My supplementary to the Minister is, you have committed and you have put the onus on Mr. Eagle and his colleagues to set up the meeting, but I in turn will have to put the onus on you, will you meet or commit to meet with Mr. Eagle as soon as possible?

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, yes, I will make that commitment here and I have made that commitment to meet Mr. Eagle already. In fact, I have asked him to meet with the staff because I think that from a detailed perspective they would be able to advise him on some of the details of the programs far better than I would. That offer is still outstanding and we are prepared to meet with him as soon as possible. If he wants to meet right now, we can meet right now.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, they are not.

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we have communicated options to both the federal government's Environment Canada and to PanArctic to withhold the permit for one year until proper review of disposal options is undertaken. That is one of the options we put forward.

Another option we put to the federal government is that the federal government would assist PanArctic to clean up the site as they assisted PanArctic in the oil and gas exploration program through the petroleum initiative program at the time when the material was being shipped to Lougheed Island. We would like to see studies conducted on the long-term effects of ocean-dumping in the Arctic and put a moratorium in place until studies have been concluded to show what kind of impact it may have.

We would also like to reuse as much as possible the scrap metal that is proposed to be dumped into the ocean, for community use and other uses. We suggested that industry and the government post abandonment and restoration bonds to assure appropriate clean up is done after activity has taken place.

We have suggested that the federal Minister of Environment and Fisheries and Oceans publicly state their position on ocean dumping prior to April 15. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add that the motto that has been adopted by my people is that, "If you pack it in, you have to pack it out." Thank you.

---Applause

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

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When PanArctic applied for an ocean dumping permit from the federal government, both from Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans, they were given approval to proceed. Once we found out that they had been given approval, we contacted Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans to see if there was any way to reverse the decision. At the time when the federal government said they would allow PanArctic to do ocean-dumping, PanArctic contracted a company to do it for them. PanArctic feels they are obligated to adhere to the contract that they have given out. That is the reason they would like to do it April 15. We will try to stop them proceeding with the ocean dumping. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to refer to a letter which was written to the honourable Member, Mr. Henry Zoe, the MLA for North Slave. Mr. Morin has written to the honourable Member stating he was not able at this time to give direction to negotiate with the Rae-Edzo school society for the transfer of operations and maintenance funding for the Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School. He refers to a decision of Cabinet which gave direction that such agreements with boards of health and education were not consistent with the GNWT transfer policy and initiative to transfer responsibilities to communities. He also said he recognizes that the 1982 agreement with the Rae-Edzo society is somewhat unique. To extend it to the new school would not be consistent with Cabinet direction. He also stated that while Education had not completed implementation of this direction, he understood that the Minister will be revisiting this with Cabinet.

At the time the Elizabeth Mackenzie school was opened, a contract to carry out O and M was signed with the society. Finance Management Board direction with the transfer of O and M funding would be withheld until the matter was removed or reviewed by Education. Hon. Mr. Richard Nerysoo and Mr. Morin have agreed to meet to review this matter. There has been a commitment made to the honourable Member to try to resolve this situation by April 15.

Mr. Speaker, I believe this is one of the things that has fallen between the cracks. There is a special arrangement and I believe the commitment to resolve this situation has been made by Mr. Morin and Mr. Nerysoo. Thank you.

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

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, at this time an exemption has not been sought mainly because, I believe, Mr. Morin had to depart and do his work in trying to get some

meetings on the housing issue in Ottawa. However, I know we have been told he would wish to bring this particular issue to Cabinet at the earliest possible convenience, once the Minister of Education has sat down to try to figure out what the avenues are to do that. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.