Thank you. The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An electrifying question. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately in terms of the public discussion, I think it would be fair to say that I felt a little disappointed that there was not more discussion on the fiscal framework, as to the new Nunavut government. However, in terms of my discussions with Mr. Irwin, I think there is clearly a recognition on the part of the federal government that we have to move as quickly as we can to start the discussions. The one thing there was agreement on at the meeting, which I was pleased with, was that NTI, NIC and ourselves concurred that we would, in partnership, move quickly to cost the NIC model, which is showing a decentralized model of government. We would hopefully, when we work out the details, sign off on the costs, in terms of what we think it is going to cost. Then we would move quickly to the negotiating table with the federal government. I think it would be fair to say that there was not as much debate or discussion on the fiscal side of things than I would have liked to have seen. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

I hate to disappoint my colleague, because I was equally disappointed, I guess. It really did not get to that level of debate. The agenda was preoccupied with

other matters, and I think that it was unfortunate. I think there was a general consensus, though, that the fiscal requirements of Nunavut are extremely important, by all parties. At the risk of repeating myself, I was encouraged with the fact that all parties had prepared to cooperate in quickly funding the NIC model, with some modifications that NTI has recommended, so that we have got a number that is clear. We will be able to identify the incremental costs within that number, and we will then be able to move to the federal government and see if, in fact, the political and fiscal will is there to finance the model that does have the support of all three parties. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

As we speak, Mr. Speaker, my staff are drafting letters inviting the NTI, as our partner, and the NIC, as our consultant advisors, suggesting that they designate officials to work with our officials, the FMBS and the Division Secretariat, to move as quickly as we can to determine what the costs are. If we get a good spurt of cooperation, I was advised by Mr. Voytilla just moments ago, that we feel we could probably put the costs attached to this model by April. We will move from there to see if the federal government and others are prepared to cooperate, and find the appropriate fiscal resources to pay for it. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, my colleague must have been involved in the drafting of the call letter I sent out to the Ministers and to the deputy ministers. That is the approach we want to take. We have a model; we will use the status quo for the time being, because that is what we have in place in the west. You cannot cost the east without costing the west. You cannot go east unless you go west. The intent is for us to cost both of these as we move forward. We have consensus now on an acceptance of the NIC model, subject to our position, of course, and subject to the federal government providing adequate resources and, more importantly, adequate incremental resources to move forward on this creative decentralized model that we all support. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

The Minister of Finance. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My honourable colleague, always vigilant with his constituency in Inuvik. Of course, this is a very reasonable question. Mr. Speaker, I did receive a letter from my colleague on the issue. What we are doing is looking at options that may be able to assist the community of Inuvik with this difficult, fiscal problem. There is less utilization of that utilidor and, of course, the associated power plus system. I do not have an answer today in terms of where we are going to go on this. I want to assure my colleague that we are looking at alternatives, and are keenly interested in ensuring that affordability of housing, and the ability for people to pay the associated costs of the operation of the houses et cetera, is of fundamental importance to us. At the same, trying to find alternatives for the householders. Mr. Speaker, we are looking at alternatives. I do not have the answer today, but we will get there soon. We will work it in conjunction with my honourable colleague who has raised this important issue with me. Thank you.

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

Mr. Todd.