Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to give a little bit of background here just for clarification. In April, 1997 the Denedeh Development Corporation submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Government of the Northwest Territories to purchase the Laing Building and to renovate it and lease it back to the government. In August of last year the Cabinet reviewed the options' paper for the Yellowknife office space. The option that was selected called for the sale of the Laing Building and sale and lease back of the Stuart Hodgson Building at that time. That was the option that was favoured. The Laing Building would be sold on a condition that it would not be used for government office space. The Cabinet also directed that a detailed office plan be prepared. In August again, Public Works Services met with the DDC representative to discuss their proposal. At that time Public Works and Services advised the DDC representative that the Laing Building would be disposed of and that the sale and lease back of the Hodgson Building was favoured at that time.
In August, Public Works and Services advised RWED officials there were other development corporations interested is proposing building purchases and lease back arrangements with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Besides the DDC, there were other groups that were interested. In September, Public Works and Services also advised that, because of other competitive interest, advised the DDC representatives that there will be no further discussions about the government office space and that, likely, request for proposals would be considered. In September, 1997, again RWED had asked Public Works and Services to look at the DDC proposal and at the criteria for aboriginal participation. In January, 1998, Cabinet had reviewed the office plan again and decided to make a final decision that the Stuart Hodgson Building would not be sold at this time. The Cabinet also directed this department, Public Works and Services.