Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the last two years Members of this House have been raising concerns about the seven communities that have no telephone service.

During the summer, the CRTC made several rulings that limited the scope of the rate increase. Final arguments were filed in September. The CRTC decision is expected in December. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Public Works and Services is working to transfer responsibility for its maintenance programs in Cape Dorset and Holman. The department has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the hamlet of Cape Dorset. The maintenance employees in Cape Dorset now work for the hamlet administrator.

The department has now contracted with the hamlet of Holman for maintenance services in that community. These arrangements are providing the hamlets with maintenance experience before the implementation of community transfer agreements, scheduled for next spring.

I am pleased to be involved with these agreements. The department will continue to cooperate when other communities initiate transfer discussions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The hamlet of Sanikiluaq has the authority to run their housing association. The Sanikiluaq Housing Association is having problems with their financial statements. As a Member of that area, we are asking for assistance to get the budget in order. As well, in Iqaluit, the housing corporation office should be able to assist the hamlet to take over the housing authority. I would like to ask the government, Mr. Speaker, to assist the Sanikiluaq Housing Association.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I rise to speak about certain insurance companies operating in the Northwest Territories. I used to think that sometimes during question period I got the run-around by the honourable Ministers. I wish to state, for the record, that the Ministers are mere amateurs when compared to the run-around I recently received at the hands of my insurance company.

---Laughter

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I am sure most Members of the House recall the arguments my truck had with the bison.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, the end result of the bison incident was that my truck insurance quadrupled from $600 per year. At the time of the renegotiation -- and I use the term "renegotiation" very loosely -- I determined that under the new and improved rate I was being charged, there would not be much point in getting glass coverage for my vehicle. That was not a hard decision on my part because the insurance company wished to charge me more than what a new windshield was worth for this coverage.

Mr. Speaker, on November 13, the small side window of my truck was broken. As a good, conscientious citizen, and not having had any recent run-ins with the highway patrol, this wanton act of destruction was duly reported to the proper authorities. Now, is where the plot thickens, Mr. Speaker.

I decided that since I carried vandalism insurance, it might be possible to recoup from my insurance company the $160 I had to pay to replace my window. Mr. Speaker, this was not to happen. For, you see, Mr. Speaker, vandalism does not cover glass. If someone took a hammer to my vehicle and smashed up the body of my truck, that would be vandalism. However, if the same person took the same hammer and smashed my window, this would not be considered vandalism. For the window to be covered under my insurance, it would have been necessary for the perpetrator of this destructive act to break the window and steal my vehicle. Mr. Speaker, this makes a lot of sense.

---Laughter

Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, this makes a lot of sense. If a person who broke a window manages to get the truck started and manages not to roll or wreck it, and if the truck is ever found again, the insurance company will replace the window. However, if the person who broke into your truck is not the brightest thief in the world and can't figure out how to steal your truck, you're out of luck for getting any money out of the insurance company.

Mr. Speaker, now I thought I might be getting somewhere -- I have theft coverage. I thought to myself, what would happen if the next time an incident like this occurred? If the person steals something from my vehicle, something like my gun rack, I would be covered. Would I be reimbursed for my gun rack and my window? Mr. Speaker, apparently, gun racks are not considered part of a vehicle, therefore not only would I not get reimbursed for my gun rack and window, the window would not be covered because nothing was stolen.

---Laughter

I don't know if I'm making any sense here, Mr. Speaker. My gun rack was spared the attack the last time I saw my truck.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I have advice for any residents of the Northwest Territories. Don't assume anything. Ask questions of your insurance agent. Find out that everything you have is covered. I know the next time I get insurance, I will be making sure that myself and my insurance agent have the same interpretation on what my insurance actually covers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Gargan. I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome to our Assembly, Mr. Roger Gruben, Chairman of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, and there's a delegation of other Gwich'in and Inuvialuit leaders, most of whom I introduced yesterday.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform Members of important and significant events in the Beaufort/Delta region. Later today I will be tabling a proposal

for the restructuring of public government in the western Arctic. This proposal acknowledges that community governments are paramount. In fact, it describes regional governments as a partnership of communities. This regional government will be formed by communities.

