Yes. (Translation) You can talk about tourism, visitors' centres, because the department is

available.

(Translation) My question is to the Minister. He has not responded to my question. The visitors' centre I am talking about is in Cape Dorset. Is it in the current capital estimates? I am asking the Minister again. They do have staff students available, and I wonder if this will come under the capital estimates. Is this to be continued? I realize that we are in a time of restraint, however, the visitors' centre -- I would like to ask the Minister if it is under the capital estimates for this year?

Mr. Minister.

There is presently no visitors' centre in this capital budget for Cape Dorset, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Mr. Bernhardt.

Economic Development Officer, Coppermine

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask the Minister; why has there not been any kind of economic development coming into the Kitikmeot Region, particularly Coppermine?

Mr. Minister.

The Member is correct, Mr. Chairman, there has not been a whole lot going into Coppermine. The department has been working for the community for the last year, and we are hoping to improve our record there. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

General comments. Mr. Todd.

I wonder if there is any particular reason -- not that I have to speak for Mr. Bernhardt -- but we have a community of 900 people and it does not have an economic development officer.

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, Coppermine does have an economic development officer.

Mr. Todd.

Maybe the Minister could enlighten us as to how long this economic development officer has been there. Has he been there for a long time?

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, the position has been there for some time. It is vacant at the present time because we are negotiating with the hamlet to turn over that particular position to the hamlet of Coppermine.

Mr. Bernhardt.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Minister, when I went home after the past sitting I was on the same plane as the new economic development officer for Coppermine. He just went in last month. I find it kind of, not appalling but kind of disturbing to find out that he comes all the way from Newfoundland. I wonder if there is any coincidence between the Department of Personnel -- the superintendent of the economic development officer is also from Newfoundland. I wonder if we are going to see any kind of improvement in our fishing industry?

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, I will check into the matter but I am fairly sure that the hamlet was on the hiring committee, or at least consulted about this candidate. I think we have some local input to this particular person, but I will check into the matter further and get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Mr. Todd.

I wonder, from an operational point of view, what steps, if any, the department is taking to increase the spending authority of the regional superintendents. One of the problems I think we have all recognized is that you cannot do a hell of a lot with $50,000 in the Northwest Territories any more. I am wondering if any consideration has been given to: 1) expanding the regional superintendents' authorities; and 2) I heard the rumour the other day, and I am curious about how you are now going to run these regional boards. My understanding is that the superintendent is going to be the representative of the department. Is there going to be any community input with respect to the loan boards at the regional level? My understanding is, that it is going to be left to the discretion of the superintendent. Is this a change in policy or what? So the two questions are: 1) are we going to expand the authority of the regional superintendents, which I believe we should? and 2) maybe I could get a better clarification of what we are doing with respect to regional loan boards under this new NWT Credit Corporation.

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, I am assured by the Minister of Finance that the problem of the local authority in spending is being looked at, sir. With regard to the boards, yes, the regional superintendent can be on that board or can chair that board, but I also have the authority and discretion to change that if I see fit, Mr. Chairman, so it is not a hard and fast rule, and I will listen to any advice that may come my way, and I am sure it will from Mr. Todd, Mr. Chairman.