Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to extend congratulations to Prime Minister Jean Chretien on his re-election and on the return of a Liberal majority government.

-- Applause

Mr. Speaker, it will be good to see familiar faces as we continue to work with the federal government in negotiating and working together to protect and secure the interests of the north. We also welcome the new faces that will be at the table, including a new Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the fresh perspectives they will be able to bring to our discussions.

Closer to home, I would also like to extend congratulations to Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrews on her election for a third term as the Member of Parliament and to Nancy Karetak Lindell who was elected yesterday to serve her first term as the Member of Parliament for Nunavut. I look forward to working with both of you in serving the citizens in the north and in tackling the challenges we have as leaders in this historic times in Canada's north. Finally, I would also like to extend congratulations to Louise Hardy, who was elected to serve as the Member of Parliament for the Yukon.

Mr. Speaker, as we work on improving social and economic conditions for the people of the north and as we move toward the creation of two new territories in 1999, a strong working relationship between all levels of government is more important now than it has ever been. The north is a vital part of Canada's political and economic future and as such, we look forward to working with all Members of the newly elected federal government to ensure that future is a strong one for all northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi Cho.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to congratulate three women who were elected to represent Canada's three northern ridings in Parliament. Ethel Blondin-Andrew in the Western Arctic riding, Nancy Karetak Lindell in the Nunavut riding and Louise Hardy in the Yukon riding have proven that you do not need a law to ensure that women are elected to a political office. In fact Mr. Speaker, 25 percent of successful candidates in yesterday's election are women.

These women won because of their skills and determination and because they believe in themselves and their potential. Mr. Speaker, these women are a source of inspiration for other women to take up the political challenge and succeed.

Thank you, Ms. Thompson. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, working in this Assembly can be a challenge. The rules and procedures can be confining. For example, many of us have trouble staying exactly within the two and a half minute time limit for Members' statements. Seldom does a day go by that someone does not have to ask for unanimous consent to finish their statement.

However, the rules are there for a reason. They help to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute and to question. They provide Members with time to think about issues before agreeing to formal motions and critical legislation. One of the things that makes the rules bearable is the courtesy of other Members. For the most part, we accept the opposing views of each other. Although we may not always agree, we have learned that in a democracy, each of us has the right to express the views of our constituents on any topic.

Mr. Speaker, I know the views I have expressed in this House have been contrary to those of other Members on more than one occasion. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for the courtesy they have extended in ensuring that I can fulfil my Member's privilege to free speech. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate Ethel Blondin-Andrew for her convincing victory in last night's election. It will be a privilege working with her over the next few years. I would also like to congratulate all candidates across our nation that took the time and energy to put their names forward to run for this election.

Last night while I was watching the results beginning to flash across my TV, I had a chance to read Monday's edition of the News/North. To my amazement I found that myself and the rest of my residents of Rae Edzo and Rae Lakes were no longer part of the North Slave region but in fact we had miraculously moved to the South Slave. I guess, if nothing else, the move would definitely increase the South Slave population considerably but I wonder what will happen with our landclaim negotiations and all the other projects and negotiations that we in Rae Edzo are working on.

Mr. Speaker, I realize this of course is an error on someone's part, but whose error is it should be the question. Is it Stats Canada or News/North? In closing, Mr. Speaker, for the record let me assure everyone that Rae Edzo and Rae Lakes have not moved to South Slave, but rather they are well situated in North Slave. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I have just recently done a written submission to the Nunavut Boundaries Commission and I submit that there should be 20 representatives in the new Nunavut Legislative Assembly. There are a number of factors which I believe should be considered in setting the boundaries for these new ridings. Number one is voter parity. In various court cases it has been determined that section 3 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms does not demand strict voter equality. Instead, voter parity is used as the guidelines. In both British Columbia and Saskatchewan the same principle has been used and tested in the courts. They try to ensure that voter populations fall within 25 percent of the average voter population per constituency in urban and rural ridings. In Saskatchewan there is also provision that northern ridings should be within 50 percent of the average where there are pressing and substantial concerns. With a 20 seat Legislature, it should be possible to adhere closely to these principles.

