Agreed.

---Agreed

Safety

With regard to hazardous accidents, could you tell me how many accidents we had this year? I know there was an oil spill on the Mackenzie and there was also another one in the Barren Strait. In the eastern Arctic there were several trucks which had accidents carrying hazardous waste. What are the statistics on this?

I will ask Mr. Quirke to answer this because I am not sure we have the statistics which Mr. Gargan is asking about with respect to hazardous waste.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Member is referring to accidents resulting from hazardous wastes such as oil spills, et cetera. We do not capture those statistics. The only statistics we would capture are when a worker was injured. We investigated 11 work place accidents and issued certain compliance orders. However, unless a worker was injured we would not have information regarding hazardous waste.

Does the department investigate accidents with regard to hazardous waste and the environment?

I understand that responsibility lies within the Department of Renewable Resources with respect to pollution control. We do not have the statistical information within the Department of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I have made many of my comments in the Standing Committee on Finance so the Minister is aware of some of the concerns. I believe I have not received clarification on one particular issue. I know the Minister's department is considering increasing the fees for such things as licences which are issued under his department with respect to safety. I am quite aware these fees are

somewhat equitable to southern jurisdictions. I asked previously with respect to this. I do not believe the individuals are concerned, some of them are concerned about the drastic increase in fees which are being imposed, but at the same time the length of time which these licences are valid are not equivalent to southern jurisdictions, yet the department readily agreed to the concept of applying the fee structure to southern jurisdictions. I would like to ask the Minister if he is going to consider ensuring that these licences are equivalent for the money they are asking people to pay for the fee structure he is imposing? Thank you.

The amendment which is being proposed to the regulations is for gas permits, basically. There will be an increase in the fee costs. The certificate would be for a three year period. I think this is consistent with what takes place in southern jurisdictions.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is what the Minister believes, but it is not consistent with southern jurisdictions. I would like to ask the Minister if he would take it upon himself to review that to ensure it is consistent with southern jurisdictions, that the fees they are imposing are equivalent to southern jurisdictions. Thank you.

Yes, Mr. Chairman, I will revisit the increase and see if we can bring it forward so that it is reflective of our counterparts in southern Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a question with respect to the electrical/mechanical gas occupational health and safety inspections of buildings and work sites. How frequent are the inspections on particular buildings and work sites which are in the construction phases?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I understand the honourable Member's concern that we need to get timely safety inspections, particularly during the construction season. The contractors need these kind of inspections to get their claims, et cetera. I am aware of this from my previous profession. However, like everyone else in government, we are restricted to the PYs we have and the inspectors we have. Sometimes we do not get to these areas in as timely a manner as we would like.

We are preparing a document for the new year to look at the possibility of bringing in new inspector positions, seeking the support of the Cabinet and the House. I understand the concern. It is an important one. However, we are limited in terms of who we have and how quickly we can move about. The construction season in this country is very short and a great deal of work gets done in a very short period of time. It is not always possible to be in every place at the same time because of the limitations of the staff we have. We do recognize the problem and we are endeavouring to find some ways around it. It is a serious problem and we have to make sure it is ratified. For example, in electrical inspections, you need an electrical inspection before you move into the second phase of construction, et cetera. We are looking at this and we may have to look at considering, as was being suggested by the standing committee, some kind of contractual agreements when the construction season is up.