The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if her department or somebody on behalf of her department in the government carries out inspections of these units to ensure they meet building codes, fire and electrical codes and those types of things, prior to their authorizing rental payments for these units? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would have to get more details on the two individuals Mr. Ng is talking about in order to address his concern. At this point in time, I don't know whether the department accessed these units for the clients of Social Services or not. If they are, I would certainly like to know. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister feels it is acceptable to have social assistance clients living in residential units which have no running water and which are using honey bucket systems? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Like I said earlier, it really depends if these individuals, of their own choosing, are living in these units. I don't know the background detail on these individuals. I would have to get more details on whether or not the Social Services department accessed these units for them or if the individuals accessed them themselves. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for Safety. I was pleased to hear that the city of Yellowknife was able to assist in putting out the fire in Colomac Mine. I would like to ask the Minister if he has an update for us on what has happened since his safety people have been there?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. I appreciate the honourable Member's question. Madam Speaker, the deputy fire marshal in the company of a fire safety inspector were despatched this morning to Colomac via an aircraft hired by Royal Oak. Obviously, the inspectors took advantage of a free flight. It was agreed among the city of Yellowknife fire department officials, the fire marshal, the mine safety division and Colomac Mine officials that the investigation would not commence until today, to permit exhausted fire fighters and employees sufficient time to recover and to permit the excessive smoke to clear and the hot remains of the building to cool sufficiently to permit a thorough investigation. All of these parties, as well as the insurance adjustors, are meeting at the mine site today to jointly commence a thorough investigation which will include careful physical examination of the fire remains and the interviewing of multiple witnesses to ascertain the state of the fire protection system at the time of the fire as well as the cause of the fire. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. That was an easy question. I have a more difficult one for the Minister. Since we have mines throughout the Northwest Territories that are very isolated, what requirement do those mines have to provide for their own fire fighting capability?