Supplementary, Mr. Rabesca.

Since this is a DPW document, why would it state, and I quote page 5, section 2: "The Government of the NWT business incentive policy does not apply to the hiring of architects and engineers."

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The honourable Member is referring to a particular section of a directive. I would like to request that he rephrase his question, so I can fully understand what he is getting at.

Thank you. Mr. Rabesca.

I will repeat my question. Mr. Speaker, referring to the document, on the one page I referred to it says, "The Government of the NWT business incentive policy does not apply to the hiring of architects and engineers."

Thank you. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is asking for a technical question, so I will have to take this question as notice and get back to him at a later time.

The question was taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance in his role as chairman to the Cabinet Committee on Division. In recent days, there has been extensive dialogue regarding negotiations with the federal government on the issue of incremental funding in the establishment of Nunavut. Mr. Irwin has identified an amount of $150 million. I would like to know, Mr. Speaker, if the Minister can identify whether or not this government has established who will expend this money, including the cost of the interim Commissioner and its source of funding.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The $150 million/$117 million -- I am going to keep saying that -- that has been identified by the federal government is broken down, Mr. Speaker, in a variety of areas. Some are in the transition and operational costs like an interim Commission or the Nunavut election and electoral boundaries. There are other areas broken down in minor capital housing, infrastructure and some federal government departments. Of course, there is the capital component to it. Again, it is a good question my colleague asks and I appreciate it. I think after this weekend, once we have spent some time in Arviat with the federal Minister and with NTI, we will be in a better position to be able to debate and get more information on where and how this money is going to be spent and who is going to spend it. For example, my colleague, Mr. Dent, and the Cabinet believes that we should take the lead on training in partnership with NTI. We are optimistic and enthusiastic that we can reach that arrangement with them this weekend. So it may be that NTI and the Department of Education leads in education.

It is a good question. It is slightly premature at this time, but hopefully by the weekend we should have a clearer understanding of who is doing what and whether there is sufficient money in each of these categories to meet the expenditures that we expect will take place with respect to the transitional costs of Nunavut. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister for Public Works and Services. Mr. Speaker, the current business incentive policy of this government does not recognize bed and breakfasts as commercial accommodations. Therefore, these businesses do not meet the criteria to qualify to hold commercial licences as hotels and motels. However, Mr. Speaker, article 24.3.5 of the agreement between the Inuit of Nunavut settlement area and Her Majesty the Queen, the Government of Canada, states: "Recruitment policies and implementing measures shall be carried out in a manner that responds to the developing nature of the Nunavut settlement area, economy and labour force. In particular, the policy shall take into account increased ability over time of Inuit firms to compete for and to successfully complete government contracts."

I believe, Mr. Speaker, this government is not about to override the Constitution of this country. Therefore, my question to the honourable Minister is will the government honour the Nunavut agreement and allow contractors and government employees to use Inuit-owned bed and breakfasts in Nunavut.

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct that the NFA requires that this government maintain procurement policies in the Nunavut region. When the Member raised the issue last month about bed and breakfasts being allowed in the business incentive policy, I went back to the Department of Public Works and instructed them to look into the possibility of changing that. So in as many cases as possible, bed and breakfasts will be part of the business incentive policy.

However, I have not had a chance to review with the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism what the results have been. We are looking into that.

Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since this government respects the Constitution of this country and respects the agreement between the Nunavut settlement area, in this case, NTI, and the federal government, how soon will the Minister move to honour article 24 to allow Inuit-owned businesses to have guests in their bed and breakfasts. How soon will the government move to allow that? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if the Nunavut final agreement specifically spells out bed and breakfasts. I don't believe it does. However, the spirit and intent of the agreement is to increase the participation of Inuit in the economy and businesses, which is the reason why the government announced the policy yesterday. The policy is in effect immediately; the particular issue about bed and breakfasts is being reviewed, along with a full review of the business incentive policy. So hopefully within the next few weeks, we should be coming up with an answer. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, does "Inuit firms" not specifically mean bed and breakfasts owned and operated by Inuit people?

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, if I got the question the Member is asking, the business incentive policy and article 24 are for all beneficiaries of the new Nunavut land claim.