Mr. Speaker, I have a return to Question O264-12(2), asked by Mr. Gargan on March 4, 1992. An economic development officer was hired in November 1991, for the community of Fort Providence. The EDO, Mr. Victor Sudermann, has been working out of Fort Smith and has been in Fort Providence on several occasions. Mr. Sudermann will be posted full time in Fort Providence as soon as office space is available.

Arrangements for office space have been made, and we anticipate that the EDO will move into the new DIGAA Enterprises building in Fort Providence by the end of March. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin,

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to Question O339-12(2), asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on March 24, 1992. The lease for the Husky rental units expires on August 31, 1995.

I have a return to Question O97-12(2), asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on February 20, 1992. The reasons for amending the business incentive policy were to:

a) provide for a better enforcement of the policy in order to ensure that the benefits of the policy are extended only to bona fide northern businesses and that "storefront" businesses do not benefit;

b) recognize the additional costs of operating in the smaller northern communities by providing a level of local preference;

c) ensure that all contracting organizations follow the GNWT preference policies so long as they receive the majority of their funding from the GNWT;

d) provide financial support, through the reinvestment of corporate earnings, to the northern economy.

Thank you

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to Question O333-12(2), asked by Mr. Gargan yesterday. Mr. Gargan expressed his concern for the well-being of Ms. Kitty Nowdluk-Reynolds, whose complaint to the RCMP Public Complaints Commission is being heard in Iqaluit now. I have contacted the RCMP and have been informed that Ms. Reynolds' expenses for legal counsel are being covered by the commission.

Mr. Gargan asked specifically whether professional and personal assistance will be provided by my department to Ms. Reynolds, if she requests it. There are two specific victims' programs under the mandate of my department. One is the Victims' Assistance Committee. Money from a surcharge on fines is disbursed to organizations for training and other initiatives, so that victims may be assisted at the community level. The other is under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act, a program which allows victims of crime to make application for losses suffered by them as a result of a criminal action against them. This is a program in which we respect the wishes of victims to maintain a certain amount of confidentiality. Other than that, we do not have the mandate or resources to step in and lend assistance.

I do appreciate the honourable Member's concern for the well-being of Ms. Nowdluk-Reynolds. I share that concern, but it is now a matter for the commission to deal with, and it is not appropriate for me to say anything further on it at this time. Thank you.