Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' Statements. Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Dent.

Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Bernhardt.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the process used to select Members of Cabinet. This process was first established by previous Legislatures and has been adopted by a majority of Members of this House. As all Members are aware, under our current practice, this House selects four Cabinet Ministers from the east and four from the west. This selection process does not serve the best interest of the people of the Northwest Territories collectively.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that, especially during these tough times, we must change the way we select the Cabinet so that the best and the most capable candidates are chosen for the job, no matter what part of the territories they come from. It is my opinion that we have reached a stage in our constitutional development at which all Members of this Legislature will have to work together on the equitable process for dividing the N.W.T. into Nunavut and the western territories. To make these important decisions, I believe all Members should have the best interest of the territories as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, when decisions are made to select Cabinet Ministers, I for one, want to see a process in which I can vote for whom I consider to be the best possible candidate for the job, no matter if they are from the east or the west.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, the selection of Cabinet should not be based solely on region or culture, but on credibility, honesty and commitment to the people of the Northwest Territories. After all, all cultures in the whole creation...

Mr. Bernhardt, you allotted time has lapsed.

Mr Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Bernhardt.

Thank you, honourable Members. In conclusion, the selection of Cabinet should not be based solely on region or culture, but on credibility, honesty and commitment to the people of the Northwest Territories. After all, all cultures in this whole creation have borrowed something from other cultures in order to survive and compete. I would have loved to be nominated to sit over there for half a day and come back on this side. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Bernhardt. Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise briefly to thank Mr. Pudlat and also a number of honourable Members, both Cabinet Ministers and ordinary Members, who have spoken to me about the unfortunate loss of the Nanook School in Apex by fire last week. I would like to thank the honourable Members for the sympathy and the support they have expressed to do their part to help this close-knit community rebuild its beloved school as soon as possible. I am also grateful for the commitment of the government to involve the community and myself fully in the planning process. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today, we had an election for a new Minister and that is the reason why I am speaking now. I was asked to run for Minister as well. I have five small communities in my region and we need a lot of government help. When I was first elected I wanted to help the people of my region so I put my name in for nomination. At that time I felt that I could do the job of a Minister and still represent my riding, but the people that voted for me are the ones I have to help first. When you are a Minister you have to represent everyone in the territories. There are eight Ministers appointed. Richard Nerysoo, John Todd and Rebecca Mike are new Ministers. The process now is that we select four from the east and four from the west to represent all the people from the territories. They are supposed to think of everybody throughout the territories, not only their specific region. They are Ministers representing everybody from the territories. They have to think that from now on. They are good people elected to be Ministers and I feel they will represent the people of the N.W.T. well. Thank you.

Mr. Whitford.

Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my thanks to some of the former Ministers who just resigned. I would like to first express my thanks to Mr. Ningark, who served for a short while in the area of Renewable Resources. I also want to thank him for offering to travel to my constituency. Unfortunately, he did not get the opportunity to do that. I also want to thank Mr. James Arvaluk for assisting in ensuring that the Dene Cultural Institute is well into operation and that it did have planning money for its initiatives. I would also like to thank Mr. Whitford for his contribution to my constituency in the area of transportation and, in particular, the construction that has gone on for the last several years with regard to road construction. Finally, to Mr. Patterson. Oh, just wait now. Dennis, what did you do for my....

---Laughter

I would also like to thank Mr. Patterson for his assistance. I understand that there were going to be major renovations worth millions of dollars, for my community in Fort Providence but I think now the priority lies with the Apex School and I am sure that the people in my constituency would understand if they hold back in order for the school to be a reality in Apex. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Gargan. Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Ningark.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to congratulate Richard Nerysoo, Rebecca Mike and John Todd. We all know that the Ministers go through a hard time. They have children and families. They are people like us. They are human beings. They have feelings too and they have gone through a tough time. If we try to give them support they can give us in return the same support that we give them, not just in the Legislative Assembly; they have work outside the Legislative Assembly throughout the Northwest Territories. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that people from Kitikmeot, sometimes we call them the middle

