Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes. I will do the best I can with respect to this initiative and see if, in fact, we can involve the three areas of concern and two specifically, Fort Smith and Inuvik. I am saying to my honourable colleague, I understand those concerns and it is certainly not our intent to develop monopolies, but the Ardicom bid was the successful bidder in a very important territorial-wide digital communication initiative. We will do the best we can, at the end of the day, hopefully, we will be able to accommodate Mr. Zupko's interest in Inuvik and other people's interests in Fort Smith. We will certainly make a considered effort. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if I recall correctly, the allowances are minimal and they are paid to inmates who work in the correctional centre's kitchen or in work areas outside. They have recently been adjusted downwards, I believe. They range from $1.50 to $5.50 a day per inmate, depending on the work being done. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister have the annual budgeted amount for that particular item, inmate allowances? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not have the exact figure here with me, but I can generally say that it is a minimal amount, if you look at the total cost of correctional facilities and incarceration costs across the board. I can find out the figure and provide it to the Member. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when inmates from the Northwest Territories are transferred to southern institutions, are the amounts paid in other jurisdictions similar to what is being paid by the Government of the Northwest Territories to inmates? Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, I am not sure of the answer to that question. In fact, if I could clarify what these monies are used for. One, they encourage inmates to work. What little monies they receive allow inmates to buy things like personal hygiene products like toothpaste, tobacco, pop, et cetera, with the small amounts of spending money. When I provide the Member with a picture of the total budget, it will also provide the Member with the information on whether these similar amounts or any amounts are paid for by other jurisdictions. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final supplementary to the Minister is, I understand that inmates, quite a number of inmates in this institution carve and produce carvings. The money they generate from those carvings, are they allowed to keep it or does it go to the institution? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is, they keep the dollars they make from producing products like carvings in the correctional centre. I would also say, that there are restrictions on who is allowed to take on this activity and there are also restrictions on how much work is carried on and which days of the week. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cannot say right now because I do not know specifically which individual the honourable Member refers to in respect to community development. I do not have the staff lists of the Inuvik or any of the boards with me. I am certainly willing to discuss it with the honourable Member and find out that information for you. Thank you.

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