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.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you, honourable colleagues. Ordinary Members have heard clearly the call from some public quarters, that an inquiry should be established under the Public Inquiries Act.

It is the opinion of the Ordinary Members' Caucus that this is a suggestion that is more appropriately considered at a later point in time. It is critical that our law enforcement agencies proceed with their criminal investigation. If unanswered questions persist after the police, the mine safety inspectors, and the coroners dispatch their responsibilities, then clearly there may be a need to consider avenues for an inquiry under the most appropriate federal or territorial legislation.

The second issue, on which the Government Leader commented yesterday, is the matter of the labour management dispute at the Royal Oak Mine. The Ordinary Members' Caucus have noted her comments, and feel that it is imperative for the Government of Canada, through the federal Minister of Labour, to fulfill its obligations to the Northwest Territories, in respect to the settlement of the strike.

Like the Government Leader, ordinary Members feel strongly that we must make it clear that northerners want the Minister here immediately. To that end Mr. Speaker, I will give notice of a motion later this afternoon, on behalf of all my honourable colleagues in the Ordinary Members' Caucus, calling on the Prime Minister of Canada to direct his Minister of Labour to come to the Northwest Territories immediately, and to establish a framework for a speedy resolution of this dispute.

Because of the urgency of this matter, Mr. Speaker, I will be seeking the unanimous consent of this House to deal with this motion today. Mr. Speaker, honourable Members of this House will be aware that for several months, this government had made attempts to find some way to resolve this labour dispute.

To a large degree, efforts in this area have been frustrated by the fact that this is an area that is not within territorial jurisdiction. The efforts have been undertaken, however, have not yet been documented in a comprehensive fashion. For this reason, Mr. Speaker, I will be bringing forward two written questions, today, that will request the government to provide this House with a summary of the actions undertaken, to date, on this issue, as well as the details regarding the frequency of safety inspections undertaken since the outset of the strike. We will be asking the government to place a priority on the preparation of this documentation, so that they might be delivered to this House by Monday, September 28.

While ordinary Members, no doubt, wish to address other outstanding questions surrounding this terrible event, we also feel that we must consider the needs of those who are in mourning. Mr. Speaker, I think we are all aware that in many ways this sense of loss and bereavement extends far beyond the families and friends of the nine miners, and indeed it is felt by all residents of the territories. Out of respect for the heavy feelings which continue to burden many northerners, honourable Members on this side of the House would not wish to make this a time for an irrational and emotional political debate. That time will come, and the information we have requested from the government will, we hope, assist in those future discussions. We will be addressing accountability issues in the future. For today, however, ordinary Members have felt that it would not be appropriate to raise oral questions on the matter of the mine disaster, or related issues. Certain honourable Members may, however, wish to express their sentiments, and those of their constituents, upon the personal tragedy surrounding this event.

In closing, it should be noted that the work of the government must go on. There are very pressing issues before us with respect to housing, our fiscal outlook, and other matters of concern to the people of the Northwest Territories. We will raise oral questions on other issues, and we will participate in consideration of matters before committee of the whole, but Mr. Speaker, we will do it with a heavy heart. In closing, I would again wish to express our condolences to the families, and the friends, of the nine miners who have been lost from our midst. Our thoughts, our prayers, continue to be with you in this time of sorrow.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Are there any further Members' statements. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stand today to welcome Mr. George Eckalook, Chairperson from the Baffin Health Board. I would like to welcome them to the Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Are there any further Members' statements? Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Are there any oral questions? Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be, although the Minister may not be able to respond today, to the Minister of Education. The request I have, and I also indicated this in Cape Dorset, is for additional classrooms in the Cape Dorset school. I want a response from the Minister. Would he be able to give a return to my question during the duration of this Legislative Assembly?

Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regarding the request for Cape Dorset, I have written a letter to the Divisional Board, the Baffin Divisional Board, to ask a question, " have they planned for this additional classroom?" Once the chairperson of the Baffin Divisional Board has responded, then I will be able to prepare my response to the Member. Thank you.

Are there any oral questions? Mr. Zoe.

Thank you. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, we have not responded to all of the resolutions that were passed by the Association of Municipalities annual assembly. Some of the resolutions were directed internally, some of the resolutions were directed towards federal departments, and others were directed to other departments of this government.

