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.