Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I think the real problem is money. The real reason why this issue is still not resolved is that the government has to reimburse the Workers' Compensation Board for every dollar that is provided by way of compensation to a hunter, and if the definition of a "hunter" is to be made more generous, then additional money that is now presently in the budget of Renewable Resources has to be identified to pay for those additional costs. That is a real problem.

Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) I have a question to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. We all know we are facing budget restraints, and those of us from the small communities have to maintain ourselves in the small communities. In the South Baffin, we are trying to get jobs for people. We are trying to find ways to start supporting the local community economically. Can the Minister indicate to me if they are going to have a survey done on creating jobs in the communities? Could he answer my question in the next session?

Mr. Pollard.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, I have a newspaper clipping from May 4th. There is a pipeline that burst about 25 kilometres north of Fort Simpson. I know the article is true because it was done by Mr. Mercredi.

---Laughter

I think it was the Mackenzie Times. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Economic Development if there was any action taken with regard to containing the spill, and what kind of damage was done?

With these sorts of questions, it is up to the asker of the question to attempt to verify the authenticity of the report. Mr. Gargan obviously has done that. Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I have no knowledge

of this incident. I did not read that particular newspaper, although I am sure it is a good publication. But I will look into it and report back to the House. I will take it as notice.

The question is being taken as notice. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Social Services. The Department of Social Services currently has the responsibility for corrections services. I am concerned about long-range planning for these services and the direction in which the department plans to develop. Can the Minister confirm to the House that a 15-year corrections plan is in the process of being prepared?

Mr. Whitford.

The question is not taken as notice unless a Minister specifically says it is. Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing that concerns were made last Thursday about the need for cabinet Ministers to remain abreast of important issues, can the Minister assure the House that his departmental officials are briefing him regularly on the status of this important initiative?

Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The NWT Federation of Labour states that thousands of northern workers and their families, especially single moms and workers not represented by unions, and youth, suffered from inadequate enforcement of outdated laws, such as the 1974 Labour Standards Act. To the Minister of Public Services, who I think is responsible for labour: When will the territorial government accept the recommendations which were made over two years ago by both business and labour by the 1990 labour standards lawreview panel?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I answered questions about this issue during the last session. I informed Members of this Assembly that the department was studying the recommendations of that important review group; that we were hampered by a lack of resources and the priority that has been placed on the mine safety bill now under development; but that I was confident I would have something to report back to the Assembly on that issue this fall. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Antoine.