Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. On Tuesday, I said I was alarmed to read a description of Yellowknife that appeared in a Cape Town, South Africa newspaper called Cape Argus, in February of this year. I said that what disturbed me the most was that the factual information that appeared in the article was supplied by the Government of the Northwest Territories, and that if public servants are going to provide information to anybody, they had better get their facts straight.

Madam Speaker, it's important to the morale of our public service that the record of this House presents a factual account of where the information came from with respect to this newspaper article. I'm told, Madam Speaker, that the information contained was not supplied by this government. It was provided by the executive director of Northern Addiction Services, and there has been no indication of where the executive director obtained the information that 80 per cent of northerners are addicted to alcohol and drugs. I made the wrong assumption, Madam Speaker, that Northern Addiction Services uses the same statistics as the Government of the Northwest Territories. However, I will be interested in hearing from the government what the true picture of addiction in the Northwest Territories really is, in response to a question I asked the Minister this week. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Past governments and this government have planned and partially initiated privatization of the government services which were identified in order to streamline government functions by reducing operating costs and, of course, creating opportunities for business and individuals wishing to establish business. Examples I'm aware of in the Kitikmeot, over the years, are for vehicle maintenance, oil burner and plumbing, heating- related maintenance, some carpentry, painting and electrical-related services on a limited basis and the warehousing and supply of materials and goods. I'm also aware that the government has privatized the retail liquor outlets, the motor vehicle licensing, printing services and some POL delivery contracts.

Madam Speaker, I fully support the privatization of government services, as long as it creates business opportunities for individuals and supports existing businesses and reduces costs to the government. While these full or partial privatization initiatives have been ongoing over the years, I believe it's time to review all current contracts with the intent of expanding the contracts which have been successful in providing these partial services to the government.

Our government must refocus their attention on privatization of government functions to reduce costs and to provide these business and employment opportunities for individuals in our communities. Mahsi cho.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Last night the MLA Sharks held their final hockey practice in preparation for tomorrow's big game. The team is ready to go and they look very hungry. In fact, "Jungle" Jim Antoine got a little too aggressive and took out our very own Joe "Bunny" Larocque. Passing very crisp, as five sticks were broken during practice trying to receive a pass. Speed is also one of the team's assets. This year, Georgina "Skate-Like-The-Wind" Frankie, literally burned several grooves into the ice.

The team features four strong lines, including those led by James "Van Cleefe" Arvaluk, and Donnie "Teflon" Morin. Madam Speaker, since Mr. Morin has been on the Executive he has humbled himself, both on the Executive level and on the ice. News of the team has already reached the ears of the media. Concerned about what they were facing, a media spy was sent to watch a practice and was quickly evicted by Kelvin "The Enforcer" Ng. Dave "Scottie" Hamilton, the team's general manager, has spiffed up his wardrobe for this illustrious event.

The Sharks would like to remind their fans that game time is tomorrow at 2:00 pm in the community arena. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Keewatin Central, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ballantyne on March 23, 1994 regarding injured workers' access to courts, following the appeals process. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North asked me on March 23 what recourse was available to workers who have exhausted the appeals process for workers' compensation.

The Workers' Compensation Act is quite specific about such cases.

Section 7.9(1) of the act states: "Subject to sections 7.7 and 7.8, a decision of the appeals tribunal on an appeal is final and conclusive." Section 7.9(2) states: "A decision of the appeals tribunal may not be questioned or reviewed in any court."

The only exceptions would be:

1. Where the board considers that the appeals tribunal has failed to properly apply the policy established by the board or has failed to comply with the provisions of the act or the regulations (section 7.7). In this case, the board may direct the appeals tribunal to rehear the appeal and give fair and reasonable consideration to that policy and those provisions. In doing so, the board may stay a decision, ruling or order of the appeals tribunal pending a rehearing of the appeal.

