Minister of MACA, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am sorry, I cannot respond to the question as yet because our representatives from the NWT for the Arctic Winter Games were not involved in the selection of the place for the Arctic Winter Games for 1998.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. She will probably find out that in the NWT, Inuvik is one of our largest centres. Although Inuvik is a lot smaller than the biggest community, they made their bid to the committee. Does the Minister support innovative approaches which will allow smaller communities to successfully bid for the Arctic Winter Games in the future?

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Mike.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the Minister for the response she has made. What specific action will the Minister take to ensure that flexibility is built into the selection process allowing smaller communities to successfully bid on the games?

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is also a concern of mine. The Arctic Winter Games committee's decisions, in selecting the place, was not appropriate for me, but I would like Alberta, Yukon, NWT and Greenland Ministers to meet with me in this regard. It is not just my concern, but it is a concern of the NWT government as well. After meeting with those Ministers, if the concerns I raise are not met or we cannot come to an agreement on this matter, the direction of the games will have to be looked at. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Madam Speaker, qujannamiik. (Translation) When will you be getting in touch with the other Ministers?

How soon will you be meeting with the other Ministers? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Minister from the Yukon has been notified by telephone about my concern; the Honourable Bill Brewster. But apparently he was in the Baffin region at the time, and I spoke with the acting Minister, the Honourable Doug Phillips. I have talked to him about my concern with regard to the committee's selection.

I tried to contact the Alberta Minister yesterday but he was apparently at a meeting and he hasn't returned my call. I will try to get in touch with the other Minister and I would like to meet with them as soon as I can. But I will have to talk with the Alaskan and the Greenland Ministers as well. I am hoping I will meet with them on this matter over the coming winter months. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.