east, are going through hard times, so we would like to get support from them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Item 3, Members' Statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did not intend to make a Member's statement today, however, I should have checked my desk before the day had started. Mr. Speaker, I came to clear my desk and I read this note. It was addressed to me with no stamp so I know it was hand delivered to this Assembly. It says, "the public is watching you. It is time to put some credibility back into government and stop your personal vindictiveness. Put somebody in with education and credibility. Vote for Brian Lewis. Remember, we are watching."

Mr. Speaker, I find that quite appalling. This morning, when I think of it, I did get a nomination for the Cabinet seat and I certainly would like to take the time to thank my honourable colleague for Baffin Centre for her confidence and for honouring me with the nomination. However, Mr. Speaker, I want to comment that during the first Territorial Leadership Committee a year ago, this House passed a motion that established a two year review to the Executive Council and I voted for that motion, Mr. Speaker. I regret that it has been necessary to see Cabinet changes before that time. Some days I regret the process we use in this House, however, on consensus I agree and I go with the majority. That is democracy.

I do not believe in saying we will do one thing and then do another. Once I give my word, I want to fulfil the commitments that I have made. I felt it would have been inappropriate for me to allow my name to be put forward. I certainly hope that this is noted by some of the political pundits who, for example, wrote this note and the media, which have tried to attribute to the resignation of Cabinet Ministers to a personal bias or ambition on my part. This is not true at all. Mr. Speaker, the work of a Minister requires the commitment of a Member of this House to serve all the people of the Northwest Territories. I have made commitments to serve on committees and I would like to attempt to finish the commitments that I have made as a Member. I seek unanimous consent to continue.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, honourable colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I enjoy my life as an M.L.A. Believe it or not, I have a lot of fun. At the same time I believe I work hard too. One of our responsibilities is not only to make government accountable, but to bring the issues and concerns of Members of this House to the public forum. My constituents voted me into office because they know I am not afraid to speak, to work, and to bring forth the issues and make sure they are addressed. I thank them for their support.

No doubt, when you serve as an M.L.A., you have to work hard to be effective. When you work hard to be effective people look at you as though you are trying to get power. I do not look at it as power. I believe when you work hard to be effective you are trying to be responsible. In order to be responsible you also have to be accountable. I sometimes wonder why people find that the amount of power a person gets makes them feel that they are very important. In the eyes of our constituents we are all important because they place faith in us to serve them. I have tried to make the commitment to serve my constituents well. I will continue to serve them well. I will continue to make the government accountable.

Mr. Speaker, on a closing note, I certainly want to give my full congratulations to Mr. Nerysoo. I congratulate the other Members who placed forth their names for the empty seat on Cabinet. I know Mr. Nerysoo will be capable of filling the position. Most of all, I do want to urge the people of Yellowknife not to fear that they do not have a Minister on the Cabinet because the government is right at their doorstep. I have worked with these people for one year. I believe that many of the Cabinet Members are open and approachable. I know they will treat all the people of the N.W.T. with fairness. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. I would like to put on the public record that the note came from outside of this Legislative Assembly. I would like to state for the public record that it is very important that the Members of this Assembly can make their decisions free of the fear of intimidation or threats. I would like to state strongly that visitors to our Legislative Assembly please refrain from passing notes that might be construed as threatening to the Members of this Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

---Applause.

Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to congratulate the newly elected Ministers. I am not going to indicate the names, but I would like to thank each newly elected Member for being able to respond to my questions. I would also like to congratulate the new elected Executive Council Members. I would like to congratulate all the Members who participated in the election of the Executive Council. I think we have to work closely together to make this a better government. We have to look at the future. I would like to thank all the Members and the new Executive Council Members.

