Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Again, I thank the Minister for that response. My last question to the Minister is, I have a real concern that organizations like the World Wildlife Federation, for instance, has direct access to the federal Minister of the Environment and can have an inordinate amount of influence on decision-making. My question to the Minister is, would the Minister assure this House that he will communicate to the federal government that the people of the Northwest Territories will decide, ultimately, what is good for them and it won't be the World Wildlife Federation that makes that decision for us. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hear, hear.

Thank you. Acting Premier, Mr. Pollard.

Madam Speaker, I think we have to respect the fact that the World Wildlife Federation is a legally-recognized body. It is global and it really believes in what it is doing. I think we have to recognize that it's an organization that is out there doing its job. I would say that because decisions are being made far away by people who won't directly be impacted by developments here, I believe the World Wildlife Federation would have a greater impact, simply because they are a world-known body. Our concerns may not be taken into consideration as much as if the actual deliberations were being done by northerners in their own territory.

I will commit to the Member that this government will communicate the concerns the Member has raised to the federal government, post haste. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Ohh.

...as to why he has apparently not fulfilled his commitment to respond to this session of the Legislature with the government's response to the report of the Advisory Committee on Social Housing? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The department has not had the opportunity to finish putting the paper together. There was a lot of work to be done, taking seriously the recommendations of the advisory committee, working out the numbers, to have something for Cabinet. I now have a paper to present to Cabinet and I will present it on Monday. Then I will table it in the House on Monday. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. That's a pretty good answer. I guess I can wait until Monday. But, I would like to ask the Minister if he would agree that if major changes suggested by the Advisory Committee on Social Housing are to be implemented on time on the target date of April 1, 1995, maximum lead time is required to ensure the communities, tenants and local authorities are well prepared for the changes?

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, I would agree that we need lead time to make sure the housing authorities come up to stream. That is why we are recommending that we implement by April 1, 1995. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I raised the issue on Monday of concerns about the work of the World Wildlife Federation with regard to mining development in the Slave province. I would like to ask the acting Premier if the requirement to have a cumulative review of this project is according to federal government policy?

Thank you. Acting Premier, Mr. Pollard.

Madam Speaker, it seems to be what the federal government wants to do. They would like to have a side panel to look at cumulative effect. Whether it is a policy of the federal government, I don't know, but I know it is an issue and it is something they seem to want to do. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

It is my understanding that for a mine to develop, there are certain standards and requirements, but it is unusual to have even an earth panel put together just to develop a mine. There are already precedents for the establishment of mines. So, I would like to ask the Minister, since we are about to get both an earth panel and this cumulative review, could he give us some idea whether these are intended to proceed at the same time and finish at the same time, or will the cumulative review take much longer?

Thank you. Acting Premier, Mr. Pollard.

Madam Speaker, I just don't know. I think that is probably of great concern to everybody. I think it is a matter of discussion between the deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs. As I said earlier, in response to a question by Mr. Ballantyne, we'll communicate the concerns. If Mr. Lewis has a concern in this regard, I think it's valid. One could be finished and the other drag on, and still the process would not be finished. We'll communicate that concern as well, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.