Thank you. Mr. Speaker, this is in response to Mr. Enuaraq regarding cleanup of Cape Christian. The Federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development transferred buildings and other assets located at the former United States Coastguard Station near Cape Christian to the Government of the Northwest Territories in 1979. The transfer documents did not clearly indicate who was responsible for cleaning up the debris and contaminated soil remaining at the site. Regardless of this outstanding matter, my department has undertaken a great deal of work in recent years to remove those wastes which pose the greatest risk. During this time, my department and the Department of Public Works and Services have also been in discussion with DIAND in an attempt to resolve the matter of responsibility, but with little success. More recently, my deputy minister has raised this subject with DIAND's Regional Director General.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot at this time, provide the honourable Member, with a direct answer to his question of when the cleanup of Cape Christian will be completed because discussions with the federal government have not resolved the matter of responsibility. I can state, however, that this government remains committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and the environment by continuing to work towards the eventual cleanup of Cape Christian and other abandoned military sites located across the north. Thank you.

This is a return to oral questions, asked by my friend, Mr. Henry, on February 20th. It is regarding reallocation of fire suppression surplus.

The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED) obtained two Public Service Career Training Program (PSCTP) positions from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE). ECE funds 50 percent of the salary dollars for these positions. The training department, in this case RWED, funds the remaining 50 percent. PSCTP pays salaries at 80 percent of the full salary requirement. The two positions were a Renewable Resource Officer II Trainee and a Wildlife Technician. Therefore, we were required to fund 50 percent of the salary requirements as well as operations and maintenance for specific training courses including travel, accommodation and other expenses. I told you this was a written question.

The salary requirements for a Renewable Resource Officer II are approximately $58,000 and $56,000 for a Wildlife Technician. This amounts to $114,000 and at 80 per cent, equals approximately $95,000. ECE paid half. Therefore, RWED's share was approximately $47,000. As the fiscal year had commenced, costs were prorated accordingly and estimated at $40,000 ($25,000 for salaries and $15,000 for operations and maintenance). Thank you.

This is a response to a question asked by Mr. Miltenberger on February 13th, interest relief for business credit corporation loans.

Currently, there are 105 borrowers whose loan interest rates exceed eight percent. A general, across-the-board reduction equals approximately $300,000 in interest payment reductions. It is important to note that this estimate is based on the current rate of eight percent per annum over the next three fiscal years, and breaks down as follows:

Fiscal Year Savings to borrowers

1998-99 $150,000

1999-00 $110,000

2000-01 $ 40,000

The interest roll back means that the Business Credit Corporation will forego approximately $300,000 in interest revenues over the next three years. This amount will be reflected in the corporation's net income for that period.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like

to proudly recognize my baby brother, Mark Miltenberger, Brett Harris, Scotty Roberts, some hockey legends from Hay River on their way to Iqaluit to bring hockey glory back to The Hub.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hay River has a couple of days off school, so I have the pleasure of having my lovely daughter with me in Yellowknife over the next few days, Jillian, welcome to the Assembly.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Pat Thomas of the NWTTA.

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Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if they are still in the gallery because we cannot see behind us, but I would like to recognize Mr. Justice de Weerdt and Norm Mair, a former Yellowknife businessman now retired, but still an active resident in our fair city. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure I can answer the question. I do know in the past we used to fund boards in advance with one annual lump sum payment and boards used the interest from that money to augment their programs. We were advised by the Auditor General that this is not acceptable and therefore changed the funding program. I am not sure if they are funded quarterly or monthly, Mr. Speaker, but I will provide the Member with that information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In a recent letter from Minister Jane Stewart, she acknowledged that while the task force was on a great mission and has to do important things on behalf of both governments, that, in fact, they would be very late in delivering whatever goods they are able to muster up. It is a reluctant acknowledgement that we are slow off the mark and whatever good recommendations they might be able to deliver is still one to three months down the road. Thank you.