Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on February 20th regarding consultation process for the proposed hangar facility in Fort Smith.

Mr. Speaker, throughout the review of the forest fire management program which was carried out in 1993, there was extensive consultation with many interested parties, including community consultations, northern businesses, federal and most provincial jurisdictions, and internal departments, including Renewable Resources, Public Works and Services, Economic Development and Tourism, Financial Management Board Secretariat and Finance. This process was significant in identifying the extent of northern content in the provision of these services, and the potential for reducing the leakage to the south. A complete list of consultations will be tabled later today.

That study was followed by continued interdepartmental considerations by Renewable Resources, Public Works and Services, Economic Development and Tourism and Financial Management Board Secretariat, leading to the decision by the Financial Management Board in June of 1994 to negotiate a comprehensive contract with the Dene-Metis of Fort Smith for the provision and operation of air tanker services.

The Member made mention of two letters. The letter of April 14, 1994 from Dene-Metis Holdings to the committee of deputy ministers was replied to by the deputy minister of Renewable Resources on April 28th. Dene-Metis Holdings sent a fax to the Minister of Public Works and Services on July 11, 1994. The deputy minister of Public Works and Services replied with a letter on July 21, 1994 and the Minister replied on September 7, 1994.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories did not issue any press releases stating that the NWT Metis National Assembly would be given the project.

Beginning in November 1994, a consultant was retained to assist in consulting with Transport Canada as the owners of the CL-215s, with Canadair, manufacturer of the CL-215s, with representatives of the insurance industry and other jurisdictions having forest firefighting experience. The consulting role was to address such specialized issues as the impact on maintenance schedules, certification and insurance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.