Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The literacy strategy is very pervasive and broad, of course, because it takes into account the early childhood development plan that we are working on because that is part of literacy; the aboriginal language program; and literacy programs that may be in place such as adult basic education. I have had discussions with BHP. They have pointed out a particular need to bring some of their employees up to a level where they can read and write and deal with some very basic literacy areas. That is a challenge for the company that they are facing right now because some of their employees, their workforce, is in unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled levels. Many of their people are in the unskilled level and many people in that area are not literate. So they have a problem there. I am familiar with that.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I made reference to the unforeseen circumstances that we find ourselves in Fort McPherson with the high cost of operating the existing water system. It has increased by some $220,000 to $442,000 this year and a projected $400,000 next year. Knowing, Mr. Speaker, that the main cause is the THM problem in Fort McPherson with regard to the contamination of the water system that we have, because of that, the hamlet has no way of being able to recoup a lot of these costs. Yet, Mr. Speaker, this is an emergency and this has been recognized as a priority of this government. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, is there any possible way that the community of Fort McPherson could receive emergency funding to offset the costs that have doubled in the last year? Can the Minister tell me, is there a possibility of receiving supplementary emergency funding for this program?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am certainly aware of the Member's community problems with the water. It has been an ongoing issue. We had the liberty of meeting early this afternoon trying to resolve some of the problem areas. We are certainly on the path to some kind of resolution of the problem areas. Though it is going to take some time, I just wanted to advise the Member that we will continue to consult with the parties that are dealing with this matter. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Allen. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in plain English, can the Minister go forward to Cabinet and ask for a supplementary appropriation to access funding to offset the costs to Fort McPherson?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not prepared at this time. I made a commitment earlier this afternoon to consult with all parties involved to verify the expenses and perhaps some expenses that were legitimate in the context of an original agreement. I have committed to that process and I will continue to work with the Member and also His Worship from Fort McPherson. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Allen. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has programs in place to assist municipalities when they are in trouble financially or they find themselves in a deficit and also with regard to unforeseen circumstances. So can the Minister tell me does the municipality of Fort McPherson fit into any of those categories where they can receive funding from this government?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have been working very diligently to address some of the key problems in the municipalities. We have introduced a new formula financing agreement, or at least a proposal, to provide another method of funding to the municipalities that would encompass other fiscal problems. Their intention, of course, is for the department to make it much more flexible so the communities have the ability to deal with some of those problems. At this point, we are still working on it and I am going to keep all Members informed of our progress. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Allen. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the present time, the municipality's original budget was $220,000 to maintain funding in their budget. Almost half their budget right now is going to the cost of this increase to the water problem in Fort McPherson. Again, I would like to ask the Minister, will he make an effort besides just saying he is going to meet, to actually do something to deal with the problem in Fort McPherson?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we are undertaking a lot of work at this point and I do have a plan of action in place. We will continue that plan of action. Hopefully we will have that resolved in due time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Allen. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for Mr. Handley, the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. In my Member's statement, I briefly outlined some of the challenges facing the growth of big game hunting with regard to Mackenzie wood bison. Could the honourable Minister please explain what the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development is currently doing to persuade the United States of America to allow the importation of Mackenzie wood bison from Canada into the United States? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government and the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development do view the outfitting industry and outfitting potential in the Northwest Territories as a very important part. In the same way as the Member indicated in his Member's statement, we have succeeded with polar bears. We are also working to enable the import of buffalo or bison trophies into the United States. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Handley. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you. The Minister is also aware that bow hunting is a growing sector of the big game hunting market. Can the Minister confirm whether or not bow hunting is permitted as a method of big game hunting for the Mackenzie wood bison?

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.