Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi. Will the Minister make this a priority to ensure that the agreements are signed and money gets transferred so they can hire their director? Mahsi.

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The commitment I made at the time Pat McMahon was mayor is still in effect. The new mayor and I have been trying to find a date for us to meet so the talks could continue. To date, we haven't finalized it because my schedule hasn't allowed it. But hopefully sometime towards the end of this month, I will be meeting with the mayor of the city of Yellowknife to discuss this further. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Last month, the Public Utilities Board held hearings in Yellowknife on phase II of the general rate application of the NWT Power Corporation. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board whether the board plans any further hearings on this specific application. Thank you.

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don't believe there is any intention to hold any specific meetings with respect to these hearings. There is an intention to go out into the communities, as was suggested last week, for future hearings, but not at this time. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Phase II of the Power Corporation's general rate application will change every

power rate in the Northwest Territories. Many of the rates that are now charged by the corporation, especially domestic rates, will go up significantly if this application is approved. Many other rates will decrease. The decision of the Public Utilities Board will have a significant effect on every single northerner. Can the Minister tell me why he hasn't directed the board to hold hearings elsewhere in the Northwest Territories on this specific application?

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. When the matter was raised about the Public Utilities Board's lack of communication with the communities who are affected, last week I sat down with the chairman of the board and indicated to him that he had to take a much more proactive approach to these hearings, in particular, where they have an impact. I believe Mr. Patterson raised the issue about Iqaluit, Inuvik and Rankin Inlet.

It is my understanding that the Public Utilities Board is going to take a much more active approach to public consultation and is going to, in hearings, ensure that they do visit with the communities that are affected. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Can the Minister tell us when he expects the board to reach a decision on this application? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board, Mr. Todd.

I am not in a position, at this time, to know when they will make a decision on that particular rate hearing. I will have to take the question as notice.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Since the NWT Development Corporation has offered to purchase the caribou from Southampton Island's commercial harvest, is the Minister aware of whether or not the Development Corporation has firmly established that there is a market or markets for caribou?

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There is a market being established territorially with respect to caribou meat that has value added to it. We are attempting to get commercial hunting on Southampton Island designated as a federally inspected hunt, and this would provide us with a broader base for selling the caribou. At this time, we have to add value in order to sell it elsewhere. Thank you.