Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can see I'm going to learn more about the rules under your guidance. Mr. Speaker, may I request unanimous consent to go back to oral questions so Mr. Ng can be properly broken in?

---Laughter

Mr. Patterson is seeking unanimous consent to return to oral questions. Are there any nays. There are no nays, Mr. Patterson. Go ahead.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the new Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, who I congratulate. I thank whoever delivered me the paper on parliamentary practice.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, my first question to the new Minister is, is the Minister aware of the location for the next meeting of the Northwest Territories Association of Municipalities? Thank you.

Thank you. The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I'm not aware of the location, but I'll endeavour to find out where it is and advise the Member. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I'm sure the Minister is already aware that you never get briefed on the things they ask you about in the House. I'm pleased to inform the Minister that the next meeting of the NWT Association of Municipalities will be held in Iqaluit, Northwest Territories in late April of 1995. I would like to ask the Minister if he's aware of the tradition that the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs make himself available to these important meetings. Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I'm aware of the tradition. I've been a past president of the association and I will plan on attending. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Member for his answer and for enlightening me about part of his illustrious background that I wasn't aware of. I'd like to ask the Minister if he would entertain, even though I know it's early in his term and he may not have his schedule finalized, if he would entertain visiting the association when it meets in Iqaluit?

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I'm still a Member of Cabinet at that time...

---Laugher

...I will seriously consider travelling to attend the association's meeting. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unlike my colleague, I will not ask a question which I already know the answer to. My question is directed to the new Minister for MACA. As the new Minister is a former senior administrative officer in Cambridge Bay, he knows the system pretty good. He also knows that we never have enough O and M for recreational facilities like a hockey arena, gymnasiums, and community halls. Is the Minister aware that there is a severe shortage in O and M funding for recreational facilities in the territories, mainly in the Kitikmeot region? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm aware of some difficulties in some communities but with respect to this particular situation, I'm not fully briefed on it and I'll get back to the Member on this.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that that jurisdiction falls under the Department of Safety and Public Services. However, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs would assist any municipality in carrying out any plebiscite question that would come about as a result of that legislation. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Okay. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Mr. Whitford.