Mr. Fraser also indicated, Mr. Speaker, that the mandate of the polar science commission extends beyond the Northwest Territories and that is why he feels the mandate should be as broad as he describes it. What he says is, "the mandate includes, not only the Northwest Territories, but Labrador, Arctic Quebec and the Yukon." Do we have discussions in these areas which are within provincial jurisdiction about the development of an economic strategy for our northern areas?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, a point of clarification. Did the honourable Member ask the question, "Do we have discussions in the Northwest Territories about the economic development policies in the provinces?" Is that the question?

Mr. Lewis, would you please restate your question, please.

It seems that the polar science commission has taken as its mandate the development of things that go beyond science. Mr. Fraser is clear, the mandate is very broad and that his policy recommendations and formulations include, not only the Northwest Territories, but these other parts of provinces. Perhaps this commission is jumping into a vacuum because these groups of people do not really discuss economic development issues. So my question is, do we do that? Do we have contact with these other jurisdictions within provinces that share northern economic problems with us?

Madam Premier.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Could the Minister tell us what form that takes, since I was not aware that we had any kind of formal arrangement.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, it takes many forms. Certainly through the Inuit circumpolar conference there are discussions on Arctic policy, whether it is economic, or a matter of environmental concerns. There is a new body that is being envisaged and we are trying to be at the table, rather than off the table, at Arctic council. As I mentioned before, we did give a great deal of information. There has been a great deal of discussion with the polar commission when it was being formed through the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada principally, on what role it can play to advance the broader concerns across the polar regions. We do have continuing dialogue with northern Quebec in terms of area of polar bear management and other areas. Most recently, trying to be in support of Sanikiluaq and the Hudson Bay in terms of giving more credibility to the desires and concerns of northern people that border northern Quebec in terms of hydro development.

We have many ongoing working relations. We attend various ministerial conferences on economic development, which we are a party to at the main table. Economic issues of northern parts of the provinces continue to scope themselves out. A great deal of dialogue goes on at the western ministerial conferences in terms of the more northern parts of the provinces and some of the issues that we have regarding resources to develop economically.

So, there are many different levels that we deal with in terms of sharing ideas in an attempt to bring in a working relationship with northern provincial jurisdictions, or northern provincial parts of the provinces, into the areas that we are concerned about. There are various levels. In terms of a vacuum, it seems that if you look at the northern parts of the provinces, particularly where there are large groups of aboriginal people, they share very much the same problems as we have in terms of priorities set in providing resources for economic development, and having people take part in a new environment, aboriginal people taking part in the development of the resources. These are continuing ongoing discussions, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Allooloo.

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

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They are proposing to dump scrap metal starting on March 19. This gives us a little bit of time. I will, again, contact Environment Canada and possibly Indian and Northern Affairs to see if we can find alternatives to dumping scrap metal into the ocean. I know that National Defence is cleaning up their DEW Line sites and burying much of their scrap metal. This morning the federal government was asked if they would look at the option of burying the scrap metal on the land rather than in the ocean. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Government Services. In 1986, the Cabinet of the day made a decision to call the Government of the Northwest Territories general condition 10.2. I would like to quote a letter which was sent to the department by one of the useable water carriers operating out of Fort Simpson, it says, "I strongly believe that an additional carrier will eliminate a monopoly situation and therefore provide better or more flexible service along with competitive rates which should be in the best interest of the Government of the Northwest Territories and the various contractors they employ." This letter was written April 25, 1989 to a department official. It is four years later, Mr. Speaker, and I have questioned the Minister in November and December regarding this. There is a useable water carrier, operating out of Fort Simpson, who would like to be included in this condition. In the past, the Minister indicated his department was reviewing it. I would like the Minister to advise this House of the status of the review? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have instructed my department to prepare a decision paper to take to Cabinet. I do agree with the Member that we would probably get better prices if we had competition. The paper would reflect that principle. Hopefully, we will have it done in time for the next shipment season, not this year. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.