Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a reply to a written question asked by Jane Groenewegen on October 24, 1997, on information on Keewatin resupply.

This detailed written question asked for responses on a variety of issues associated with the Keewatin Marine Resupply Strategy. The questions focus on the details of how the Government of the Northwest Territories would implement this strategy for the Keewatin region.

On November 27, 1997, I announced that changes are being made to the implementation schedule for the Keewatin Marine Resupply Strategy. These changes result from a recent round of public consultation in Keewatin communities. This change in schedule means that the Government of the Northwest Territories will not be proceeding with the proposed $7.5 million worth of extensions to the shore receiving facilities in the Keewatin and will not be inviting proposals from companies interested in delivering fuel to Keewatin communities using ocean-going tankers. Decisions on these matters will be made by the Nunavut Government after they take office in 1999. The Government of the Northwest Territories will complete all the hydrographic work to chart Keewatin waters by the end of the 1998 shipping season. Research on the impacts of tanker resupply of fuel and the dry cargo system will be completed in 1998 and a report with detailed implementation recommendations will be submitted to the Nunavut Government for their consideration. In the meantime, in 1998, the GNWT will tender government requirements for petroleum products in the Baffin and Keewatin regions. This will likely be a two to three-year contract.

I remain committed to the need to reduce fuel delivery costs in the Keewatin region and throughout Nunavut. The Keewatin Marine Resupply Strategy has the potential to save millions of dollars for the new Government of Nunavut. However, to ensure the concerns of Keewatin residents are adequately addressed, we will delay the implementation of the strategy to allow the Nunavut Government to make this decision for the benefit of their constituents.