Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sometimes when we talk about decadence it is a good thing, like eating a nice piece of ice cream. I will take Mr. Todd's decadence in that way. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask a supplementary question then to the Minister. If he is not updated on that project at NTI, can the Minister then inform this House if the GNWT has had any input on the building of a new legislative building for the Nunavut government? Once we are moving forward, as Mr. Todd just said, the time is getting shorter and everything, if we do not have a place to meet, a dedicated building, then it is all for naught. Can Mr. Todd update us on that area? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (microphone off) ...my honourable colleague was not suggesting, for one minute, that Nunavut is all for naught because we do not have a Legislative Assembly building. The thing is I believe that is just what he said. This Assembly operated for many, many years, for as long as I can remember, long before Mr. Picco's time, without a Legislative Assembly building. This government is more concerned about ensuring that there is adequate money in place so that our people can be housed, can be clothed, have education, et cetera and we have no desire at this time to spend an inordinate amount of time on the decadence of new Legislative Assembly buildings. Thank you.

-- Applause

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

He really wants to try to raise my ire today, but I will not fall for it. It is the last day of the sitting, Mr. Speaker, and I promised my wife this morning that I would be as diplomatic as possible when dealing with the honourable Member. My supplementary question to the man with much rhetoric and no substance, is, what is this government involved in with the construction of the new building? Is this government being asked on the direction of where the building should be built? Are we being asked what size this building should be? What type of logistic information are we providing for the building of this Legislative Building in Iqaluit? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (microphone off) ... is like a spring puddle, shallow and you can see right through it. Mr. Speaker, it is not a priority for this government at this stage of the game with respect to the Legislative Assembly building. I do not care, shame wherever you want. The bottom line is that we are more concerned about paying

attention to adequate fiscal formulas in place to meet the essential service for the people that we represent, both in this Gallery and in the future gallery in Nunavut. At this time in our discussions with the federal government and the partnership, our focus is on the fiscal side of things, not necessarily the assets. It is far more important to deal with people rather than buildings. Thank you.

-- Applause

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, for the love of water. I am only asking a question on the construction of a facility that could employ people. Mr. Speaker, we are talking about unemployment. The legislative construction will create employment not only for people in Iqaluit, from the other regions of Nunavut who could come to Iqaluit and work on constructing this building. The Minister would like to paint it as some type of greedy grab or something. Mr. Speaker, again I follow up with my supplementary question to this rhetoric miser on exactly when the construction of this building is anticipated and will it be in place on April 1, 1999?

Mr. Todd.

I could have fun with that one, Mr. Speaker, but I will not. It is difficult to take care of those that cannot take care of themselves. Mr. Speaker, I think what I was trying to say to my colleague in a serious vein and to the audience is, the Legislative Assembly building was symbolic maybe in nature has little or no impact on the quality of life of the people that we represent. What is important for this government, at least for this government, and this Cabinet, and the division's secretariat, is we pay attention to the fundamental needs and essential needs of the people that we represent. That is what we are doing in this exercise. That is what I am going to continue to do, because at the end of the deal we have to ensure us all affordable, equitable and ultimately it is going to be for the betterment of the constituency that we all represent. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

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

Mr. Dent.

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

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.