Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Good morning. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Premier will be absent from the House today to attend a youth conference in Fort McPherson. The honourable Kelvin Ng will be absent from the House today, Monday and Tuesday to attend to long-standing commitments in his constituency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. The Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake is requesting unanimous consent. Are there any nays? Conclude your statement, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 3, Members' statements. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On December 17, 1994, I had the pleasure in joining Attogoyuk School students on their graduation ceremony. This was a very special graduation ceremony in more ways than one. Pangnirtung had the highest number of graduates in the Baffin communities. The graduating class was a total of 11. For all of the graduates, it was an especially happy occasion, and for the parents and their teachers. The ceremony was special as one of the graduates, Eena Daisy Sowdluapik, was one of the graduates who received the Governor General's award for top academics in the NWT.

Although I have already stated how proud I am of her and her graduating colleagues, I would once again like to say congratulations to Eena Daisy Sowdluapik and how proud I am of her for having top academics, and to thank her parents for the effort, encouragement and guidance they provided to their daughter.

Mr. Speaker, I wanted to share this good news from my riding with my colleagues, and to encourage the students across the NWT and their parents that hard work pays off in the end. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Mike. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I must admit I was taken in by Justice Minister Allan Rock when he visited and met with Caucus last fall. He is a fine-looking, smooth-talking, intent man, and he disarmed me somewhat by admitting he was from Toronto, he had no experience with firearms, and I was even more impressed to learn that he even had gone to a shooting range to find out what it's like to fire a gun.

I was very impressed with the unanimous and eloquent views of all Members -- Metis, Dene, Inuit, non-native -- in Caucus on this new firearms legislation, as expressed very forcefully to the Minister when we met with him in Caucus. I remember clearly telling him and warning him politely that even the present laws on safe storage of firearms are largely ignored and, judging from what he was proposing, there had to be a way of exempting northern hunters from the impact of this legislation, just as GHL holders are now at least exempted from the fee for applying for a firearms acquisition certificate.

"I'm hearing you," he assured me. So I was somewhat reassured. I now think that maybe this was a polite way of telling me, "I don't agree with you, but I'll hear you out." Or, "This will never fly in Toronto, but I will listen politely and even intently to what you're saying."

Now I don't know if Mr. Rock is still hearing me or listening, but I would like to tell him something again -- and I think I'm going to need more time to do so, Mr. Speaker, so I would request unanimous consent to conclude my statement, please.

Thank you. The Member for Iqaluit is requesting unanimous consent to complete his statement. Do we have any nays? Mr. Patterson, you can conclude your statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say now -- and I hope he's not only listening, but understanding -- unless this bill is substantially changed, if it's enforced in the territories; we will either have to abandon the traditional way of living on the land or we, in the territories, will become a nation of criminals. Most of the regular hunters in the territories, especially the aboriginal hunters and those who hunt with them, will be compulsorily jailed for breaching this new made-for-cities law: by loaning a firearm, by storing it in someone else's hunting shack or boat; or, by being unable to afford or understand the sophisticated registration requirements.

I would like to ask, will Mr. Rock and his government help us to build the new jails we would need in every part of the Northwest Territories to house these persons who, on first offence, will be charged by indictment and who will face a compulsory one-year jail term minimum on the second offence. Or, better still, perhaps we could ask his agreement to make the Northwest Territories one giant corrections camp for people who offend the new firearms law. Perhaps we could create an on-the-land corrections facility throughout the Northwest Territories. I hope someone is listening, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For a couple of months, I used your office, Mr. Speaker, and I had a chance to contemplate my future and I did take advantage of informally contacting people in my constituency to get a feeling about what should happen and what I should do to best advance the interests of the people who I represent.

Two people said I should not seek the job as Speaker and the overwhelming number of people said what goes on over there either advances or protects my interests so we elected you to do what you think is right. In this game of politics, whatever happens is the will of the good Lord and I always believe the good Lord is right about what happens in these places. However, during my contact with several trusted people, I was asked about constituency meetings. One person -- who had never been to one, by the way -- asked me why I didn't hold constituency meetings. I said the last one I held cost me $900. It cost me $268 for a one-eighth of a page ad, and if you buy three spaces, it costs $800. The cheapest room I could get was $50. If you add coffee and doughnuts, that's another $50. In fact, when you look at the whole thing, it is about $1,000 if you want to hold a constituency meeting.

