Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Government Leader with respect to NWTPC, for which she is responsible. Mr. Speaker, last week I had indicated a concern about layoffs that were given to several employees in Fort Smith, and I asked for justification. I was advised it was due to the closure of Pine Point, which I think happened three years ago, and now that there is an abundance of positions, they feel these layoffs are needed. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not she knows the NWTPC Board of Directors have determined what they are going to do with the surplus of power that is available as a result of the closure of Pine Point. Thank you.

Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, as I have noted before, there are several proposals on the table, and the feasibility of a number of them is being discussed at the Power Corporation. The feasibility study of taking Taltson directly around the lake is almost complete. As well, there is another proposal which would look at the feasibility of taking the power straight across the lake, underwater. My understanding is that these proposals are going to be studied and looked at by the board this fall. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie Jewell.

With respect to the NWTPC again, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise whether or not the employees, with respect to the layoff notices if the Power Corporation decides to pursue one of these avenues, will be considered for rehire? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that once there has been a determination of how to get the extra Fort Smith power moved around the lake, or across the lake, or under the lake, there will be a continuing analysis of the need for position years to handle the workload, so it would be hypothetical for me, at this time, to determine that process. However, given that the individuals have had experience, I would assume that they would be considered favourably because of their experience. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Justice about the proposed Great Whale hydro development in Quebec. On March 6, 1991, during the 11th Assembly, the Minister of Justice of the day indicated that the Department of Justice would undertake a review of legal implications to court action that could be undertaken by the GNWT with respect to intervening in the project. My question is for the Minister of Justice. Will he be requesting his departmental officials to brief him fully on the results of the review they completed for the former Minister?

Mr. Patterson.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the Minister of Justice. As part of that review, will the Minister make a commitment to ensure that adequate funds are available for the Government of the Northwest Territories to take any necessary court action in this area?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I do not think I can make that kind of commitment without knowing what, if any, litigation is contemplated. I think it would be premature for me to make that kind of commitment to the honourable Member, not having had the kind of detailed briefing that I have undertaken to obtain. I guess the short answer would be, not at this time. Thank you.

Oral questions. I have next on my list, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for the Women's Directorate. I believe it has been reassigned, so I would like to direct my question to the Government Leader.

Excuse me, Mr. Lewis. There seems to be some problem with translation. Could we maybe check that out before you continue, Mr. Lewis? There seems to be no Inuktitut. Would you, perhaps, start over again, Mr. Lewis, to get your full question on the record?

Thank you for the opportunity to recommence this question, Mr. Speaker. To the Government Leader, then, since there have been several positions in the Women's Directorate that have been unfilled for some time, does the government have any intention to fill these empty positions?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, no.

Oral questions. I have Mr. Todd next.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be for the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, and it deals with the environmental assessment of the Great Whale project. I cannot emphasize, Mr. Speaker, the importance of this project for the Hudson Bay and the Hudson Bay communities. I found it offensive to learn that on April 27, Michel Dorais, who chairs the federal environmental and assessment review organization, wrote to the Mayor of Sanikiluaq suggesting that we should approach the Makivik Corporation to act on behalf of Northwest Territories Inuit in funding or examining issues dealing with the offshore contamination and habitat destruction. Can the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs indicate whether this government supports the FEARO chairman's contention that we, in the Hudson Bay, should have to go begging to the Makivik Corporation for assistance?

Mr. Kakfwi.