As Members know, the Gwich'in and the Inuvialuit maintain, by virtue of the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in land claim agreements, the right to negotiate self-government agreements. It is significant to note, however, that the Inuvialuit, Gwich'in and non-aboriginal people have come together to develop a proposal for the restructuring of public government. The preference for a public forum of government reflects the desire of all groups within the Inuvik region to work toward common goals and a common future in the region.

This public government will be equitable, inclusive and universal. The Gwich'in, Inuvialuit and the municipalities believe that since this form of government will be community and regionally-based, it will be cost-effective, efficient and representative.

This regional government will have the authority to pass laws and set standards on a regional level, and will assume certain authority currently held by either the territorial or federal governments. In this way, local and regional decision-making will be maximized. To the greatest extent possible, community governments will assume responsibility for delivering programs.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The proposal maximizes legislative authority in the region, improves the quality of government programs and secures a strong future for the region in a new western territory.

Mr. Speaker, the reshaping of government institutions in the western Arctic can be achieved either through the western constitutional process, self-government negotiations undertaken by the Gwich'in and the Inuvialuit, or a combination of both. I can assure Members that the people of the region are committed to the western constitutional process and are hopeful that it reaches a successful conclusion.

The Constitutional Development Steering Committee process is under way and there should be no difficulty in incorporating this proposal into the work of the committee so that a western Arctic regional government will be compatible with the future structure of a western territorial government. However, I must also point out that the people of the western Arctic know what they want, in terms of restructuring public government, and may pursue any number of measures to achieve their goals.

The Gwich'in, Inuvialuit and municipal governments acknowledge that the reshaping of public government in the west, and the formation of a regional government, must coincide with the establishment of a Nunavut government in the east. This regional government will be governed by a regional council of elected community representatives.

Each member community will elect one regional councillor. Two additional regional councillors and a mayor will be elected at large. In this way, the needs of the communities and the needs of the region can be represented. In this proposal, Mr. Speaker, community governments are recognized as paramount. Communities will also judge this proposal when residents vote, in community by community plebiscites, to opt into the regional government.

The intent of this proposal is not to isolate the western Arctic, but to create new relationships. Just as the people of the western Arctic share common goals and values, residents of the region also share a relationship with the people and institutions that make up the remainder of the Northwest Territories. The creation of regional government will not impair this relationship. The challenge is to create a regional government that can enjoy a complementary relationship with a central government.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, let me remind Members that the Northwest Territories is already regionalized. The administration of this government is based on regions. Regions are also defined by geography, language and culture and there are regionally-based land claim agreements.

The Inuvialuit, Gwich'in and municipalities realize that other people across the western Northwest Territories may be interested in this proposal. They have indicated to me that they are prepared to make presentations to any interested parties to explain the proposal. Mahsi. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Karla Van Pelt, a resident of my constituency, on receiving the James H. Harrison bursary from the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Van Pelt was born and raised in Fort Smith and is currently in her third year in paleobiology at the University of Saskatchewan. This is the first year for the awarding of this bursary and I'm proud that a resident of my riding was chosen for this award. This bursary is for the amount of $3,000 and is awarded by the Science Institute, in memory of Dr. James Harrison, who was the founding chair of the Science Institute board of governors.

After Karla Van Pelt finishes her degree, she plans to return to the north, hopefully Fort Smith, and work for either Parks Canada or our own Department of Renewable Resources. Mr. Speaker, we need more northerners trained in the sciences working in our government and helping us, as political leaders, to make intelligent and informed decisions for all the residents of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Science Institute for promoting science as a viable career path for northerners of the territories. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to, once again, raise an issue that the community of Arviat has been concerned about for many, many years. This issue has to do with the quality of water service to the community. For many years, the community was receiving water which was from a still lake, meaning there was no flow into the lake, nor any flow out of the lake, except to the community reservoir.

