Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This study that I was just talking about indicated that, in 1990, the economic cost of FAS to the United States totalled more than $2 billion in US dollars. If Canadian numbers are 10 per cent of the United States numbers, that implies the 1990 cost to the Canadian economy was over $250 million.

Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to come up with a comprehensive program to deal with fetal alcohol system and fetal alcohol effects. This would include education in schools, the warning labels on liquor bottles, posters in bars, working with the women's organizations and health organizations to implement such a program, and any other factors that people can think of that would help. Thank you.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Erasmus on May 2, 1996, regarding public input on the business incentive policy.

Over the past three years, there have been two rounds of public consultation on the proposed business incentive policy. Meetings were held in 17 communities in all the regions. The concerns and issues raised at those meetings will be taken into consideration when Cabinet reviews the proposed policy. Unless major changes are made to the proposal, I do not see a need at this time to hold further public meetings or sessions on this issue. However, we remain open to receiving input from interested groups or individuals. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two returns. One return to an oral question asked by Mr. Miltenberger on March 28, 1996, with respect to evaluation of child welfare information systems in Health and Social Services.

Since the departments of Health and Social Services were consolidated, there has been an ongoing review of information needs and the systems needed to meet management requirements. As expected, there is a need to integrate and upgrade or, in the case of child welfare, replace the existing information system.

Work has already been initiated on the redesign of the department's management information function and systems, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the fiscal year. A new and comprehensive child welfare system that meets all legislative and management requirements is included in the redesign program and will also be fully implemented by the end of the year.

Mr. Speaker, a second return to an oral question asked by Mr. Erasmus on May 3, 1996, with respect to the inquiry into the electronic monitoring program for NWT offenders.

Research by corrections staff on the possible use of electronic monitoring in the NWT has been ongoing since 1991.

Information about new projects in other jurisdictions was circulated to the heads of corrections meeting in October 1995. Two different articles were taken from the Internet dated March 7, 1996.

The most recent cross-Canada survey to determine how many jurisdictions use electronic monitoring was completed by RCMP officers working in aboriginal policing. This was shared with NWT corrections staff on March 29, 1996. Corrections staff discussed the issue with NorthwesTel in early April 1996, in order to determine if electronic monitoring was technically feasible.

The correctional services division in the Department of Justice in Alberta and the Department of Justice in the Yukon were also contacted at that time to discuss their progress in implementing this technology. Reports were received from Alberta and a status report was given over the phone from the Yukon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Deputy Premier with regard to the mail that goes into our communities. It takes a long time in order to reach the communities. For instance, there are about six flights that go back east. Even from Ottawa to Montreal, they have regular flights every day back east. There is a direct flight from Iqaluit to Igloolik, Hall Beach and Pond Inlet. It takes a long time for the mail to arrive at those communities, even if they are just coming from Iqaluit. The mail takes a long time to reach the communities from Iqaluit. Can the Deputy Premier find out why it takes so long for the mail to reach the communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. Deputy Premier.

(Translation) Even though we don't have any control over Canada Post, we communicate regularly with Canada Post. I will relay that question to them and then inform the Member. Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you. (Translation ends) Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Deputy Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I am well aware of the situation. I did give information to the Member this morning, which was the report he talks about. In this report, it states that the water quality is an annual problem. It talks about a temporary problem on an annual basis. I am informed that the water quality is treated and it does conform to the Canadian drinking water guidelines. However, there are complaints about odour and discolouration. As for further work that the Member asks about, I am informed that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has allocated $40,000 to review the functions and operations of the existing water supply for next year. The intent there is to find and recommend a more stable year round water source. So we are working on it.

Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Deputy Premier, Mr. Arlooktoo.