Do I understand, Madam Speaker, that if the Yukon Power Corporation got into trouble, it was because the government had basically raided the profits from the corporation to put into ill-advised economic projects? Does that describe the situation in the Yukon? Thank you.

Mr. Patterson, I would ask you to rephrase your question. Your question is based on a hypothetical situation, as you said, "if the Yukon Power Corporation got into trouble." Can you somehow rephrase your question, stating that whether it got into trouble, or whether it did not get into trouble? The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My understanding is that the Yukon electrical corporation, which inherited the assets of NCPC did get into financial difficulties. I understand from the Minister that money was taken from the profits of that corporation and put into various economic development ventures, such as a controversial sawmill in Watson Lake. Is that description of the situation, where profits were basically taken and used in ill-advised ways, describe what happened in the Yukon? Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, I don't have the intelligence of the situation to determine whether their investments were ill-advised or not. I know that there was $15 to $20 million taken out of the corporation to redirect to other economic developments other than energy development. Some of these investments have not worked out. But the Yukon government made a conscious decision to put the Power Corporation under the umbrella of the Yukon Development Corporation which gave them the flexibility to make decisions about what to do with dollars that were available from the Power Corporation, if there were any available.

That was their decision. I believe that some of the issues surrounding that have been considered negative, and perhaps taking away from the proper development of energy resources in the Yukon Territory. I think that these events can only lead us to make better decisions about where we go from here. We can learn from mistakes and profit from good decisions. The issue is somewhat like what the honourable Member is outlining. There have been concerns about how they pay their dividends and the power subsidy program, which is somewhat less than ours, because they are somewhat short of cash.

These are all areas I think we can learn from. We haven't made those decisions or decided to go in that direction, but I think whatever we do, we should do things for the benefit of Northwest Territories residents. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is again for the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. Our government has policies which encourage their staff and businesses doing work on behalf of the government to use local business resources, such as taxis, hotels, and those kinds of businesses. I would like to ask the Minister if the NWT Power Corporation has similar policies for their staff and contractors engaged in work on behalf of the corporation, to use these same services in the communities? Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, to my knowledge, as much as possible, the use of local businesses and services has been the policy of the Power Corporation. I know of a lot of instances where the type of work they do is difficult for NWT residents or residents to take advantage of, because of the particular area of expertise that is required. However, to my knowledge, staff and workers of the company are dedicated to, as much as possible, support the basic principles of the NWT government in using northern businesses and operators. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if she could give an example of some of the policies that the Power Corporation currently has to support local enterprises. Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, I would be pleased circulate a series of those policies. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Thank you. I would like to ask also, then, if she could provide some information regarding how these policies are monitored or enforced, to ensure that benefits are being derived by the communities. Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, I will be more than pleased to do that. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have not received any correspondence to invite me to attend that meeting in the Keewatin. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am aware that the Honourable Ron Irwin was in Yellowknife this weekend, and held a number of meetings with our Ministers. My question is to the Premier, Madam Speaker. It relates to the recent awarding of the core camp contract by the federal government to the southern-based company, Laval Fortin, rather than to Avati. Did the Premier and her Ministers have a chance to discuss this matter with the Minister and, if so, what was the outcome? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Allooloo, you asked two questions in one, but I'm sure the Premier will only answer one at a time. Madam Premier.