Point of order, Mr. Speaker. The question was asked to the Minister of MACA. I'm unaware whether or not our rules allow for Ministers to answer for the duties entrusted to other Ministers.

To your point of order, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, it's been the practice in this House that the Premier and the Premier alone is allowed to take questions directed at Ministers. The taking of the question and the request that it be taken as notice is within our rules, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Mr. Whitford.

I caution Members. You are asking an opinion of the Minister. If the Minister would like to give a generic answer about what she is talking about, I think that would be quite appropriate. But, to give specific advice to a Member is inappropriate. Madam Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is at the discretion of each of us, who are elected representatives, what we think a good role model is. For instance, when I go to the communities, I make sure I talk to youth and elders. There is a gap between them. The same thing with the alcohol and drug workers, when I talk to them I do understand what their roles are and how much work they have to carry out on behalf of the GNWT in caring for people who need it.

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the opening ceremonies on the evening of November 17 here in the Assembly was an example of good role modelling. There was no alcohol served. Those kinds of things are the things that we look for. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Government Leader. Mr. Speaker, on March 4 of this year I asked the Government Leader a follow-up question on a question Mr. Todd had asked in September, 1992. There was no answer to that and it still appears as an outstanding question. However, we all know, Mr. Speaker, that once the House dissolves, all unanswered questions on the order paper die with the order paper. Each session I'll have to resurrect this question.

Mr. Speaker, the Government Leader was asked to provide a listing of employees at the DM and ADM levels who, over the past five years, have been given early retirement. The Premier, at the time, had stated that she would do so. The supplementary question asked for an outline of all the financial obligations associated with the special arrangement for these retiring staff. At that time, she said again that she would provide them. Recognizing that this question has been posed to the Government Leader's office for well over a year, I would like to ask the Government Leader when she will be providing that material to the House? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I had thought this was already provided. I will check into it and see if the communication has not been done. To my recollection, it has been done, but it if has not I will take care of it. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

The Government Leader hasn't taken this as notice. That was her answer last time. She said, "My understanding is the honourable Member is asking for some information. I would like to apologize that the information I

promised to bring forward has not been provided. I thought we had done it. However, I'll take her question as notice and provide her with the information." So, therefore, it has been thought to be done twice now. I would like to ask the Government Leader if she can provide that information to this House by November 30? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, yes.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to move to extend question period.

There has been a request to extend question period. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Question period is extended. Item 6, oral question. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to the dissolution of the elected town council of Iqaluit, I would like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, are there other options that could have been chosen by the Minister of MACA other than firing the elected town council? Such as: administrator by agreement; partial administration; negotiating a solution under the threat of appointing an administrator; making an order to appoint an administrator but keeping the elected council in place? Are there other options available?

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I suppose when a community corporation gets into a difficult situation, there are always options that the government could look at. In the case of Whale Cove that the Member knows very well, the community was very willing to work with the department to come up with a recovery plan for their deficit.

Mr. Speaker, the Iqaluit situation was reviewed back in 1988 and again in 1989, and 1990. Finally, the situation got so serious that my deputy minister wrote a letter to the town saying, "That unless you do something, you're going to be in a very difficult situation." Back in November, 1992, the inspectors informed the town management and the mayor about their concern regarding debenture payment shortfalls. The town manager asked for some time to review the debenture financing with the auditor and the Director of Finance.

Mr. Speaker, the town's own auditor made some recommendations to the council about how to recover from the deficit. Those recommendations were not followed by the council. Therefore, we approached the council again saying they needed to recover from their deficit. Again, the town needed time to rethink. So, we gave them time. The department did not receive a response for two months. Again, the deputy minister wrote to the mayor and council expressing grave concern and requesting action. We were asking that the council develop a recovery plan that would allow them to get out of their deficit.

In January 1993, the town manager met in Yellowknife with municipal inspectors to discuss the debenture dilemma. The department engaged an independent auditor to confirm the inspector's findings in regards to the debenture dilemma, which he did. The town was very confrontational and uncooperative. This attitude persisted for the next several months. The town SAO and the mayor were told that the interest on the debenture was growing by $1,500 per day and for a month the town continued to refuse their cooperation.

Mr. Speaker, because of their confrontational attitude towards my department, my options were limited. We took it to FMB and the decision was made. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.