Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

During the last session the previous Minister made a commitment that that review would be completed by the end of May. Recognizing that it won't be completed for another month to six weeks, you are looking at a good ten months later than you initially anticipated. Would it be appropriate to anticipate, because of the completion of this study, that has placed an impediment on determining the size? Therefore, progress on that tanker base being built is very slow. Can I receive comment on that, Mr. Chairman? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Deputy Minister.

Mr. Chairman, it is impossible to design the hangar or decide the size of it, until we have the fire program review completed. It is slower than what we had anticipated. It has been a more complex task than we thought it would be.

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

I am trying to find out when they would anticipate construction of this hangar. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If everything went well and we were able to begin planning the design for the hangar by February, then construction could be started within a matter of three or four months, although DPW could tell me better. But I expect it would be somewhere in that range, to finish the design and enter into a contract with someone to build it.

Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is, providing everything goes well. If the study is not completed until February, and they don't anticipate problems, you will probably look at three months from February for any type of construction. You are looking, again, into the next fire season. We have tried to say, each year as we pass the fire season, many of those benefits keep going to the south, as opposed to staying in the north. Once the study is completed, then the whole proposal package has to not only go to DPW for construction, but through the Cabinet process for the funding

required. At the earliest date, when would they anticipate proceeding with construction for this tanker base?

Thank you. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, I think the earliest date we could look at would be some time this coming summer. That is, assuming there are no major problems and we would get supplementary money to build the hangar, because we don't have the money in this budget.

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

It has been noted there is no money in this budget. It has also been noted that the process in getting this construction started has been extremely slow. As well, the government has made a commitment. Is the Minister aware of any indication of the government reneging on that commitment?

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you. The Member for Thebacha.

I believe it is the intention to try to get this project moved, but I just want to make the comment that it is certainly my intention to attempt...The academic building is going to proceed with construction after April 1, in Fort Smith. At the same time, if all goes well, as Mr. Handley stated, they would be looking at construction early in the summer or late spring for the tanker base.

I am trying to avoid having to import resource people to construct these facilities. We want to maximize as many local people as we can. It is noted the way the government is planning we would not be able to totally utilize only local labour. In order to try to keep the dollars and local labour fully busy throughout the season, these types of projects should be addressed accordingly so you can avoid bringing in southern resource people to build these facilities. I am somewhat concerned that you have two major projects going on simultaneously, whereas this past year, the social assistance in my community has probably skyrocketed compared to any other community. Therefore, the poor planning of the government is being reflected once again. I am concerned about that. That is one thing the Cabinet should look at. That is the purpose of community consultation and planning. I just wanted to make that comment, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you. General comments. Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Chairman, last year, if memory serves me right, there was some money identified for Fort Providence. I thought that was approved. I see the deputy minister shaking his head, so maybe I don't have my head on right. Could I get some clarification on that?

Thank you. Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We did have money in the budget last year to do some renovations to an office building, in fact, I think it may have been to build a new office. But we received information that the town was looking at a new plan. At this time, we were asked not to proceed with it, effectively by Mr. Gargan, until this plan was resolved. We have been in contact with MACA and the community, and have asked them to let us know whenever the new plans for the town are finalized. At that point we'll decide what we're going to do. In the meantime we have patched up the existing building to make do.

Thank you. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that, but I still don't know whether that whole community planning process has been resolved. I have copies of the maps where they have designated certain areas as residential areas and commercial areas. I would prefer that the lots along the river banks be designated as residential areas. As long as the community is resolving that, we will have to wait and see.

The other thing, too, Mr. Chairman, is under the new tax law, the reserve, although it has exemptions in some areas these wouldn't apply any more to reserve residents who are on payrolls outside the reserve. It is still the same for establishments on the reserve who have payrolls going out of the reserve. I wanted to mention that. I realize the forestry operation is now in Hay River. In order to be tax exempt in any way, they have to be physically on the reserve.

I believe the department is now looking at a seven year contract with Evergreen Forestry. I appreciate that. Perhaps in your plans you may want to look at relocating so that the operation is actually in the town. And, of course, it will cost the government less because if tax doesn't apply, perhaps the operation would also cost less. Just give it some thought. Kakisa is requesting that they have a special crew there, too. That is under O and M. It has been agreed to by Evergreen, I understand. Just give it your best. Thanks.