2. The appeals tribunal may vary a decision made by it and may, on its own motion, rehear an appeal (section 7.8).

3. A judicial review may be sought by an appellant where it is felt that the appeals tribunal has, for example, failed to follow the rules of natural justice, fettered its discretion, or exceeded its authority. In such cases, the court may only direct that the appeal be reheard and under what parameters but cannot change the appeal decision itself.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.

This is a response to a question asked by Mr. Ng on March 22, 1994 regarding policy for over- accommodating staff under staff housing guidelines. While we do not have a policy for allocating staff housing, we do have guidelines. A copy of those guidelines was tabled yesterday. The guidelines provide for employees, at or above the regional superintendent level, to be assigned one bedroom larger than the size normally allocated based on employee's needs.

I have another return, Madam Speaker, if I may. It is a return to oral question asked by Mr. Ng on March 18, 1994 regarding guidelines for allocation of staff housing. In allocating staff accommodations, the primary consideration is the number of bedrooms required for an employee's family.

Wherever possible, employees with large families are accommodated in units which have the most space. However, a larger unit costs more to rent. Because of this, employees are given a choice of a smaller unit if one is available.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Arvaluk on March 18, 1994 with regard to advertising in Consumer Affairs. Madam Speaker, Consumer and Corporate Affairs develops, produces and disseminates information to the public on consumer-related matters, as departmental resources permit. The division also assists consumers through conciliation and

mediation in resolving complaints they may have with products or services purchased by them.

One way of disseminating information to the public is the development of tips sheets. Approximately 40 tips on various subjects of consumer interest, ranging from buying by mail to writing a complaint letter are available in English, Inuktitut and French. Should a situation arise that requires special attention, newspaper and radio interviews as well as CBC public service announcements are used. Production of a brochure entitled "Alert" covering a specific topic also allows the division to provide information to the public on time-sensitive issues.

A combination of these approaches was used most recently during an outbreak of telephone solicitations offering fabulous prizes in exchange for purchase of a small quantity of goods from southern telemarkets to residents of the Northwest Territories. A newsletter entitled "Northern Consumer" is produced and distributed every three months to over 600 subscribers, free of charge. The mailing list includes nursing stations, adult educators, schools, libraries, doctors offices, health clinics, and individuals in every community in the Northwest Territories. Northern Consumer deals with timely issues affecting the consumer, such as recalls, product information and warnings of any potential disreputable marketers.

The issue of price gouging is one that has been a concern for many years. In remote areas of the Northwest Territories, as elsewhere, businesses generally set a price for goods that the market will bear. While this practice would appear to be insensitive to the unique needs of northern communities, the territorial government has no regulatory authority to control, or in any way affect, the prices of consumer products, with the exception of liquor, charged the merchants in the Northwest Territories.

However, as Minister, I am always prepared to offer my assistance in trying to resolve consumer issues that are brought to my attention. Madam Speaker, I will be sending the Member a package of consumer information produced by the division under a separate cover. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The decision was to increase commercial rates, not necessarily residential rates, just commercial rates by a small amount and the decision was made earlier this month. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don't have the information right at my fingertips, but, it is an increase which is based over a number of years. I would be willing to get the information for the Member. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I believe the rates should be effective May 1, but I would have to check the decision paper again, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is again to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs in dealing with the water and sewage rates. The Cabinet has previously made commitments to consult with Members on the major issues which will affect their communities, and I certainly believe that this is one issue that falls under that category. I would like to ask the Minister what consultation he undertook with Members of this House before recommending this change to Cabinet.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I believe the consultation with regard to the water and sewer subsidy has been raised by a number of Members, and I believe the first time that the subsidy was mentioned was in the fall session, in October or November. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Supplementary, Madam Speaker. I don't believe the Minister has answered the question. The question was, what consultation did he undertake with Members of this House prior to bringing this change of rates forward to Cabinet?