The last one I held, I was on my own. But, luckily, Ronna Bremer, who was the local newspaper lady at that time did show up. So, I sat there and we had a good, long talk and she said, look at this way, Mr. Lewis, you are helping to pay my salary. Don't you feel good that at least you keep me employed and you are doing something for the economy? Well, Mr. Speaker, we don't always have a good relationship with the press and I felt uneasy when this lady told me that I am helping to keep her alive by spending this $800 to have this meeting.

So today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to announce that I do have a phone number: 669-2292, and if there is anybody who reads Hansard and who wants to talk to me or if they want me to raise something in this House, then I would be very happy to do so. And, if there is an overwhelming demand for all those people out there who think their interests can be advanced and protected in this House, I will, in fact, listen to them and have a constituency meeting. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to talk about the opening of the new community hall in Nahanni Butte which took place on the 6th of February. Nahanni Butte is a small

community in my constituency at the foot of the Nahanni mountain range at the mouth of the south Nahanni River. The south Nahanni River is where the Nahanni National Park is. It is home for about 80 people. For the most part, Nahanni Butte is an isolated community and accessible only by air most of the year.

The people of this community still live a very traditional lifestyle, participating in activities like hunting, trapping and fishing; living off of the land. The people of Nahanni Butte have become more involved in community development over the past few years and one of the areas identified as a community concern was the need for facilities to hold council meetings, community gatherings and other events. It is with great pride to see the community benefit from such a building. On February 6th, in cooperation with the Department Municipal and Community Affairs and the Department of Public Works and Services, it was possible to open this building.

The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. John Pollard, as well as the Honourable Don Morin, then Minister of Public Works and Services, attended this gathering. On behalf of the people of Nahanni Butte, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the two Ministers, the departments and this Legislature for helping the people of Nahanni Butte to have a new building to meet and have celebrations, like most of the other communities in the north enjoy today. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have always been amazed by the ongoing machiavellian ways of the federal Department of Justice. After years of requests from Canadians to legislate minimum sentences for those convicted of sexual offences against children; numerous requests to provide anti-stalking laws to protect women from injury and death from the hands of a bitter, twisted former boyfriend or wives; 10 years of complaints about the Young Offenders Act; demands for 10 years to change the Young Offenders Act to deal with some very violent and dangerous young offenders, we have always been told by the federal Department of Justice, by the Ontario defence lawyers that we must be fair, that everybody has rights. There is a Charter of Rights, we have no right to infringe on other people's rights, people have to be patient.

But now the federal government is finally going to act; the federal government is bringing in some very tough sentences: up to 10 years. The second offence, a minimum sentence of one year; very unusual in Canadian law. The third offence, a minimum sentence of two years minus one day. Are these tough laws against child sexual abusers? No. Are they against wife-beaters? No. Are they against violent young offenders? No. The federal government is finally going to get tough against any poor soul who forgets to register their firearm.

Now, I am sympathetic to people in large cities who are facing major crime problems. I am sympathetic to police forces who are really afraid of the proliferation of firearms. I am in favour of controlling hand guns and assault rifles, but let's get our priorities straight. We must punish real criminals, we have no right, and the government has no right, to create a whole new class of criminals. The federal government, and all governments, are having a terrible problem right now in trying to deal with our existing crime rate. I think that it is important for all of us to remember, especially the federal government, that this is not the time to create a whole new class of criminals out of honest citizens who, because they are not familiar with the law or because they don't understand it, could be actually put into jail. So, Mr. Speaker, I feel very strongly that the new firearms law has to be changed. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ballantyne. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister of Justice said in his statement about the new legislation on firearms, this will impose a lot of difficulties in the north because we are unique in the Northwest Territories. If we misuse the firearms or if we fail to register them, they will be able to put us in jail even though we didn't commit an actual crime. This will have a big effect on the residents of the Northwest Territories.

We don't use firearms to injure or kill other people, and a lot of times we have to have different rifles. If this legislation goes through then we will have to have only one gun. But the animals, the wildlife that we hunt, are different sizes and we use different rifles accordingly, as he mentioned. If this legislation is going to go through, as my colleague from Iqaluit said, they are going to have to put up a lot of new correctional centres because, if this goes through, it is very clear that they will have to send us to jail. And as we know now, the correctional centres in the NWT are often full. I think there should be an exception in that legislation that will apply to the residents of the Northwest Territories. They are going to have to treat us uniquely, because we don't use firearms on other people, we use them for our livelihood. Our ancestors worked really hard so they could provide us with food. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I, too, was disappointed in the House when the Legislation committee recommended that the creation of the office of an ombudsman should not be brought forth until the government can determine how effective the recently passed Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act is and whether a need for a more general type of ombudsman is required.