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to tell the House that I really took this leadership race very seriously. I

wrote a speech out so that I knew exactly what I was going to say with a little bit of room to manoeuvre. The adrenaline began to flow. It was a very competitive feeling, something which I have lost for a long time. It was very good for me to become involved in a race against all these young and vigourous people who really want to do something. I have every confidence that our Cabinet will be an effective and strong one. I am delighted, although I hate losing, because Mr. Nerysoo has been in the wilderness for many years. He perhaps reached the top too soon. I remember meeting him on the street about seven years ago outside Yellowknife Radio. He looked very down and very unhappy. I remember saying to him, "People like you are going to go around several times yet. You may feel as if you are down now, but if you are very young in this business and achieve success, you can have a very depressing period of time because this is a very uncertain business that we are in. People can get down very easily." Now that he has had the chance to prove himself again with all his wisdom and experience, I am sure that when he gets on the other side and takes his seat he will have a different view of life. He will be richer and more experienced for it. I am sure that he will be a very productive and effective person in dealing with the very complicated issues that we have on the horizon. I appreciate the opportunity to say this so soon after being involved in this gigantic struggle to be a Member of our Cabinet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 3, Members' Statements. Item 4, Returns to Oral Questions. Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on November 25, in terms of the completion of the power line study.

Mr. Speaker, in September, 1992, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation did a review of the power supply options for the North Slave region. This review resulted in a statement by the corporation and the Dogrib Treaty II Council on September 8, 1992, outlining an agreement to negotiate acceptable terms for development of hydro sites in the Dogrib region.

Transmission of the excess power supply from the Taltson Dam site to Yellowknife was part of this review. An overland transmission line to the west of Great Slave Lake and a link under the lake were also considered.

The corporation has had discussions with the town of Fort Smith related to electric heat generation and a hydrogen generating proposal. In addition, Northland Utilities Limited has approached the corporation with a proposal for the supply of power to Fort Fitzgerald.

Subject to the current negotiations, a review of the various options for the utilization of the excess capacity in the Fort Smith area will result in recommendations for the corporation's board of directors by spring, 1993. The review will include input from interested parties in the Fort Smith area and will take into consideration future power supply requirements.

Mr. Speaker, I also have a return to an oral question asked on December 1 by Mr. Fred Koe, about the planning and funding for the Inuvik Health Care Facility.

In April, 1993, the Inuvik Regional Health Board, with the support of the Department of Health, will be initiating development of a strategic plan for the health board and an operational plan for regional health services. The development

of a regional health service plan will be a collaborative initiative involving residents, aboriginal groups and councils.

The first phase of the planning program will be to complete a regional needs study and profile.

The second phase will translate the findings of the needs study into health programs and service needs.

The third and final phase will be the development of an action plan. It is anticipated that the overall planning program will take between six and nine months.

The needs of individual communities will be addressed as well, with a requirement for capital projects. Until the community and regional health needs are clearly understood, it is premature to speculate about what the regional capital planning program will be.

While there is a commitment to replace the Inuvik Regional Hospital, the programming and design of a replacement facility must wait until the proposed planning is completed. Funding is currently proposed for 1996-97 and 1997-98 to complete the program and design of a replacement facility.

The Department of Health will review the current capital plan and determine whether the programming and design for the replacement facility can be advanced to begin in 1994-95. This approach will provide the necessary time for a regional health plan to be completed and the capital needs of the region to be identified. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Cournoyea. Item 4, Returns to Oral Questions. Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance. On December 2, 1992, the federal Minister of Finance, the Hon. Don Mazankowski, introduced an economic statement proposing extensive federal cuts in several areas. Cuts are being made to unemployment insurance and in other areas of particular importance to the north, such as the environment, cultural subsidies and assistance to aboriginal people. This new approach by the federal government could have great significance in the Northwest Territories.

My question is, has this government conducted an analysis of the economic statement delivered by the federal government

to determine its implications for the economic position of the Northwest Territories?

