Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the statement is true and we are working to put parks into the Department of Renewable Resources. However, Mr. Speaker, I want to say that this is not a new issue. This discussion of where parks could best fit has been taking place for a number of years. So, this is not a new issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If it is not new, I wonder why we were not informed. We have just recently approved the budgets for Economic Development and Tourism and Renewable Resources, and none of this information was disclosed. I am wondering what budgetary arrangements are going to be made to implement this transfer.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, in the reorganizing of departments, it is not the intention that it would cost the government any additional money. The due process will be used to move responsibility from one department to the other, but we are not talking about new funding requirements. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier says that this has been a long time in the planning, but a decision such as this that has not been disclosed in the current budget, seems to me to be made hastily and secretively. What consultation has taken place leading up to making this decision to transfer this division?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, just to make a correction, I said this is not a new topic of discussion. For a number of years, there has always been a question of where the best place for various responsibilities would be within the Government of the Northwest Territories. It is not a new topic. This has been discussed over a number of years, but in terms of the decision to move the responsibility, this is an ongoing issue. The total plan has not been concluded yet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if there are other divisions which are going to be moved or transferred similar to this, but on this particular division, when did the government intend to notify Members of the Assembly of this transfer?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, this is an internal issue. Once we had concluded the plans, we did intend to move it through the planning group, but we have not concluded any of the plans yet, so it is premature to have anything on the table because the work has not been done at this point in time. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Social Services. In 1992, I raised a concern regarding problems in the north with substance abuse. Can a law be put forward for condemnation of substance abuse? We have lost quite a few lives to substance abuse. It was only last fall we lost a person in our community to this problem. I would like this to be considered in the future, whether there could be an act passed to deal with this problem. Has anything been done, to date, with regard to making laws pertaining to substance abuse problems? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To date, no laws have been passed with regard to this problem. However, I will work with my officials. There is a conference this weekend which will talk about problems in the communities. They will be making recommendations as to how these problems should be dealt with at the community level. After I receive some responses from the conference, I will be better able to answer your question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After you have worked with the people from the conference, especially for Baffin South, perhaps you could make an official response. They expect me to give them a response on this. I would like you to make sure I receive a response once you have heard from the people attending the conference. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Substance abuse is a big problem. If acts were to be passed regarding this, we would need to do a great deal of planning and much work before hand. My department and I will work closely at the community level, and I will provide the Member for Baffin South with a better response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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