Merci, Mr. Lewis. Good afternoon. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NWT Association of Municipalities held their annual general meeting in Iqaluit, April 28th to May 1st.

Representing the GNWT at these meetings were the Premier and myself, as well as MLAs, Mr. Dent, Mr. Ballantyne, Mr. Zoe and Mr. Patterson. Our representation speaks to the importance the GNWT places on the role of the NWT Association of Municipalities as a collective voice for matters of concern to municipal governments.

Also in attendance at the AGM were Member of Parliament, Mr. Jack Anawak, senior representatives of the RCMP, Federation of Canadian Municipalities representatives, special guests from Goose Bay, Labrador, as well as a number of senior GNWT public servants.

The NWTAM is made up of 47 member municipalities and the association is proud to point out that they are the only provincial/territorial association with 100 per cent membership of eligible municipalities. Forty member municipalities were represented at the association's 1995 AGM, an excellent turn-out.

A highlight of this year's AGM was a two-day planning session on municipalities and the criminal justice system. Municipalities are concerned that they have the best possible local policing and protection. Discussions were far ranging on the possibilities for integrated and coordinated local policing.

As Minister of MACA, I had the opportunity to officially invite the association's participation in our review of municipal legislation, which I announced in this House on April 27th. We also agreed to the association's participation in a review of certain aspects of the municipal capital assistance policy (MCAP), particularly the formula for community ability to contribute, which determines the required levels of community contributions to capital projects.

Elections were held for the new executive of the association and I would like to congratulate Mayor Dennis Bevington of Fort Smith on being elected president of the association for the coming year.

---Applause

I would also like to congratulate other Members of the newly-elected board of directors:

Mayor Charlie Furlong, Aklavik; Mayor Joe Kunuk, Iqaluit; Mayor Garry Hubert, Fort Liard; Mayor Tabitha Kalluk, Resolute Bay; councillor Peter Kritaqliluk, Arviat; Mayor Dave Lovell, Yellowknife; Mayor Tom Zubko, Inuvik; and, councillor Vern Tordoff, Hay River. Mr. Speaker, this list attests to the representativeness of the association and its unique position as a voice for municipal governments in the NWT.

I wish to thank the association for their invitation and their hospitality. The staff of the association were helpful and always accommodating. I look forward to working with the association's board of directors and their president in the coming months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I expressed my outrage at the sham consultations undertaken in my constituency by the federal firearms task force. Several things said by the members of that task force to my constituents were disturbing to me. Firstly, the federal representatives told my constituents that they were committed to consulting on section 110(t) of the proposed Firearms Act. They also stated that the detailed consultations will happen this fall. The implication was, don't worry if you're feeling a little

rushed today, there will still be lots of time to obtain your input this fall.

Mr. Speaker, section 110(t) allows for the making of regulations: "respecting the manner in which any provisions of this act or the regulations applies to any of the aboriginal peoples of Canada and adapting any such provision for the purposes of that application." Mr. Speaker, the federal Minister of Justice has already stated publicly in introducing this bill to the House of Commons committee that all the substantive provisions of the bill will apply to aboriginal people and that, in effect, the regulations will only allow for minor modifications in how the bill is implemented in aboriginal communities.

One example that federal officials trot out regularly is that an aboriginal person may be appointed to be a firearms officer for the purposes of registering firearms in a community. As if any aboriginal person would want that job. Compulsory registration will still be required of every firearm. The regulations may allow a local person to get the job instead of a bureaucrat.

It's very important that our people understand, Mr. Speaker, that this bill amends the criminal law. It is very clear that the criminal law cannot be amended by regulations, certainly not in the manner being suggested by the task force. It's also very important that our people know that the federal government intends to ram this bill through the House before the summer recess. According to Mr. Rock's timetable, the new bill will be law by the time the firearms task force comes back to consult my constituents this fall.

When these officials told my constituents they'd be further consulted in the fall, they did not point out that, according to their agenda, it would then be too late to make any substantive changes to the bill.

May I have consent to briefly conclude, Mr. Speaker?

The honourable Member for Iqaluit is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members. It will be under two minutes tomorrow, I promise.

What matters, Mr. Speaker, is what is put in the sections of the main bill now before the House of Commons, not what minor administrative changes are made in how the bill is implemented in our aboriginal communities through regulations. This distinction was not spelled out by the firearms task force when they were in my constituency and that is why I called their so-called consultations a fraud.