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Finance is looking at the details in the economic statement made by the federal Finance Minister. There are some things though that I can say right now and that is with regard to the infrastructure development, particularly in the area of transportation, we anticipate that the federal Minister of Transport will be making an announcement within the next week.

There will be a Finance Ministers' meeting on the 16 and 17 of this month, which I will be attending, at which we expect to get further details. I would caution the Members in the House that in addition to the things you have already heard, departments were told to cut back by three per cent next year. I think that it is being left at the discretion of federal departments, so there may be other things that affect us when we see the new federal budget in the spring. I will keep the House up to date. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Minister has indicated some of the effects that this may have, but can the Minister indicate to this House what this new federal position is expected to have for the Northwest Territories?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot comment on the proposed cuts for next year because, as I said, I do not know what those departments are going to propose. Certainly, there is an opportunity for us in this new announcement with regard to northern airports. Again, the federal Minister of Transport will tell us about the improvements they intend to make.

As far as participating in that infrastructure pool of money, I would assume that the new Minister of Transport, whoever he or she may be, will be aggressively pursuing that and following up on the groundwork that has been laid by the Premier in First Ministers' conferences.

With regard to the detail, certainly the small businesses will get a break on new employees and not have to pay the U.I.C. premiums. They will be grateful for that but there will be a down side to those people who will be accessing U.I.C. That will be the same across the country. Did we get hit hard by this economic statement? Not to my knowledge, Mr. Speaker, but we are still looking at the details to see if there is something in there that will affect us.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I have a final supplementary. Does the Minister anticipate any specific changes to the economic plan of this government as a result of the federal government's announcement?

Mr. Pollard.

No, Mr. Speaker. Apart from the fact that we would like to participate, if there are federal dollars available for infrastructure, we are concerned about the impact on people who may be drawing unemployment insurance. Our situation remains the same; our economy is sluggish, the same as it in southern Canada. We have higher unemployment and we will continue to try to seek other ways of employing those people.

There may be something that we will be announcing in the next session; something that the Premier and I have been working on to put people in communities back to work. That is not very far down the road right now but we do anticipate bringing forward some suggestions in the spring session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the acting Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, the Minister, or whoever is acting Minister, I believe it is Mr. Pollard, is well aware of the concerns caused by Parks Canada's announcement last spring indicating they would no longer fund the maintenance of the winter road between Fort Smith and Fort Chipewyan. At the end of June, I placed a motion in this House requesting that the Cabinet negotiate with Parks Canada to try to keep this road open.

This road is vital to the community of Fort Smith. It is a key link to many of the traditions of the native people with regard to visiting their relatives. It is good for the economy also, Mr. Speaker. Not only do the community people from Fort Chipewyan come to Fort Smith to play bingo, they spend a lot of money doing their Christmas shopping there also.

I would like to ask the Minister, can he advise this House as to what progress, if any, has been made in negotiations with the federal government with regard to maintenance of the winter road between Fort Smith and Fort Chipewyan?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, the former Minister of Transportation, Mr. Whitford, pursued the federal government, Mr. Charest. He also had discussions with the Alberta government, and with Mr. Jack Shields who is the federal Member of Parliament for Fort Chipewyan. I am pleased to say that Mr. Shields called me today and advised me that the federal government will be putting the road from Fort Smith through to Fort Chipewyan, as they have done in previous years, and they will do it again this winter, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have also been cautioned by Mr. Shields that there should be some discussion between Fort Smith, Alberta, the federal government and ourselves in the new year to discuss some further cost sharing on this road. They are prepared to do it this year, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

That is very good news, Mr. Speaker, and I commend the Minister and the government for taking on and fulfilling the initiative. I would like to ask the Minister, however, if he would request and make a commitment on behalf of his department to ensure that these negotiations do take place so that we are not in this type of dilemma next year? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I committed to Mr. Shields on the phone half an hour ago that we would participate very early in the new year in those discussions so that we are not left in the same situation as we were this year. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. What is the status of the legislative review of the Workers' Compensation Board Act?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, presently we are in the negotiations with the individual who is going to head up the review. We anticipate that by Friday we should have concluded those negotiations so that a review can proceed. Thank you.

