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

I think it is important to stress that housing is only one part of the package if we are going to make the assumption that some of this industry is going to move forward, particularly the diamond initiative. While we are looking at the potential of providing an incentive through housing, there is also the taxation question and a variety of other issues that have to be addressed. I am moving forward in trying to determine with the industry what kind of incentives they would require to relocate their offices and to move the people in and out from a community like Yellowknife, similar to what Colomac is currently doing out of Hay River. It is my belief that we will be able to demonstrate to the House and my colleagues that there are significant fiscal benefits to the Northwest Territories if we can encourage and provide the right incentives for industry to relocate into the north. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Right now we are doing an assessment of all assets owned by the GNWT in Yellowknife. We haven't done an assessment of the cost through the realtors yet because it is far too expensive. Once we decide on what buildings could be sold, then we would have an assessment done and offer them for sale. But, at the present time, as far as I know, the Laing Building is not for sale.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have been directed by Cabinet to make a list of all assets in Yellowknife that the Government of the NWT owns. Once Cabinet has an opportunity to take time to look at that list, they will make a decision on what assets could be sold, we will have an appraisal done on those assets, then they will be offered up for sale. At the present time, as the Minister of Public Works and Services, I do not know that the Laing Building is up for sale to anyone. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In case the Member is not aware, the government is going through financial difficulty and we have to look at our assets to find out how much they are worth. So if we did sell anything, we would know how much we would get. Thank you.

(Microphone turned off)

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to indicate, first of all, I am in support of the home ownership program. I think most Members in this House believe that is the route to take at these times. However, I also believe that in a time of restraint, if there is going to be $350,000, or some such amount, which becomes available to the government, it should be used where it is needed most. I think that this Legislative Assembly has indicated that the housing situation we have in the Northwest Territories at the present time is our first priority.

I, as a Member of this Assembly, had agreed that was the first priority of this Assembly. If there is something that I am able to contribute to, if it would not be housing, then it would be education. I believe education should be the first priority of this government. I believe that is where funds should go if funds were to become available. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I've never seen funds just suddenly become available, somebody has to make them available. I'm happy to hear that the Minister is offering up great gobs of his department to the Department of Education and to the Housing Corporation, and I'm sure the Ministers will thank him very much for that sacrifice. But with what he has left after his generosity, I still maintain that he could find $350,000 from what's left over after he's given away whatever he generously will give to the Housing Corporation and the Department of Education. Will the Minister evaluate his programs to see if he can find some lower priorities that he could replace with the rebate program? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think the Member has misunderstood what I was trying to indicate. I did not say that there will be $350,000 that will just come from the department. I agree that $350,000 would have to be fought for on my part. I think that any funds that would be disbursed by the department for $350,000, again, should be used toward something better. I think the benefits that would be received by such an increase would be from communities which are have-communities, and not necessarily a benefit to the have-not communities which I represent. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.