Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Zoe on December 3 in regard to the benefits of an EDA agreement in the North Slave region.

Mr. Speaker, four mineral initiative projects were run in the North Slave region. The four programs are the prospectors' assistance program, information program, technology program and geoscience program. A prospectors' course was taught in Rae-Edzo last year with the support of the Dogrib Tribal Council. Twelve residents from that region graduated from the course and, as a result, at least three have found employment with the mining industry. The information program develops and provides teaching materials for NWT schools and these materials help students learn about geology and mining, including employment opportunities.

The Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and mineral initiatives staff assisted with teaching geology at the Science Institute summer school near Rae-Edzo. Projects of the technology program are provided to investigate new technologies that will improve the environmental performance of mines in the Northwest Territories. One of these projects, for example, will help the Nerco Con Mine reduce arsenic waste. Another project helps industry and government make more informed decisions about establishing operations and regulating tailing ponds. Projects of the geoscience program help define the mineral potential of an area. The companies use the information to focus exploration. The government uses the maps in land use planning for road locations. Claims negotiators will be able to use the information to assist the Dogrib select mineral lands. The mapping project also provides direct employment to northern residents. The Dogrib Tribal Council plans to build hydro projects. The demand for power from these projects will depend on the mining industry. The mineral initiatives of the economic development agreement will help ensure that the industry remains a customer for Dogrib power into the next century. Thank you.

Item 4, returns to oral question. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be for the Minister of Social Services. Earlier today I commented in my Member's statement about the unexpected decline in the yield of this year's fur harvest. I am concerned that this will leave many of our traditional harvesters in difficult financial conditions. They should not have to turn to the social assistance system to make ends meet. Many of these people are independent and come from self-reliant families and it is difficult for them to seek welfare. I know the Minister of Social Services understands this. What is she doing to ensure there are options to social assistance that can be made available to traditional harvesters whose financial situation has suffered as a result of this year's low fur yield? Mahsi.

Ms. Mike.

(translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take that question as notice.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Renewable Resources. Mr. Speaker, I have a request for proposal to review the forest fighting management policy and programs. This is done by the Department of Renewable Resources. I also understand there was an advertisement in the papers for tender to provide suppression services to Fort Simpson, I believe. My concern is Evergreen Forestry which is a joint initiative by the Fort Providence band and the Hay River Reserve band whose term is running out this summer. I would like to ask the Minister whether the intent is to dispose of all those past initiatives of those communities and replace them with a whole new management regime that requires anyone from anywhere in the north to tender a bid to supply suppression in the territories.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the companies started regionally, we had a contract with the company that the Member stated thinking that at the end of the long-term contract that it would be put out to tender. The department, at the time, felt there would be sufficient northern companies able to compete for the contract at the end of this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister whether his whole intention is to undermine the initiatives that have been established by band councils in the communities?

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, Mr. Speaker. When we first started contracting local companies, we felt it was important to have sole source contracts with local business, bands and other organizations, such as development corporations. At the present time the department feels there is sufficient experience out there, in terms of local contractors to compete on these contracts. I would like to get back to the Member, particularly regarding that contractor, to see how we could accommodate the company. Mr. Speaker, the original

thought was that at the end of five years, we would put this tender out for the companies to compete. Thank you.

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

Thank you. I do not know whether the Minister has taken the question as notice. I would like to ask the Minister whether the original intent, when the transfers occurred, was for a term of five years? I was never aware of any agreements between this government and the sole source contractors, which are the Dene of Fort Providence and the Hay River Reserve, to agree that after five years service, it would go out to tender. I was always under the impression that this sole source contract would continue. I do not know whether the government has changed its mind on this policy. I would like to get that clarified.

The question was not taken as notice. Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, I will look into the matter for the Member.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Social Services. Mr. Speaker, when the health transfer took place in 1988 it was decided the management of alcohol and drug services required extensive policy input. At the time, I believe a good group of people were appointed to form a board of management for alcohol and drug services. For several years the board provided excellent advice on funding allocations and made sound policy decisions about needed programs to address alcohol and drugs. However, Mr. Speaker, for the past year the board has been treated badly by the department. Meetings have not been scheduled and appointments have not been kept current. There have even been some discussion that certain departmental officials in Yellowknife may be seeking to dissolve this important board. I would like to ask the Minister, can she advise this House as to the current status of the board of management for the alcohol and drug services board? Thank you.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The NWT alcohol and drug board's funding was cut due to restraint measures. To date, it stands as is and there has been no decision to dissolve the board. However, as decisions are made, I will keep the Member informed. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, if the funding has been cut so the board cannot meet, will the Minister assure this House that she will make every attempt to ensure the board meets to review the 1993-94 applications for contribution funding from alcohol and drug projects across the NWT? Thank you.

Ms. Mike.