Mr. Speaker, what the task force is saying to us is: trust us, but everything they are doing indicates that they absolutely cannot be trusted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's very unusual for an ordinary Member to take issue with comments made by a colleague in the Ordinary Members' Caucus. We try to stay together and work together in harmony. However, the Member for Iqaluit is continuing to question the credentials of a Yellowknife businessman, and I hesitate to use his name because it's been used so many times in this House and he hasn't been able to defend himself.

But, on my initiative, I phoned him yesterday because I'm getting a little tired of hearing his name being batted around in this place with no one rising to defend him. By the way, he doesn't need a defence, but I feel an obligation to point out that Mr. Mike Mrdjenovich, in fact, is a local businessman who has contributed significantly to the progress of this city. I would like to point out, Mr. Speaker, that although piles of information have been given to the Member for Iqaluit about the operation of Nova Construction, I would like to give you a bit more information to show you what this business means to the city of Yellowknife and to the people of the Northwest Territories.

Last year, the company paid municipal taxes, $208,206; land lease, $86,403; the Iqaluit office, $82,981; expenses of the Yellowknife office, $588,032; the economic impact of all the work undertaken by this company - $7,176,079; salaries of eight full-time people in the complement in the offices, $279,000. In other words, roughly $9 million a year is the economic impact of this company in the Northwest Territories.

The total capital investment in the Northwest Territories is $35 million. We are always on about capital. We need capital. We need to grow.

This man, in fact, attracts money and activity. He is revitalizing the downtown core. In fact, the crappy -- I don't know if crappy is a bad word, Mr. Speaker -- but there were two unsightly buildings right next door to the Member for Iqaluit when he lived on that street. They have now been torn down and there are going to be beautiful new buildings right near the old arena. Everybody should be happy to know that.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Mr. Lewis, your time is up. Mr. Lewis, are you seeking unanimous consent to continue?

I am seeking unanimous consent to continue, Mr. Speaker.

The Member for Yellowknife Centre is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Lewis.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is very unusual for me, Mr. Speaker, to ask for consent to continue a statement, but what I want to say I believe has to be said, because I have listened for a long time now and have been tempted to say

something. This man doesn't live in my constituency. However, he is a Yellowknife businessman, and somebody should do something.

Numbers? You want numbers so that you can call this gentleman. I will give you a whole bunch: 873-1910; 873-1577; 873-1505; 873-1602; 920-7121; 920-7131; in area code 819, 979-2554; in area code 403, 920-7141...There are two fax numbers: (819)979-2575; and the one I just referred which was 920-7141.

However, I also have listed on this paper, underlined in green, the personal number of Mr. Mrdjenovich, and because that number is confidential, I will tell the Member what it is if he wants to have it. But since it's an unlisted number, I am not at liberty to give it in this House today.

In fact, that's the problem. The problem is that he's a low bidder, and when you have that kind of competition, other people get upset. I know that in Iqaluit, for example, some people can charge $2,200 for a one-bedroom apartment and this man charges only $1,500, so people get upset by that kind of competition. They don't like it, and it comes to the floor of this House without people being aware of why people are trying to do something to undermine the credentials of this individual.

So, Mr. Speaker, now that we have all the facts on the floor, I hope that this man whose name has been dragged through this House on so many occasions will be allowed to get on with the things that he does well which are to build and build them efficiently and effectively so that the people of the Northwest Territories get value for money. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members will recall that yesterday I had asked the Minister responsible for the forest fire management program some questions about safety and maintaining standards to ensure the safety of our firefighters. As we are probably heading into the worst forest fire season in history, such considerations are more than important. I believe they are crucial.

Mr. Speaker, the request for proposals to provide air tanker services to the forest fire management program specifically sets out the minimum standards for both the aircraft and the pilot to fly them. For pilots, the standards are primarily measured in hours flown in a particular forest fire environment.

In response to my question about these standards yesterday in the House, Mr. Morin said, and I quote from unedited Hansard: "When you go to a proposal call, you want to find out what other contractors have to offer so you can carry out similar types of business with maybe less standards."

Mr. Speaker, I find this response quite disturbing. Does this mean that the minimum number of hours of experience required for a pilot to fly a plane into the heart of a fire is not really the minimum, that it is negotiable? I certainly hope not. I understand that some of the pilots do in fact lack the necessary experience to engage in this dangerous activity and they have been practising their skills on training flights. However, training is a poor substitute for actual experienced flying and the difficult conditions associated with firefighting.

Mr. Speaker, the concerns of my constituents about safety are real. I understand that forest firefighting can be risky. However, it is the responsibility of this government to ensure that every possible precaution is taken to keep our firefighters safe.