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

We were promised that the review would be completed by the end of December. Is this still the proposed schedule?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, we made that commitment and we are still working to complete it according to the schedule by the end of December.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Whitford.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, as of yesterday evening there was no response, unless something has happened this morning. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Rights and Constitutional Affairs. It pertains to the question I asked the Minister of Finance. Cuts were announced in the economic statement by the Honourable Don Mazankowski, the federal Minister of Finance. One of the cuts announced was the assistance to aboriginal people. I am concerned about what

type of assistance we are talking about and how much. Can the Minister indicate to this House what effect this announcement will have in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Cuts

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Aboriginal and Intergovernmental Affairs. Yesterday I asked some questions on the status of the community transfer initiatives implementation plan and I received some very lengthy answers. In his statement in Hansard the Minister indicated that if communities are interested, the Minister would be prepared to make a commitment to travel to those communities to get discussions going. My question is, in many communities where they have already had discussions with the Minister or his staff, what is the Minister going to do to further enhance or advance the level of these discussions in terms of community transfer initiatives?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is subsequent to the Members' statement that I made yesterday on behalf of the front line workers of family violence. Since women are very concerned about the level of violence against women and children I would like to ask the Premier, what is the government's decision in terms of rectifying the problem? Thank you.

Again, I would remind Members that if they are posing a question that might require a detailed complex response, the proper place to pose that question is Written

Questions. Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member did relay a note on two questions that were asked and I realize that yesterday a number of women were in attendance at this Legislative Assembly before I came in. I also took the opportunity at 10:00 a.m. this morning for an hour to meet with them and to hear their particular concerns. On the discussion on violence to women and the problems in that area, what I did encourage was that they continue to bring forth their concerns and work in dialogue because it has been far too long that this issue has been kept in the closet. People were shy to talk about it, people were ashamed to stress their views that their families where having problems, people were concerned about their own private business in the home. The Government of the Northwest Territories on many occasions funds and encourages women to get together to discuss their common concern.

I understand that there will be meetings in two other regions, primarily funded by the Secretary of State of the federal government. At the same time, I believe that funding has been given to women's groups in the Northwest Territories by this government and has allowed the dialogue to begin, the financing of community front line workers, the implementation of the partial solution of having safe houses in the communities to try to help get over these problems while the dialogue is going on. This is the type of support that we have been given. As we come closer to dealing with the justice system and how justice should be applied in the communities with their involvement, I think we have come closer to more of the whole problem that is going on in the changing society we have today on what standards of behaviour are acceptable and which are not. I did say that this government, and the previous Ministers with this particular responsibility in government, will continue to support further talks on this issue so that it can be more out in the open. I think we are well on our way to identifying the issues and what should be done about it.

As a whole, communities are going to have to be encouraged to try to work that problem out at the community level. I have suggested to them that every effort of this government is to try to grapple the problem at the community level, and that their involvement and suggestions would be very much appreciated on a continued basis. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Dent.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, the interim statement was presented to the Cabinet this morning. It is being translated as we speak and will be tabled in the House tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Personnel. The Minister of Personnel made a statement in the House last week with regard to the long-term housing strategy. Within this statement he indicated that within 18 months the government will be out of staff housing in Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River and Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, he indicated at the same time that sales of housing would go on first preference to government employees who are living in the unit and then to all other government employees. Can the Minister indicate to me if they would consider allowing these housing units to be granted to all government employees as opposed to the ones who are living in the units? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is quite the contrary. Currently, government employees are encouraged to build their own homes. If they do not then they get their housing allowance taken and cut back. There are some employees who either just came into the community or who are living in government units who will be given the first chance to purchase these government units. I have had concerns expressed to me by my constituents that the individuals who took the time to get out of government units by trying to adhere to government policies are at a disadvantage now because they are not being considered for any of these units for sale. I would like to ask the Minister if he can look at this issue and review it. He may want to consider other options with regard to disposing of government units.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Whitford.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, the jurisdictional responsibility does not lie with the Government of the Northwest Territories. We have always encouraged and supported the two parties getting together to resolve that particular issue and we have tried over the last difficult months to have ongoing meetings with all interested parties in Yellowknife and the people responsible so that everyone will have the same level of information and updating on how much has been going on. As a government we continue to give all the support for the two parties to resolve their issues as well as continue to address the Minister of Labour that he is the one who has the jurisdictional responsibility. We will continue to do that. Thank you.