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. With regard to this particular policy, when I became a Member of the Cabinet, I did not make any consultation but I understood consultation had been made by previous Members of this particular department. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Supplementary, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he undertook any consultation with municipalities that will be affected by this rate change, prior to him bringing this forward to Cabinet. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I, again, as a Minister, did not make consultation with the municipalities. Again, I would have to say that the way I understood it, previous Ministers had made consultation with municipalities in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The decision that the Minister indicated will potentially have serious negative impact in the current initiative to promote home ownership. By the way, Madam Speaker, my question is to the same Minister, Municipal and Community Affairs. The cost to own and maintain a home in the Northwest Territories is already very high, particularly in the smaller communities that I represent. The higher cost for water and sewer charges may be just enough to make home ownership out of reach for some individuals. Why did the Minister propose a change in the water and sewer rates knowing the negative effect it would have on encouraging the development of housing markets in smaller communities?

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to set the record straight, Madam Speaker. The changes that were made by Cabinet do not affect residents. They don't affect residential units or home owners in small communities. There are a couple of things that were done with this particular decision. With questions and discussions held by a number of Members in this House who represent cities, towns or villages, the department was asked to equalize the subsidy rate in cities, towns and villages, which, in effect, this decision did. However, the decision did not affect any residential units in any community. The only effect that this decision that was made by Cabinet earlier this month had, was a slight increase to commercial users in the communities. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister of Finance with regard to dealing with the income tax payment and the request of the Baffin South residents.

This month, Cape Dorset people had a concern, especially the carvers. Usually they have to pay quite a bit of money to Revenue Canada. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance, why do they have to pay Revenue Canada when they do their taxes? There are a lot of carvers in Cape Dorset, and they are pretty concerned, when they do their taxes that they have to pay a huge amount of money to Revenue Canada. They would like to find out what the reasons are for paying the huge amounts back to Revenue Canada. Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, one of the things that the federal Minister and I have been trying to do is get the tax people into the smaller communities in the Northwest Territories so that they can explain how the tax system works, why the rates are the way they are, what the deductibles are and so on. I'm hoping that as we progress through these community visits, the kind of question that I'm being asked right now will be answered directly to the community residents themselves. I'm only guessing, Madam Speaker, that they probably have to pay large, lump sum amounts simply because they may not have contributed throughout the year. I think that's one of the things that we'll be suggesting, is that there be some kind of arrangement made whereby they can pay throughout the year.

Why do they pay Revenue Canada, Madam Speaker? They pay Revenue Canada because under the Canadian tax system, everybody except Quebec works along with the Canadian government. We usually set our taxes in the Northwest Territories, Yukon or in the provinces, except Quebec, as a percentage of the federal tax. So the federal government levies an income tax on people. We levy an income tax as a percentage of the federal amount and the federal government collects it and remits it back to the provinces and the territories, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Minister, for your response. Can I assure my constituents who are concerned about this income tax? Will I be able to inform them that if you want to find out more about why you're paying that amount, would I be able to tell them that they have to enquire to Revenue Canada? Thank you.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Madam Speaker, I'm going from past experiences with Revenue Canada. If there's a fear in the community that they will be assessed large sums of money that they may not be able to pay at that particular time, it is not uncommon for Revenue Canada to work out some kind of payment program with people to give them some time to pay. So if there's a fear in communities that these people are going to go in there and say you owe us $15,000 and you must pay right now -- and I can't speak for the federal Minister, but I can only say that they have been reasonable in the past and I would expect them to be reasonable in the future, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I believe the Member's constituency is going to be visited by the federal tax people during the first week of April of this year. And, yes, those are the kinds of questions that they will be able to answer. They can provide information to the Member and to his constituents with regard to how much tax they should pay. I have also indicated to the federal Minister that he should be prepared to supply some information in syllabics so that people will be able to read it themselves. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, oral question. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Premier. It is with regard to the process of public consultation. During the Premier's pitch to become a public leader, she made several commitments with regard to consultation and she made another commitment during the time you were elected, Madam Speaker. She said that times are changing. When the government first started, it started on the basis of making decisions, but now the commitment is to consult with communities. I would like to ask the Premier whether or not that commitment was conveyed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs with regard to the government's commitment to consult?

