Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

I'm not trying to reinstate it. The fact of the matter is, the federal government has arbitrarily cut it by 50 per cent. What we're working with the federal government on is an alternative program and we're working close with Mr. Irwin's office in trying to influence the agenda for an alternative program. This year -- just to bring Mr. Patterson up to date -- it has been 50 per cent cut, which is roughly about $2.8 million and the current EDA, as we understand it, will sunset in April 1996. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Todd.

We have, Mr. Speaker, as I said, been working with the Minister's office in an effort to influence whatever new policy would come in place for the Northwest Territories. The position we've taken is that we would like to see a program of similar design as the EDA specific to the NWT. Currently, there's a movement to see if we would be prepared to be part of the western diversification fund and I felt

we could get a bit swallowed there with the larger provinces. I think we have an understanding -- and I stress "think" -- with Mr. Irwin's office that we should have a funding policy or program that is specific to the NWT and that's what we're currently working on, in conjunction with his office, Mr. Doherty, who is the lead man in this, and also Mr. Anawak, the MP for Nunatsiaq and the Parliamentary Secretary.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister mentions discussions with the Minister's office and the Minister's officials. I would like to ask the Minister -- bearing in mind the House is in session but I think this is an extremely important issue to the people of the Northwest Territories -- is he planning to meet face to face with Mr. Irwin to discuss this issue and impress upon him the importance of as much as possible reviving this important program? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

The EDA and support programs for the Northwest Territories are currently under review. Community futures is another one under review which is fairly effective, in my opinion. It is a priority with myself, as the Minister. We've indicated both to Mr. Irwin, Mr. Axworthy and the community futures program that we would like to take these programs over. We think we can run them in a more cost-effective way and still maintain the capital that we can give or loan out to small businesses. So, it is a priority.

I'm currently having discussions with Mr. Irwin's office in an effort to seek a meeting with him. I will know today or tomorrow whether I can discuss the matter of the community futures program, in consultation with my colleague, Mr. Nerysoo, with Mr. Axworthy possibly this Friday. I want to assure my colleague that we recognize the importance of what EDA has contributed and I don't think I have to remind everybody that it was 70-cent dollars from the feds and 30-cent dollars to us. However, the reality is with budget restraints and cutbacks at the federal level is that we have to look somewhere else and we have to look a little more creatively. That is why we are working on a weekly basis with Mr. Irwin's office in an effort to influence whatever new program will eventually evolve out of the DIAND office to replace the problem. Thank you.

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