The ones that were directed to us we have tried in every way possible to address the concerns. Some of the concerns, the resolutions that we have not yet responded to, are still being researched. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Thank you. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some of the recommendations are going to take some time to be responded to. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take some time to respond to the Member properly, listing the resolutions that are directed to the department, and I will respond to him in a letter from me. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Member from Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of the N.W.T. Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, I want to indicate to the Minister that I have noticed over the past couple of weeks, constituents that have reached the age of 65, who still currently have a mortgage with the N.W.T. Housing Corporation, are not allowed to take into consideration, or to take advantage of, the Senior Citizens' Supplementary Tax Rebate Program, because their taxes are included in their mortgage.

I would like to ask the Minister if he would be able to request his officials to determine the individuals, with mortgages, that may be entitled to the Senior Citizens' Rebate Program for tax relief purposes? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question in regards to requests, I am not sure which Minister I will be directing it to, maybe to recreation. My question is in regards to the arena at Lake Harbour. From what I understand, it should be done in the year 1996, and my constituents are requesting that it should be brought up to an earlier date.

I understand that there is a shortage of funding, but my question is, would they be able to deal with it, or finish it, at an earlier date? If I could get a response in regards to this, it would be appreciated. If you cannot answer it now, I would like a response as soon as possible.

Thank you. Mr. Allooloo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will give my response as soon as I can.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Member for Baffin Central.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the Honourable Nellie Cournoyea has the highest ranking of our Cabinet, and representative of our House in national and international matters, I will direct my question to her.

I am sure that she is aware that on March 18, 1992, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution which proclaimed that 1993 was to be recognized as International Year of Indigenous Peoples. She should also be aware that on July 28, 1992, the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada adopted a resolution that activities related to the International Year of Indigenous Peoples, should not be coordinated by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

I.T.C. has also requested adequate funding to support participation in this international initiative. My question to the Government Leader is, what direction has she provided to her Cabinet with respect to this government's participation, or involvement, in the 1993 International Year of Indigenous Peoples?

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the particular motions, and the action taken by the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. I have put it on the agenda, we have not concluded on exactly what we are going to do, or how we are going to represent those requests. However, we should be taking that through Cabinet in the next month. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Qujannamiik. Supplementary to the Government Leader. Within our Cabinet, we have both a Minister responsible for Culture, and a Minister responsible for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs. Can the Government Leader indicate, now, which department will be assigned the key role in dealing with matters surround the International Year of the Indigenous Peoples?

Thank you, Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I will be more able to provide that after we have gone through our Cabinet meeting, because that is the purpose of the meeting. The paper is to discuss how much we have to do, to what extent our activities and support would be required, and then from there we will discuss who should be assigned. I will be prepared, once we conclude our meeting, to provide the lead Minister on that. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Minister of Renewable Resources. Last week, on September the 15, I asked the Minister of Renewable Resources a question in regards to the Trans-boundary Water Agreement with other provinces, particularly Alberta. He advised me that the draft agreement with Saskatchewan had been completed, and recently released for public consultation. Alberta negotiations, as he stated today, were moving slowly, because they were waiting to finalize their own agreement with British Columbia, and at this point there are no negotiating criteria for our agreement with B.C.

When he answered, I thought the reply was very familiar, so I know I asked this question to the former Minister back in February, and checking back in Hansard, Mr. Speaker, the answer I received from this Minister was exactly the same, word for word, in his briefing notes, the same as the one that the former Minister gave me. This Minister gave me the same answer last Tuesday. So, I would like to ask the Minister, is he indicating to me, to the House, and to the people of the north, that there has been absolutely no progress on this initiative in regards to our water quality agreement accord over the past seven months? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In respect to the N.W.T. and Alberta Trans-boundary Water Agreement, that is true. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Member for Thebacha.

That is really unfortunate, and it is a shame, Mr. Speaker, recognizing all the pulp mill development that is happening in the south. I would like to further ask the Minister, what steps has he taken, since he has been reassigned to the portfolio, to personally ensure that these water quality agreements are put in place as quickly as possible? Has he taken no steps at all? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have spoken to my department to make sure that the Trans-boundary Water Agreements are progressing. As I stated in this House, the responsibility for water is very complex, because water moves and crosses political boundaries. Water flowing to the Northwest Territories from the other jurisdictions, at this moment, we have no control over. It is quality until it reaches our boundary. Therefore, the best way, I think, to manage water, is to work cooperatively with other jurisdictions to ensure quality is maintained throughout an entire water basin. Even if the G.N.W.T. had full responsibility in respect to water, we would not have jurisdiction in other provinces until it reaches our border. Although the G.N.W.T. does not have

