Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Public Works and Services. I understand that a tender call for the operation of a petroleum storage and pipeline distribution facility at Iqaluit airport -- which was originally to close August, and has been delayed each month until now -- has recently been cancelled by the federal government. And, the reason for this cancellation, I understand, is that the Government of the Northwest Territories has entered into negotiations with the Government of Canada to transfer ownership of the capital facilities, the tank farm and pipeline distribution facility. Is it correct that the Government of the Northwest Territories proposes to take over this federal facility? Thank you.

Minister. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we are going to start negotiating.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In that case, I would like to ask the Minister whether the object of the Government of the Northwest Territories is in acquiring this facility? Thank you.

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason to negotiate the takeover of this tank farm with Transport Canada, is so we have ownership of the tank farms in the Baffin. The main advantage of the GNWT to assume ownership of that tank facility is that the resupply of the Iqaluit tank farm can be blended in with the resupply of Baffin. That way, we will increase the volume of fuel. Hopefully, with the larger volume,

we will be able to get a better price on fuel. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am certainly supportive of the goals outlined by the Minister, especially for the need to lower fuel prices in Baffin, but is it proposed that there be a process of consultation with MLAs in the region, the Baffin Chamber of Commerce and other interested persons as this process moves forward? Thank you.

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Whenever we do anything of this sort, community consultation is going to happen for sure. We have just initiated discussions with the federal government and there are plans to consult with the community as well as the MLA for Iqaluit. That is all part of the negotiation process. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that the Minister is interested in acquiring a storage facility, which will allow for a larger volume of product in resupplying the Baffin and consequent economies of scale, is the department aware of the existence of large empty storage facilities, which are now owned by Falcon Bridge Mines, which I think would be available at a very low price, to perhaps achieve the same ends at Deception Bay?

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if the department is aware of that tank farm at Deception Bay, but they will be now. Thank you.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize two pages from Nahendeh from Mr. Antoine's riding, Terrance Nahanni and Justin Hazenburg. They have been here all week and they are going home tomorrow.

---Applause

You did a great job. Thank you very much. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When contractors bid on tenders, they are required to fill out the business incentive policy preference forms to see who they are hiring and what sub-trades they are hiring. It is watched by project officers that they do hire those people. If they do not, then they will suffer the consequences. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, then would the Minister investigate the housing projects in Chesterfield Inlet and other government construction projects to ensure that local people who are qualified as electricians, plumbers and other trades in the community are being utilized wherever possible?

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Member for bringing this issue to my attention. I will investigate it immediately, because the only way we do find out about some of these things, is when Members or other community members bring them to our attention. I recognize his concern and I will address it. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.