Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In this report that is being developed, is there going to be a method that is going to identify how these assets are going to be distributed, or is it just going to be left to the individual departments to request? Given the dire need in some municipalities for heavy equipment, for example, is there a method, a process, on how we are going to select and distribute these significant assets?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, there are two phases. Phase one is a disposal of moveable assets and equipment, and departments will be asked to identify items that they are interested in. There will be a committee chaired by Government Services, a selection committee, and they will make selections. Municipal and Community Affairs will look after municipal interests. Economic Development and Tourism will identify assets which may be transferred to business interests and community-based organizations. The second phase will be the disposal of the fixed assets, and Public Works will review the capital plan to determine which buildings can be economically relocated.

This may be a little long, Mr. Speaker, but it will tell everybody where it is at right now: Transportation has requested that all abandoned airstrips be left intact so that we have emergency airstrips in the Northwest Territories; Social Services will represent institutional interests, and possibly social service recipients. Once dispersal of assets has been decided upon, a letter will be sent to Canadian Assets Disposal identifying items to be transferred; Economic Development and Tourism will arrange the distribution of assets with DND, Department of National Defence, and departments; the Science Institute is interested in having one or two buildings left standing at camp five, for use by the scientific community. There may be some interest in the private sector with respect to using abandoned sites; Renewable Resources and Health will be involved in the development of site-specific clean-up plans; Health, Social Services and Education will examine the possibility of selecting surplus inventory of various household items.

When final abandonment and clean-up begins, Economic Development and Tourism will co-ordinate efforts of the Department of National Defence to ensure that Northerners obtain contracts, training, and employment.

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the specific question about how the pie will be divided up, I think cabinet is waiting for some direction from the department, through the Department of Government Services, and making suggestions to us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

We are not suggesting for one minute that there is no cost attached to this. There must be a cost attached to it somewhere, and I would like to know from the Minister, from where are the funds going to come with respect to the costs attached to either moving equipment out or purchasing equipment'? From where are the funds going to come?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, that will be in the report that will be delivered to me, hopefully, in the next 30 days. I have heard varying prices from one dollar up to $12,500 for some equipment. I cannot confirm those numbers today, but it will be part of the report. Obviously, the financial impact that it has upon us will be considered. Also the fact, is the Canadian military going to move those assets to where they are required in the Northwest Territories? The initial reading is, if there is a Hercules strip or a strip capable of taking a Hercules where we want the equipment delivered, they may be able to do that for us, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Government Leader the following question: On February 27 1 asked Question W12-12(2), regarding the cost of chairpersons for boards, agencies and committees. I would like to ask the Government Leader what time she intends to respond to that particular question. Thank you.

Government Leader, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I do not know why it has not been tabled already. However, I will try to do that by Monday. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Social Services. A request for proposals has been called in Inuvik to manage an open custody group home for young offenders. Previously, the Minister responded to one of my questions that there were no negotiations on these contracts. Can the Minister confirm that in this case a proposal for the management of an open custody group home will be based on the submission from a contractor? Thank you,

Minister for Social Services, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

If that is the case, then I would like to quote from the proposal from the department, which says: "Following a final evaluation, the selected contractor will be required to negotiate a contractual agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories." I do not understand why the Minister is saying there are no negotiations when clearly, in the call for proposals from the department, it says that there is a negotiations process that takes place.

The question was not 100 per cent clear. Mr. Whitford, would you like to respond?

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I would like to refer the Minister to their own documents where it says department contractors are required to carry liability insurance in the amount of two million dollars. Provisions for this cost may be included in the budget submitted. Does that mean, then, that there is some form of deal-making or negotiations that can take place once a submission is submitted?

Mr. Whitford.

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.