Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it was November 12 that he was appointed.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Beaumont left Yellowknife, as he was not able to play the piano at the memorial service on that day. The reason for it was because he had left and he was on his way to Iqaluit in a very round about way. So I would like to ask the Minister again, would he confirm that he was able to contact Mr. Beaumont somewhere in the air between here and Iqaluit?

Mr. Allooloo.

No, Mr. Speaker.

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

I'd like to ask the Minister then, when exactly was Mr. Beaumont contacted and by what means?

Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the letter was drafted to him on November 11. I'm not too sure so I'll check, Mr. Speaker, when he received the letter that appointed him and also gave him direction to be administrator of the town of Iqaluit. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There still seems to be confusion as to responsibility for dispatching this individual to do a certain job. I'd like to ask the Minister, did he continue to exercise responsibility through the period until November 12 for whatever actions had to take place in Iqaluit?

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I didn't fully understand the question.

Perhaps the Member would like to clarify his question and restate it. Mr. Lewis.

I do try to be brief, Mr. Speaker, but I'll expand a little bit. Since there seems to be some confusion about who is responsible for what, my question to the Minister is, since he has told us that he took some time off, could he indicate whether he continued to be responsible for that department up until the period of November 12, or had advantage of responsibility already been given to Mr. Kakfwi because it was Mr. Kakfwi who signed the letter?

Mr. Allooloo.

I believe, Mr. Speaker, when a Minister is appointed to look after a certain department they must be responsible. There are a number of times in the past, even though I was on holidays or taking time off, I had to make some decisions about my departments regardless of being on holidays. I believe, Mr. Speaker, I have to be responsible for all my departments whether I am on leave or whatever, as long as I am able to do so. From time to time, Mr. Speaker, when the Minister is not in Yellowknife, other Ministers can sign documents. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. You've utilized all your supplementaries, Mr. Lewis. Item 5, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Mr. Speaker, it seems that we were initially confused about the process used, but now we're getting more confused. It's a good thing question period is just about over.

Mr. Speaker, it seemed that initially when we started questioning this issue in the House this afternoon, we were told that the Cabinet had made the decision. On the advice of Cabinet this decision was made on November 10. Mr. Speaker, the deputy minister tried to reach my honourable colleague the night of November 10. We were still in SCOF on November 10, you have to keep that in mind. However, in the afternoon they still couldn't reach him so they did this press release on November 12 and the Minister left on November 11. I would like to ask the Minister if he was here making the decision on the advice of Cabinet on November 10, then why did the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs sign the letter relayed to the Member for Iqaluit?

Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure, I have to go back. I was informed by my office on Friday that the letter was signed by Mr. Kakfwi. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister whether this particular issue was faxed. How was the information relayed? Thank you.