Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it is important, first of all, to say to the UNW to challenge them, to bring forward what they think is a fair, affordable settlement. We have put ours forward. I think it is fair; I think it is affordable and I believe with careful fiscal management of this government we can find the dollars, the $25 million in retroactivity and the $9 million on ongoing costs to our wages and benefits package. I challenge in a serious way and in a professional way instead of the kind of rhetoric words like insulting people, et cetera. I have spoken in this House frequently in a professional way, in an honest endeavour to reach a negotiated, fair, affordable settlement. I say to you today that what we have put on the table is what we can afford, nothing more, nothing less.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Speaker, there is a trade delegation that will be travelling to my communities and also, I believe, to Yellowknife and Iqaluit from Manitoba. I would like to ask the Minister if the memorandum of understanding that was signed, I believe a year and a half ago by our Premier and the Premier of Manitoba, if that will be discussed during this visit? Thank you.

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

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I passed on an information item to the Member yesterday indicating that the trade delegation from Manitoba including some of the political and business leadership would be in the Northwest Territories on the 16th, 17th, 18th and would visit Rankin Inlet, Yellowknife, Iqaluit and Arviat and extending an invitation if the Members so wish to attend these meetings.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not recall seeing that, but is the Minister saying that the Members will have an opportunity to meet the delegation and sit down and discuss various issues with them? Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Member looks on his desk, I did send two packages over yesterday morning. I know that the Member from Iqaluit did receive one because he commented on it. I did send another package, but I do not have a copy of the one that I had right in front of me. The answer is yes if other MLAs wish to attend the meeting or the other functions that are planned. As I

understand it most if not all of the events, will be public and available for MLAs and others to attend. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Last year and within this year, the access program has run into problems. Apparently the homeowners are having difficulties building these homes. I am wondering what the situation is really like. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

The Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After the Member indicated last year that there were some concerns regarding access programs, some homeowners were complaining that their homes were not being built properly and not being on par with fire codes and standards. I told him I would look into this matter, and if there were some deficiencies within buildings, then we would have to go back to the contractor and get them to do the work again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The homeowners who will have these access homes do pay the contractors, and if the contractor has to go back in there and fix it some more, does the price go up a little bit more and cost more for the homeowner? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue of homeownership units through the Housing Corporation that are built by private contractors is governed by safety codes and regulations which govern all other house building laws and rules. If the contractor is at fault and not doing acceptable workmanship, there is a process of finding out whether the contractor or others are liable, but that would very much depend on each particular situation. As I had indicated, we did look into several cases that the Member told us about last year. I do not have the information in front of me, but I will get it and provide an answer to the Member.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to Mr. Dent, the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment who is also responsible for Youth Initiatives, Youth Leadership. Several days ago, I asked the honourable Minister about the request of adult community training program of the hamlet of Taloyoak. The group of Taloyoak young people is endeavouring to make a trip to Yellowknife some time in March or April. They are requesting some financial assistance through me from the government in the area of $16,500, but they are also trying to raise funds in the community. I think we should recognize that group for their effort. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister prepared to provide funding for this group? Thank you.

The question has already been asked to the Minister. Again, according to the rules if a question has been asked in that session, it cannot be asked again during that session, but it was asked to the Minister of Finance so I will allow the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to respond to the Member. Mr. Dent.