direct responsibility for water quality, we have been working cooperatively with the federal government on several managing programs throughout the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, several N.W.T. departments, including Health, Renewable Resources, M.A.C.A., and E.M.P.R., are represented on the technical advisory committees to the water board who issue water licenses within the N.W.T.. Mr. Speaker, I will try my best, as I stated, to talk to the Alberta Government, to make sure that the negotiations will proceed as soon as possible. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions, supplementary, Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and as much as the Minister spoke, he still has not answered my question. I asked what steps has he taken, personally, to ensure that these quality agreements are put into place as quickly as possible? I recognize, Mr. Speaker, that he indicated that he is working together with the provinces and the federal government, but he is working very slowly. I would like to, again, give him the benefit of the doubt and ask him, what steps has he taken to ensure these water quality agreements are put into place, since he has taken over the portfolio? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, when I took over the responsibility, I know the Member was very concerned about the water quality flowing into the Northwest Territories, especially in Slave River. I asked my department to see what we could do, as we do have an interim water quality agreement between Alberta and our government. That water quality agreement is in place to protect the water flowing into the Northwest Territories. I am told, at this point, the scientific information that has been gathered through the monitoring stations tells us that the water quality flowing into the Northwest Territories, is better than any other jurisdictions throughout Canada, and we are hoping to maintain that high level. We are talking in trillions of parts, and my department informs me that the Alberta Government will not negotiate a Trans-boundary Water Agreement until they have an agreement with B.C. I am not sure what else I can do. Perhaps the department that acts as a province on behalf of the Northwest Territories, could represent us, since they have the responsibility with respect to water. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. Mr. Speaker, when I asked about this matter last February, the previous Minister indicated that the Mackenzie River Basin Committee had made a commitment to conclude negotiations on all Trans-boundary Bilateral Agreements within the Mackenzie River Basin by the end of 1992. This Minister indicated last week that he was looking at possibly 1993. Can the Minister assure the House that it will still be possible to meet the deadline, and conclude all bilateral agreements by December 31, 1992, as it was indicated to me in February. Thank you.

Thank you, that was your final question. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish we could do that, have Trans-boundary Water Agreements by the end of December. My department tells me that we are hoping to have bilateral agreements with the Alberta Government by spring. That is the target now. We were hoping that Alberta and N.W.T. negotiations would end last spring, but we were not able to do that, because the Alberta Government refuses, at this point, with the N.W.T. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. I know that the Minister and his officials are always on the look out for promising new forums in which we can showcase the fine arts products and Arctic foods produced by northern aboriginal people.

He should be aware, in this case, that the United Nations will be promoting a major international trade fair for products made by indigenous people. This is one of the initiatives proposed for the 1993 International Year of Indigenous Peoples.

Has the Department of Economic Development and Tourism studied the possibility of the Northwest Territories participation in this event?

Thank you, Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, we will be participating. There are a number of products across the Northwest Territories and somehow, we are going to have to scale them down, put a package together so that we can get the best bang for our dollar. We will be participating and we will try to involve as many northerners as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Government Leader. The Government Leader will be aware that there is considerable interest within my constituency about working toward the devolution of economic development programs and services.

I understand that the Kitikmeot Inuit Association has been working hard to produce a discussion paper for this proposal and now has developed a project steering committee.

My question, Mr. Speaker, is can the Government Leader outline the steps that her government will use to consider the proposal for the transfer of economic development responsibilities within the Kitikmeot? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, as you know, the continual discussion on devolution of responsibilities to communities is active in our day to day activities at the Cabinet level.

At this point in time, we are just concluding and trying to put together a framework paper so that the process would be easy to access. At this time, the particular positions on economic development are certainly in discussion. We have had a number of proposals on where that should go. The consideration of the Kitikmeot proposal will be looked at seriously and with due respect. We hope that, in our discussions here, by the end of the week, we will be able to conclude the framework to give communities an outline on how they can access these transfers.

We are aware of the work that Kitikmeot Inuit Association is doing, as well. By next week, we hope that the necessary documentation would be concluded so that we can take it to the committee on shaping northern government. Once that is completed, we will make that publicly available so that people will know what the procedures are, how to access, and what has to be done to get their proposals looked at quickly. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Government Leader for her response. When the framework is completed on this initiative, Mr. Speaker, can the Government Leader indicate whether she is prepared to appoint a G.N.W.T. representative to the project steering committee? Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, yes.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to question the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. First of all, I would like to thank the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism and the Finance Committee in regard to the Heritage River that was opened recently.

I know that we will be having some economic benefits out of that place that was opened. I have a concern that there is no, I have not looked at the capital estimates as to whether there would be any money to run the place that has just been opened.

