Mr. Pollard

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Renewable Resources and I met with Pauline Browes. She is responsible for the environment, along with Jean Jacques Charest, and I would say that perhaps the best way to handle this would be for Mr. Antoine to sit down with Mr. Ningark and draft a letter to Pauline Browes, asking if she would pass on to the Japanese Embassy in Ottawa those concerns, to be forwarded on to the Government of Japan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Because of the possibility of the privatization study that is being done at this point in time, my department is very reluctant to go into a long-term contract. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, fire season is going to be starting in about two months. We have a situation where the government is initiating a privatization policy, and if it is approved and supported by the Executive, it will be implemented, but by then the fire season could be over. We could have half our area burning without any real answers. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not, for this year, they would extend the contract with Evergreen Forestry, to ensure that we are not in a situation where there may be danger.

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to assure the Member that the contract for one year is going to be re-instated for that purpose. Thank you.

Oral questions.

Item 6, written questions. Written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, return to Question W3-12(2), asked by Mr. Todd to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board concerning community visitations by WCB officials; return to Question W6-12(2) asked by Mr. Pudlat to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism concerning the Katannilik Territorial Park; return to Question W10-12(2), asked by Nerysoo to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism concerning Government of the Northwest Territories guidelines for northern-owned NWT sawmills.

Hon. Dennis Patterson's return to Question W3-12(2), asked by Mr. Todd on February 17, 1992. The honourable Member requested information on duty travel by each individual board member and staff. I am providing this information to the Member under separate cover. The information covers the period January 1, 1987 to December 31, 1991 and shows the date, destinations, purpose, costs, and per diems. The sheets that apply to the board of directors have their resident community following their name.

Hon. John Pollard's return to Question W6-12(2), asked by Mr. Pudlat on February 19, 1992: In response to the first part of your question, I would like to confirm to you that I am aware of the strong community support for the establishment of Katannilik Territorial Park. I am also aware of the significant economic opportunity created by this and other tourism and park initiatives.

In response to the second part of your question, I would like to confirm that Katannilik Park will be a priority initiative for the department in the Baffin Region. For your information, Katannilik Park projects have been included in this 1992-93 budget submission. The 1992-93 proposed budget for this park is $165,000. I would like to thank Mr. Pudlat for his support of this project, and I will ensure that you are kept informed of development activities at Katannilik.

Hon. John Pollard's return to Question W10-12(2), asked by Mr. Nerysoo on February 27, 1992: The following is offered in response to the questions raised concerning the purchase of the Hay River Sawmill by the Northwest Territories Development Corporation:

1) The government has not issued any instructions to departments regarding the purchase of lumber products from the Hay River Sawmill that was recently purchased by the NWT Development Corporation. The sawmill has submitted bids to supply lumber to several NWT companies that have submitted tenders for supplying lumber to government departments, and it is expected that the sawmill will continue to work with northern lumber yards in developing the tenders for lumber supply;

2) the same GNWT purchasing rules and guidelines will apply to all northern-owned sawmills in the NWT;

3) the NWT Development Corporation will consider financial investment in other sawmills in the NWT on receipt of a request for investment from the owners of the other sawmills;

4) no government tender requirements will be waived for the Hay River Sawmill, including those associated with moisture content of the lumber -- levels of moisture content can be achieved through air drying or kiln drying. The sawmill has historically supplied lumber that has met the moisture content required to meet existing government, contractor and lumber yard standards.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Returns to written questions.

Item 8, replies to Opening Address. Replies to Opening Address.

Item 9, petitions. Petitions.

Item 10, reports of standing and special committees.

Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to table Tabled Document 24-12(2), a letter from the community education council, Lake Harbour, with regard to monthly funding to divisional boards of education. They were given quarterly funding but now monthly funding is proposed.

Tabling of documents. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have Tabled Document 25-12(2), a letter from the Fort Norman Band Council requesting that the senior citizens' home not be cancelled or postponed.

Tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, March 13, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the Minister of Health table in this House documents on the NWT Way and the Department of Health's planning for the future of the NWT health care system.

Notices of motions. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will take my chances on this date. I would like to give notice that on Friday, March 13, 1 shall move that Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act, be read for the first time.

Notices of motions for first reading of bills.

Item 16, first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Mr. Pollard.