Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's somewhat disappointing as a Member to listen to Ministers make statements and not be able to justify or clarify what they've said in this House. I'd like to ask the Minister, since he has indicated in his statement in this House this afternoon that there will be some immediate changes in security practices at River Ridge, and since he has stated that these changes are confidential in nature, my concern is the concern of the public in my constituency. I'd like to ask the Minister if he can, somehow, clarify his statement to give comfort to my constituents, to ensure that are security practices that are going to implemented in the River Ridge facility, and to avoid these types of incidents from reoccurring. Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

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

My last supplementary. He still hasn't answered my first question. Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister stated that they are going to review and try to avoid these types of incidents from happening in the future. I recognize that he said these changes may take time. But, in his statement in this House, he said, "There will be some immediate changes in security practices at River Ridge." All I want to know, to give comfort to my constituents, is what are the immediate changes? Can he, somehow, answer simply? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

(Microphone turned off)

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Transportation. It is with regard to Coppermine's marine problems, as they relate to the sand and silt in the Coppermine River being deposited from the mouth of the river along the shore of the community. It has caused over the years, a shallow water situation, anywhere from a quarter to half a mile away from the shore. This year, the sea lift had to operate half-loads on their barges into Coppermine, as they have been grounded in shallow water for the past few years. NTCL has indicated to the community that they may have to adjust their rates to take into account these circumstances. My question to the Minister is, is he aware of this problem and if so, what are his plans to address it?

Mr. Todd.

I am aware of the problem with respect to NTCL and because of the requests for local wharfage made by the community when I was there. But, I wasn't aware of the problem as it related to silt and NTCL coming in with half-loads. Sorry.

Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Mr. Todd.

Absolutely. Like I said, this is the first time I have heard of it. I don't think there is any correspondence on it. I have visited Coppermine three times and, with all due respect, it has never been raised with me directly. I want to assure the honourable Member that I will take steps later on today to find out what the status of this situation is and get back to him, post haste.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the honourable Minister responsible for housing. Mr. Speaker, my question is not meant to give an impression of dissatisfaction with the policy or the actions of the government. I want to get some clarification on behalf of the people I represent.

Mr. Speaker, I travelled throughout the territories this spring with the Special Committee on Health and Social Services. This is another matter, however. Some tenants who were living in public units indicated an interest in buying the public units they were living in. Some have indicated that they have actually bought public units.

My question to the honourable Minister is, Mr. Speaker, is there a policy within the Minister's department whereby tenants could, in fact, buy a public unit when he or she chooses to buy? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have a northern rental sale program that we can use to sell the old northern rentals to the tenants who are living in them. All they have to do is get in touch with the housing authority to purchase those units. Some public units cannot be purchased because they are cost-shared through CMHC and they have to be used for 35 years. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question to the Minister of Housing. Last Friday, I was questioning him on the electrical contract that was awarded to Mr. Kheraj. Mr. Speaker, in the Minister's answer, he mentioned that Merkosak Construction did not give the breakdown of the contract. I have a letter dated September 6 addressed to the housing corporation with the breakdown of the electrical contract. Did they not get that copy? Thank you.