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, 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.