Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not have the information in front of me of what consultation has taken place with the Interim Commissioner, but this is certainly one of the issues because it is a contract that goes beyond division that it will ultimately have involvement of the Interim Commissioner.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Steen.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly we will be communicating with the Interim Commissioner our plans to seek his support. What we have to remember is, what this project means is a savings of $65 to $100 million for the people of the region and of the Nunavut government over the next 20 years. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is also to the Minister responsible for Public Works and Services in reference to the fuel resupply issue. I heard the Minister state that the answer was no, and he would not give consideration to delaying this project. Mr. Speaker, that seems to be the corner stone of this government over the last number of months, which is the lack of consultation, and the lack of listening to people. My question to the Minister is, is the Minister aware that the Keewatin Chamber of Commerce, this is not just an Arviat issue, includes all of the communities in the Keewatin? Is the Minister aware that the Keewatin Chamber of Commerce, the mayors of Arviat, Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, Tuktoyaktuk have stated very clearly they are concerned about this project and that it should be delayed until all the details and information are provided? Thank you.

The Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have received copies of the correspondence by some of the individuals whom the Member mentioned. Yes, I have seen the correspondence. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Mr. Speaker, the issue of the resupply has been talked about for quite some time now. The report the committee which I chaired, indicated that they did state we could work toward direct resupply, providing certain conditions were addressed and met. Mr. Speaker, I am convinced these conditions have not been met. I would once again ask the Minister if he could assure the people of the Keewatin there is no risk to the environment or to sea life if this project were to move forward? Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe it is important to keep pointing out that we are speaking of more than significant savings to the region, businesses, government and to the citizens of Nunavut and ultimately to the Canadian tax payer of $100 million over 20 years. That to me as Minister of this government and one who has great interest in the future government of Nunavut, is something that is very important which grabs me immediately. As far as I am

concerned the other issues are details that can be worked out and that we are working on them.

There are a couple of issues that have been brought up on the environmental side. One is on the issue of Char River site that the Member spoke of yesterday. I want to reassure the residents of Arviat, there is no way as Minister of Public Works and Services, as an outdoor person and a fisherman myself, that I would do anything to risk or to destroy Char River. So that is something that I am going to be talking about to the community, the issue of other possible environmental damage. The only thing that we can do is to minimize the risks. The way that the fuel will be delivered to the Keewatin region is the same way that fuel is delivered to the rest of the eastern Arctic. Fuel is delivered by sea now through the barges. This is just a different way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not disputing the fact that there are probably savings in reference to this project. The issue is the environmental concerns, and the people are asking that the project be delayed until these concerns are addressed thoroughly. I do not think that is much to ask for. We are 16 or 17 months away from division. There are a number of community groups in the Keewatin that are concerned about this project. Once again, I ask the Minister if he will consider delaying this project until all the facts are brought forward. That is all they are asking for. It is not really a major concession. I am concerned why the Minister is so bent on slamming and jamming and ramming this thing through when the proper consultation has not taken place yet. It is very basic what the people are asking for. I think there is enough community leaders and groups that have expressed their concern. We are not saying it is a bad idea, but what they are asking is for proper consultation. My question to the Minister is the hydrographic surveys that were completed, how much detail has been provided at this point? Have they been fully analyzed so that we can verify whether or not it is safe to bring these vessels into or close to the communities, and when will he share this information with us? Thank you.

You have used up all your supplementary, Mr. O'Brien. I heard three questions.

Mr. Speaker, I certainly do not view $100 million as a minor concession. To me, it is a major driver of the work we are going ahead with and that is to improve the way we deliver fuel and to save this very large bundle of money for the people of Nunavut, especially the people of the region, the government and as I said, ultimately the Canadian taxpayer who provides us with more than 80 percent of our government dollars that we spend.

I would have to say that the information I get from my officials is that they were an adequate number of meetings held of the steering committee which the Member chaired of which I understand, the Member also missed several meetings that were very critical and important. As I said, the project should go ahead, but there are some details on issues we need to work around, such as environmental and infrastructure issues. We will do that.

Thank you. Mr. O'Brien. Your point of order.

Point of Order

Mr. Speaker, I take exception to the Minister's comments that I, as chair of the committee missed several meetings that is utter nonsense. That is false. That is a false statement. I ask for him to retract it. Thank you.

The Member for Kivallivik is responding to a response the Minister made. I have not heard which point of order has been broken here. Perhaps, the Member could clarify?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My point of order is that a false statement has been made by the Minister in reference to my attendance at meetings, in which I attended all meetings of this committee, which I chaired. I feel he should retract that statement. It is unprofessional. Thank you.

Again, I would remind the Members my job or duty as Speaker is to conduct the House according to the rules of this House. I do not know whether or not Mr. O'Brien missed two meetings as Chairman of a committee, and I do not know whether or not the Minister is correct in saying that. I do not know that, but I did not hear under which rule the point of order is raised. That is my question. If we have a point of order that has been violated, I would like to hear it. If not, can we continue with this question, Mr. O'Brien.