Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, as the Member knows, the fuel resupply to the Baffin region is one process. The resupply in the other area is another process. I know, Mr. Speaker, that both departments are working together to try to come to some conclusions about the best way to get the best deal for the dollars we have. I'm well aware of the recommendation; however, because there hasn't been one person named to handle the whole affair, I can assure the Members that these two different Ministers are working very closely together to take into consideration the best options we have for the most cost-effective way of getting the supplies to communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Premier. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I note the Premier's assurances that the departments are working together. In my opinion, having looked at this, the departments are doing parallel and probably duplicate work and they are working with varying degrees of intensity on this important issue. I won't tell you which department is working with more or less intensity. I guess I would like to ask the Premier, without pre-judging what the Cabinet is going to do, does she agree in principle that, with such important initiatives that cross over regional boundaries and perhaps department boundaries, it is desirable to have one Minister clearly responsible and leading the resources of the government in examining the issue? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, even though there hasn't been a formal assignment, in fact, by practice, the Minister of Transportation is taking the aggressive role and the Department of Public Works is feeding into the overall assessment and review of how we're going to accomplish the economies that we want to accomplish. In fact, it is happening, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Madam Premier. Mr. Patterson, final supplementary.

I'll leave it, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I'm sorry, Mr. Speaker. This is probably not an appropriate question as the appropriate Minister is not here right now. But, I would like to ask a question regarding RCMP officers who are on holidays. I have known of an incident where if an RCMP member is on holidays, there are no replacements. In my community last spring, our RCMP officer went on a holiday. There was no RCMP officer during that time. If an emergency or incident had occurred, people had no idea who to turn to for help. This was a grave concern. Mr. Speaker, do they replace RCMP officers when they go on holidays? What is the procedure when RCMP officers are away on holidays? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. You have to direct your question to somebody, otherwise, no one will know who has been designated to answer for that appropriate Minister. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) I'm sorry I didn't direct my question to a particular Minister. I will direct the question to Madam Premier, about whether they replace RCMP officers when they are away on holidays. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for Justice is attempting to deal with adequate representation of personnel in various communities. I know that the Minister is trying his very best to make sure that communities are covered off. However, it is not uncommon to have a community left without coverage or a substitute person when an RCMP member is on holiday. I imagine it is a judgement made by the regional superintendent who would designate officers from time to time. Decisions would be made at that level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Premier. Next on my list is Mr. Whitford.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated earlier in this House some time ago, it wasn't an instruction. It was among the options that were given to the deputy minister for him to consider and look at what we could do about how the selection process was handled for the Arctic Winter Games. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Mike. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did and if somebody else did, I don't know who would. It was me.

Thank you, Ms. Mike. Mr. Whitford.