Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister's answer but I would like to indicate to the Minister that the concern my constituents have is the fact that she needs to know this as soon as possible because she is holding properties in abeyance in case she gets this contract. I am sure there are many others who are having to hold their contracts and incur expenses at the same time. I was wondering if the Minister could convey to whoever the decision-makers are about the importance of the timeliness, whatever the decisions may be. Could the Minister commit to that, please?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I am meeting with the board representatives tomorrow and the department. I will convey the concern of businesses that we make a speedy decision. Assuming there are no difficulties, I hope we can do that within a few days but I will let the Member know as quickly as I can. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if I could ask the Minister to indicate whether or not he sees any possibility of having this decision made by the end of the month, because the end of the month is always an important time for properties. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, yes, I expect I can make that decision by the end of the month. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Justice relating to my statement on the protection from family violence legislation and our need for it here in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, the letter I received from the Minister indicates that his department is examining this type of legislation and that the purpose of that legislation is to protect residents who are experiencing family violence. The letter also makes note that it is important to make sure that this legislation does not merely duplicate protection that is already available.

Mr. Speaker, as I see this legislation, it is to better protect the people than what we are doing with our current legislation and it does in some ways duplicate, but it means that we do not have to have court orders. Will the Minister ensure that his department knows that the purpose is not just to ensure that people can get to court but that they do not have to go to court to get an order to get a person who is committing a violent act out of the house? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Justice, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am a bit encouraged to hear the Minister's response and I will be continuing to question him on this issue. He said in his letter that he will report to Cabinet by the end of the year. Could he advise this House when it would be his intention to proceed with legislation if Cabinet agrees by the end of the year?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Justice, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he would commit to trying to work so that, given Cabinet approval in this calendar year, he could introduce legislation perhaps in the spring session. Will he work towards that timetable?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Justice, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. No supplementary. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Patterson put in an application to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. The board has, over the past year, reviewed that application. They have made a ruling that there is no reason, from an environmental perspective, to not proceed with it, both in terms of supply of timber as well as other environmental concerns. I am currently seeking clarification from the Minister of DIAND. Pending that, I would have to make a decision, but at this point, there appears to be no alternative for our government except to award the permit as we have been directed to by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.