Mr. Speaker, this is in response to Mrs. Jeannie Marie-Jewell's question 149-12(3) asked on December 1, 1992, regarding the sale of staff housing in Fort Smith.

The Member for Thebacha asked me when the houses being considered for sale in Fort Smith will be going to the real estate agents.

Staff houses that are considered for sale in Fort Smith will be going through the real estate agencies beginning January, 1993. A maximum of five to ten units will be on the market at any one time. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, this is in response to question 134-12(3), asked by Mrs. Jeannie Marie-Jewell on November 30,1992.

Mr. Speaker, the Member from Thebacha asked me to review a potential violation of the collective agreement in the matter of the treatment coordinator position at the Trailcross facility in Fort Smith. Mrs. Marie-Jewell also asked me if the treatment coordinator position was the proper position for the employee in question.

I have been informed by my officials that this issue is the subject of three separate grievances by the Union of Northern Workers. I understand the issue revolves around a difference of opinion between the union and management over the right of management to proceed with the voluntary transfer of an employee without the involvement of the union.

The grievance procedure, Mr. Speaker, was negotiated with the union to provide a standard process for resolving this sort of problem. The grievance procedure has three levels. The first two involve an attempt on the part of the union and management to agree on a resolution of the problem. If the second level does not resolve the problem, the grievance is referred to the Minister of Personnel as the third and final level prior to arbitration.

These grievances are still being dealt with at the first two levels and I am optimistic that they will be resolved without the need for the Minister of Personnel to become involved. This time proven process has been negotiated in good faith with the union and it has been very effective in resolving disputes in the past. I will not become involved in the matter at this point, as I may be asked to rule on the case at a higher level. I would ask the Member to recognize the need for this issue to be dealt with in the normal labour management grievance forum. It would not be appropriate for me to make any judgemental comments on the issue, as it will prejudice my ability to be objective if I am called upon to deal with it at the third level of the grievance process. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Today my colleague from Kitikmeot commented on the importance of seeing the government proceed as quickly as possible with developing the mineral resource sector of our northern economy. The Minister knows that the approximate sum of $8.5 million allocated to the mineral development category is the largest single allocation under the E.D.A. agreement. Close to $2.5 million of that allocation was targeted to the North Slave region. An additional $900,000 was also set aside for territorial-wide initiatives. Can the Minister indicate to the House what we have to show for this? How has the North Slave benefited to date from this E.D.A. funding?

Mr. Speaker, the Minister answered part of my question. What I asked was, how did my constituents benefit from this money that was specifically allocated to the North Slave region? I do not believe the money that was allocated to this particular program has benefited the communities in the North Slave region. That was my question. Supplementary, Mr. Speaker, what future E.D.A. initiatives can the people of the North Slave expect to see, specifically within the Dogrib communities over the next six to ten months?

Mr. Speaker, there are so many books on my desk, I cannot locate the note. I should express my own sympathy for the people of Apex at this loss. My own personal experience of dealing with them in my previous responsibilities is that the people were very attached to this particular building. In fact, I made an offer as the Minister to build a whole new building for them and they opted for renovations to the existing facility. I do know personally of the loss they must feel.

With regard to the immediate measures that are being taken, the Members of the Legislative Assembly should know, the students have been moved for instruction over to one of the halls available in the community, the I.O.D.E. Hall. The classes have resumed there and the community is presently being called to let them know that officials from the department will be travelling to Iqaluit shortly to meet with people in the community and the divisional board to map out a plan of action in the wake of the significant loss by the community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the department should. I will ask the department to ensure that when we are reviewing the implications of the loss of the school in Apex, we will deal with the appropriate divisional board and the local education council. I will insist that the views of the citizens of Apex and the M.L.A. be taken into account. Thank you.