Mr. Chairman, this is a letter dated January 10, 1992 to the Government Leader:
"As a Member of the Legislative Assembly and Minister of the Government of the Northwest Territories, GNWT, and in accordance with the GNWT conflict of interest legislation, I have filed my conflict of interest statement with the court of the Legislative Assembly. In addition, I am outlining the following points of clarification for your information:
"The Department of Economic Development and Tourism, along with other Government of the Northwest Territories' departments, conducts inspections of a lodge which is owned by my wife, Ellen Pollard, namely Brabant Lodge. Where required by legislation or policy, and in accordance with all of the terms and conditions of said legislation, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, along with other GNWT departments, issues licences to Brabant Lodge. Brabant Lodge is licensed by the Department of Renewable Resources to issue sport fishing licences to licensed guests of the lodge on behalf of that department. This service has provided the commission of 10 per cent, per licence, for a total annual revenue of less than $1000.
"At no time has Brabant Lodge accessed grant contribution or loan funding from the GNWT, nor will the current lodge owner, Ellen Pollard, attempt to do so for the duration of my term as Minister of the Government of the Northwest Territories.
"Brabant Lodge has had GNWT departments as clients in the past. The current owner of Brabant Lodge, Ellen Pollard, has agreed not to have GNWT departments as clients for the duration of my term as Minister of the Government of the Northwest Territories, as evidenced in the attached letter.
"Attached are letters of instruction to the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the Department of Finance, and the Northwest Territories Public Utilities Board, advising them that any dealings between themselves and Brabant Lodge, for example, issuing of licences, should not be brought to my attention and should be directed straight to the Government Leader's office. If there is uncertainty regarding the application of this direction, the issue should be addressed to the Government Leader for a ruling.
"If you require further clarification of any of the points raised in this correspondence, or in other information related to my position as Minister, in the interest of conflict of interest, please contact me."
Mr. Chairman, I read that into the record because my wife is the owner of Brabant Lodge and, as I said, this department has some licensing authority over that particular establishment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, if I may now make my opening remarks.