Mr. Speaker, I was disappointed for two reasons: One, is that the public opinion did not seem to be taken into account when this decision was being formulated; and, two, the onus is being left for the government to determine whether or not a need for a more general type of ombudsman is required.

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I believe the role of an ombudsman is to investigate a complaint and to make the public aware of a case, for which there are many people out in the territories who would like to see someone that they can specifically go to. I recognize that an MLA does play this role many times, but at the same time, there are times when we advocate on behalf of our constituents and we do get charged for political interference.

It is known that the Standing Committee on Legislation consistently heard that members of the public would be receptive to the creation of an ombudsman-like office. So, Mr. Speaker, as I said, I don't feel that we were listening to the public, once again.

Secondly, Mr. Speaker, we are going to wait for the government to determine whether or not a need for a more general type of ombudsman is required.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I don't believe that the government is going to anxiously look at determining whether or not an ombudsman is required. It will no doubt take a while and it won't be this government to determine how effective the recently-passed Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act is. So it will probably be the next government and it is unfortunate. But I will say, Mr. Speaker, that we are fortunate that this document is going into committee of the whole, where we can discuss this matter in length. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I might provide a return to a question asked by Mr. Patterson on February 15, 1995 regarding involvement of divisional boards in the Nunavut Education Planning Committee; more particularly, our department.

For the information of the honourable Members, on January 6, 1995, I wrote as the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, to the chairperson of the Nunavut Education Planning Committee to help clarify the role and the mandate of the committee. The focus of the letter was also to ensure that those involved in education, culture and employment programs work cooperatively to provide quality programs and services.

The Nunavut Education Planning Committee had been focusing their work on organizational and administrative issues. The Nunavut Implementation Commissioner and Members of the Legislative Assembly already have the responsibility to address organizational structures for the delivery of programs. The letter recommended that although it may be necessary for the committee to discuss these matters, it should focus its attention on finding ways to improve the programs and services delivered in Nunavut while managing the related costs. The letter also noted the boards and divisional boards and colleges are responsible for program delivery, and that we need the benefit of their experience to improve programs.

The letter suggested that, given the need to focus on programs, departmental staff could be better used to continue their participation as resources to the committee, rather than serve as members on a committee making recommendations to the Minister. A strategic plan to 2010 describes the need to build a learning system with all our partners, and responds to the needs and aspirations of northerners.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment, boards and divisional boards of education and the colleges will continue to work cooperatively with members of the Nunavut Education Planning Committee to enable success of the systems for education and training in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Mr. Speaker, it's to do with some reorganization in the federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs here in the Northwest Territories. My question to the Minister, has there been a reorganization in the office of DIAND in the Northwest Territories and has the mining component of the DIAND office been lessened? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that discussions are under way between ourselves and the Department of IAND with respect to this issue. It appears that mining isn't getting what we believe is the attention it should, in particular with the last two or three years' activities with relationship to diamonds. We are working closely with the DIAND office and Ottawa in an effort for them to recognize the importance that this industry has, and that they should move that particular function up the priority ladder. Thank you.

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

Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister give to this House the details of any changes that have taken place in the DIAND office in the Northwest Territories in the last year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm prepared to provide the honourable Member with any details he requires. As I say, there are ongoing discussions taking place right now. Our position, and certainly mine, as the Minister, is that there should be greater priority placed on the mining industry, particularly, as I said, as it relates to the current climate, the need to be a little more self-sufficient, and of course the moves that we're making to seek satisfactory negotiations in transferring minerals to the Northwest Territories government. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Ballantyne, supplementary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister express in strong terms to the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs; we know we're attempting to take over the responsibility for minerals, and in the meantime either they provide the adequate resources here to deal with the most mining activity we've had here in years or they allow your department to deal with it. They can't have it both ways. They can't have control of mining and then cut back in their staff here in the Northwest Territories. Can I ask the Minister for that assurance, please?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again I want to assure the honourable Member that, certainly from a GNWT perspective, we're being very aggressive as it relates to the mining industry, both myself as the Minister, and as a Cabinet. I will express to Minister Irwin that there has to be greater priority placed on this activity, and that his department should address it accordingly.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. In previous sessions, and in particular last October, I asked questions about the funding request to establish a credit union in the Northwest Territories. I believe the Minister responded at that time to the effect that we are moving as quickly as we can to get the application forward, we are responding as quickly as we can and we are trying to move quickly on it, hopefully by the end of October. Mr. Speaker, it is now February 1995 and there's still a need to establish financial institutions in our smaller communities. My question is what is the current status in the development of a credit union in the Northwest Territories?

