Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to extend question period. Thank you.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Question period will be extended. Mr. Ningark, supplementary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like the Minister, I am under a bit of pressure trying to get some results to make sure there is no reduction, especially in the small communities of Pelly Bay, Gjoa Haven and Spence Bay. In fact, I think Pelly Bay has one of the highest costs of living in the territories, and so is Taloyoak. I wonder if the Minister would direct her regional staff who are available to go to my communities of Pelly Bay, Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak and consult with the local appeal committee and get their concerned input into this matter so they would get first hand information from the community. Thank you.

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot argue with the food cost surveys that were done by Mr. Todd's department. According to the surveys that were done, the communities that have the highest food costs are Colville Lake, Grise Fiord and Paulatuk, but I will provide the Member what he requests. Thank you.

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

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, as the Member is aware, in trying to address all the issues relating to the ongoing responsibilities of program delivery and the organization of the government, we have it organized so that we can have a support group to take on the role and support of division issues as they relate to continued government planning. I can provide the organizational chart to the Member, if she so desires. Thank you.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would appreciate the organizational chart. In reviewing the detailed O & M budget for 1993-94, I have noticed there was no appropriation for the expenditure of funds in regards to this particular group. If it is a secretariat of some type, how are funds being identified to pay for staff to work in this divisional secretariat? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is a reorganization of functions and that is why I suggest I will provide the organizational chart to the Member. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Government Leader if she would commit to providing us, not only with an organizational chart, but the basic mandate of this committee, to this House by the end of the Fifth Session. Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, in organizing the government, we know the government has to deal with those division issues. When the decision was made to split the territories, this government has ongoing responsibilities to deal with these very major issues and I would be pleased to provide that information to the honourable Member. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of the Housing Corporation. This is not a new concern I have, however I would like to bring to the attention of the Minister of the Housing Corporation, again. When the government builds HAP housing, public housing or social housing, they bring in electricians to do wiring when there is a certified electrician in town. I'm using Chesterfield Inlet as an example. I want to know from the Minister why this kind of practice takes place with the NWT Housing Corporation.

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In all cases, if there are people available, there shouldn't be people coming in from out of town. If they are available and qualified to work, they should be the ones working. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Mr. Speaker, I understand what the Minister is saying, but why is it the practice to hire from outside rather than from the community when there are certified and licensed electricians in town?

Mr. Morin.