This past summer, the Department of Public Works spent funds to correct this problem, with the sponsorship of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. A local contractor was hired to construct a line from a creek where the people of the community go to pick up ice from. I should note that they only hired local people to construct the line.

I was stopped by the Anglican minister when I was last in Arviat, to pass the on communities' appreciation for the new water line to the Minister of Public Works and to the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs. Although it was not from a creek which the majority of people would have liked to receive their water from, it is better than Mikilaaq Lake.

I stated before, that a previous Minister of the 11th Assembly was served water with some contaminants. Mr. Speaker, I would therefore like to inform Members of the Cabinet that it is now safe. Now they are invited to come into Arviat any time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Arngna'naaq. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. About a week ago, I got a call from a high school teacher, Mieke Cameron, who asked if there was any way we could recognize outstanding academic achievement for grade twelve students. She told me that she had taught an extraordinary student. Her name is Allison Marshall. She wondered what kind of extraordinary achievements deserved to be recognized in a very special way by Members of this House.

I said about the only thing we can do is give a Member's statement. This individual was taught by Mrs. Cameron and it was in her subject that she got her lowest mark in her grade 12 grades. In English studies, she only got 91 per cent, in Math 30 she got 100 per cent. Her average was in the mid-90s. In addition to that, Mr. Speaker, she is an excellent athlete and represents the ideal of what we are trying to achieve in the education system, which is a healthy body and a strong mind. This person, obviously, is a good athlete and an excellent student, and it's very rare that we get the opportunity to get up in the House to congratulate all those people responsible for giving this young person the opportunity to make good use of the obvious talents she has. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Pudluk on November 24, regarding the Nanisivik water and sewer disposal system.

The department considers Nanisivik to be the locale where mine personnel are served by the existing municipal type infrastructure, and not an organized community with a recognized level of local government.

The GNWT does not hold, and has never held, a municipal water license for Nanisivik. The only water license in existence is held by the mine and is solely for industrial use.

In June, 1974, under the terms of the primary agreement between the GNWT and Nanisivik Mines Ltd., the GNWT provided a loan to Nanisivik to develop the mine site, including water and sewer infrastructure. The loan has since been paid back in full, under the terms and conditions of a capital cost recovery agreement put in place in 1979. The government's position all along has been that responsibility for ownership, operation and maintenance on the water and sanitation rests with the mine, by virtue of the capital cost recovery agreement.

In its last meeting on July 12, 1993, it was agreed by all that Nanisivik Mines Ltd. should continue to operate and maintain the water and sewer system, and a cost-share agreement, based on the use by all customers, would be developed. The government's position continues to be that the responsibility for the ownership and operation and maintenance of the water and sanitation facilities at Nanisivik rests with the Nanisivik Mine. Therefore, the government has not undertaken any repairs to the system.

Departmental staff have contacted the mine to relay the Water Board's concerns regarding the sewage system and the need to chlorinate drinking water, and requested that repairs be undertaken at the earliest, consistent with the agreement reached with the mine on July 12, 1993. The mine has indicated that the creek into which the sewage is being discharged is still the same one into which Nanisivik Mines Ltd. has been discharging its tailings for years. The whole area has long been well-signed and posted to warn the general public to keep away, therefore, there is no immediate health hazard.

In the longer term, the principle of user-pay will be adopted by all parties applied to the water and sewer systems for Nanisivik. The GNWT, as a customer, will be responsible to the mine as the owner and operator of the system for the costs of services to the GNWT buildings. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a response to a question asked by Mr. Pudluk on November 19, 1993, concerning payment of health bills for foreign resident.

