The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

While I can appreciate my honourable colleague's concerns and as I said we have been in intense discussions - for example, I had four meetings with the NWT Construction Association, its management team, its elected president and companies - we have had significant discussions with the NWT Chamber of Commerce. Coles has brought to the table a Canada-wide perspective on public/private partnerships. I think there is adequate information out there. If my honourable colleague just gives me the time to bring forward the policies and regulations which I think will assure him that the concerns he has, I frankly, at this time would suggest that there may be no requirement for a task force. He has to give me the chance and the opportunity to answer some of the legitimate concerns that he has. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Todd.

You know, I thought I was extending to my colleague... I do not believe I did say we would not do that. I mean, maybe he just chooses to ignore my response. He should take the time as he should have done yesterday to read Hansard. I am saying to you that we are having significant discussions with industry. We have got general support for it. I am prepared to look at bringing forward a whole variety of safeguards that are necessary in this public/private partnership, and it may include some form of council as they do in BC and they do in other places. It may include that, but I am not going to say today, one guy asks a question about this, am I going to do that. One guy asks a question, am I going to do this? I want to come forward with a comprehensive strategic plan as to how we are going to deal with the P3s. I have made a commitment to do that. I will say again. I have made a commitment to do that. It may include some of the legitimate concerns that my honourable colleague raises. I am not going to answer today, am I going to do this, am I going to do that, the next thing.

This is a government policy that requires further fleshing out, requires further discussion with the advocacy groups out there. We will come to the appropriate compromises and safeguards that everybody wants, present it to committee and to the House and away we go. I am not going to commit today on an ad hoc basis to some of the requests that my honourable colleague is asking. I would ask him to give me some latitude, to give me an opportunity to provide him, as well as others, with the plans that we intend to put in place, the policies and regulations to monitor it and the safeguards that are critical to ensure there is transparency and there is affordability. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

There were two questions there. Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I am at a loss. I would have hoped my honourable colleague, that I have demonstrated over the last two years the capability when you put forward a significant initiative like this that we would have looked at Canada-wide regulations and the ways in which this policy is enacted normally in this country and others. Yes, we have done that. I am saying again, I only announced it yesterday. If you will give me the latitude to provide this House and everybody else with the answers that he is asking for and which I will do. As to the second question, no it was not tendered. I selected Mr. Coles myself. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently there have been fires that have been happening in the communities I represent. The fire last year took a life. I am going to ask the question to the Minister of MACA who is responsible for emergency measures. The last fire that happened in Arctic Bay, we were lucky not to lose any lives because the people went out on time. We found out that the equipment was not up-to-date. The apparatus froze on the fire brigades. The fire truck was frozen, so we had to use an ordinary water truck to put out the fire. My question, is there funding for equipment to be used in the small communities for firefighting? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking in Inuktitut. In the community of Arctic Bay when there was a fire, it is regrettable that there was no ready emergency response. Training is provided through MACA for fire emergencies and how to respond correctly as well. People have to be responsible when handling fires and when responding to fire emergencies. Apparatus, such as fire extinguishers should be inspected and ensured that they are in up to date form, whether it be fire preventative clothing. These are all issues of concern, and as far as the fire equipment goes in Arctic Bay, if the equipment is not adequate, then these things should be reported to the Assistant Fire Marshal who is in charge of the communities in the Baffin region. These things should be reported immediately to this person so that they can be looked after as soon as possible. We will look at the concern the Member raised and I will ensure that my officials look into this problem in his community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends).

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, not only in Arctic Bay, have I seen the facilities that fire trucks and fire equipment are in. The facilities are poor. In regard to Arctic Bay, the doors are not always not working properly. The facility in itself is not heating much. Due to that fact, the fire truck was frozen because there was a lack of heat in the facility. I have also seen pictures, in other communities; the facility is so poor that the building is damaged. Is there other funding available to renovate these facilities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is the responsibility of the local municipalities to maintain the fire equipment and also to make sure that their fire equipment and buildings are in good working order. If they need assistance, my staff is available to go and assess the community with their fire equipment with their fire facilities because this is a very important part of our department to make sure that the people in the communities are safe. It is unfortunate that individual communities the Member has seen, have not contacted our department right away to have their community's fire equipment or their facilities assessed right away. My department is always willing to help the communities maintain their equipment and also their facilities. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As for the communities that the Member is referring to and the incidences that he has witnessed, I will ensure that my staff pays immediate attention to the circumstances regarding their fire equipment and I will ensure my staff look at this immediately. (Translation ends). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Question period is over. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, replies to the budget address. Item 11, petitions. We will take a 15-minute break.

--Break

The House will come back to order. We are on Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Your motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Mr. Erasmus.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) and have Committee Report 2-13(5) moved into committee of the whole for today. Thank you.

Thank you. The Member for Yellowknife North is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) and have Committee Report 2-13(5) moved into committee of the whole for today. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Erasmus, you have unanimous consent. Committee Report 2-13(5) will be moved into committee of the whole. Reports of standing and special committees, Mr. Picco.