(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to ask a question to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism about the craft shop in Baker Lake. We started to worry about that shop. It might be losing money. I have received some letters written by the people of Baffin Island. Their concern is that the centre will be buying carvings from the local Inuit, and it might affect the other regions. They might start losing money. So our main concern is that it has to be well planned in order not to lose money, but I do not know if it is supported by the people in the community of Baker Lake. They are using electric tools to carve some of the carvings, and for some of the sewing over there, they are using sewing machines; so I do not know if it is going to work out properly.

One time during a BRC meeting, it was on the agenda. The main concern was whether it was going to affect the other regions, especially the people from Baffin and Sanikiluaq, because just about in every community they are living on carvings, especially right now. We are not selling them very well. Perhaps, if they could sell them higher in Baker Lake, perhaps the other communities will be affected by this program. So this is my question to the Minister of Economic Development. That facility was very expensive to build. I am wondering if that was supported by the local people of Baker Lake. That is all the questions I have. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The facility in Baker Lake was supported by the local community. It is not, and I repeat not, designed to compete with traditional carvers. It is using some fairly modern wet grinding methods that do not lend themselves toward traditional Inuit sculpture, so I do not see it as being competitive. It will be designed more toward some abstract hard rock types of pieces and toward crafts.

I recognize the concern the Member has with regard to carvings not selling very well right now. As I said in question period today, we know that the co-op has more than a million and a half dollars worth of carvings, and that is why we are trying to get some additional markets offshore and will continue in that vein, to try to make the carving industry come back to what it was before. But Baker Lake is not designed to compete with traditional carvers. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Chairman, in Baffin South we have all types of soapstone. There are some that are softer than the others. There is quite a variety of soapstone that we use. I can say that we have different types, and now I know that the project was supported by the residents of Baker Lake, but it was not supported by the Baffin South residents. Usually when we make carvings we sign our names and they put on a tag for authenticity. Is it true that the carvings that will be made will not be signed or identified as to who made the carvings? This is the last comment that I have. Thank you.

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we do not have the authority to say to somebody who has made something, "You cannot sign it." I cannot guarantee the Member that people who create things will not sign them. What I can tell the Member is that we did have a meeting with the co-operatives a couple of weeks ago, and they have some very real concerns, as well. We are sitting down with them to try to work out what is art, what is crafts, what is abstract art, and come up with some kind of system of labelling that will definitely identify which is art, which is crafts, and so on and so forth.

We are aware of the problem. It has been brought to our attention and we are working on that particular problem. I cannot guarantee that whoever makes something will not sign it and take some pride in the fact that they made that particular item. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. General comments. Mr. Bernhardt.

Help For Soapstone Carvers, Cambridge Bay And Coppermine

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, in Coppermine and Cambridge, the communities that I represent, I go to the co-op stores quite often just to browse around and compare prices between the Bay and the co-op. I always wander around and end up in the carving section of both stores. It really disturbs me when I look at the soapstone carvings that are on display and for sale that are not from our region. We get them from all over the region, except our local carvers and I find it very disturbing. We have our own carvers and yet -- I think your department should make an effort to help carvers find a quarry and establish a quarry and then haul these stones into Coppermine or Cambridge and that, in turn, will generate much-needed employment and develop our own carvers from our own region. Being new in this Assembly, I would like to see how I could assist the people who I represent to generate more income and employment.

Mr. Minister.

I think what the co-operative is doing, Mr. Chairman, is trying to take advantage of markets. They move carvings around between their stores in the Northwest Territories. We are certainly prepared to sit down with Mr. Bernhardt and look at ways to enhance carving or the making of crafts in his particular community, and we will be glad to do it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Recognizing that the time is 2:00 o'clock, I will rise to report progress. Thank you. Before I rise, I would like to thank the Minister and Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Noseworthy, deputy minister. Thank you.

Item 19, report of the committee of the whole. Mr. Chairman.

Seconder to the motion? Mrs. Marie-Jewell seconding the motion. The motion is in order. All those in favour of the motion? Opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 20, third reading of bills. Item 21, orders of the day. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, a meeting of the special committee on constitutional reform in the caucus room after adjournment. There will also be a meeting of the Nunavut caucus in the caucus room after adjournment. Meetings for Monday: at 8:30 a.m. of the standing committee on finance; at 10:30 a.m. of the ordinary Members' caucus; and at 12:00 noon of the Management and Services Board.

Orders of the day for Monday, March 9, 1992.

1. Prayer

2. Ministers' Statements

3. Members' Statements

4. Returns to Oral Questions

5. Oral Questions

6. Written Questions

7. Returns to Written Questions

8. Replies to Opening Address

9. Petitions

10. Reports of Standing and Special Committees

11. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

12. Tabling of Documents

13. Notices of Motions

14. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills

15. Motions

16. First Reading of Bills: Bills 19, 22 and 23

17. Second Reading of Bills: Bills 20 and 21

18. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters: Tabled Documents 9-12(2), 10-12(2) and 12-12(2); Bill 14; Committee Report 3-12(2); Motion 6- 12(2)

19. Report of Committee of the Whole

20. Third Reading of Bills

21. Orders of the Day

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 9, 1992.

---ADJOURNMENT