Mr. Speaker, visitors from outside Canada are not eligible for coverage under the health care plan. Individuals from outside of Canada who take up residency in the Northwest Territories are required to provide valid immigration papers to qualify for NWT health care plan benefits. The immigration documents that are acceptable for the purpose of NWT health care coverage are a student visa, a working visa, or a landed immigrant visa. If the individual has any of these items he could be eligible for coverage under the NWT health care plan from the day of his arrival in the Northwest Territories.

The individual in the Member's community should contact the nurse in charge at the local health centre regarding coverage under the NWT health care plan. Further information is available from the Baffin Regional Health Board or the supervisor of registration in the Northwest Territories' health care plan. The number there is 1-800-661-0786.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, if the honourable Member wishes to provide me with additional information on the individual, I will look into the matter further. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In responding to a question yesterday, asked by my honourable colleague, Mr. Allooloo, with regard to the pupil/teacher ratio under the collective agreement, I just want to inform the honourable Members here that the pupil/teacher ratio is not a matter under the collective agreement, but rather a policy within government.

The other matter is that I will be, in future, making a ministerial statement on this matter to inform the Members of this House on how that particular matter is dealt with in assigning teachers to each school.

In this case, the Member is correcting the record as opposed to a formal reply to an oral question. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Renewable Resources and is with regard to water. Mr. Speaker, there has been a concern in my community and in the Deh Cho region, in particular, about the water in the Mackenzie River and whether the pulp mills in the south actually have an affect on the quality of water in the Mackenzie River.

On a number of occasions, Mr. Speaker, people in Providence have caught fish that didn't look normal. It does concern the community. I would like to ask the Minister whether this government has any kind of strategic plan with regard to protecting watersheds? I'm referring, specifically, to places like Kakisa and Willow Lake. Those all have fairly good quality water that might have to be used eventually if quality of water in the Mackenzie doesn't get better.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Arctic Red River is a heritage river and it is identified as such, I think. I would like to ask the government whether we have legislation in place right now that can actually identify those lakes as protected areas so that we don't have people dumping into those lakes or developing around them. This is so that, in the future, we at least have water that we can actually use in the event that the quality gets worse in the Mackenzie. Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Transportation. He answered some of my questions, but I would also like to ask him something else. We have had problems in Cape Dorset, it is not as bad in the winter-time, but in the spring and summer there are problems with the airport. Perhaps the Minister of Transportation could consider improving this airport in the capital budget.

Mr. Speaker, the problems we have had with the Cape Dorset airport have existed for a long time. I would like to ask the Minister if he could consider the problem in Cape Dorset. Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to assure my honourable colleague that we are taking the issue of the Cape Dorset runway very seriously. This past summer, there were some runway repairs completed and some geotechnical, survey and design work was also completed in the plan. It is our intent to rehabilitate that air field and the runway lighting in 1994-95. We intend to do that this coming summer. There will be a new air terminal building for Cape Dorset, should the budget be approved, in 1995-96.

We are taking action as quickly as we can. It is our intention to bring the Cape Dorset runway up to grade this summer and to construct a new air terminal building in 1995. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister, for responding to my question. This is a big problem in Cape Dorset, and it has existed for some time. Looking through the capital budget, I was expecting to see the problem we have in Cape Dorset addressed in this capital budget. Perhaps this can be in the spring budget plan for this coming year. Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Let me assure my honourable colleague that there is money in the budget to rehabilitate the Cape Dorset airstrip this coming summer, in 1994-95. Should the money be approved for the air terminal building, there will be a new air terminal building in 1995-96. I want to assure him again that this summer we are going to rehabilitate the Cape Dorset runway and improve the airfield lighting system as well. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, the Minister responsible for Education corrected the record. I just want to confirm what he said yesterday, "If the situation where the student/teacher ratio is higher than what is agreed to in the collective agreement, certainly we would respond." Mr. Speaker, my question is, even though this might not be in the collective agreement, would the Minister respond to the situation in Pond Inlet? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, just to reiterate the point I made earlier, the whole matter of the teacher/pupil ratio is not a matter under the collective agreement. In terms of responding to the need teachers, that is done on a normal basis after the calculations of the numbers of students in the school at the end of October or mid-November and, based on policy, we will respond accordingly.

