the airport. As these proposals come in, I believe that it is only good business for us to support them. More involvement in the economic front by women and aboriginal people means that they become part of what is going on, not only in the area of social issues but in terms of economic development and employment opportunities.

These are very important to raising the necessary financial requirements that are required to raise a family. Yes, we will continue to do that. I do not think there is enough being done about that because the preoccupation is more on trying to get the social issues in the community. I believe we can become more active but we have not addressed that in terms of the women's directorate at this time. I know that we have certain proposals sitting which are supported generally by this government. In the terms of the women's directorate, I think we can be more proactive in this area. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister has indicated that they could be more proactive in this particular area. It has been expressed to many Members, that the credit corporation, which is with the Department of Economic Development may be acting in a way which limits the viability of business ventures that are driven by women. I would like to ask the Minister, what role can the Status of Women take if it is concerned that certain government programs or agencies are seem to be limiting the viability of business ventures that are initiated by women? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.