Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize someone with many hats, the deputy mayor of Fort McPherson, Mr. James Andre. Welcome, James.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome a constituent, Mr. Malcolm MacPhail.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the relationship between Municipal and Community Affairs and Transportation in regard to airport fire-fighting services in small communities is through the emergency response plan that is established for the community. It is through that process that we identify what is needed at the particular airports and who would respond to what.

The development of the plan is the responsibility of a number of groups, including the communities, MACA, the Department of Transportation, as well as the emergency measures officer.

Thank you, Minister Steen. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. You are getting all of your supplementaries in at one time. There were three questions there. The Minister may choose to answer whichever one he wants. Minister Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think I can roll all the questions into one answer. As to who decides what equipment is needed at these airports, first of all, Transport Canada sets the regulations for all firefighting. In this particular small community airport, the emergency response plan would identify what is needed. Transportation only comes into play and takes responsibility if the accident actually happens within the airport property. If it is outside the airport boundaries, then it falls under Transport Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Mr. Nitah, I will just ask you to clarify your question because you did not quite ask a question. Could you just ask a specific supplementary question?

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I understand the Member's question. If Transportation does not have the equipment themselves on the particular airport, we then have a contract with private companies or the communities that supply that equipment. I think what the Member is getting at is if Transportation does not have the equipment, then who does? Well, part of the emergency response plan would identify who would do what if an accident happened. That is the whole part of this planning process. The emergency response plan of the community would identify which equipment would be available and what action would be taken by which department.

Transportation, if we have our equipment available or if we are using contractor equipment, we would do whatever is necessary to remove the aircraft that is damaged to allow the airport to operate again. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Steen. Final supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will attempt to do that for the Member. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a highly technical question. I am prepared to give a brief answer. Yes, under our hiring practice, we look for people who have the necessary expertise and certification. I could perhaps provide a more substantial answer to that later on. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Do you have a supplementary, Mr. McLeod? He did not take it as notice, so you can ask a question.