Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister's answer, but I'm not sure it is clear. His colleague, Mr. Todd, sponsored -- or helped sponsor with Nunavut Tunngavik -- an important conference to plan economic development in Nunavut, which was a great success. Now the education leaders have asked the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to build on the success of the meeting in Gjoa Haven -- in large measure, due to the active participation of his

officials -- and sponsor and take the lead role in chairing the next meeting. I know the department is working on an internal transition plan for division, in response to the committee's recommendation.

My question is about this conference. Is the Minister prepared to sponsor and take the lead role in this important next meeting, planned for April 1995 in Nunavut? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The problem the honourable Member must recognize is that there are a number of conferences which I have been called upon to host; including a conference, for instance, of the Nunavut Implementation Training Commission, which made the recommendation that we host a conference in May almost three or four months ago. The problem is, there is a logistical question as to how we address the issues that should be dealt with on any conference agenda.

In light of that, I think we need to ensure that if any conference is hosted -- and I don't see it as a major problem -- the issues of timing and agendas have to be dealt with. They can be dealt with in conjunction with the appropriate organizations involved.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson, supplementary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee endorsed the notion of holding the next Nunavut education planning conference in April, 1995. I'm sure all Nunavut leaders support one conference where all organizations would get together in one room and discuss the important matter of training and education in Nunavut.

I guess I would like to ask the Minister if he agrees it is appropriate that the Northwest Territories Department of Education, Culture and Employment play a lead role in planning training and education relating to Nunavut over the next three years? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I do support that. I've indicated that even in this House, as it applies to other regions as well. My concern with the suggestion of the conference is logistical. The fact is there is a need for us to plan the issues that need to be discussed. For instance, this Assembly may be sitting at that time. The problem with that is all Members of Nunavut would like to continue to play a significant and, I think, constructive role that they have played so far.

Those are some of the so-called immediate logistical questions that we have to deal with. The other ones are location and agenda issues. That is the kind of stuff that, for me, need to be dealt with. I think it would be just as confusing to the honourable Member as it would be for me. The other thing is, the role and involvement of the department in this conference.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. As I stated in my Member's statement this afternoon, the government had announced in June 1992 plans to support the location of an aircraft maintenance facility in Fort Smith. Taking into account, Mr. Speaker, the Premier's commitment to this House that this was to be completed by the end of April 1994, and there is no construction or movement to construct as of yet, can the Premier advise this House when the aircraft maintenance facility will be built in Fort Smith? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the negotiations on the facility in Fort Smith are being dealt with by the Dene/Metis in Fort Smith and the government on the structure. I don't have the time lines here, but I believe that the government is expecting a proposal on a facility in Fort Smith very shortly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Premier. Mrs. Marie-Jewell, supplementary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing last week the government has awarded the contract to Buffalo Airways to operate and maintain their fleet of CL-215s in the hangar; apparently, however, publicly it has been stated that Buffalo Airways might use the aircraft maintenance facility when it becomes available, can the Premier assure this House and the constituents of Fort Smith that Buffalo Airways' contract will use the hangar when it becomes available? Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that it was part of the proposal call that the facility would be used. Thank you.

Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.