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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final supplementary, Mr. Speaker. I believe that the NWT is second in Canada when it comes to consuming alcohol. Could the Minister tell me how our liquor prices compare to those in other provinces? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

I indicated earlier when my department

was being reviewed we generate somewhere in the region of about $16 million or $17 million on an annual basis on alcohol sales and similar on tobacco sales when we were discussing what is commonly known as the sin taxes. I believe we have a fairly high consumption of alcohol in comparison with other jurisdictions. If my memory serves me correctly, we are sort of sitting second or third in the country on a per capita consumption basis. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Justice. Yesterday, in my Member's statement, I referred to the introduction of the controversial gun control law that was legislated last January, 1997. I was of the understanding that this gun control legislation would not affect northerners whose main subsistence is derived from hunting, trapping and fishing activities. On the other hand, it is federal legislation. I am requesting information as to what has progressed since that time. Can the Minister explain what sections, if not all of the legislation, is applied to northerners? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The gun control legislation that was brought up by the federal government, Bill C-68, is a concern to us as well. Ever since the legislation came into effect, it has been a concern of the GNWT. We have also contacted people who are concerned about this legislation as well. It is directed to all the northerners and all of Canada. We have heard that if the legislation is going to come into effect in October, 1998, it will become a law in Canada. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. We were informed that certain sections of the law will not be applied to northerners. I have a strong sense that community people prefer to have their own laws and regulations concerning their own gun control procedures. Is this law applied uniformly across Canada or does this law apply only to hunters who own guns? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like I said, Bill C-68 is federal legislation and was introduced by the federal government. It is going to be directed to anyone who is a resident of Canada. It is not just directed to the hunters and the people who fish. It is directed toward everyone in Canada equally, and they are treated equally under the law, under this legislation. (Translation ends)

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) I strongly feel it is not right that these people do not know anything about their possible contravention. Can the Minister make sure that the Inuit will be educated about how this will affect so many of them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, in regard to the question of the Member, I agree with the Member's comments because a lot of people have to be informed about this federal legislation, especially with the safety of the public in regard to guns. I have heard briefly that the federal government has been informing the public in Canada, but we are not really sure exactly what kinds of information they have been distributing to the public. As the GNWT we are against this gun control legislation. We have been trying to lobby so it would not be passed. We will not be involved with promoting gun legislation. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Thank you. I have been requested by the Member for Kivallivik to recognize some people in the gallery. I hope I pronounce your names right. The first is, Mr. Larry Aknavigak. He is the chairman of the Nunavut Impact Review Board; Bob Lyall, chair of the Nunavut Planning Committee; Thomas Kudloo, the chair of the Nunavut Water Board and some of their staff, Alexandra Thompson, Jon Pierce, John Crump and Phillipe Dipizzo. Welcome to the Assembly.

--Applause

Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They were at the regional leadership meetings. They had a representative at the Keewatin Regional Leadership Meeting when the proposal was being presented. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister meet with the education boards of Nunavut to discuss their concerns? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Thompson.