Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the honourable Premier of this government. Mr. Speaker, there are communities, especially the smaller communities, which have major, major investments in the area of hotels and bed and breakfasts. There are times when major contractors come into our communities doing government contract projects who choose not to stay in the commercial accommodations. There are cases in my area where the contractors have stayed in their own building in the community, whereas the community has the accommodation available. I'm mainly speaking for Gjoa Haven. There have been some cases in Pelly Bay and, of course, Taloyoak. My question to the honourable Premier of this government is will he reinforce the directive and policy of this government to ensure that people who come into our communities doing a government contract stay in the commercial accommodation in those communities. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Previously, as the Minister responsible for DPW and the Housing

Corporation and the majority of the contracts in the Northwest Territories, we had redeveloped that policy of commercial accommodation at the community level. When contractors came into the community, we made it very clear, I had thought, in the tender documents, that contractors, when coming into the community, will use commercial accommodation: hotels, first; then bed and breakfasts. If that is not happening, let me assure the Member that we will send out another directive to make sure they do follow up. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you kindly, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the Premier of this government: Will the honourable Premier of this government direct his staff to communicate with the board of directors of the Gjoa Haven Co-op -- this is where the concern is coming from -- as soon as possible? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every day, while we are in this House, we have staff listening to what is going on in this House so that questions can be followed up immediately. I am sure that my faithful EA is listening and she will follow it up immediately and have the department contact the co-op immediately. Thank you.

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

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all, although there was an increase in the impact on some residents of our long-term care facilities, the move was to standardize rates within all long-term care facilities throughout the Northwest Territories. We had level I and 11 care facilities and level III and IV care facilities with different rates that were charged to the residents. In some cases, the rates actually went down instead of going up.

As far as the specific question raised by the honourable Member, the Aven Centre contribution from the department is net of any revenues that they receive. What we do is give them, based on their budget that's submitted for approval to the department, whatever they don't receive in rents; we give them the balance in a contribution to operate the facility. In effect, if the rents were to go up, then the funding amount from the department would decrease correspondingly, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd. It is my understanding that the GNWT and the Union of Northern Workers have recently completed hearings in which our government was found guilty of wrongdoing over a 10-year span from 1985 to 1995. I would like to ask the Minister responsible if it is true that the GNWT has been found guilty of violating the terms of the collective agreement, and would the Minister please provide the arbitration rulings for review by the Members of the House.

Just to remind the Members about sub judice convention, in which anything that is in the courts and is being processed in the courts cannot be asked in this House; but I will ask the Minister of Finance whether or not there has been a judgment passed and that the judgement can be passed on to the Member. If it is in the courts, then I must say that the question would be out of order; but I will ask Mr. Todd if he could clarify that.

Mr. Speaker, I think I'll take the question as notice.

Your question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, while in my riding over the past couple of weeks, several GNWT employees were given eviction notices as the GNWT was giving up housing leases. By not renewing leases, in many cases the evicted tenants are having a difficult time finding alternate and affordable accommodations, especially young families. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Housing: Is the Housing Corporation helping evicted tenants find alternate accommodations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm not fully aware at this time what specific tenants the honourable Member is referring to. If he were to get me that information then perhaps we could work with them if there are difficulties finding alternate accommodation. Thank you.

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

A new question, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit has been selected as the capital of Nunavut. While in my riding over the last couple of weeks, several of my constituents had asked me what the infrastructure plans are for the capital, when will it begin, and what are the logistics that will be put in place to make this happen. Mr. Speaker, my question is either for the Finance Minister or the Premier: Will they inform this House what logistic plans are on the table for the new capital of Nunavut?

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.