Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware that there are some funding difficulties that have come as a result of the termination of the economic development agreement. I am not certain whether the recent access by the tourism training group to an additional $175,000 of federal money, through the unaccessed portion of the EDA money, was sufficient to address the problem that the Member is speaking about. Because I am not totally familiar with this new department that I have responsibility for, I am prepared to sit down with representatives of the group to see what it is that they require in order to carry on as a viable operation, especially as we have a strong sense of commitment to promote tourism and find ways in which to support that part of our economic sector. I would be pleased to see what we could do within existing resources to support that group and to look again at the 60/40 split in funding within that group for the eastern part of the Northwest Territories with the western part. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to the Minister's statement, it's not a question about the 40/60 split; I think it's a question about the cost of delivering these programs with regard to the $285,000 that has been identified in their submission in December 1995 and the response from the department at $175,000, being able to carry it out and also being able to maintain their operation. My question to the Minister is can his department try to resolve this issue as soon as possible, with a possible meeting with the NWT tourism group.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a couple of ways to resolve it: One, we can meet, first of all, to decide whether or not there's any possibility for additional funds to be made accessible to this group. The other option is to advise this group if there are no additional funds available, to have that group give us some suggestions on how they can make do with the existing resources that are made available to them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement yesterday, I expressed that we cannot expect the private sector to confidently invest in expansion and job creation when the rules are not clear on the government's procurement policies. Due to the uncertainty created by the proposed changes to the business incentive

policy, community block funding and procurement articles in settlement agreements, there has been uncertainty created. The businesses in Hay River, in particular, have collectively invested millions of dollars in developing manufacturing ventures and job creation. This was partially in response to initiatives of this government to encourage import substitution. What steps is this government taking to protect the interests of this significant manufacturing base that has been established in my riding? Thank you.

Did and does this government encourage private sector development, specifically in the area of manufacturing?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In view of that support, does this government feel any responsibility towards these businesses that had been established, by giving them fair and equal opportunity to bid on the supply of all northern contracts?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Public Works and Services with regard to his statement he made earlier today. I listened with interest because I'm concerned about the precedent and impact on other claimant groups of commitments made by the government. I notice on page 2, and I'll quote: "The guiding principle, as I mentioned earlier, will be to maximize access to opportunity for Inuit." Could the Minister elaborate briefly on how you reconcile that with the role of the four birthright organizations?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll restate the question. On page 2, you make reference to a guiding principle of the government's position being to maximize access of opportunity for Inuit. Could you just clarify for me whether that poses any potential conflict with the specific obligation that I'm aware of in terms of the four birthright organizations and their special place under article 24?