The Bird Dog officers who are concerned about flying right now have a wealth of experience between them. This experience has helped us fight fires effectively and safely with the least possible risk to the people in the air and on the ground. If the officers have concerns...I seek unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker, to continue with my statement.

The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent to continue. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. If the officers have concerns, I believe the Minister should listen carefully to those concerns and try to address them. The officers are not raising them to cause trouble but because they truly believe there is a serious potential for an accident to happen.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents and I continue to have concerns about safety issues for firefighting crews. I will continue to address these concerns to the Minister until I am satisfied that he and his department have taken everything in their responsibility to minimize the risks for our hard-working fire crews that will be fighting fires in the Northwest Territories this summer. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to discuss an issue which is of great concern to the people of my constituency. The proposed Act Respecting Firearms and Other Weapons, Bill C-68, quite clearly does not respect the agreements signed in May of 1993 between the Inuit of Nunavut and the federal government. This agreement states that the Inuit have the right to harvest wildlife without any form of licence or permit and without imposition of any form of tax or fee. Bill C-68 does exactly the opposite. It imposes a monetary burden on Inuit people who rely on harvesting wildlife

to support their families. This is part of our culture and our traditional way of life.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, the consultation process, as we heard yesterday from Mr. Patterson, was completely inadequate. Communities in the north have not been consulted adequately, and Inuit are left without any information on how this bill will affect their lives. The federal government has not taken the appropriate measures to ensure that concerns at the community level have been addressed.

Once again, we see the federal government acting in a manner that does not reflect the current realities of our people or our values and beliefs. This gun control legislation should not and must not be imposed on the Inuit of Nunavut. I would encourage the federal government not to proceed with this bill until the matter is settled. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hear! Hear!

---Applause

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a statement regarding the gun control act. Mr. Speaker, we are aware that there was consultation in some of the communities of the north, but my constituents weren't visited during the consultation process. If there was consultation done with my constituents, I would have been told about it. I feel there should be more consultation done with the communities regarding gun control.

Up until today, I have not been able to meet with my constituents regarding this, but I have been told that there should be more consultation done and a process so that every individual affected can be better informed about how it will affect them. I feel that when we are dealing with these bills, there should be consultation done with the communities. I'm not sure what communities were visited but from what I understand, the communities weren't informed prior to the visits. I would like to see my constituents being better informed about this gun control legislation because it will affect our people.

I just wanted to make a statement with respect to consultation. Thank you.

---Applause

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also stand today to talk about Bill C-68. Last month, my constituents were visited and they were not informed beforehand of the visit. We were only told by fax a few hours before they were coming. It was only the day before that we were informed that people from the federal government were visiting my constituents. (Translation ends)

There is a concern that Bill C-68 is going to adversely affect a lot of people in the Northwest Territories. I'm afraid that since the officials from the federal Department of Justice have visited some communities, now they can say they have consulted. They have not consulted. When they went to my constituency, they did not let me or the community know ahead of time. I learned by accident. The Member for Iqaluit was in Iqaluit at the time and he learned that the officials from the department were going to Igloolik. He contacted our Clerk and, fortunately, our Clerk was able to contact me to tell me the officials were going to Igloolik the next day. It was unfortunate that they didn't have the courtesy to let the people and me know they were coming in.

They have not consulted in terms of seeking input from the people of the Northwest Territories. The bill, if it becomes law, will have a profound impact on hunters.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue.

The honourable Member for Amittuq is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, the bill would have an adverse impact on the people of the Northwest Territories. For instance, if the proposed bill goes ahead, it would be virtually impossible for me to loan a gun to my friend or to my family home in Pond Inlet so they could go hunting. Before I did that, I would have to get a permit from Yellowknife so that my friend and family could take possession of my gun and go hunting. This practice would unnecessarily affect kids who are learning how to hunt.

If I did anything to contradict the act, it would make me a criminal. It would make many of my constituents, whose practices are safe but which go against the act, criminals, which otherwise they would not be.

Mr. Speaker, I would urge everyone in the Northwest Territories, especially the Legislative Assembly, to continue to pursue making changes to Bill C-68. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had not planned to make a Member's statement today, other than on Bill C-68. However, as a result of Mr. Lewis's Member's statement, I just couldn't sit here, Mr. Speaker, and listen to some of the words that were directed to the Member for Iqaluit, my colleague from the Baffin. I have no particular problems with the individual who has been mentioned many times in this House.

Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Lewis indicated to this House, this individual has contributed quite a bit in tax dollars to Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform this House that this individual has a property leased to the government in one of my communities in my riding. It is good that Yellowknife benefits, but what about our regions and communities, Mr. Speaker?

I think the Member for Iqaluit has every right to question this government if we feel, on this side, that things are not being carried out properly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Transportation is preparing to upgrade the runway at the Pelly Bay Airport this summer. The project will lengthen the runway to 5,000 feet, and allow the runway to be certified by Transport Canada. The project also includes new airfield lighting and a new terminal building planned for next year. We are thankful to the Department of Transportation, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Hear! Hear!

I'm not finished yet.

---Laughter

However, Mr. Speaker, there is a problem with the project. While work is proceeding on the runway, the airline that serves Pelly Bay will not be able to use the whole runway for some part of the summer. They will only be able to use 2,500 feet of the runway. First Air has been using a Hawker Siddley 748 to serve Pelly Bay, and Ptarmigan Airways has been using a Gulf Stream Combi, but these planes will not be able to fly into Pelly Bay while the construction is going on. Since the usable part of the runway won't be long enough, both airlines will have to use Twin Otters to connect their regular flights. This will cause delays, missed connections, inconvenience to passengers and airfreight customers, and extra work and expense for the hamlet.

I understand that both First Air and Ptarmigan Airways have asked the Minister of Transportation to provide financial compensation for the extra expenses which will result from this construction. I trust the Minister and his department will find a way to compensate these airlines during the project. These airlines work hard to service the people of Natilikmiot and they are making every effort to provide my constituents with the best possible service.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the Minister will agree with me that they should be encouraged to continue to provide the best possible service. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're in the final months of the 12th Legislative Assembly. The election coming up on October 16th will begin the official countdown to the division of the Northwest Territories. Once that happens, that decision is irreversible. It's something like Humpty Dumpty; all the king's horses and all the king's men could never put the Northwest Territories together again.

---Laughter

Many people have worked for 20 years or more to achieve this momentous feat of creating Nunavut. We in the west offer our best wishes to the people of Nunavut as they embark on this huge endeavour. However, there are massive logistical problems to overcome before 1999. I think to all of us, the ever-diminishing federal funding is of grave, grave concern. The federal government and we must remember that we're not just creating Nunavut, we're creating two new territories here in the old Northwest Territories.

I know that the Government of the Northwest Territories is undertaking a lot of work in preparation for division. I sit as a Member on the division committee. We've met a few times and acted as a sounding board, but we don't have the mandate or the resources to actually do the preparation. However, I hope we've provided some useful advice in the course of the last few months. The division of assets and liabilities is going to be very tricky and it's going to be a very, very tough job.

Changes in the structures of governments in both east and west are causing a lot of concern to a lot of the civil servants who have worked for many years for the Government of the Northwest Territories. I think it is very important to clearly state for the record that both the new Nunavut government and the new western government have a moral responsibility to retain as many of our present employees as possible. If the numbers overall are reduced, then there should be fair compensation packages and adequate lead times for any employees who won't be kept. I strongly believe that a system should be put in place early in the life of the new government to ensure that our GNWT employees, both east, west, headquarters, regional and community, are fairly treated; and, as I say, with enough lead time to minimize negative effects on them, their spouses and on their families. Most of them have made a long and sincere commitment to the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, could I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

The Member for Yellowknife North is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Ballantyne.

Mr. Speaker, those of us who have worked with government and in government for many years know how important a loyal, dedicated, hard-working civil service is to ourselves, as politicians. I think it can't be overstated that if we want strong successful governments, both

in the west and in Nunavut, we must treat our present employees fairly. If we plan it properly and do it early, we should have no problem achieving what that very important objective. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise today and say that on May 11th, 12th and 13th there was a healing workshop in Resolute Bay, and it was mainly directed to the people who were relocated between 1953 and 1955 from Inukjuak and Pond Inlet. There was a healing workshop for those people. It was not directed to just those particular people, but there were other people who were also invited up to our community.

During the workshop, the participants who were involved numbered 40 to 50 people. It helped a lot for those who were sexually assaulted when they were much younger, and the people who were relocated to Resolute Bay. Both those types of people held a healing workshop, even though it was only for three days. The people who assisted with the workshop came from other communities. I wish to thank those people who were courteous enough to assist with the workshop. The people realized what kinds of problems existed back then.

