Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Well, Mr. Speaker, I'm not particularly happy with that answer. When a Minister is asked about whether he has consulted, the question includes whether or not he has had his officials and deputy -- who is in regular liaison with judges, the defence bar, Crown prosecutors, et cetera -- consult about proposed changes. I'd like to ask the Minister whether he has talked to these organizations or people, directly or not. Has his department consulted with the major users of this service about substantial changes that are proposed in this vital service? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. The question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Safety and Public Services. Mr. Speaker, last week I spoke about liquor inspectors and commended the liquor inspector in Fort Smith for being able to do many inspections and ensure the liquor facilities in our community are establishments that people feel safe to go to. I think through the Minister's office, there certainly has been some comprehensive review and public consultation, taking into account the development of the new Liquor Act. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, I think the best legislation in the world would not address liquor control problems unless we take a serious approach to enforcement. I'd like to ask the Minister whether or not he would agree to make a formal evaluation of the way the liquor inspection program is being implemented in the Northwest Territories, prior to the June sitting of this House. Thank you.

Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, prior to dealing with the immediate question, just so it is clear, I think the honourable Member has taken note of the 1993-94 annual report of the NWT Liquor Commission which reports on the statistics of the number of liquor inspections in each community. I just want to advise the honourable Members that this information had not been included in any of the previous reports. In fact, what it now does is give us a better understanding of the work and the commitment of this department in making sure the public knows what is happening with liquor regulation in the Northwest Territories.

The honourable Member also pointed out, Mr. Speaker, her concern about the number of inspections that were carried out in Yellowknife, in particular in 1993-94. There were 205 inspections in Yellowknife and she pointed out that, in comparative terms, there were more inspections carried out in Fort Smith. What's interesting, Mr. Speaker, is that the inspection frequency that occurred in Yellowknife increased by 49 per cent since 1993-94 in Yellowknife. In other words, we've increased the total amount of inspections, as a result of the information that has been brought to our attention. So we are, in fact, already carrying out more inspections than we ever have before here in the city of Yellowknife and generally, right across the Northwest Territories.

I also want to make the honourable Member aware that her concern regarding the frequency of inspections is a very valid one and we're certainly trying to do our best, as a department, to determine how often we carry out our inspections. I would like to thank the honourable Member for raising those elements of our responsibility. It's our view that we should carry out our responsibility in a responsible fashion.

The "where" and "when" questions that she also raised previously with regard to the policy are also valid ones and we should, as a department, be able to work those issues out over the next year. Certainly as a result of our consultations and the legislative work we're carrying out, we'll be able to identify those issues as part of legislative requirements as well.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize the Minister responded to some of the comments that I made in my Member's statement and I thank him for that. I recognize that the information on inspections had never been tabled by the Minister's office and that's why I made a Member's statement on it. It was interesting to note the lack of inspections. This is why I wanted to know whether or not the Minister would agree to undertake a formal evaluation of the way the liquor inspection program is being implemented, prior to the June sitting of this House, at the same time we will possibly be looking at the act. Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to advise the honourable Member that this issue was also raised in January of this year between the department and the Liquor Commission. I agree with the concern raised by the honourable Members and I want to indicate that we're proceeding with the development of a terms of reference for a review that the honourable Member suggested we conduct.

It may take us a bit more time than the time before the June session, but maybe we'll get a consensus on the terms of reference for the review before we meet then.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Public Works. Mr. Speaker, on March 31st, I asked the Minister about a revised business incentive policy. I asked him if we could expect to have, before the final session of this Assembly in June of this year, a revised BIP presented to the Assembly. Mr. Morin would only answer that he was committed to concluding a revised BIP within the life of this government. Mr. Speaker, my question is, knowing that extensive consultation has gone on now in every region of the Northwest Territories and the results are now in and being assessed by the Minister, will the Minister commit to presenting a revised business incentive policy to the Legislative Assembly before it finally prorogues? Thank you.

Minister responsible for Government Services and Public Works, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll try my best to do that. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Finance. In the fall, the Minister of Finance had meetings with Marcel Masse, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and the object of the meetings between the federal government, the provinces, and the territories was to find ways to make program delivery more efficient and effective. So far, all I've really seen out of this exercise with the federal government is offloading and downloading.

I wonder if the Minister could give us an update about what's happening with those discussions. Is there, for instance, an opportunity to take over some of DIAND's programs? Perhaps we could deliver them more efficiently. Thank you.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Members will recall that this initiative came from the First Ministers' Conference and it came from the Prime Minister and the respective Premiers. I was assigned the responsibility for overlap and duplication for the Government of the Northwest Territories and, of course, I was dealing with Marcel Masse. In fact, just last week, Mr. Speaker, the Premier wrote back to the Prime Minister and acknowledged that the first round of these exercises were concluded and now it was time to move on to a new area. I anticipate, some time in the next six weeks, being able to start a new round with the federal Minister, with a view to looking at some larger programs.

I think, Mr. Speaker, we were not allowed to go as large as we wanted to the first time around. There were things we couldn't get on the table. We were told, let's move along in a slow fashion and make some small bites first. At the next opportunity, though, we'll be suggesting much larger eliminations of overlap and duplication. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In some of these areas, the government probably can get Legislative Assembly support. Dollars are getting tight and every cent is becoming precious. I wonder if and when the Minister could give us more details as to particular programs this government would like to discuss in those negotiations. And perhaps, if

there is a strategy, if the Member could inform this House how the Legislative Assembly will be involved in that strategy. Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, as I said, the initial round is done. There has been correspondence between the Premier and the Prime Minister. If I am the Minister chosen again to conduct this exercise, as soon as I get word from the Premier that we are going to enter into the next round, I would be pleased to convey to the Members what it is that we are suggesting in this particular round. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.