Thank you, Ms. Lee. That is a question that might be hypothetical. But if the Minister wishes to answer it, he may do so.

Mr. Speaker, it is hypothetical. I really have no idea. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with today being National Aboriginal Day, I think it is important that we take the time to realize the importance aboriginal people and the cultures of the aboriginal groups in the North have played in our history. We also must realize the importance of preserving and protecting those cultures.

From the Beaufort Sea all the way to the Alberta border, aboriginal people make up a large portion of our population. The majority of the communities we represent are aboriginal communities.

In order to recognize the work aboriginal people have done in the North and across Canada, I feel that we should do more than just recognize a day such as today as National Aboriginal Day. We have people within the workforce who cannot take today off because it is not a civic holiday.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier if he is willing to bring forth legislation to declare June 21st a statutory holiday, so people in the North could take the time to enjoy the cultural activities that are happening today in recognition of First Nations people in the North.

I would recommend to this House that we also consider shutting the House down for the day, to show respect to the First Nations people of the Northwest Territories and across Canada.

Can the Premier tell me if he is willing to consider bringing forth such legislation?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The Honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There has been recognition across Canada over the last number of years, in that Canadians, the federal, provincial and territorial governments have, perhaps begrudgingly in a very benign way, grown to accept that aboriginal people have a special place of rights in this country.

So we have designated June 21st as National Aboriginal Day. We have no indication at this time that the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in, the Sahtu, the Deh Cho, Treaty 11, Treaty 8, and Metis Tribal Council, and any of the aboriginal organizations would, in some capacity, suggest that this government take an initiative such as one proposed by Mr. Krutko. If such a suggestion was made collectively, I think it would warrant serious consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thought the Premier would be more positive on this matter, realizing that we are unique. We are not like anywhere else in Canada. The majority of people in the North are aboriginal. I think this government has to stand up and show its colours and really recognize aboriginal people. By declaring today a statutory holiday, I think people within the North will have the ability to take the time off work without having to take their own days off like other government employees or aboriginal people in this government. They cannot take the day off to enjoy the events that are happening around Yellowknife and other places in our communities. Does the Premier support First Nations in regard to recognizing this day and considering that this should be a statutory holiday?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The Honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government is willing to do whatever is necessary to show the respect and dignity that aboriginal people are due. June 21st, as a designated day, should be treated appropriately by this government.

As far as I know, none of the aboriginal governments, none of the chiefs in councils, Metis organizations, land claim organizations, have initiated any particular action at this time. All I am suggesting is if the aboriginal leaders across the Territories wish to make such a suggestion, we would be more than willing to receive it. It is just that we need to know that any action we take is going to gain the support of the aboriginal people on whose behalf we would do that. If there is expressed interest for an action such as the Member suggests, then of course we would act appropriately. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government has the ability to pass legislation to establish statutory holidays. I am going to ask the Premier again. Will the Premier consider bringing forth legislation to look at establishing today as a statutory holiday, knowing that he does have the ability to do it?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The Honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government is willing to consider a suggestion such as the Member is making if it is demonstrated that there is substantial support for it in the aboriginal communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier bring this legislation forth to this House during this sitting? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The Honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If it is clear and categorical that the designated aboriginal representatives from the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in, the Deh Cho, the Sahtu, the Dogrib, the North Slave, the Yellowknives, the South Slave Metis collectively and substantively indicate support for such a designation, this government would be prepared to consider drafting legislation for such a move and bringing it to this House for consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, that is a difficult question to answer straight away, but I will give you the option.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take that question as notice.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. The Honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is also for the Minister of Finance and also in regard to the hotel tax. I understand that this is just something that is being floated out there to get a response. Can the Minister tell us if he at least consulted with the Northwest Territories Tourism Association and other hotel operators and stakeholders before floating something like this out there which could be quite shocking to people?