Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question concerns the Condominium Act. I think it is under FMBS. Mr. Speaker, last year we had some minor changes to the Condominium Act. We still have a problem in Nunavut because of leased land. We cannot without a lot of red tape and logistic and legal problems construct condo units. I am wondering if the Minister has been looking into this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Strictly speaking, of course, it is a legal matter. It really falls under the jurisdiction of Justice, however, because it relates to staff housing I have been actively involved in it.

As I explained to my colleague earlier last week, there was an example of the dilemma that a number of people were in, in my home riding of Rankin Inlet where some changes had to be made to the act to allow people to purchase these row housing units and enable them to get ownership.

Some changes were made to the act, Mr. Speaker. If you remember, we did make some minor changes to bring about the sale of the row housing in Rankin Inlet because there were people who were interested in purchasing them. However, there are a number of other amendments that simply have got to be made to allow people the flexibility then to sell once they have bought. There are some difficulties there.

My understanding is, the Department of Justice is currently reviewing the Condominium Act and is looking at possible amendments we can bring forward. They are also looking at, for example, Ontario and BC's legislation. It is not the intent of this government to put blocks in the way of people wishing to purchase the units.

I believe the units my honourable colleague is talking about is the brown row housing. I believe that is what they call them in Iqaluit. We are hoping that, one, we can get the sale of these units done under the current amendments and that, two, if there are some other adjustments having to be made to improve the act and to give maximum flexibility to condominium owners. We want to try and move forward on that. That process is underway right now.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the sale of the row housing and the units in Rankin and my riding of Iqaluit was part of the problem with the Condominium Act. We also have the situation where contractors would like to build condominium units and, hopefully, alleviate some of the problem we have with social housing.

I am wondering if the Minister could inform the House at this time, indeed, the amendments that are being looked at in the Condominium Act? Do they also include new construction on leased land of condominium units? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. While I am taking a quick look at my notes, I should add a note of caution to my honourable colleague with respect to legislative change. It is no different than the similar question asked by Mr. Henry to Mr. Arlooktoo earlier today. Our legislative agenda is full, Mr. Speaker. We have 14 short months left, I think, somewhere around there. Certainly, the intent would be to try to look at improvements that would permit full flexibility whether it is existing condominiums or new ones being built.

I do not think it would be fair for me to say today, we could get those amendments brought forward and in this House prior to April 1, 1999. I would caution my honourable colleague given the legislative agenda that we currently have, there may be some difficulties in doing that. Thank you. I suspect there is.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have had some calls from contractors in my community concerning the ability to be able to do the condominium projects. I am wondering if the Minister could at least commit to the House and to this Member, indeed, if they could look at the amendments that are needed? I understand they can do that under an anomalous bill and grandfather from other jurisdictions. It is not unique legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I am not suggesting it is unique legislation. What I was trying to say to my honourable colleague is, we will do what we can. I am cautioning him in terms of the level of priority that would have, given the legislative agenda that is currently on this legislator's future workload.

Yes, we are taking a preliminary look at it. It is not a priority. I have to be perfectly frank, right now. Certainly, we will take a look at it and see if there is some way that we could speed it up. It would be unfair to make any promises. Thank you.

Thank you. Question period is over. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, The Implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, 1996-97 Annual Report. Thank you.

Thank you. Tabling of documents. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move seconded by the honourable Member for Keewatin Central that Bill 9, Loan Authorization Act, 1998-99 be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker.

This bill corrects certain inconsistencies and errors in the Statutes of the Northwest Territories. The bill also deals with other matters of a non-controversial and uncomplicated nature in the statutes and repeals certain statutes and statutory provisions that have ceased to have effect. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.