Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, on March 1 at about 18:00 hours, 6:00 pm local time, power was interrupted in Iqaluit. At the time of the power failure the cat and EMD units were in operation. The Member is correct, officials and technicians are, at this point in time, evaluating the unit. The factory technician is also there. They are conducting a number of tests. At the time of the power outage, the cat unit was shut down over a temperature warning. When they did the inspection it was determined the unit was set to an inside air intake rather than an outside air intake. Mr. Speaker, although the cat unit is water cooled, the temperature is affected by the volume and temperature of air feeding the combustion process. With warmer plant air feeding the turbo charger, a greater volume of air is required and cooler outside air is feeding the process. With the volume of air flow fixed and inside air feeding the process, the system was starved. The engine worked harder to meet the load and the system was overheated and thus shut off.

Mr. Speaker, the problem was identified, the setting was corrected and power was restored within approximately 35 minutes. Mr. Speaker, the technical people will stay in Iqaluit until the problems have been resolved, regardless of the origin of the problem. The problems could be a result of human error, technical error or the fault of the plant. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I certainly do not purport to be an expert on power plants or mechanics. I do know engines are better cooled if they take air from the outside rather than from the inside of a building. I appreciate all the technical experts who are in Iqaluit examining this problem. However, I would like to ask the honourable Minister, is it possible the problems being experienced in the Iqaluit power plant are of a human origin rather than of a mechanical origin? Are there gremlins loose in the Iqaluit power plant, Mr. Speaker?

Minister for gremlins, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, in my reply I did mention both are in existence. There is human error and there are faults also technically and mechanically. Both types of actions exist. The technical and mechanical people will stay in Iqaluit until they have resolved all issues, both human and mechanical. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to hearing the results of these human and mechanical

investigations. I take it the Minister will report these problems to the House once the mystery is solved? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, it is my intention to do so. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Transportation. On February 24 the Minister gave a Minister's statement, stating, "I believe it is time to consult with our constituents regarding the transportation strategy." During question period yesterday he indicated in an answer to a question asked by Mr. Ningark, "that there will be an all-weather road built from Churchill to Rankin Inlet." I am wondering what consultation was made in that decision?

Mr. Todd.

---Laughter

Mr. Todd

Mr. Speaker, sometimes my sense of humour gets me into trouble, I understand it did a week and a half ago and I suspect it did today. My response was not a serious one, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.

Mr. Speaker, I need clarification. In the unedited Hansard dated February 26, 1993, on page 1816, the Minister of Social Services indicated to me, "the increase takes place in 1990." Today, the Minister of Social Services told me, "it was not 1990, it was 1991." Which one is correct?

Minister for Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I made the response to Mr. Pudluk I read, "there have been increases in the social assistance food rates in the NWT since April 1987, with eight per cent on April 1, 1991, and five per cent on October 1, 1992."

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.

Mr. Speaker, in the unedited Hansard on page 1816, 1990 is incorrect. Is that what she is saying?

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. He is correct. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.