Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, input has been received from the different stakeholders across the Northwest Territories. Some of the regulations that need to be changed as brought forward by those stakeholders, I wonder, is there any indication from the Minister when those changes could be brought forward on regulatory reform, being reminded of what happened yesterday in the House with some questions concerning the legislation and the heavy agenda that we have to bring forward? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I mentioned in the House the idea of an omnibus bill that could be brought forward or introduced to catch some of the needed changes that are identified by the Regulatory Reform Secretariat. Has the Minister looked at that possibility to help expedite these questions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

I think a better word Mr. Speaker, would have been expedite, or expedient. Mr. Speaker, the Regulatory Reform Secretariat has a web page and has put out a newsletter to inform the public about regulatory reform, some of the initiatives that are taking place. I am wondering how widespread is the newsletter, how widespread is it circulated, is it circulated through all government departments, is it available to the public at large? Could the Minister expediently give us an answer on that area? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to direct my question to the honourable Minister of

Finance, Mr. John Todd. As you will recall, yesterday, I spoke about the outrageous charges now being levied for a permit to sell cigarettes. When did this policy or whatever it is come into effect? Could the Minister give us information on this please? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I did listen intently yesterday to my colleague's concerns with respect to some of the licensing fees or the bonds that have got to be placed by people who sell cigarettes, et cetera. I have had a number of complaints that some of the bonds and some of the cash bonds are somewhat excessive. I am asking my department to review that issue right now. I will try to get back to my colleague as quickly as I can on his specific issues but on the larger issue of the level of the cash bonds they have to be put up by people selling cigarettes. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not sure where to address this question, perhaps Mr. Antoine who is the Minister responsible for land claims and so on. It is to do with the diamond industry. We have talked about diamonds, but my concern is about rights. The rights under the agreement between the claimant and the Crown itself. It is to do with the category. Is diamond mining considered to be underground or is it on surface by the institution not part of the agreement? Thank you.

I will ask the Premier. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will ask Mr. Kakfwi to answer that question. He is in charge of mining under his portfolio. Thank you.

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

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the honourable Minister for that reply. Where does the interest of the claimant come in? It initially started from diamond mining coming from on the surface. Are the claimants involved initially when the diamonds start from the surface? Thank you.