Those three days were very meaningful, and the people were able to return to their communities healed. If this kind of workshop continues in the future, then it's less doubtful that we would have a better future. Those people who have thought about committing suicide were also involved at that workshop. I am sure the number of suicides would decrease if those kinds of workshops were held in the communities, because they are supported from different communities and this was very helpful. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Whitford.

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

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment questions about the student financial assistance program. The Minister indicated that the information and terms of reference were sent to Members. I received my package this morning. The Minister indicated that he would like our advice on this proposal and the terms of reference, so I would like to take this opportunity to give my comments and suggestions.

The review is quite timely and I believe it is dictated by the huge demands and less money. From what I read in the documents, there are strong indications that there will probably be cutbacks, reductions or some significant changes to how benefits are allocated to the students. It always seems that when cutbacks are being contemplated, this government seems to hire consultants so they can give us the bad news. But when good news and increases in services and programs are made, the Ministers or deputy ministers are always front and centre.

As I mentioned, the review is timely and we do need a proper evaluation of the program. I, and I'm sure other Members of this House, get lots of calls from students and they mainly complain about the benefits and the timeliness of their payments.

Mr. Koe, your time is up. Mr. Koe.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue.

The Member for Inuvik is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, there are lots of complaints about the timeliness of payments. I have some suggestions for the contractor who is doing the review. These, I don't believe, were highlighted in the terms of reference. One of the key groups that must be consulted with, as I mentioned yesterday, are parents. Other than the students, themselves, I think the parents are the people most impacted by changes to benefits and financial assistance for students. They have to be included as part of the study.

The other groups are the aboriginal groups. I know that many aboriginal groups are now providing, through whatever resources they have, bursaries and scholarships to supplement student income. They have to be consulted. The other groups are the counsellors and administrators of the colleges, universities and high schools who provide advice to students when they are filling out applications or when they get to the university or college.

Another group who are highly impacted by the current financial assistance programs are single parents. They seem to have the most difficulty with adjusting to post-secondary education, especially if they have to move a great distance. Careful consideration has to be given to this group of students.

Also, under phase I of the terms of reference, attention must be paid, as I mentioned, to the timeliness of payments made to students. Currently, most students need large amounts of cash when they first get to university or college, either to pay their room and board or to pay their tuition fees and books. I believe their first cheques are one or two weeks after they register and they submit receipts. It may be a month. This is a concern, especially for first-time students who are not aware of the needs for cash when they first go south or wherever they are.

I hope the Minister will consider these comments and incorporate them into the review.

Agreed.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) I am going to be speaking in my language. Yesterday, during session, I tabled a document. This paper contained the meeting that was held in Fort Providence. There was a motion passed during that meeting and a majority of the people who were at the

meeting had...What the motion was about was the gun law...What they objected to was the way the bill is presented.

For us over here, things are not the same as for people down south. We had invited Ethel Blondin-Andrew to attend this meeting. Bill C-68 was supposed to be read three times. It has been read twice now. We told her before it is read for the third time, all the concerns we raised during this meeting should be brought up to the Minister. (Translation ends)

Mr Speaker, last week, at the Deh Cho constitutional conference, a motion was unanimously adopted by all the delegates there with regard to opposition to Bill C-68. In that motion, we are directing our Member of Parliament, Ethel Blondin-Andrew to vote on behalf of the constituents of the Deh Cho area; that is, to vote against the third reading of Bill C-68 when it comes up in Parliament. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, although he is a familiar face, I don't think he should be taken for granted. I refer to our watch-dog for workers' rights, not in his usual seat today...

---Laughter

...the UNW's Ben MacDonald. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today the western aboriginal leaders are meeting here in Yellowknife and I believe tomorrow they will be meeting with officials to discuss the northern accord. One of the major concerns and the theme underlying these discussions is the inherent right of self-government for aboriginal people. I would like to ask the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs what this government's position is on the aboriginal people's right to inherent self-government.

Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Minister made reference to letters sent to the aboriginal groups. I assume that he will be sharing those letters with us. Presently, some of the aboriginal groups are currently negotiating self-government and they are negotiating with the federal government. I would like to know what this government's involvement is and the guidelines being used in participating in these negotiations.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. During the negotiations and discussions on the northern accord, some of the aboriginal groups expressed concern that the northern accord should not shape or prejudice the outcome of self-government negotiations. I would like to ask the Minister, what is the government's position on this concept?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 6, oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. Most of the western aboriginal groups are in the process, as I mentioned, of negotiating self-government agreements with the federal government, and the Honourable Minister Ron Irwin from Indian and Northern Affairs has made all kinds of promises and commitments to various groups with what I am sure are very good intentions.

