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. 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.