I will also, Mr. Speaker, be making a statement in the House about the whole matter so there is an understanding of how this works. I will talk about how the calculations for the need for teachers works and the requirements that we have to meet generally.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Renewable Resources. In the Fort Simpson area, the band there has a resource management group that is looking into all the resources in their traditional area. I'm told that the Department of Renewable Resources had issued a timber license to a sawmill company in that area. There is a great concern on the part of people in the traditional area. They don't agree with that license. They want to deal with resource management comprehensively before they start getting into logging. I would like to ask the Minister responsible, if it is indeed true that Renewable Resources have issued a timber licence in that Martin Hills area near Fort Simpson. Thank you.

Minister Kakfwi.

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

I would like to ask the Minister if the concerns of the people in the band who's traditional area is Martin Hills, if they were consulted before this timber license was issued. I say this because there was a petition issued by all the people who use that area traditionally, that they didn't want any logging to go on in that area. I would like to know if they were consulted. Mahsi.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you. So, it's the position of the Minister responsible and the government that the aboriginal people who traditionally use their land -- even though their objections to logging have been voiced -- doesn't mean anything. It's their land and if they have objection to it, their position should be taken into consideration. I would like to ask the Minister responsible if that's the case. Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Your final supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you. The Minister made reference to policies. As an aboriginal person involved in this institution, I know a lot of policies were made a long time ago, when we were not involved. Many of these policies and regulations didn't take into consideration our views at that time. Many of those regulations have to be changed today. I'd like to ask the Minister if the timber license that was issued on October 2, could be held until we've cleared this up because we're heading into some problems if we don't. Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Mr. Todd.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Todd.

I'd be only too happy to. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Todd.

I'd like to point out, Mr. Speaker, that in all cases we didn't pay a premium. In some cases we met the budget that was assigned to the projects. I'd be only too happy to demonstrate to this House and to all the Members, the benefits of negotiated contracts with aboriginal people in communities where jobs are desperately required.

---Applause

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This being Friday, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for well over 500 questions that he posed to me in his and my former lives. It appears to me that the math I learned in the hallways and foyers of schools in Pond Inlet might be different than the math he learned in the proper classrooms, south of the lake. My question is, Mr. Speaker, to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Is it the understanding of the Minister and his corporation staff, that 26,000 is greater than 24,000? Thank you.

Minister "mathematical" Morin.

---Laughter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, that depends whether or not you apply to the business incentive policy.

Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo. This is number two for you, Mr. Allooloo, 498 to go.

---Laughter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason why I asked the question is because there was a case where a local business person in Pond Inlet and a business person from the Northwest Territories bid on the same contract. The local business person's bid was $24,000. The outsider's bid was $26,000. The corporation gave the contract to the higher bidder. I want to know why that was done. We keep hearing this. The resources are scarce in our government. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Allooloo is correct on some of the information. We did receive two bids on an electrical contract for the housing corporation in Pond Inlet. One bid was from Merkosak Construction in Pond Inlet for the amount of $24,000. Another bid came from Kheraj Enterprises Ltd. of Resolute Bay for the amount of $26,900. That was for the labour only, to install electrical systems and three access systems in houses in Pond Inlet.

The bids were evaluated. The business incentive policy was applied. In his bid, Merkosak was going to use an electrician who is qualified, but he was a resident of Quebec so he couldn't get the business incentive policy for that portion of the contract. In his bid, Kheraj's northern content and local content named an electrician from the Northwest Territories, so the business incentive policy was applied and Kheraj ended up with the low bid, because of the 15 per cent.

It was brought to the Housing Corporation's attention, by Mr. Allooloo, that Kheraj did not use the electrician from the Northwest Territories. He ended up using an electrician from Newfoundland.

Shame, shame.

