Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the interests of good government and speedy decision- making I believe that would go to Government Ops. That is where the Chair, I believe, of all the committees sits is on Government Ops, so that would make the most common sense to take it there after it came from Cabinet. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is there some timeframe that we can look at when these plans will be looked at by the committees?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It would possibly make it to Cabinet by the end of the month or the beginning of November, and then from there go into committee in November sometime. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pending the review by these committees, if it is referred to the Committee of the Whole, it is possible then that we could discuss this in Committee of the Whole at the end of the month. Is that correct?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would enjoy doing that debate in Committee of the Whole and go public. Whether or not the Legislative Assembly would be sitting by that time, I do not know that. Once we go through Cabinet to committee structure, then it should be debated in public. But I do not think a person would want to call the Legislative Assembly back together to debate amalgamation of one department and pay approximately $18-20,000 or whatever it costs today to run this operation. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I informed this House that I would be asking for more detailed information about government plans to assist the residents of Grise Fiord, where the annual sea lift for food supplies has been blocked by a massive stretch of polar ice pack.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Can he provide detailed information of the type of assistance that will be made available to Grise Fiord to help them survive this emergency?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time, no, I cannot provide detailed information to the Member, but let me assure the Member that it is a very important priority of this government. If there is a sea lift that did not make it to one of our communities, we have the responsibility to make sure that our communities have enough supplies to make it through the winter and we will follow up on that responsibility. As soon as I get the information, I will make it available to the Members that it affects in that area. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regarding cargo off-loaded in Pond Inlet belonging to the Hamlet and Housing Association, can it be flown to Grise Fiord as soon as possible? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We would look at all those issues in conjunction with whatever other supplies have to get into Grise Fiord and then decisions would be made. I could not stand here today and commit to the Member that we would send Hercs. There are Twin Otters and I believe it would be the Twin Otter to Grise Fiord at this time because I am sure we have competent staff out there looking at this issue, working with the communities as they always do and working out how to solve this

issue as quickly as possible. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to my friend, Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker in a government capital plan, a pro plan, is money slated for Gjoa Haven to study the tourism area in the amount of $45,00?.

I had the opportunity this morning, Mr. Speaker, to talk to the Community Development Officer who is working for the Hamlet Council of Gjoa Haven. He has indicated to me, over the phone, that the community wants to renovate an existing building and turn it into a visitor's centre. They want to use the 45 grand for renovation instead of planning.

Mr. Speaker given the community empowerment concept, given that every cent of the shrinking dollar must be used for meaningful and tangible projects, I wonder if the Honourable Minister would give permission to the community of Gjoa Haven to use that $45,000, slated for the planning, to use it for the renovation of the existing building? Thank you.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

It sounds like a new capital project, Mr. Speaker. Anyway, I will have to check with the Honourable Members on that issue.

By the way Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak on that issue. That issue should probably be directed to Mr. Kakfwi who is not here today, but I would suggest to you that if the community requested through our community empowerment initiative, which the Cabinet is highly supportive of, that this is where the constituency wants to put the money, it would create some seasonal opportunities for the people of Gjoa Haven. I think at this time it would be fair to say that it would be supported. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. The $45,000 was slated for tourism funding and it is not new capital money. We are talking about renovating a building within that area of tourism, so I take it the answer from the Honourable Minster is yes. Thank you.