Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to advise the Member that last Friday, I received a letter from Minister Paul Martin confirming the federal government will continue to pick up the shortfall for the life of this formula arrangement, April 20, 2004. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is addressed to the Minster responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, regarding the Arctic Winter Games. Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I share a concern about the current state, structure, size, costs and impacts on community sports the Arctic Winter Games has.

However, my question is specifically in regards to the Arctic Winter Games two years out. I have been contacted by members of the biathlon team, the coach in particular. A team, I might add, Mr. Speaker, that came home draped in gold. They were very successful in all of their sports. Apparently, they have already been told that there has been a decision made and that the biathlon has been removed from the next Arctic Winter Games.

This has caused them great concern, and it is of great concern to myself as well. This is truly a northern sport, as well as a sport that small communities can take active and full participation in. I would like to ask the Minster if he is aware of this decision. Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minster responsible for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is a charter member of the Arctic Winter Games. I just want to reiterate the fact that the biathlon sport is fundamental to the North. It is a truly Northern sport. As a charter member, I would ask the Minister to aggressively and quickly pursue this issue before lines in the sand are drawn that cannot be erased.

I would ask the Minister to take every step possible to work with the biathlon sport in the Northwest Territories, and I am sure from Alaska and the Yukon as well, to maintain this important, relevant sport. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for his response. I would also ask the Minister to instruct his officials to get in touch with the biathlon coaches, especially since they have already offered their expertise. I think they have been talking to their colleagues in the Yukon and Alaska to bring their expertise to bare and assist Greenland to set up to host the biathlon sport. Would the Minister consider having his officials become involved with the biathlon people at the practical working level to see if we can move this along? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this ties into my Member's statement earlier today. I am not sure if the question is directed to the Premier, because it involves asking the government to take action, or if it should be directed to the Minister of Justice, who may be responsible for the legislation.

Given our history of frustration with labour law and the need for a made in the North solution, will this government commit to bring forward, for public discussion, a legislative proposal that would see our government occupying the field with labour legislation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Member to repeat the question. We did not catch what legislation he was referring to.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Mr. Dent, would you be so kind as to repeat the question please?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given our history of frustration with labour law and the need for a made in the North solution, will this government commit to bring forward for public discussion, a legislative proposal that would see our government occupying the field with labour legislation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The question is directed to the Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will take the question as notice and consider the issue the Member raised. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Premier Kakfwi. The question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.