Mr. Speaker, the Member's request makes sense. I can inform the Member that there is a program under which an application can be made for funds to provide the reserve with the emergency radio equipment that he is describing. That program would take some time, but I would be very happy to assist the Member to help his community to make the application under that program which is called the JEPP, joint emergency preparedness program.

In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I can assure the honourable Member that as we have done for the past number of years, the equipment can be loaned through my department to the reserve and we will hope that through the JEPP program we can arrange for permanent equipment upon application.

Oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for Renewable Resources. I understand that a feasibility study was carried out for the Department of Renewable Resources with the incentive for a 'tender North" decision. It has to do with the water bombers. I understand this feasibility study was to evaluate the feasibility of building bases for water bombers. Will the Minister inform the House about the status of this feasibility study? Thank you.

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, a study was done to determine the location for the hangar to house the firefighting aircraft equipment. According to the report Fort Smith was considered as a logical location, but this is a preliminary report and no decision has been made by my department or by cabinet. Thank you,

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister state whether his department is committed to the establishment of northern maintenance and storage space for air tankers which could be used during the winter months?

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Because we are spending about $1.5 million to house this aircraft firefighting equipment, our goal is to see that this money stays within the Territories. Mr. Speaker, that is our goal and objective. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Has any criteria been proposed by the Minister to use in evaluating potential sites, for the maintenance and storage space of water bombers? Thank you.

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. According to the report the potential location was based on a number of criteria. That is what we are looking at. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister

advise the House as to when his department will be making the recommendations on the establishment of a maintenance and storage space for water bombers? Thank you.

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once I review the report with cabinet, we will be making a statement on it. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, it is much better for the Government of the Northwest Territories, if it is done on a monthly basis. I have asked the Department of Finance, Comptroller General, to get a hold of the Auditor General for Canada, because the Auditor General did not mention specifically municipalities or hamlets when he made the report with regard to health boards and education boards. I have asked to get an opinion from the Auditor General whether they fall into the same category, because it would not seem fair to be handling one board in a particular manner and another hamlet in a different manner. It is much better, financially, for us on a monthly basis, but also I think we have to be consistent, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Finance -- I know it is a lot better to do it on a monthly basis, but cost-wise what is better? We are, as the Minister of Finance is aware, in restraint, so having it done on a monthly basis would mean that you would have to have a fair sized staff. I am just wondering whether or not, for cost saving measures, doing it on a quarterly basis would be better than doing it on a monthly basis.

Mr. Pollard.