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had indicated at the time that we would be looking at the possibility of trying

to provide $1 million under EDA over a period of time for the ACL's request for a credit union. We're still working on that at this time. The management committee is also looking at it. Unfortunately, over the last several months there has been a tremendous rush on the economic development agreement, and at this time we haven't been able to come to an agreement with EDA, on whether or not the $1 million is available.

However, we are also working parallel with Industry, Science and Technology in an effort to try and seek funding in that area. If we were to be successful in finding that $1 million through Industry, Science and Technology which would be outside of the EDA then we may be able to move much more quickly on this issue than we have. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Koe, supplementary.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The request was made early last fall, probably much before October when the questions were asked. I would assume at that time there would have been a considerable amount of free balance in the EDA pot. The Minister now just mentioned that maybe that money is not available. How does EDA priorize applications?

Is it upon date of receipt and there is a commitment made, or do they have to wait until formal approval is given by the committee before that money is set aside? I'm just curious as to how available monies are allocated or committed from EDA funds.

Mr. Todd.

Well, the availability of funding and the allocation of money is determined through a management committee. The management committee determines if it is an appropriate funding request, if it meets the criteria set in the different sections of the EDA. It is my understanding that the management committee did find this application for $1 million was eligible but, at the time, there was insufficient money available for that particular criteria. As I said, we are currently working with Industry, Science and Technology in an earnest and genuine effort to try to find the dollars for ACL to partially fund the credit union.

I think it is important to point out that there are others who will have to come into the equation with respect to the development of credit unions, and that would include the federal government. There would also have to be some significant legislative change in this House, along with some guarantees on the deposits. So, it is not just a simple case of trying to find $1 million. It is a little more complicated than that. But we are currently trying to find this money for them. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister indicate what funds or what contributions the Government of the Northwest Territories has given to Arctic Co-ops Limited to help develop this application and proposal for development of credit unions?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stand to be corrected, but I don't think we've given them any direct contributions through grants to develop their application. This is a long-outstanding issue which Mr. Lyall, the president of ACL, has been lobbying very hard for over the last two or three years but I don't believe there was any contribution from the department. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. May I ask the Minister if he is still committed to the development of credit unions in the Northwest Territories?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wouldn't dare not be. Yes, we are committed to assisting the development of credit unions in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

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

Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all we are just one party who sits on the RERC. EM&PR, Renewable Resources and Economic Development sit on that committee, as well as our federal counterparts. My understanding is that the initial application -- which, I understand has been

resubmitted -- was rejected due to some information deficiencies of the site-specific details. In other words, how would this road affect wildlife, the environment, et cetera. It is my understanding that BHP has reapplied and tried to address the deficiencies in the original application.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Dent.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I would hope that if the application has been done in a manner that answers some of the initial concerns expressed by the RERC, we would get approval on this issue; I would like to say that upfront. It is my understanding that the reapplication was submitted in mid-January. We are trying to encourage the RERC to move quickly to make a decision on it. I don't have the exact date as to when we can expect that today, but I would imagine it is imminent.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Todd.

Well, obviously, up to now this government has been pretty clear that we see the need for orderly, environmentally-sound development of the mining industry. I think the Premier, the Finance Minister and everybody else at this table have talked about that. I think it is important to say publicly that is where we are coming from.

EM&PR does work with the mining industry in trying to assist them in meeting, if you want, the needs of these applications that have to go forward to environmental review committees. I'm not so sure that we're as active as maybe we should be but what I have done is instructed EM&PR to be more proactive in this area so we can avoid, hopefully, as many delays as possible and meet all the environmental requirements that these committees request from industry. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I welcome back the Minister of Renewable Resources and I have a question for him. Mr. Speaker, last month his department issued a permit to either the chief park warden for Wood Buffalo National Park or to the chief park warden's son in our community. The permit was to cut wood along a certain area of the banks of the Slave. However, apparently, the wood was cut in the wrong area and, according to the local people and organizations -- specifically the band and the Metis -- it appears that many violations were committed.