The second item I have been looking at, Mr. Speaker, in my written submission is limiting the distances included in a single riding. It is difficult for MLAs to travel long distances between communities in their ridings, therefore the ridings should recognize the need to keep travel down to a minimum to lower costs. Anticipated future growth, although voter priority is based on the actual number of votes, it is also useful to look at the total population statistics to determine whether there will be a dramatic shift in a riding in the foreseeable future. For example, in Iqaluit, we have seen an 18 percent increase in our population since the 1991 census. Based on these considerations, I would propose that the Nunavut Boundaries Commission consider the ridings as I have outlined them in the attached table. Seventeen of the 20 ridings would fall within the 25 percent variation from average voters. All of the ridings fall within a 50 percent variation.

Mr. Speaker, for example I would suggest that Iqaluit would have three ridings.

Hey, hey.

Mr. Speaker, there must be some sort of democracy here, Mr. Speaker, that would allow me to have another opportunity to represent the people of Nunavut and I think those three ridings would do it.

-- Laughter

For the benefit of Mr. Todd, I am recommending two ridings for Rankin Inlet. Mr. Speaker, this submission was sent last week and I would like the opportunity to thank you, the House, Mr. Hamilton and the staff for their support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday was the day of voting for Canadians. My colleagues in Nunavut would like to express their congratulations to Prime Minister Chretien, also Ethel Blondin-Andrew and Nancy Karetak-Lindell, who were elected on behalf of the Liberal Party. I stand today to congratulate those voters. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, the CRTC recently ruled that NorthwesTel must develop a plan to allow other long distance carriers to the come to the north. Unlike most places in Canada, we only have one phone company in the north and that is NorthwesTel. This should be good news. People in the north are often separated from family and friends by long distances. We cannot drive to the next town. Unfortunately, it is very expensive to use long distance telephone calls to keep in touch. As an MLA, I am very aware of this. I use the phone a lot to talk to my communities and my bills are very high.

I hope this decision by the CRTC will help northerners reduce long distance phone rates. Some other companies may want to come north to compete with NorthwesTel. Even if they do not, there will always be the possibility of competition. This will ensure that NorthwesTel is always trying to provide the best service at the lowest price. Mr. Speaker, we will have to wait and see how the decision will affect local telephone costs. However, for those of us who use long distance calling a lot or who would like to, this is good news. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about legal training. Mr. Speaker, today our jails are full and in those jails there is abuse and things happening that we are not able to control. This is a weakness of our current legal system. At the same time, the GNWT is promoting community justice which empowers communities. It recognizes traditional methods of justice of the aboriginal people. However, community justice by itself is not an answer. Those who end up in the legal system must still interface between the courts and community justice. What we need are trained northerners who can help this system. We now have dedicated individuals who are trying to work in this system, we have court workers, we have JPs and we have other court officers but they have limited formal legal training.

It is not fair to them or to the people that they are working with. We need northerners with real legal training, the type of training that is now going to happen in Nunavut which is a result of the $40 million that they are receiving to implement Nunavut. We need something similar in the west. I am proposing that we start a certificate and a diploma program at Aurora College, which would build on the success of other programs. By this I am talking about a one year academic preparation to help those people who have been out of school for awhile to prepare them for school. Also, the program could be transferable to a university so that people could go to law school once they have finished or after they work for awhile.

