The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it would be fair to say I am somewhat uncomfortable responding to the question that my honourable colleague raised. However, I think, in general, it is somewhat unfortunate if issues, such as the kind of comments that have been made in the press lately, they only, in my opinion, serve to muddy the waters, if you will, and to complicate an already fragile coalition of thought. I would hope that, in the future, clearly the need for us to reach a consensus by all parties, and to rise above small-minded partisan attitudes and I would hope that all parties would rise above that in the coming weeks. This party, this Cabinet and this House, is prepared to do that and to work closely with the partnerships. We have taken a very direct and aggressive position on Footprints and we are hoping that common sense will prevail and we will get a comprehensive response from the two other parties so that we can get beyond some of the comments that have been made and get on with reaching a consensus to move forward, as my honourable colleague has said, in a timely and responsible way for the division of the Territories. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that the NTI is currently in Coppermine this week and that they are going to be responding, I think, to the NIC report next week. We are still urging and, I believe I said in the House earlier this week, the Premier is urging Mr. Irwin and the department, DIAND, to give us a comprehensive response to Footprints. I am optimistic that, if we can get beyond some of the unnecessary rhetoric out there, that we can reach an arrangement or consensus, hopefully some time in February. As I said in the House, earlier this week in response to a question, that I am hoping that will occur. Clearly, there is a need, for all parties, to put aside some of the emotion that is currently under way, recognize that each of us is an equal partner and has the right to make comment on any of the reports brought down. It seems to me to be silly to suggest that the government is not allowed to make comments, or the comments we made are irresponsible. In fact, we believe they are responsible. We believe they are timely and, of course, they are open for discussion and we look forward to the other two responses from the other two parties and will make every effort to reach consensus and move aggressively towards implementing and pre-implementing the division of the Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

I want to assure my honourable colleague that we are moving aggressively. I have publicly said in this House that I am concerned about the fact that we are running out of time. One minute it is 24 months, the next minute it is 22 months, and at the end of this month, it will be 21 months. The timelines, as Mr. Picco would say, are ticking. There is clearly a need to move quickly to reach consensus on the poor framework of two new governments. It is incumbent on myself, who has been charged with responsibility by the Premier, to coordinate our division plans to take a look, at what I believe, is a pre-implementation plan that is necessary to get on with pre-implementing division. I have said that publicly, we cannot wait until April 1, and turn on the lights. I am working, in conjunction with the Division Secretariat, in a full analysis of the Footprints in the Snow 2 report and taking a look at what we can do, within the resources that we have, to pre-implement Nunavut. I am hoping to share that with my colleagues and with the NIC staff and their people, and anyone else who wants to take a look at it. It would be irresponsible for us not to put together some kind of fiscal management plan that compliments, if you want, the NIC report and that is something I intend at this time. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Oral questions, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Finance. Mr. Speaker, in the budget address, we learn that we have a surplus of over $8 million this year and our only means of generating revenue is through lotteries and mines in the north. My question is, has his department put up a suggestion box so that we will learn from people out there how we can generate revenue?

-- Applause

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, no, we have not put up a suggestion box but I will ask my staff to consider it and I will ensure that it is hung in Mr. Picco's office. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My supplementary question is that we have learned that we have generated $20 million through arts and crafts in the north. This was killed by this government. Is he going to come up with that arts and crafts program again? Will his department come up with that program again through arts and crafts? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I have no clue what the honourable Member is talking about and I do not want to embarrass him, so I do not have the answer.

Oral questions, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been some repatriation, some movement of some of our constituents from southern Canada, back to the Northwest Territories. I do not have particular details here with me, but I will get that information and provide it to the honourable Member. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.