Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when a negotiated contract is wanted to be entered into by a band or a company or a development corporation, it is presented in the sense that they have to list out number one, what are the economic benefits that will go to the northern residents and businesses to the greatest extent possible. That is one of the things. Economic opportunities for diversification, as well as training and development of the local residents and businesses, that should be maximized. As well, negotiated contracts should contribute to the support and development of self-sustaining businesses at the local and regional level. Elected community leaders and the local member of the Legislative Assembly must provide written support for the negotiated contract. Goods and services obtained by the GNWT through negotiated contracts shall be provided at a reasonable cost. Implementation should be consistent with provisions of Land Claim Agreements.

Those are the issues or areas that have to be laid out for when it is brought forward to Cabinet before it receives approval. Based on those, Cabinet would look at those areas and see how the negotiated contract being brought forward would fulfil those and, based on that, a decision would be made. In this specific case, I believe the Member is referring to, it did receive approval back in November, 1998. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the proponent in the negotiated contract wants to get information for subcontracts, they would then fall under, I believe, the Business Incentive Policy. But I am aware, at this time, that the Business Incentive Policy does state local, then territorial. I do not believe that it recognizes the regional aspect in the Business Incentive Policy. From within my department, I do not have a hand in on the Business Incentive Policy process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.