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

Frankly, Madam Speaker, somebody asked me what the definition of a consultant is, and I think a consultant puts on paper what we already know. What I'm looking for now is to move forward in an implementation plan. I think it's in place. I'm hoping that the industry will support it along with the honourable Members out there. I made it clear in the House a week ago, in my speech, about the direction I want to take with respect to EDA which has a significant impact on marketing dollars. And I would hope that we could just get on with it rather than doing any more studies.

I will say, as I've said in answer to the previous question, that we're going to continue to gather data in an aggressive manner that can accurately reflect the return on investment that's frequently being asked for by the Standing Committee on Finance. I think this study, and I prefer to call it an implementation plan, reflects the needs, in particular, of the area that the honourable Member is talking about. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is again to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. It has to do with Committee Report 5-12(6), the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report on Other Matters. In that report, there is a reference that the Department of Economic Development and Tourism were acquiring assets in relation to an out-of-court settlement and it was further noted that one of the assets was being sold at its appraised value. I would like to ask the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism if that sale has, in fact, taken place. Thank you.

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Madam Speaker, would the honourable Member be referring to the acquisition of assets in Gjoa Haven, if I could have some clarification?

Mr. Ng, please clarify your question.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes.

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

Madam Speaker, could the honourable Member...

---Laughter

I notice a conspiracy, Madam Speaker, for me to take these questions as notice, and I'm not going to do it.

---Laughter

Thank you. Could the honourable Member repeat the question, Madam Speaker. I have a slight deafness in my left year...

---Laughter

...and my right ear, I believe, is selective.

---Laughter

Mr. Ng, the honourable Minister is asking you to repeat your question due to selective hearing.

Thank you. I hope he can read fairly quickly. I would like to ask the Minister if the sale of the asset referred to in the out-of-court settlement in Gjoa Haven has, in fact, taken place? Thank you.

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

My apologies to my honourable colleague from Kitikmeot. I would have liked to answer the question, I just needed further clarification. The assets the honourable Member refers to was a mall building with a garage and some heavy equipment. It is my understanding that the mall building has been sold to the local cooperative and they are renovating it into a hotel, and that the heavy equipment is under examination, as to who in that community may wish to purchase it at this time. That's what I understand.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if the appraised value of the assets were received on the sale of the assets? Thank you.

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

No, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Thank you. Could I ask the Minister, then, if he could advise this House of what the actual sale value was of these assets? Thank you.

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

The total assets, Madam Speaker, does that include the equipment as well as the mall, or was that just the mall? Thank you.

Mr. Todd, you can't question the Speaker about that...

---Laughter

But you can obtain clarification from the Member, if the Member wishes to clarify his question. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was asking about all the assets, and if he could give us a breakdown of what the sale prices were on those assets. Thank you.