Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that response. There is a lot of tourism activity that comes through Inuvik and, as a distribution centre, then goes to the Beaufort or other Delta communities.

On Sunday, the newest western Arctic tourism centre will be opened. I would like to thank the Minister and this government for providing the funding to get this opened. I would like to ask the Minister if he's going to come to Inuvik on Sunday to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the newest and maybe last visitors' centre in the north?

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, we certainly recognize the extremely important event that's taking place this Sunday. That's why we've asked our Premier to attend on behalf of the government. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

The Minister has indicated to this House -- and I believe there's been several meetings of operators -- that the current tourism zones are now going to be divided into an eastern zone and a western zone. In the west, as the Minister is well aware, there are distinct tourism destination points. As I mentioned earlier, Inuvik is a destination centre for the Beaufort and Delta communities. I would like to ask the Minister 9 he will consider or is he considering keeping the Western Arctic Tourism Zone as a distinct entity in the west?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are discussions under way based upon some of the statements I made in the House earlier in the year with respect to the limited dollars we have --which I think we've all recognized, but I have

to say that again -- and that there is a need to take a consolidated approach to tourism development if we're going to maintain the marketing strategies and the focus on tourism development.

What I've said to both groups, east and west, is we will determine an appropriate level of funding split which is currently under discussion. When that appropriate level of funding split is agreed to, we will transfer that money over to the Western Arctic Tourism Association and the Nunavut Tourism Association and they, the industry itself, will have to determine what they're going to within the fiscal limitations that they have. I really don't think it's up to me to determine whether we're going to fund one association versus the other. What we're going to do is say this is the money that's available based upon whatever we agree to, and we're going to let each organization determine what would be an appropriate form of representation.

I will say, for the record, that there is a significant cut in this area. I've indicated that earlier. I think that there has to be a creative approach as to how we're going to continue with our tourism activity. I can't guarantee at this time whether one association will stay in place versus another one. What I will say is that the dollars will be identified, they will be assigned east and west, and we'll leave it up to the industry itself, in consultation with us, to try to reach consensus as to the best way in which to organize themselves so we can continue with our tourism efforts. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has spoken in the House -- sometimes quite eloquently, I must add -- that tourism activities and decisions related to tourism activities must be made by the tourism owners and operators. There have been some concerns expressed to me that this may not be the case in all circumstances. I would like to ask the Minister what he has done to ensure that his directions are being followed and adhered to by his departmental officials.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The honourable Member is correct; I fundamentally believe that the industry should be represented by those who are in it. We recently provided some funding to the industry, in terms of east and west, in an effort to try to reach an appropriate compromise as to how the new Western Arctic Tourism Association would function. I don't think these discussions have been concluded. I think they're still under way at the present time.

I've made it clear to the current NWTTIA that the way it's structured is unsatisfactory, that there has to be significant involvement of the industry and, to some extent, aboriginal groups because of the parks and claims, et cetera. I haven't had a definitive response from the west at this time as to how they see the new association being structured. I do have a

letter from them indicating some basic framework as to where they want to go. The officials of the department will be meeting with them shortly to see where we agree and disagree. Hopefully, in the next 30 to 60 days, we can come to some arrangement that will allow us to fund those two associations, east and west.

Ultimately, what I've said in the House and I'll say it again for the record, once an arrangement has been reached, we're also prepared to transfer to these organizations, April 1, 1996 if we can conclude an arrangement, the marketing dollars that we have available, the 1-800 number money we have available, the explorer magazine we have available. Based upon whatever formula we determine in terms of the split of dollars, we would turn that money over to an association which would hopefully be representative of and meet the needs of the industry.

So it's our intent to go further in the next six to eight months, and I'm optimistic that we can make an arrangement with both associations that are currently having discussions with their membership right now. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to compliment Mr. Todd on his attempt to filibuster us through to the and of question period, but I would like to request unanimous consent to extend question period today. Thank you.

The Member for Iqaluit is seeking unanimous consent to extend question period today. Are there any nays?

One nay is enough.

One nay is enough. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier. I was quite pleased recently to learn of the new initiative announced by the Premier to take a new approach in allowing community transfer discussions to take place more on a regional basis in the Baffin through Municipal and Community Affairs and the regional director. I think this is going to work very well. I would like to ask the Premier it she could kindly clarify which Minister will be in charge of this new approach in the Baffin. Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, this initiative was to attempt to meet some of the desires of the Baffin communities and bring some of the communities closer to the individuals who would be working at a regional level to expedite a number of the community transfer initiative requests that are outstanding, although, the overall program is still the responsibility of the Minister responsible for constitutional and

aboriginal affairs. In this regard, the responsibility and the accountability and initiative would be with the honourable Member for Municipal and Community Affairs. There will be a clear distinction that if nothing happens, the fault will lie with Mr. Ng. Thank you.

--- Laughter

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you. Before you respond, Madam Premier, question period is over. I'm just allowing Mr. Patterson to conclude his supplementaries it he wishes to. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the assumption is quite correct. I think that the Minister of MACA has already brought into force a team so he could work in the Baffin region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.