The result of this, we would have court workers who could have a minimum of one year academic legal training and communities with legally trained people to promote and to propel community justice. We could also have JPs with actual legal training that extends beyond workshops and that type of thing. We would also have northern born lawyers and northern born judges as the end result. That is one of my goals for this Assembly, to work towards controlling our own destiny. But we need to find partnerships to create this program. To that end, I have spoken to the Minister of Justice and he has agreed to look into it. Later this month I will be attending an aboriginal justice conference in Inuvik, at which time I will be promoting this concept. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to congratulate Ethel on her election last night. I would especially like to congratulate a lady from my home town, Nancy Karetak Lindell on her successful election. We are all very proud of her. I am sure that she will do very well. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker (Translation) I will be speaking in my language today. There was a Canada wide election yesterday. Ethel Blondin-Andrew was elected for the western Arctic and I am thankful for that. Ethel is from Tulita. She understands the language of the Dene people. She has been in Parliament for quite a few years so she knows how to represent the people from the western Arctic.

There are a lot of difficult things that are in store for us. We will be working on self-government. There are the land claims that still have to be dealt with and also self-government. There are still a lot of these important issues that we have to work on. The election is over. We have somebody in place that we have elected. If we start working together on the right track right from the beginning, we would benefit a lot from it. In 1979 I was elected Chief. What people had said at the time was that there should be some people to represent the native people in the Legislative Assembly and also in Parliament. Today, it seems that their wishes have come true. I would like to say how thankful I am and I would like to congratulate Ethel on her election yesterday. Thank you. (Translation ends)

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mrs. Groenewegen on January 30, 1997, on the repatriation of northerners from southern institutions.

Repatriation of Northerners from Southern Institutions

The Department has had a number of successes through repatriation, in the areas of both health and social services.

One specific initiative includes the introduction of a dialysis treatment program at Stanton Regional Hospital. There were five patients repatriated from southern facilities in 1996/97 who now receive treatment in Yellowknife.

Other repatriation successes include the return of eight mentally and physically challenged adults, not only to live in northern group homes, but to be introduced to Independent Assisted Living arrangements. Six clients have been successfully placed. However, two have had to return to their former southern placement, as northern caregivers were unable to respond and cope with their higher needs.

There are currently 38 mentally and physically challenged adults in southern institutions and community placements in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

Under Child Welfare, there were a total of nine children repatriated through a continuum of care. Initial case planning for short and long term clients has repatriation of all clients in southern facilities as the desired result. It should also be noted that children initially sent south for treatment may eventually be repatriated as adults.

There are no specific developments in the Child Welfare Program. However, the department is evaluating northern facilities to identify further repatriation opportunities. As of March 31, 1997, 28 children were in southern facilities.

The north will have to develop resources to deal with the category of individuals with higher needs before repatriation can proceed further. Northern staff must be trained to deal with these people, facilities will have to be renovated to higher security levels and community based services and supports will need to be developed. As a beginning, the department has developed a draft paper entitled Development of Northern Resources for Special Needs, dated April 17, 1998, in which is outlined a process to develop northern resources in this important area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great honour and pleasure today to recognize our MP for the Western Arctic who was re-elected last night, Ethel Blondin-Andrew and her husband, Leon.

-- Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Rabesca.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome Grade 7, 8 and 9 classes as well as their teachers, supervisors and bus drivers from Chief Jimmy Bruneau School. They have come to Yellowknife to tour this building as well as interesting sites in Yellowknife. It is always a pleasure to have younger constituents visit this fabulous facility to get an idea as to how this government works. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Yellowknives Dene First Nation translating students. Their instructor is Mary Rose Sundberg and their students are Stella Johnson, Lena Drygeese, Berna Martin, Julia Lynn, Celine Charlo, Adeline Crapeau and Doreen Liske, who is not here and also Mary Pepper, an instructor who is not here. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, (Translation) today, Nick Sibbeston is sitting in the Gallery. He used to be an MLA and also a government leader. I would like to welcome him to the Assembly. (Translation ends)

-- Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to also recognize some students from School Draw, open custody, and their teacher, Jean Robertson and supervisor, Cathy Shick. The students

are from all over the Northwest Territories. Welcome to the Assembly.

