Mr. Chairman, by way of an example and not to emphasize my particular constituency's concerns, people in Iqaluit this past week are saying we really wonder whether the mark-up on gasoline in our community is fair, we feel that there's one retailer who may have an advantage because of lack of competition. I know I asked the Minister if this department could look into these concerns. Could I get an idea from the Minister, perhaps using this issue as an example -- I know there are many others that could be found -- just what kind of capability the department does have to respond to consumer concerns of this kind? And further, whether they have linkages with other organizations or governments that can assist in looking at questions, particularly competition. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are a number of components we try to address consumer issues with. One is the whole issue of addressing the consumer protection information and also dealing with complaints. In terms of the services, we have a hot line that deals with questions or problems. Our consumer affairs officer investigates complaints of consumers and attempts to resolve the problem if warranted.

I can't indicate to the honourable Member that the actual jurisdictional question may often be the basis by which a resolution can occur immediately. I think what we can do in those particular instances is to ensure that those who have a complaint know the basic processes that are available to the individual or the community to address those issues.

It's very difficult for me to say one way or the other what suggestions might be made or what resolutions might be offered unless we know details, such as the honourable Member pointed out, the issue of the gasoline prices in Iqaluit. It has to be specific and we have to deal with it appropriately.

Thank you. Page 07-9, consumer and corporate affairs. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to know a little bit more about the rental officer's role. As I said, I had heard the rental officer had advised the Housing Corporation on how to proceed with notices of rent change to public housing tenants. Does the rental officer provide advice of this kind to departments and agencies like the Housing Corporation? Thank you.

Thank you. Honourable Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe the responsibility of the rental officer is to provide information to both the tenant and the landlord so that information, depending on what is requested, can be appropriately provided.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

I would like to specifically ask if the rental officer was asked to provide advice to the Housing Corporation on how to appropriately give notice to tenants about rent changes. Secondly, I believe, in looking at the activity summary on this page, that the department is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Residential Tenancies Act. I would like to ask the Minister if he's had an opportunity -- in light of questions in this House yesterday and today -- to consider whether it is appropriate that the ordinary rules for notice of rent increases should not apply to the thousands of tenants in public housing but should apply to everyone else. Is this an appropriate and fair provision for public legislation in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On the issue of whether or not the information or advice was provided, I'm not aware of that and I will seek information to clarify the role that the individual played in that issue and appropriately respond to the Member and all other Members through written communication.

One point I would like to make is that I'm not really in a position at this time to comment, one way or another, about whether there should be a different basis for increases to public housing units; in other words, whether it should be three months or one month. The fact is the existing legislation gives that loophole and therefore allows for the appropriate decision to be made. I don't want to get into a debate on the merits of that legislation, I will only say that we do apply and appropriately provide legal advice on the issue. I think it's a bigger issue and is a legislative matter that we need to address.

Qujannamiik. Total O and M, $864,000.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Safety

Thank you. Safety, total O and M, $2.574 million.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Mine Safety

Thank you. Mine safety, total O and M, $1.009 million.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Fire Safety

Thank you. Page 07-12, fire safety. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to say that it is certainly our intention, through discussions in the department, that we are as well-prepared for the possibility -- I guess we have to use that word -- of diamond mining operations coming into production. But, like everything else, issues have to be dealt with. I believe we are looking at having our chief inspector of mines and the open pit service mining engineer visit diamond mine operations. I think there's a need for us to get an indication of how surface mining operations operate in a technical sense. We need to address the matter of design, development characteristics, which are specific to surface diamond mines because that has not been our experience. Our expertise so far has to do with underground and quarry mining.

We are also considering secondment of inspectors to operating mines in other jurisdictions in 1995-96 and also 1996-97. I think this may give our inspectors experience and education in the operation of diamond mines. That's our plan of action at this particular juncture. That doesn't preclude us, Mr. Chairman, from looking at other alternatives to training those in the mining industry here.

Mahsi cho. Fire safety, total O and M, $854,000.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Mr. Whitford.