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, I assume this is a question regarding the water and sewage policy. Madam Speaker, what I have suggested to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, is that he provide you with the consultation process that did take place over a number of years on this one issue. This has been a long standing issue that has come back to Cabinet several times and has been carried over a number of years.

There's been a great deal of community consultation and this process has taken place. But, it may be that because it is an old subject, and it kept coming back, that the Members of this Legislative Assembly should be provided with the type of consultation that took place, when it took place, and how we came to this particular position. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm not too sure whether my question should be addressed to the Premier, but I want to ask the Premier if this particular rent increase has gone through the Public Utilities Board? When there is a rate increase, does the PUB invite public participation to determine if the increases should take place?

Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, these decisions are not governed under the Public Utilities Act.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

So there is really nobody in existence right now then? I realize this is commercial, but there are a lot of businesses in my constituency that might be affected by this increase. Who should they go to if they don't agree with the rate increase?

Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, the issue is not necessarily relative to a rate increase. It is taking off some of the subsidy. It appears to be a rate increase, but it is taking away some of the subsidy that the government has provided over a number of years. I would think that if there are grave problems out there and Members want an additional briefing on exactly what the increases are going to mean, we would be prepared to do that. If there are grave problems with it out there, then I would think that the recourse would be through their MLAs and through this Legislative Assembly. That would be the proper way to go.

There were suggestions over a number of years to take away the subsidy quickly, but the new decisions have ensured that the subsidy will be phased in over a number of years. As well, after two years go by, we are suggesting that we do a review of it. It may be that once the Members have taken a look at the details of what is being proposed, they would feel much more able to judge whether those increases are fair or not fair. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, just to once again restate that because the issue has been on the table to be dealt with for some time now, and I think only to be fair to the present Minister, there has been consultation. What I've suggested is that we provide you, tomorrow, with when the consultation took place and what has happened from the beginning to this date. The more important issue is that if the Members would wish, they could have a briefing at the end of today or as soon as possible to see exactly what is being proposed, and see if that is still not in keeping with good government. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, we would be pleased to provide those details, and we'll have a statement and as much information available as the Members wish. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the honourable Minister of MACA. Madam Speaker, according to the information that we received this morning from our colleague who is in Iqaluit, from the regional perspective, the rates in municipal services -- that is water and sewer -- are going to be increasing in both the residential and commercial. The honourable Minister indicated in his response to my

colleague, in this House, that they will not be increased in residential units. Could the Minister assure the House that there will be no increase in residential units? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The decision of Cabinet and myself was that we were not going to touch any of the rates for residential units in any community. The only thing we were trying to do in the department was to equalize the subsidy that is transferred to the hamlets, and make it so that it's equal for tax-based municipalities, for example, Fort Smith. That's basically what this policy was trying to do, to equalize the subsidy for water and sewer in tax-based municipalities.

The reduction of subsidy to hamlets and municipalities was for commercial users only, not residential users. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. The Minister is saying that there will not be increases in residential units in the system. Is that the answer? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. That is correct.

Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Social Services. Yesterday, during committee of the whole, while we were discussing her department's budget, I had asked the question whether deductions from welfare payments for previous month's income was according to the departmental guidelines or policies. She replied in the affirmative, then added that it is also in the policy that those who wish to apply for welfare have to try to sell their belongings first, before applying for assistance, although the policy was not enforced. This answer was not clear from unedited Hansard, but I have reviewed the tapes made yesterday and she said it. So I would like to ask the Minister if it is true that according to their policy, the clients on welfare have to try to sell their belongings before applying for

assistance. Is this according to their policy? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will be replying in English, as it was not clear in the unedited Hansard. If it's okay to the Member, that I can repeat this in English. (End of translation)

...committee of the whole in dealing with my department's budget, Madam Speaker, when Mr. Pudlat asked whether it was in fact true that we have a regulation stating that the amount earned has to be deducted when the recipient applies for social assistance. My reply was, in Inuktitut -- and this is my translation -- is that we do have a policy that is mandatory, and that it is applied whenever the social assistance recipients apply for assistance. The earned income is deducted according to our regulation and legislation.

