Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I can make that undertaking. I know there has been a sense of frustration that we haven't signed a northern accord, but that's specifically why we haven't signed a northern accord. We can't give you that undertaking that the parameters for the northern accord addresses that particular issue. Yes, I will. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the matter of the housing crises and further to the Government Leader. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask, was the Government Leader, in her discussions with the honourable Prime Minister, able to convey the urgency of getting a resolution of this matter before winter roads and before tenders are awarded for construction for the coming year. Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I didn't mention winter roads. I did not mention all this. Having less than 20 minutes, as much as I could I talked about the well-being of people, the concern of health issues as it relates to housing, the backlog, the housing needs issues that have been identified and the concern for elders. However, I didn't mention winter roads or anything else. I hope the urgency was there in relation to the human well-being. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do realize it was quite a short window of opportunity on a very busy day. Could I ask the Government Leader, the Prime Minister undertook to look into the matter and consult with appropriate Ministers, did the Prime Minister give any indication as to how quickly our government would be able to get an answer on whether help would be extended in time to build houses for the coming year? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, no, he did not indicate specifically on the timetable, but I believe that he was well aware that we were meeting with the Minister of Indian Affairs. As well, I did tell him that the Honourable Donnie Morin, Minister of Housing, would be meeting with the appropriate Minister, and immediately after that we would like to consolidate where we are. Then we would like to have a meeting with him in that specific regard along with the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and the aboriginal organizations that have been tracking this particular issue. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know. I'll have to take the question as notice, sorry.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Housing with respect to the point system that is currently used to determine housing allocations for public units. The point system used seems to be a cumbersome system which can be easily manipulated and doesn't necessarily identify individuals who are in need of housing. Therefore, I'd like to ask the Minister of Housing, would he undertake to review the point system that the Housing Corporation has in place to determine allocations for public housing? Thank you.

Minister of Housing, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will put that item on the agenda of the Advisory Committee on Social Housing. I've talked to the Member previously about this and other Members have raised the issue, so we will review the point system.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. For several years now, I have been pursuing the issue of the development of a northern accord strategy, or a northern accord agreement, between the federal government and the territorial government. It's also a very big issue and has impact on land claim agreements. It's one of the outstanding issues in the Gwich'in agreement. Earlier today, the Premier mentioned that this issue was discussed with the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs. Can the Minister advise this House as to the status of a northern accord agreement?

Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the problems we've been having with the northern accord are all related to financial issues. We have chosen not to sign a final accord based on the previous government's offer. Like I said, we did raise the issue of the northern accord with the present Minister and we would like to resume negotiations at the earliest opportunity. If a few financial issues could be resolved, a final agreement could be struck in a relatively short period of time. The most important remaining issue concerns the Government of the Northwest Territories' access to a share of revenues from Norman Wells Crown interest, in order to establish a source of funding for oil and gas development purposes and the removal of the fiscal disincentive to encourage oil and gas development costs by the perversity factor. Mr. Speaker, those are the issues that stand in the way.

As I said previously in a question that was relayed to the Government Leader, we have indicated to the Prime Minister and also the Minister of Indian Affairs, that it's very important if we are going to support the interest of the Northwest Territories' residents and people interested in development, that the first thing required is for some kind of development fund to allow individual corporations to get their foot in the door. We know the equity that has to be raised if you want to proceed. There are avenues if you can find some equity, but still there is often a requirement with development corporations where they don't have the equity. So it's very important that if we are going to take this responsibility, we recognize that and there should be a pool of resources, not only just to take over the responsibility, but to support the people of the Northwest Territories and groups to get involved in the development and have a share in what that development is. I believe this is the only thing that's holding us up right now and that we have to have some commitment on a development fund. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mr. Speaker, the development of an oil and gas northern accord is very important and is one of the issues -- and I think it's an outstanding issue -- of several of the land claim agreements. Can the Minister advise us as to whether or not she's been involving the aboriginal groups in the discussions in the development of a northern accord?