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

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member has certainly brought up a very serious issue. I know that we all would like to be in a more responsible position of jurisdiction to do more than we can. At this point in time I do not know if there is a stalemate. The encouraging sign is that the negotiators are continuing to work. They have not given up. The parties are still encouraged to get together. My information does indicate that the negotiators are still around. They are still willing to continue to work on this problem. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask Mr. Todd a question, but I am not sure what he is responsible for. I will ask a question to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Recently, my colleague, Mr. Ningark, and I had the privilege of travelling to Repulse Bay. While visiting the community health committee we were advised of the situation with one of the housing units in the community. The Minister was advised of this right after our visit. In one of the houses, Mr. Speaker, there were mushrooms growing out of the wood. These mushrooms cause the disease called pulmonary inflammation. It affects the residents. Has the Minister or staff investigated this situation? Do you have an update on what is happening with this unit?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have instructed my staff to look into this issue. I would like to thank the Member for raising the issue. As soon as my staff gets back to me by the end of the week, I will get back to the Member. Thank you.

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

It has been almost four weeks now since the issue was raised. People are still living in the unit. The nurses have a report stating that this is a serious matter. Because of the lack of housing in this community, people have to live in houses such as this. I urge the Minister to act quickly to look at this. I have no question on the matter.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have instructed my department to rectify the problem. I hope it is done. I will get back to the Member this week. Thank you.

Thank you. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize in the gallery, six visitors from Italy: two members of the Fur Council of Italy, a journalist and a film crew. The tour is being coordinated by the Fur Institute of Canada and the Department of Renewable Resources. They are here to collect material to produce an Italian film in an exhibit promoting trapping in the wild fur industry of northern Canada.

---Applause

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Government Leader. We have gone through a process on Friday and today to select three new Ministers. Watching across the hall from here, I see Rebecca and John doing very little. I wanted to ask them some questions. I do not know which questions to ask them. When will we know what kind of questions to ask these new Ministers? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, lately some Members have been pressing me on when the portfolios would be awarded. As I have said, I wanted to have this concluded to see who the additional Member was so that all the strengths could be taken into consideration when awarding portfolios. I intend to do that tonight even if it takes me all night. Thank you.

---Applause.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have worked with the other Members who have resigned, such as Tony Whitford and Dennis Patterson. We had some initiatives going. I know some of the Members are acting Ministers. I want to make sure that these initiatives do not get left by the wayside. I wanted to ask the Government Leader to make sure that this does not happen. Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, the honourable Members Todd and Mike have requested that they be briefed to make sure that they are fully aware of the initiatives undertaken by the person who had the former responsibility. I intend to do this to make sure that we do not lose the momentum. I know it seems disruptive but to make sure that life goes on, there will be that full briefing. I hope we will not miss any of those initiatives. As you know, each of the former Members had executive assistants and they have been asked to list the issues that have to be taken care of. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. During the Committee of the Whole on Monday, the Minister stated that decentralization is part of an economic plan for the N.W.T. I would like to know if there is an overall economic plan for the Northwest Territories?