I further added that we also have a regulation that states the recipient should try to sell any capital item they have before seeking social assistance. In recognizing the situations that we have in the north, it's unique and we have not been applying that because it doesn't make sense to be selling your capital assets that you use to supplement your daily food. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is again to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. He stated that the subsidy decrease, versus rate increase, I gather, is stated for commercial users, primarily, and not residential. I would like to clarify that. I would like to ask the Minister if it affects residential units that are owned by commercial businesses. Thank you.

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

I am not certain whether this would affect residences of small businesses. I don't believe so, but I would have to check on that and take his question as notice. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Again, to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs with regard to his response to Mr. Ningark. In clarifying the subsidy, he used the term "equalizing" the subsidies, and if I understand the

response, are we then looking at the rate increase based on something like social assistance? In other words, Madam Speaker, the subsidy would be based on a rate in different regions, as opposed to an increase of ten cents or 22 cents or 33 cents, whatever the rate is. It is not across the north, then? You are looking at different formulas for that subsidy.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The policy, as it stood before, was that municipalities were subsidized for the delivery and the services of the water and sewage programs to hamlets and not necessarily to tax-based municipalities. What the amendment to this policy will do is to subsidize municipalities which are tax-based, which means that tax-based municipalities will now be able to receive a subsidy for the delivery of their water and sewage programs, and it will be calculated by a formula. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

For clarification, then, we do have a formula that is used in order to determine that subsidy in the different regions, as opposed to one subsidy across the board, right across the north, then?

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The formula which is used for the water and sewage program is part of the operations assistance policy, the formula which is used to calculate the operations assistance that each community will get. So the water and sewage formula would be only a small portion of a larger formula which is used to subsidize communities. I would be willing to provide the formula. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

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

The decrease of subsidy, Madam Speaker, originally came as a result of fiscal restraint which this government was in a couple of years ago. This originated when the departments were asked to find ways of cutting their funds. This subsidy decrease will apply to all municipalities in the Northwest Territories, and, Madam Speaker, I do have the information, at this point, which is that there will be a slight reduction of .0005 cents per litre. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. When I took over this portfolio, I understood that there had been extensive consultation with the communities, and what I did was take a step which had not been taken by previous Ministers, which was to take it into Cabinet. The way I understood it, there was extensive consultation with communities across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I assume that by saying communities I was saying that

businesses were consulted. To what degree, I am not certain, but there was consultation made with communities. With the analysis, the department did make a detailed analysis of this decrease in the subsidy for commercial users. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Thank you. I just want to caution Members not to be repetitive. I believe this question was like one posed to the Premier. Although I will allow the Minister of MACA to reply to it, I just want to advise Members of this House that questions are to be posed once to the Ministers and that there shouldn't be similar questions posed by other Members on the same topic. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have no difficulty in providing the information to the Member. The only thing is, the analysis is based on what savings it will have for the territorial government, and not necessarily for municipalities. The municipalities vary in size and amount of funds they are able to acquire. In some cases, municipalities have a surplus in their water and sewage program, so it will depend on each municipality to decide whether they will increase the rates for commercial users.

With so many municipalities having surpluses, it shows to us that our subsidy rates for these municipalities is high. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for Consumer Affairs. His reply under returns to oral questions, created more questions, especially on the second page of his reply which says, "The

territorial government has no regulatory authority to control or in any way affect the prices of consumer products."

My question is, since there is no regulatory means to discourage price gouging, will the Minister consider introducing legislation or regulations with teeth, to investigate or find incidents of price gouging to give remote communities to share in an affordable and enjoyable life-style? Thank you.