Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. In my Member's statement earlier today, I urged her to take a forceful approach to pursuing a formal apology for the disgraceful incident which occurred during the armed forces project Nordic Reliance. I appreciate that the Premier, by writing letters to the Honourable Kim Campbell and meeting with the Minister of DIAND, has been trying to secure some action in this regard. However, it seems that once again she has had the door shut in her face, particularly when it comes to dealing with Ms. Campbell. Can the Premier indicate what steps she will be taking to communicate our concerns over project Nordic Reliance to the federal Minister of National Defence?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the House is in session now, but we could make a more assertive effort to take an entourage to Ottawa to sit on someone's steps to get something done. I cannot do that right now, however, I will continue to pursue that. It is my understanding that the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs will be in Yellowknife on the week of March 22. Before that, I will indicate to him that he did make a commitment to pursue, with Minister Campbell, a suitable apology for the residents of the Northwest Territories for ignoring the basic hunting regulations that everyone has to live under. I will continue to pursue that by telephone and written correspondence. I think we can pursue a more aggressive strategy once the House is out of session. Right now we could say we will make a larger display, but we are committed to this House and it limits our ability to move and be more aggressive at this time. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recent developments in Ottawa have suggested that Canadians may be seeing Ms. Campbell in the public spotlight much more often between now and June.

---Laughter

Will the Premier agree to use the office of the press secretary to tell the rest of Canada about our dissatisfaction over her lack of response to our concerns about the Nordic Reliance operation?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, certainly.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to indicate to the honourable Member that one of the concerns we have had, or at least I have had, with regard to this particular policy, is the lack of access by communities across the Northwest Territories or, for that matter, individual parents. I have asked the department to review the policies to ensure far more access than what has been the case to date.

I can indicate, as well, that I have written a letter to the Status of Women Council to meet with them to discuss the idea of making some changes in the policy and to seek their advice. I have not, to date, considered a public process other than to meet with that particular group.

I also want to indicate to the honourable Member that I will be listening to the advice of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services in this particular area or any Member who may have advice which they wish to give on improving the ability of this government to allow parents and families to access day care funding more easily.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, yes.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, I have not dealt with that particular matter at this time. I want to indicate until I have a fairly decent assessment of the reasons why the program has not been made available to those who require it,

I believe it would be premature for me to say publicly that I am prepared to proceed to the next stage. I am not clear on some of the problem areas and I have asked my department to identify those areas prior to proceeding to a public process. I say this not to create any impressions out there that there will be substantive public consultation as opposed to getting the advice of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services, presently receiving some very significant contributions in terms of the concerns which people in the regions have with regard to the present policies as they are being applied. I would suggest to the honourable Member that he give me the opportunity to review the day care policies, as they exist, and to identify those areas which we have problems with. I can assure the honourable Member I will relay those concerns to the honourable Member and to the public once I have them identified.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We can probably have the assessments and review completed by June and not only with regard to the policies but also the relationship to the department. Then we can proceed to the next stage which would be public consultation, advice and input on these particular matters. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would ask that if there are any concerns, either through the Special Committee on Health and Social Services or publicly where people have advice, I am most willing to hear this advice immediately so I can consider those changes to respond to needs.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.