I would like to thank Mr. Allooloo for bringing that to my attention. We will be dealing with this. We have two options open to us because it is misleading to the Housing Corporation when a contractor does not follow his contract specifications. We will deal with it.

---Applause

Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time that this has happened. I have been working with the Minister during the last few months, and also with the Premier, on this issue. It has to be resolved. Those contractors who say they will use northern businesses, and who don't use them, have to be dealt with. It is unfair to local small business people. On the bids, they normally have to follow what they say they will do and bigger businesses have other options. Mr. Speaker, this has to be resolved.

I would like to thank the Minister for his immediate attention to this. When is he going to deal with this problem?

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In as much as Mr. Kheraj has misrepresented information to our office in his bid, what I am asking for now is an opinion from Justice whether this represents a breach of contract. If Justice gives me that opinion, I have two options. I can terminate the contract with Kheraj Enterprises and then I can award the balance of the contract to a northern firm, using a northern electrician. This is the route I would prefer to go, but I need an opinion from Justice so I don't get sued. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, there is coverage for residents of the Northwest Territories when they are travelling in other regions of Canada. There is some coverage for them when they are outside of Canada. I remember, several years ago, having a constituent, and the Department of Health eventually settled their bills in Africa and brought them home. I think we are always willing to look at such situations outside of Canada.

What we mostly do, Mr. Speaker, is encourage people -- at the time they are making their travel plans and seeing their travel agents -- to take out extra insurance for when they are travelling outside of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time this issue has come up in this House. Over the past few years, it has been raised a couple of times. At those times, departments did take action. It is my understanding that they asked travel agents to advise their patrons of the necessity to carry insurance. I will undertake to do that again. As Mr. Whitford says, there is a need to perhaps revitalize that information because people will be often travelling this winter to warmer climates.

First of all, I will undertake to find out if there's anything we can do, generally, through the Department of Health in our health centres, our hospitals, doctors offices, regional offices and so on and so forth. I will also undertake to send a letter to all travel agents and airlines in the Northwest Territories to reiterate to them that they should advise people, who travel

internationally, that a little bit of extra insurance would go a long way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Minister Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, the blade cuts both ways. Canadians are generally treated well when they are in foreign countries. Northwest Territories' residents are generally treated well by health professionals when they are travelling and get sick outside of Canada and outside of this territory. Conversely, when people are visiting the Northwest Territories, if they get sick or injured, the first thing we're concerned about is their well-being.

I would inform this House that they are, first and foremost, treated and we don't worry at that particular time who is eventually going to pay the bill, Mr. Speaker. The majority of visitors to the Northwest Territories -- particularly the Japanese people who Mr. Whitford referred to -- are very well organized by their travel agents and tour agents.

The majority of them are carrying insurance. Some of them carry insurance from their employers. The majority of American visitors to the Northwest Territories have some kind of insurance. If we exhaust those insurance aspects, we would eventually go to the person and ask them to pay. But, certainly, we wouldn't be sending them bills while they're in their hospital bed, Mr. Speaker. We would do it in a sensible manner. However, we would try to recover the costs from those people who don't carry any kind of insurance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of DPW. Mr. Speaker, recently I received a couple of letters from my constituents. Prior to the session, I heard many concerns with regard to the parking fee that is imposed by this government. The fee is apparently for plugging in the vehicles or parking the vehicles.

I did write to the Minister of DPW to see if there was a policy developed on the fee that is imposed on many of the government employees. In responding, the Minister indicated that there was no policy developed and the user-pay was in the system in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Fort Smith and it would be implemented in Hay River, Fort Simpson and Iqaluit.

First of all, I would like to ask the Minister, what exactly is the charge for? Is it for a fee for the vehicle to be plugged in or is it for the parking space? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The fee is for both.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In addition to that, the Minister indicated that the user-pay is in place in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Fort Smith but it is not in place yet in Hay River, Fort Simpson or Iqaluit. I would like to ask why was this parking fee not imposed in an equitable fashion in every community in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know.