But, Mr. Speaker, when the complaint was brought to the attention of Renewable Resources, a report was done, but no charges laid for violations which appear to have occurred. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister provide to this House a copy of the permit issued? Thank you.

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

With regard to the specific question the honourable Member is asking, I would respectfully request what particular incident that took place in Fort Smith. Then, I would be able to respond about whether I would be able to provide a response to the request. Thank you.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I'm sure if the Minister asks his department about the permits issued for cutting wood in the Fort Smith area, there is only one chief park warden for Wood Buffalo National Park. I don't want to name any names. I'm sure the Minister would become aware of the incident if he brought it to his department's attention. Therefore, I would like to ask the Minister again if he would provide a copy of the permit issued by his department to either myself, as a Member, or to this House. Thank you.

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I certainly will make the permit the Member is asking for available. Thank you.

Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister also be willing to provide to this House the report formulated by his department officials on this particular incident? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not aware of the particulars of how permits are issued. I am willing to review it and will provide the Member with the information she is requesting. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to also ask the Minister, once he reviews the issue, if he feels that his department didn't follow the policies which are formulated by his department, would he ensure that this incident be rectified? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Government House Leader, Mr. Pollard. I would like to ask if the Regional Councils Act of the Northwest Territories is still in force? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the act is still in force. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if the government has any intention to repeal the Regional Councils Act? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

No, Mr. Speaker, there is no intention to do that at this time.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, the act is in force and there is no intention to repeal it. I take it then that the requirement in section 5(1) of the act, "...that each regional and tribal council shall meet at least twice each year" is still in force. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

The act is still in force, therefore, that section of the act is still in force. Yes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you. I have a question for the Government House Leader and it is regarding the Nursing Profession Act. I have already written a letter to the House Leader, but I would like to get on public record the concerns of many nurses that this particular act is on the government agenda for this session. Could the Government House Leader confirm that we will have an opportunity to deal with this act during this session? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will take the question as notice. Thank you.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Finance. Again, it is about the Regional Councils Act. Mr. Speaker, section 15 provides that the Minister may provide funding to councils by means of grants or contributions, or both, in accordance with the Financial Administration Act. Since section 5 states that councils shall meet twice a year, I would like to ask the Minister of Finance, unless the Minister wishes to undermine the existence of a regional or tribal council, would it be correct to say that funding should be provided to regional and tribal councils in the Northwest Territories to enable them to meet twice a year? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there would never be any attempt by the Government of the Northwest Territories to undermine a regional council. So if that is what the act calls for, if the regional council is up, running and still in place, then we would be obliged to provide that particular funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Chairman, the Minister may be aware that in some regions, such as the Baffin region, mayors and MLAs who are regular Members of the regional council, along with the regional Inuit association have decided that they would like to forego the cost of an ongoing office and overhead, but they have still expressed their desire to continue meeting as a regional council twice yearly. Does the Minister agree that in Baffin, for all purposes, the regional council is still in existence? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Patterson, it is Mr. Speaker. I was the chairman. Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Chairman, the previous questioning on this particular issue fell within my bailiwick. This one falls within the Premier's bailiwick, but I will answer the question on her behalf and say that as far as I know, the regional council in Baffin still exists. There was a motion in January of this year to disband that particular organization. I am not aware that it has been officially disbanded yet. I would agree that there would appear to still be a regional council in Baffin at the present time. Thank you.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am sorry, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier a question, but she isn't here, so perhaps the Minister of Finance can answer on her behalf. At our last session, in the fall, I brought up the issue on the Baffin Regional Health Board's request to have a birthing centre for our region. I would like to ask the acting Premier...There was a commitment by Cabinet to look into this issue. I would like to know what has been done to date. Has there been any work done with the Baffin Regional Health Board as to the process of putting a birthing centre into the region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ningark asked the same question earlier this week. The answer is the same. We are awaiting the results of the assessment of the success of the Rankin birthing centre. As I said earlier this week, it is my personal opinion, from the information that I have received, unofficially, that it is successful. Once that assessment has been done and looked at by the Minister of Health, she is well aware that there are other communities and regions of the territories who wish the same kind of service. I am sure she will act upon those requests, once she has received that assessment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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