-- Applause

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Lyla Fraser. Her father is Pete Fraser, a Member of this Legislative Assembly in years gone by. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Kakfwi.

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking in Inuktitut. Mr. Speaker, in Broughton Island, there is a DEW line that needs to be cleaned up. The buildings on the DEW line site need to be cleaned. My question is directed to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. I would like to get an update as to what has been done in that area to clean up the DEW line site. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. I would like to ask since we do not have a North Slavey interpretation that you respond in English too.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the honourable Minister for answering me in English. We do have a slight difference in languages, but he does have the right to speak his own language. Once again, thank you. My supplementary question to the honourable Minister is, can the Minister keep me updated and also the residents of Broughton Island about the DEW line site that was closed a few years ago in Broughton? Thank you.

I will ask the Member for Baffin Central if he might be able to rephrase his question so that it is not a new question. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will rephrase my question to the honourable Minister. Can the Minister keep me updated in the future about the activities that will be happening in Broughton Island? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Point of Privilege

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. On your point of privilege, all Members are entitled to hear a response in a language that he does understand and is able to listen to what the response is. At the same time, Mr. Kakfwi also has the right to speak in his own language in this Assembly. The problem I have, Members, is this: today, we do have South Slavey, which is Mr. Antoine and my dialect. Mr. Kakfwi has not requested before hand that simultaneous translation be provided today for a North Slavey interpreter. I would like to ask if Mr. Kakfwi is prepared to respond to Mr. Enuaraq's question in English for the benefit of those Members that did not understand. Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Again, just to remind the Members if I could request your cooperation in order to maintain some order, if there is a translation requirement for a specific day that the Member wishes to use translation that they remind the Chair about it. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. I know the question is directed to Mr. Antoine, but I believe this is the responsibility of the Deputy Premier, Mr. Arlooktoo, or to the Premier. Do you wish to redirect to the Premier? Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I could not quite hear the full question. If I could have the Member repeat it please. Thank you.

Thank you. Your first question, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do have staff working on a negotiated contracts policy for this government. It will be going to Cabinet very shortly, then to committee, then to this Legislative Assembly, then to the public in general. That should happen all within the next ten days. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the interest of open government and to make sure our communication lines are open, all metis locals, band councils, hamlet councils and organizations in the Northwest Territories, for example the

NWT Construction Organization, will be informed as well. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the Premier. A couple of weeks back I had the opportunity to learn first hand some of the employment and financial benefits that the 50th Space Wing situated in Colorado Springs bring to the Northwest Territories. It is a direct impact on the NWT economy, as I mentioned, in jobs. We had the construction of the DEW line station in the early 1950s, and then it was replaced by the early warning system. Today, the maintenance of that particular facility employs approximately 200 northerners. Also, the 50th Space Wing, they maintain and control the global positioning satellite systems which aids hunters, trappers, prospectors and surveyors in helping them in many cases to get to safety.

On that visit I became aware of some of the requirements to construct a ground based radar system. It was suggested that it would be best located north of 60. My question to the Premier is, would the Premier tell us about his findings on this particular topic and also if he would support this initiative that could bring some additional jobs to the north in the way of employment and also the location of this particular system and construction in the north? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a large meteor shower will bombard the earth in the very near future.

-- Laughter

The specific cloud is called a leonit meteor storm. It is forecasted to arrive April 1, 1999. No, it is forecasted to arrive in 1999, Mr. Speaker. When it does, the incidence of meteors will increase ten thousand fold. The shower will particularly threaten all man made objects in orbit around the earth today. In order to take evasive action with satellites such as turning the antennas to present the smallest cross sections or change in orbit, the operators need to know more about the shower. They need to be able to predict the storms as accurately as possible. The world leading experts in this field are Canadian scientists. They operate from a number of universities. In order for them to better gather data to support their work they need to have a radar deployed, ideally north of 68 degrees, to be able to track the leonit storm continuously.