But from my understanding there has been very little progress made in these negotiations. So my final supplementary is, what is this government doing to help accelerate these discussions and negotiations between the aboriginal groups and the federal government?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Subsequent to my Member's statement regarding the upgrading of the runway in Pelly Bay, my question is directed to the Minister of Transportation who is my friend and colleague.

Mr. Speaker, during the construction of the runway in Pelly Bay, there will be economic hardship endured by the people of Pelly Bay, and people at Pelly Bay happen to own the only local business store in Pelly Bay and that is the Koomiut Co-op. My question to the honourable Minister, Mr. Speaker, is would the honourable Minister endeavour to find a way to compensate the airline during the project? Thank you.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The short answer is we are not in a position to compensate the airline for this short period of time in which there will be a "no time" on the strip. I believe it's somewhere around 14 days.

But I am having some discussions with the department and the airline to see if we can shorten those days up so that the impact on the community will be minimal. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. During the construction of the runway, as I have stated earlier in my Member's statement, will the honourable Minister assure the people of Pelly Bay that the rates, airline tickets and freight rate will not change during the summer construction of the runway? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not in a position to dictate to the airline companies what their rates are. I do recognize the issue and the problem because of the high cost of living and the high cost of transportation in Pelly Bay. It is a very unique situation in the Arctic. However, I did talk to the First Air representative in Rankin Inlet two weeks ago and we are having discussions with the department to see if we can lessen what you call the "no time" on the strip where there would be some limitations for aircraft moving back and forth. I will do my best to reduce the 14 days, I believe, where it's going to cause a difficult burden on the people of Pelly Bay and the airline, and get back to the Member by the beginning of next week. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister responsible for fire suppression. Yesterday, the Minister advised the House that he would know today whether all the Bird Dog officers have had their safety concerns addressed and are prepared to go back to work. Can the Minister advise us of the status of the Bird Dog officers? Thank you.

The Minister responsible for forest fire management and programs, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's my understanding that there are four CL-215s on the Horn Plateau fighting that fire and Bird Dog officers are accompanying them. There are also two others who are taking orientation in Fort Smith today and did yesterday, I believe. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Bird Dog officers from the CL-215s had no problem with their issues being addressed. It is the land-based program with the DC-4s where they have refused to fly because of safety concerns. Can the Minister indicate to this House whether or not the Bird Dog officers who have to fly with DC-4s have had their safety concerns addressed? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Bird Dog officers who accompany the DC-4s have all been checked out and are well qualified. The DC-4s are presently going through orientation, and I believe it's in Hay River and not Fort Smith. That's what is happening right now. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I didn't ask if the DC-4s are going through orientation. I would like to know whether the Bird Dog officers who accompany the DC-4s have been back to work. Can the Minister indicate to us the status of the Bird Dog officers who accompany the DC-4s to address firefighting? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Bird Dog officers who accompany the DC-4s are presently, it is my understanding -- in orientation in Fort Smith. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can he indicate to this House whether or not these Bird Dog officers have gone back to work? Mr. Speaker, under the union agreement, employees truly concerned about their safety or the safety of others have the right to refuse work. I would like to know whether or not the Minister can indicate to us whether these Bird Dog officers have gone back to work to address firefighting in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding that all the Bird Dog officers are working. Some are going through orientation, some are fighting fires at the Horn Plateau. Their concerns are being addressed and everyone will be getting on with the job and fighting fires.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Minister responsible for Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, it's not departmental policy that issues of that significant concern are not actioned for more than a year.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't make that guarantee to the honourable Member. I will advise the honourable Member, though, that I will look into the matter and ensure that the department will deal with this issue in a more timely manner. I will advise the honourable Member on the solution we may be able to use to allow the cases of the honourable Member's constituents and other constituents to be appropriately addressed in a better and more expedient fashion.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will ensure that I will respond to the honourable Member and Members of the House. The matter of responding to clients may take a bit longer, but I will try to ensure that I respond appropriately to the honourable Member.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a further question for the Minister responsible for fire suppression. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has considerable experience with requests for proposals as a result of his various portfolios. It has always been my understanding that companies responding to requests for proposals must meet the qualifications set out in the proposal. However, Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated yesterday that the successful bidder, Buffalo Airways, did not fully meet the original requirements in the request for proposals for the fire suppression program.

Are the standards set out in the request for proposals minimum standards for bidders, or are they only general guidelines which bidders do not necessarily have to meet? Thank you.

Minister responsible for forest management programs, Mr. Morin.