Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to introduce for the Harvest Study Coordinators for the Harvest Study in Nunavut, Mr. Johnny MacPherson, a resident of Iqaluit and with Johnny is David Snowcroft, a social statistician from Toronto. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to my colleague from the Kitikmeot region, Minister for Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng. Mr. Ng and I had the opportunity and the pleasure of attending the Kitikmeot's Leaders' Forum recently. We were made welcome and full participants of the meeting and were subsequently asked tough questions. Many concerns relating to the well-being of the people of Kitikmeot were brought up and one such concern is in relation to the Kitikmeot Boarding Home in Yellowknife. It has to do with the management and operation of the Kitikmeot Boarding Home. The concerns relate to a number of outstanding issues from five years ago. My question to the honourable Minister, Mr. Speaker, is will the Minister work closely with the Kitikmeot Health Board to deal with some of the concerns I have brought up to his attention during the meeting of the Kitikmeot leaders in Kugluktuk? Thank you.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during my tenure as Health and Social Services Minister, I have had concerns brought forward to me, both in that capacity and also in the capacity of being the MLA for the constituency, similar to Mr. Ningark. When these issues develop, I quickly pass them on to the Health and Social Services Board and asked them to try and address the issues in as timely a fashion as possible. I understand that concerns that have been brought up in the past few months have been acted upon, but if there are issues that remain outstanding, certainly, I am more than happy to continue and try to resolve those issues in conjunction with the regional board. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same honourable Minister, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister monitor the process and get back to me about the status of the actions being taken to correct some of the concerns from the residents of the Kitikmeot? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I would be more than happy to do that. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Steen.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not recall anything recent. To my recollection, our visit last winter, meeting with the mayor, was a verbal request for that. I thought it was just part of a discussion. I do not recall saying anything that is recent that is requesting formally the extension of this airport. Thank you.

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

I heard two questions. Mr. Antoine, two questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the motions from the Beaufort Leaders' Conference, we usually receive it and all the pertinent motions for my department are received by my department. If that package of information is sent, then my department would have access to this motion at this time. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Steen.

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, while the honourable Member was making his Members' statement, following that I had already approached Mr. Kakfwi. He was very hesitant to make any reply, indicating that he may not have any source of revenue at this time. Mr. Speaker, in general, in response to honourable Member Steen's request, I just want to mention some information in the House. It might be part of the answer he is looking for. Last year, because of the numerous requests from a number of communities to extend their runways, we had already indicated to this House that we were going to be initiating a study to look at all the requests and try to develop some sort of a strategy to do that. As a result, we have hired a consultant group in association with northern companies as technical advisors. We conducted a review of all the issues related to runway lengths. This review was conducted in consultation with air carriers and with communities. This study is looking at changing travel patterns, division of the Northwest Territories, current and future aircraft use by air carriers, the effect of a larger jet aircraft and level and frequency of air service, as well as the cost benefits, economic and social impacts in the communities. This department has received a preliminary report from the consultation and is studying the conclusion's recommendation. I will ask the department specifically, on behalf of honourable Member Steen, to see what, if anything, has been done in regard to this community of Sachs Harbour and I will get back to him. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier, Mr. Morin. Normally in July, we have extremely nice weather here in the city of Yellowknife, and I am hoping that will continue this July as we have a very special occasion happening. The Minister announced early last year that the western Premiers would be coming to the Northwest Territories and to its capital city. What I would like the Premier to do at this time, if he could give us an update on where the plans for preparation of this important meeting, how they are coming? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Premier.