The radar is a BHF radar. The data it would gather would help with the predictive models for meteor showers. There is an urgency, Mr. Speaker, in this requirement. Ideally, the radar should be purchased and used in England in 1997 and set up north of the 68 degrees in 1998-99. The SWR 503 by Rathion Canada is ideally suited to the task. The radar cost is in the vicinity of $2 million. The total cost of the project is estimated at $5.5 million. Mr. Speaker, a fraction of this would be spent in the Northwest Territories. A number of NWT sites, such as Inuvik, are well suited to this project. And, Mr. Speaker, many times this government has said that we will facilitate and work to attract investment in the Northwest Territories, so it goes without saying that very shortly I will be writing a letter in support of this project to try to get as much benefit to the Northwest Territories as possible. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was very good following the debate just now between Mr. Henry and Mr. Morin, to see that Mr. Morin is on top of things and progressing. It is too bad the government has not been progressing that way when it comes to the negotiated and sole sourced contracts, especially when now we have just learned that there is a policy being written and is going to be submitted to this government for the past ten days. So my question to the Premier is what policy has this government been following for the last year and a half if we are just writing a policy now? Maybe some clarification? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is the same old question again. I am getting used to answering it. Like I have said before, the Transportation Department does not have a policy for negotiated contracts, Cabinet does follow a directive on negotiated contracts and that is what we have done for the past many, many years. Now there will be one clear policy for all government departments to follow. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question to the Premier then is if we had all these different policies within the different government departments, from the various Hansards and answers across the floor, I understand from the Premier that everything was working fine. I wonder why now has the Premier decided to have just one policy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member has requested it.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I did request, I believe Mr. Ootes and myself about 15 months ago, did request this policy. If this is in actuality going ahead, I will await it. And I would like to follow up with the sole sourced which is in the same vein. There is no policy for sole sourced contracts. I wonder what is happening with the sole sourced contract policy?

Thank you. I do not know if there is any difference between sole sourced and negotiated contracts. It is still non competitive contracts. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under sole sourced contracts, both follow the contract regulations of this government. It is fairly straightforward and we will continue to follow the contract regulations of this government. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just recently had a situation in my riding where that policy seems to be circumvented. I wonder if the Minister could tell me and the people of the Northwest Territories, what happens when that policy is circumvented? What does he have in place to discipline the people who circumvent that sole sourced policy which is not a policy? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be pleased to address the issue the Member raises if he would be specific and let me know what he is talking about? What specific contract he is referring to? I would then be pleased to address it. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions, Mr. O'Brien. Mr. Picco, your point of order.

Mr. Speaker, my question and I think the Hansard will back me up on this, I asked what is the penalty when that sole sourced policy is being circumvented. That was my question and he came back and asked me, well give me the incident. I am asking what are the penalties in place for any contract. He did not answer my question so I would like an answer to my question.

That is not a point of order. What was your point of order?

-- Laughter

My point, Mr. Speaker was that the Minister did not answer my question. He came back with a reply that did not answer my question. I asked a specific question. I would like a specific answer.

Thank you. Mr. Picco, under the rules when answering a question a Minister may answer it, take it as notice or decline to answer by saying nothing, so just to remind the Members those are the rules. If you look at it, you will be clear. Oral questions, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services. Can the Minister advise this House whether or not there are any hamlets or communities that have been provided block funding in order to take over medical facilities and programs? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe as it stands now the Hay River Hospital has an operating agreement with the department and that is the only municipality in that situation, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe there are a number of other communities that have been afforded this opportunity. Mr. Speaker, early this week a request was put to the Minister on behalf of the two communities that I represent asking that they be given consideration for block funding to take over partial medical services or full medical services in my riding. The Minister indicated that he would not be supportive of this request. The Minister at the time did not indicate why he would not be supportive and in view that there are other communities that have been given this block funding which we would consider community empowerment, why is the Minister refusing this community? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.