I wonder if there is going to be any money in the budget to run the park? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Yes, there will funds to operate. Obviously, we are still putting together the total plan for the park, Mr. Speaker. Certainly we will be providing funding to operate the park, yes. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not too sure if I should pose this question to the Minister of Finance, or to the Minister of Personnel, regarding the sale of government housing.

I would like to ask, whether or not consideration has been given for participation of the private sector to dispose of surplus government housing units? Thank you.

Which Minister would like to respond to that question? Mr. Kakfwi. Madam Premier. Mr. Pollard. Excuse me, rule number one.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There has been considerable interest expressed by the private sector in the disposal of government housing. Not the least of which has come from Fort Smith, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I think we are interested in coming up with a way to dispose of government housing, so that we can gain some revenue from it, and people can gain ownership of housing in communities.

There has to be a number of things taken into consideration, as I am sure everybody is aware, and that is, is there a housing market, etc.? When it comes down to the disposal of the assets, we are keenly interested in the private sector doing that part for us. It would have to be done with some consultation with them, because I am informed that there are a number of agreements that can be entered into with real estate companies, but, certainly, we are interested. The second thing that would be of concern to us is the rate at which we release those houses so that we do not upset the housing market. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Member from Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister when he would anticipate considering bringing forth the concept of disposing these units to the private sector? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these responsibilities lie between the Department of Personnel and the Department of Finance in some respects so

I will have to consult with the Minister of Personnel, who is the lead Minister on the disposal of government housing. But, I would point out that I believe we are using realters in Yellowknife at the present time so, I do not think it is going to take that much time before we get to the other communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Item 6, written questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you. Written questions, Mr. Speaker. I have a written question for the Government Leader. Would the Government Leader provide for the House a comprehensive summary of negotiations, consultations, correspondence and all other actions undertaken by the Government of the Northwest Territories which have been directed toward the resolution of the labour dispute at the Royal Oak Giant Mine in Yellowknife.

And, Mr. Speaker, I wish to request that the Government Leader table this document in the House no later than Monday, September 28, 1992.

Thank you. Item 6, written questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a written question to the Minister of Safety and Public Services. Would the Minister provide a summary of the activities undertaken by officials of the Department of Safety and Public Services including the dates, locations, and circumstances under which inspections have been carried out, in or around the Royal Oak Giant Mine in Yellowknife from May 1, 1992 to the present date.

And, again, Mr. Speaker, if I could ask the Minister to provide the reply to the House no later than Monday, September 28, 1992. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Item 8, replies to opening address. Item 9, petitions. Mr. Patterson.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table petition 7-12(2) signed by 347 students of Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit, and it is prefaced with the following:

This is an open letter to the authorities involved in education and finance and anyone interested in the future leaders of Nunavut. Due to the increased enrolment at Inuksuk High School, student/teacher allocation is greatly out of proportion. Some classes have in excess of forty students. The amount of individual student/teacher attention will decline considerably. As a result, the students in classes with an enrolment over the acceptable limit will not be getting the attention and the quality of education that they deserve. Education is our right, and it should be your priority to ensure that these rights are respected. The following names are those of students at Inuksuk High School who petition that the additional teachers required to lower the student/teacher ratio are allocated to meet our educational needs. Qujannamiik.

Thank you. Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Item 12, tabling of documents. Ms. Mike.

Qujannamiik. First, Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the following document, tabled document 94-12(2). A copy of a resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on March 18, 1992 proclaiming that 1993 will be the International Year of Indigenous Peoples. Mr. Speaker, if I may proceed, the second document, tabled document 95-12(2), is a press clipping from the August 3 edition of News/North titled "Inuit May Boycott Native Celebrations". Third, I would also like to table, Tabled Document 96-12(2), a copy of a resolution dated July 28, 1992 adopted by the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada at its 1992 annual general meeting. This resolution deals with the International Year of Indigenous People. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 12, tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motion. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, September 24, 1992 I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Baffin Central, that the Legislative Assembly strongly urges the Prime Minister of Canada to direct his Minister of Labour to immediately travel to the Northwest Territories to fulfill his responsibilities on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to proceed with this motion today.

Thank you. Item 13, notices of motion. Mr. Nerysoo.

Sorry, Mr. Speaker, I missed out one portion of the resolution that I was supposed to read.

Proceed, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you. And further that the Minister of Labour immediately develop a strategy to resolve the labour dispute at the Royal Oak Mines in Yellowknife.

Thank you. Item 13, notices of motion. Item 14, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 15, motions, motion 34. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, motion is order. To the motion, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. To the motion, Mr. Kakfwi, you have the right to make a closing. Are you ready for a question? Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Motions, Mr. Nerysoo.