Mr. Speaker, when I brought up the issue in broad terms to the meeting that evening, after the conclusion of the meeting, I spent about 45 minutes with Mr.

Jake Epp talking about this particular thing, and this is the topic we talked about mostly, and how he should be using his offices to bring the situation to the attention of the other colleagues on our behalf.

We had a long discussion, he committed himself to do that, and apparently today, there was a conference telephone call between various Ministers responsible, and he was on the telephone in that conference call which, I understand, has just been concluded a few minutes ago. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Renewable Resources. I have noticed that during the last several summers, we have been having an increasing population of bison in my constituency, and the municipality itself, on the road to the airport, even in the airport. I have just been reading an article, written by Kevin Lloyd, a native person, in which he states that irregardless of whether they are brucellosis free or tuberculosis free, they could still contract that disease.

I would like to ask the Minister whether or not there are any plans --- oh, by the way, I got your can of muskox meat -- any plans to maybe put some kind of control over where these bison are roaming. Are there any plans?

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the bison in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary are disease free, we have established a zone, we call it a bison free zone, where, if we see a buffalo, the buffalo will be terminated, if it is possible. That buffalo zone is across the lake, across from Fort Providence. We noticed, starting last spring, that the buffalo are moving inland from the Falaise Lake area closer to the Fort Providence community because of the high water this year, and they are looking for a field where they can feed.

Also, because of the reconstruction of the highway, widening of the right of way, that promotes new feeding grounds for bison, which has been a problem. Also, I am looking at legislation change so that the quota might be increased from 40 up to 60, and also, I am looking at, for Fort Providence people only, a legislation change that would allow them to harvest bison northwest of the highway. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the response that the Minister has given me, however, there is a problem right now with the bison roaming into the community itself. The access road to the community have bison roaming in there, the airport also have bison roaming in those areas and increasingly, Mr. Speaker, the bison have been going toward the Mackenzie River, so that you see them all along the highways and the winter crossings.

Increasingly, they are probably going to be going to the other side and getting themselves shot. My main concern is with regard to the immediate surrounding of Fort Providence in which there are a substantial number. I would like to ask the Minister if they have done any preventative programs so that they do not have to be seen in the immediate area.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize the problem and, it is a problem. I heard the other day that the power plant operator woke up in the morning and there were two bison on his lot he had to "shoo" away before he got out of his driveway. Yes, it is a real problem that bison are going into the airport, and also on the access road to Fort Providence. What I have asked the department to do, is look at prescribed burnings so that the habitat could be improved in other areas further from the community of Fort Providence.

They have tried, along with the community involvement, to burn an area, but the weather was too cold. So, Mr. Speaker, the department will try to do that again in the spring. Plus, I would like to say that I will work with the community, and also the Member for that community, to see how we could solve that particular problem. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. New question, Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, during the last several weeks I have been travelling back and forth between here and Fort Providence and I have also been doing my share of driving there, and it gets me muddy mad at the conditions...

---Laughter

...at the conditions in which the road is in. I realize that we did have several months of rain and snow, and that has caused a dangerous situation. But, last weekend, when I went to Providence, I have a four wheel drive, and I practically got stuck in a section in which there was six inches of mud that you had to go through. The Minister did indicate that in 1987, or 1985, I think, he would be working on that section of it. That is fine, really. I am happy that something is gong to be done in the future.

My main concern is what is going to be done, now, with regard to the condition of the road, in that particular section, that is between Chan Lake, and Birch Creek.

I could suggest to Members that the word "bloody" is considered to be an unparliamentary ...

Muddy...

Now that it has been clarified, for the Members' edification, in case anyone is interested, bloody is unparliamentary. Mr. Minister.

Thank you. In future, I will muddy well pay attention.

---Laughter

Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of my concerns, Mr. Speaker, is after this, the muddy condition could cause an accident which might be bloody. So, that is my main concern.

Mr. Speaker, when you get to that section of the road, you cannot control a vehicle, so if there are oncoming vehicles, and you do get out of control, there could be an accident. That is my main concern. It is muddy now, but perhaps if they covered it with gravel to eliminate that condition, it may help you to control your vehicle better. It was difficult for me to control my vehicle when I was passing other vehicles, and that is a dangerous situation to be in.

Mr. Whitford.

Time for oral questions has elapsed. Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, return to written question 38-12(2), asked by Mr. Nerysoo, is to the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, concerning statistics on the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Item 8, replies to opening address. 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. Kakfwi.

Item 12, tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motion. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 15, motions. Item 16, first reading of bills. Item 17, second reading of bills. Item 18, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters: tabled document 9-12(2), Strength at Two Levels; tabled document 10-12(2), Reshaping Northern Government; tabled document 62-12(2), Report on Northwest Territories Operations at Expo '92 as at May 31, 1992; tabled document 70-12(2), "The Justice House" Report of the Special Advisor on Gender Equality; motion 6, Discussion on Sobriety Clause in Contribution Agreements; committee report 10-12(2), Special Committee on Constitutional Reform Report on the Multilateral Conference on the Constitution; committee report 17-12(2), Report on the Review of the 1992/93 Main Estimates; committee report 18-12(2), Multilateral Meetings on the Constitution and First Ministers' - Aboriginal Leaders' Conferences on the Constitution; Bill 9, an Act to Amend the Insurance Act; Bill 31, an Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act; Bill 33, Appropriation Act No. 2, 1992-93; Minister's statement 82-12(2), Update on National Constitutional Reform Negotiations, with Mr. Ningark in the Chair.