Mr. Speaker, there are a number of sources of funding. We have grants, contributions, a loan fund, and that is within the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. We also have the E.D.A. agreement which has some marketing monies available in it, and there is also the possibility that arrangements could be made with the Business Development Corporation in that regard, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. I am sure that the Minister is aware that some types of businesses, like fine art galleries, must carry a high cost inventory. In fact, I know that the work one of the artists deals with Ookpiktuyuk in Baker Lake averages $2,000 a piece for each carving. This heavy outlay for the acquisition of a high quality inventory sometimes makes it difficult to secure bank funding to expand even the most sound business. Can the Minister assure the House that these considerations are taken into account in reviewing applications for art galleries and distributors? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, when we assess these kinds of inventory arrangements, I think that we are cognizant of the fact that all of the inventory cannot be high priced items. There must be a mix in there of items that can move. We are aware, and it is pointed out continually to me by the Arctic Cooperatives, that sitting with a large inventory is very costly.

Arctic Cooperatives has in excess of $1 million sitting in inventory. I am aware of the problem, and we do take those things into consideration when we sit down to discuss with people how we may assist them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question of the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I want to indicate that the residents of the Mackenzie Delta have expressed concern about not hearing from the government on dealing with matters relating to flood damage.

I wanted to ask the Minister, has the Cabinet or the Minister discussed financing repairs of homes and businesses when flood damage has occurred?

Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the previous Minister took some documents to Cabinet to deal with flood damages in the western Arctic area.

The assistance that people are able to get is under the Disaster Assistance Policy. That has been approved by Cabinet. There are also requests that can be made to Cabinet by the Minister of M.A.C.A. in case of wide spread damage, as a result of emergencies or flooding. This criteria is used to access the need for implementing the policy, including weather damage so wide spread that a significant number of people, and property, or the geographical areas are effected. Other criteria is that municipal authorities and community residents made serious effort to protect their property and minimize damage. Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge, at this point, the extraordinary funding has not been made available to flood damage. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I ask the Minister to indicate whether or not his department is going to provide financial assistance for those individuals and those homes that have received flood damage, or damage as a result of the flood?

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take the question as notice, and get back to the Member tomorrow.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

I do not want to prolong this, Mr. Speaker, but it is a major step in the airline industry in Canada, and obviously we do not know all the facts. I would like to ask the Minister, whether you will undertake to stay on top of this issue, and to get his staff to work on it, because many of us believe that what is going to happen with a monopoly situation is that the isolated parts of this country are going to suffer. I would like to ask him if he would tell his staff to keep on top of it and to keep us informed.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, as this issue has been on the horizon for some time, I have asked that the Minister of Economic Development stay on top of this issue and, in particular, the concern about the airlines in the north in relationship on how the final deal is going to come out, because of the economic issue and the problems that we are having now. For about seven or eight months, those particular questions, because of the direct relationship with airlines, would be better referred to the Minister of Economic Development. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Bernhardt.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Justice, who has now assumed responsibility for the territorial correctional system. The Minister will know that many northerners are concerned about the almost total lack of correctional after care services in our communities.

When these offenders face considerable pressure as they attempt to adjust to their return to community living, they often have trouble finding new social networks, and many employers are unable to hire them. Yet, in most of our isolated communities, the correctional system provides almost no support during this period. I know, because I have been in this kind of a situation.

Can the Minister of Justice indicate what he is going to do to ensure that adequate resources are made available to support offenders upon release from incarceration?

Mr. Kakfwi.