Now this House will come to order. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Allooloo.

In February of 1992, the Department of Renewable Resources announced increases to fees for hunting licences and tags. The department received many letters from communities, outfitters and tourism associations expressing concern over these increases. In summary, the letters agreed that fees should be increased but not to the levels proposed.

After reviewing the comments and the potential effect of the increases on the outfitting industry, I have agreed to make the following changes: One, tag and trophy fees will be kept separate; two, trophy fees will remain the same as previously announced except barren-ground caribou, musk-ox, and polar bear, will be set at $150, $150 and $750 respectively.

The revised fees will come into effect on July 1, 1993. The department will advise outfitters, communities and tourism associations of the changes so that they, in turn, will be able to advise next year's clients.

It is important that our government supports the desires of our people. Outfitting is an activity that uses traditional skills and is one of the few economically viable activities in the smaller communities. Our government wants to make sure that we keep these businesses viable.

I believe these new fees reflect the value we place on our wildlife, and also respond to concerns expressed by the public.

Qujannamiik.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to comment on the disaster which occurred at the mine here in Yellowknife on September 18. Mr. Speaker, I know that this tragedy has touched many people deeply in Yellowknife, as well as in my home constituency and throughout the Northwest Territories.

I know that the people of Nahendeh are thinking about the family, and friends, of the nine miners. We want them to know, the families, that our sympathies, and our prayers, are with them. I know too, that people are concerned about the feelings of shock, fear and anger that has descended upon the city of Yellowknife since this tragic event took place.

Like other honourable Members stated yesterday, this is a time for reflection, rational thought, and for letting cool heads prevail. I was glad to hear the Government Leader tell the House yesterday that she will be insisting that the federal Minister of Labour come to Yellowknife and take a direct role in finding a resolution to the strike at Royal Oak Mines. She has my full support to urge him to take some action. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, this is a reply to an oral question asked by Mr. Sam Gargan on September 14, regarding the legality of regional council meetings during session. The September 9 and 10 meeting, referred to by the honourable Member, was a meeting of the Deh Cho Tribal Council, a federally funded body which is not subject to the Regional Council's Act.

The act applies only to the Deh Cho Regional Council, which is tentatively scheduled to meet in early November.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Todd on September 9, 1992, concerning agreements under the Medical Care Act. Mr. Speaker, the director of medical insurance has not entered into any agreements under the Medical Care Act, to pay physicians on other than a fee for service basis.

Secondly, if I may, Mr. Speaker, a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ningark on September 16, 1992, about special needs facilities for the Kitikmeot region. The capital costs of construction, as well as the operating costs for a special needs group home facility, are very high. (In excess of $1.7 million for construction, and $250,000 for yearly operation). At present, the facilities in Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit are used to provide services for the Kitikmeot region. There are a total of 16 beds for special needs children and, at this time, only seven are being used. Of these, only two children are from the Kitikmeot. There are no Kitikmeot children in southern institutions. In some cases, chronic care is provided in hospitals by the Department of Health. Such as in the case which prompted the question.

This child is not in the care of the Department of Social Services, and a special needs centre would not be appropriate for this child, as these facilities are unable to meet the medical needs of chronic care children. The Department of Social Services is not aware of any special needs children in the region who are not receiving support services from an appropriate department. Qujannamiik.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Ningark on September 18, 1992, concerning the Cambridge Bay Education Facility.

The Department responsible for Government Services and Public Works is proceeding with the design of the new ten classroom kindergarten to grade six school, for Cambridge Bay. Construction of the new school is planned for 1993-94.

We are also making progress in the planning necessary to renovate the old school into a new ten classroom, grade seven to 12 school, for Cambridge Bay. The renovation is scheduled for 1994-95, to meet projected increases in student enrolment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Antoine on September 9, 1992 with respect to the oil spill on the Mackenzie River.

Departmental staff have not observed any environmental impacts on wildlife from the spill, however, the staff will continue to monitor the situation.

Diesel fuel is a relatively light substance which tends to float on the surface of water. Under the water and air temperatures at the time of the spill were such that approximately 50 percent of the fuel would have evaporated in less than 24 hours. The remaining fuel would continue to evaporate, be broken down by bacteria, with a wind and wave action into other by-products. These components would be quickly diluted by the fast flowing waters of the Mackenzie River. Such low concentrations are not toxic to wildlife.

When I, and other officials, visited the site the morning after the spill, we saw only a slight sheen of fuel on the water. I was told that any remaining fuel would have broken down completely in less than one week.

Mr. Speaker, if I may I have another return asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on September 16, 1992, with respect to timeframe for the Trans-boundary Water Agreement.

Alberta and British Columbia are still in the process of negotiating a Trans-boundary Water Agreement. All information, including water quality standards, is confidential to Alberta and British Columbia. The Northwest Territories is not privy to this information at this point in time.

Thank you.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, could I seek unanimous consent to return to Members' statements?

Agreed.

The Member is asking for unanimous consent to return to Members' statements. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to indicate to Members that the statement that I wish to make today is

quite lengthy and, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to continue with my Member's statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the request of my honourable colleagues in the Ordinary Members' Caucus, I wish to comment further on the matter of the Royal Oak Mines disaster.

Mr. Speaker, Members of our caucus realized that there are many unanswered questions about the tragedy which occurred last Friday. We are eager to see these outstanding matters addressed, and will pursue them at a more appropriate time in the future.

However, the Ordinary Members' Caucus is also very mindful of the fact that the circumstances surrounding the tragedy have had a painful, and even terrifying, impact on the people of Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories.

As a group, we came to the conclusion that now is not the time for demanding answers and probing details. As mentioned by Mr. Ballantyne in his comments yesterday, now is the time for people to support each other and to work together.

The same sentiments were expressed by several of my honourable colleagues, who spoke on this matter yesterday. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, there are things that must be done with regard to the situation which presently exists.

Honourable Members in the Ordinary Members' Caucus agreed with the Government Leader's comment yesterday, that we are faced with two serious matters. The most immediate of these is the R.C.M.P. investigation into the death of the nine miners. The second of these involves resolving the labour management dispute that has been ongoing since last May.

I would first like to make a few comments about the matter of the investigation, and some recent suggestions that a public inquiry should be held. We understand that the R.C.M.P. investigation is running its course, and will hopefully answer many of the questions that have been on the lips, and in the minds, of northerners ever since we first learned about this tragic event.

Mr. Speaker, could I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement?

Agreed.

The Member is asking for unanimous consent to continue with his statement. Are there any nays? Proceed, Mr. Nerysoo.