Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Government Services did a graphic report that outlined where the different regions of the Northwest Territories were purchasing their supplies. We have some idea now about regional purchases. There has been some progress made with regard to manufacturing in the Northwest Territories. To that end, Mr. Morin has asked Economic Development and Tourism to come forward with a paper that he can attach to the business incentive policy that will give an

increased advantage for goods manufactured in the Northwest Territories.

There has been quite a resurgence of agriculture in the Northwest Territories in the last little while, and I think Mr. Todd's group from Rankin Inlet is involved in a hog operation in Hay River, so we expect to see that expanding. Obviously it will not go in the whole of the Northwest Territories, but we expect to see an egg operation in Inuvik very shortly because it seems that one of the biggest areas that we can reduce import substitution is in the food area.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

I appreciate the Minister's comments. Are we saying that we have the GNWT embracing an import substitute policy? Is there a policy in place now that says, aside from what we have already said, that this will be a priority of the government in keeping with the BIP, business incentive policy, and everything else? Is there a policy in place?

Mr. Pollard.

There is not a policy in place, My Speaker, but as Mr. Todd mentioned, the business incentive policy does a whole lot toward purchasing more goods and services from the Northwest Territories. We figure that by adding a manufacturing component to that policy, we will increase northern participation in supplies to the government, but I will endeavour to bring forward a policy of import substitution for the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. The Minister may be aware that there are edible marine snails called whelk in the Baffin Region. They are found of depths to about 20 fathoms, and they are mainly on sandy bottoms. Recently there has been a growing demand for this species in the seafood marketplace, with gourmet restaurants as a prime consumer. Back in August 1991, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism was advised that excellent whelk harvesting areas had been identified in Frobisher Bay, Cumberland Sound and several fiords north of Broughton Island. My question for the Minister is, what priority does the Department of Economic Development and Tourism place on exploring the potential for expanding the Baffin fishery through the commercial harvest of species like whelk?

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is about $2.1 million available under EDA in that particular region of the South Baffin for exploration of fishery products in that area. Mr. Speaker, there is a committee, of which we are a part, consisting of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, DIAND, and Renewable Resources, in Iqaluit, that is presently looking for a proposal call to bring a vessel up into the Baffin, or to lease a vessel that is available in the Baffin, or buy a vessel with a view to exploring over the next few years the potential fishery in that particular area, including whelk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary for the same Minister. The Baffin regional supervisor of renewable resources development in the Minister's department was advised of the potential for whelk harvesting on August 1, 1991. Can the Minister indicate to the House whether he has been made aware of any action taken by the department to evaluate the potential market or the extent of the available resource?

Mr. Pollard.

No, I do not know what the available resource is. We hope to find that out, Mr. Speaker, and I will get back to the Member with regard to marketing of the whelk. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This supplementary is also for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Will the Minister make a commitment to complete a precise assessment and evaluate marketing potential for the Baffin whelk harvest prior to September 1992?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I can commit to looking at the marketing, but as far as the harvesting or what is available, I could not commit to that, sir. I do not know what the potential is, but I will definitely look into the marketing by September of this year. Thank you.

Oral questions. If I could just take this opportunity to welcome the Board of Governors for Arctic College who are here with us today. Oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In light of my Member's statement, has the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism already made a preliminary feasibility study of those economic potentials that I talked

about? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the road to the Duke of York Bay, it is about 80 miles. The southern end is probably the worst end. We are presently having government people in that area look at the potential. On the shale and limestone, there will be a geologist in the area within the next six weeks, and, hopefully, we will get a better idea of the quality and the potential for those two products. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

That would be a different question to a different Minister. If I could just make one comment. If Members are asking questions and referring to a document or referring to a statement, they should give a brief description of the subject matter in case other Members might not have actually heard the Member's statement. Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.