Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think that we have all acknowledged that the diamond industry, which is new to the Northwest Territories and to Canada, has untold financial resources available for all Canadians in the form of royalties. It is estimated the BHP project alone can generate $2.5 billion for all Canadians. I understand and accept that part of the responsibility for ensuring that Canada gets a good royalty regime from the diamond industry lies in the hands of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. It will be important that the mining regulations, which are being presently worked on, have enough teeth to ensure that all Canadians do get the resources that this development will bring in the form of royalties. I recognize, Mr. Speaker, this is a national issue and it may not have the calibre of exposure. I think it should and that is what we are trying to raise here in the Northwest Territories. I am wondering if the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development could advise this House if he has any knowledge as to the number of people the federal department has working on this important issue in advising the Minister. Does he know the number of people employed and working on this initiative? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. I noted in the Minister's comments he believes there is a handful of people working on it and he mentioned one individual in particular. I realize the Minister is dealing with his counterpart, Ms. Stewart, but has he had any other conversations with other federal Ministers to ascertain their knowledge on the diamond industry for Canada? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I prefix my remark previously by acknowledging that I understood the Minister would deal with his counterpart, Ms. Stewart. I was

trying to ascertain if he had any conversations with other Ministers to see if they were knowledgeable on the topic but I accept the Minister's response to this. However, my question to the Minister is, the Government of the Northwest Territories and his department plays a minor roll, less important than the person who is directly writing the regulations. How many employees does the Minister have working on the diamond issue within the Government of the Northwest Territories' department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to my friend and colleague, Mr. Arlooktoo, Minister of Public Works and Services. Before I ask the question, I would like to commend the Minister for providing business opportunities for people of Natilikmiot since he took office. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to Mr. Arlooktoo regarding Keewatin fuel resupply. For the record, can the Minister assure this House and the people of Natilikmiot region, assuming that Keewatin fuel resupply should be constructed, it will not have a negative impact on the Natilikmiot region?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes. I can give that assurance from the point of view that the resupply contract for these two regions are separate. They are done at different times in different ways, although, they are presently done by the same company. The company used different ports and separate equipment from the two communities of the frontier regions. It is my understanding they are stand alone viable contracts. I would expect that to continue. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same honourable Minister. The Minister has implied in his statement the immediate cost saved will be enjoyed by the people of Keewatin. Will the Minister assure me and the people of Natilikmiot, if and when the Keewatin resupply is built, the same benefit will be enjoyed by the people of the Natilikmiot region? Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes. From the point of view that the Nunavut government especially will be spending less money on the transportation of fuel to a region of Nunavut which at this time is extremely costly. Therefore, the government spending less money on the transportation of a commodity means there is money freed up for other things. I guess that would be a general statement on overall benefits to everyone. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Honourable Manitok Thompson. The hamlet of Arctic Bay has been requesting, for a number of years, to improve their sewage lagoon. I was wondering what her department has done to address this problem? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking in Inuktitut. I wish to thank the honourable Member for High Arctic. He comes to me to speak about some concerns for his constituency and he often comes to me to relay some concerns that have been expressed by his constituents and I have instructed my officials to contact Mr. Barnabas' constituency regarding this issue. (Translation ends) The project will take place as scheduled in 1998/99. The staff have been talking to the community and we are working with the community. We realize this is a priority for the community. The project will be taking place in 1998/99. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.