(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the people of the community have received a summons from the Supreme Court to go to court as potential jurors, since the people know the other people living in the same community, they would be able to make decisions as to who was too closely related to the person who has to appear in court.

When there are people who make suggestions as to how we would use less money, I think they deserve to be appreciated by the government; or is that done only to government staff? That I'm not sure of, but I would like to ask the Minister of Finance whether there is a program in place where individuals could make suggestions to save more money by doing that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I attended the high school graduation in Arviat. I would like to acknowledge the graduates: Elaine Owlijoot; Elizabeth Issakaik; Ronald Sulak; Jimmy Main; and, Barney Kalluak. Mr. Speaker, I also attended the kindergarten graduation yesterday morning, where I had the pleasure of meeting our future leaders of Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge that our MP, Jack Anawak, attended the graduation ceremonies in Arviat on the weekend. Thank you.

--- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Erasmus on May 24, 1996, regarding use of existing human resource officers in the hiring process.

No, all departments do not have human resource practitioners in their regional offices. For most departments, the regional superintendents and finance and administration staff will handle regional competitions, with the assistance of a headquarters' staffing practitioner. The Personnel Secretariat is also available to provide recruitment advice and assistance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mrs. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a return to an oral question that was asked by Mr. Barnabas on May 16th, on cost recovery for search and rescue in the Arctic.

Most costs for search and rescue efforts are incurred by the federal government. The Canadian Forces have primary responsibility for the coordination of national search and rescue arrangements, the conduct of air and marine searches and support search efforts of territorial search and rescue agencies. The Canadian Forces incurred more than two thirds of the expenses in responding to the specific incident the Member was aware of. The total costs of our resources were closer to $200,000, than the estimate of $500,000 given by the Member.

The Member's question does address the need to realize the best return for every public dollar. This includes maximizing all potential sources of cost recovery. My department is currently working with the departments of Renewable Resources, Economic Development and Tourism and Justice to determine the most appropriate means of recovering search and rescue costs. The RCMP and the Canadian Forces are also involved in these discussions. A working committee is in place to review issues related to search and rescue activities at the community level. The committee is considering arrangements that other polar countries have instituted to address problems such as the Member has raised, and it will report its findings to me.

I will endeavour to have recommendations to this initiative considered by Cabinet in time for the next season of Arctic expeditions, in the first month of 1997. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two returns to oral questions; one asked by Mr. Rabesca on May 22nd, with respect to the criteria for the sale and purchase of staff housing.

In September 1995, employees living in communities where staff housing was available for sale were provided with the following information regarding the criteria to be used in establishing eligibility lists.

Employees renting a GNWT-owned single detached unit will have first priority to purchase the unit they live in.

Provided the present tenant can be relocated to another staff housing unit and the staff housing needs in that community have been met:

1) For occupied units: - Employees in social housing units will have second priority;

- Employees in other staff housing units will have third priority;

- All other eligible employees will have fourth priority.

2) For vacant, unallocated units:

- Employees in social housing will have first priority;

- Employees in staff housing units will have second priority;

- All other eligible employees will have third priority.

The above criteria have been utilized to establish eligibility lists for sale of all GNWT-owned single detached units, including the unit known locally in Rae as the doctor's residence.

The second return is in response to a question asked by Mr. Erasmus on May 17th, with respect to the amount of grants in-lieu of taxes paid in Yellowknife.

Mr. Erasmus asked what is the approximate amount of money paid by this government to the city of Yellowknife in grants in lieu of taxes.

A total of $1.642 million was paid to the city of Yellowknife for the 1995 year. This amount included $1.144 million for municipal purposes, and $498,000 for school purposes. Of this total amount, $72,000 represents grants in lieu paid for Arctic airports. As responsibility for Arctic airports was transferred mid-year, in 1996, the full amount will be paid. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. John Ningark on May 8, 1996, with respect to transfer of justice responsibilities to communities.

Mr. Speaker, this government has, for some time, been committed to empowering communities to undertake greater responsibility for justice. We are heartened to note that, during the past three years, communities and their justice committees in the Natilikmiot have already undertaken alternative measures for young offenders. They have provided advice to Corrections Canada and to our corrections division on the parole and early release of offenders from jail and have taken a lead role in developing program proposals. We are informed that those community justice committees are preparing themselves to become more active in Justice of the Peace Court and to also take a role in assisting Territorial Court. They have expressed clear interest in the promotion of support groups and healing activities. It is gratifying to note that communities across the Northwest Territories are taking more and more responsibility for the administration of justice and we encourage all citizens to support these efforts in every possible way.

To foster greater community direction and involvement in the administration of justice, the Department of Justice maintains community justice specialists in each region who respond to the training and resource needs of communities. Furthermore, contribution funds are annually made available to communities to support community justice initiatives. The Department of Justice is currently proceeding to contract, on a per them basis, with individuals across the North to provide supervised accommodation for young and adult offenders in homes and outpost camps. We are aware that the community of Gjoa Haven and its neighbours wish to have a traditional skills and cultural camp established in the area for the purpose of treating offenders. We will be assessing the needs of that area and the funds available and will address the request of Gjoa Haven before the summer is out.

As the Premier has indicated, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with Mr. Ningark to discuss this issue further. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Roland on May 17th, regarding the GNWT control of fuel prices.

Both the Government of Canada and the Government of the NWT collect tax revenues from all fuel sales. This includes sales by the Government of the NWT fuel contractors and private fuel operators. The GNWT collects 6.3 cents tax per litre of gasoline, while the federal government collects 10 cents per litre excise tax as well as seven per cent GST on the total selling price. Thank you.

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

Shame, shame.

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't tell if they're still here, but I would like to recognize a group of students today. There are seven students and their teacher, June Robinson, from the School Draw open custody facility. The students are from Coppermine, Rae, Paulatuk, Cambridge Bay and Yellowknife.

--- Applause

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

Hear! Hear!

Maybe if the government were to spend a little money, to offer some rewards, they would end up with some good ideas which could save a lot of money. My first question to the Minister is whether this government has had a program in the past to reward people who come up with cost-saving ideas.