Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the winter edition of the oil and gas review, the Premier summarized what we have known all along about the role of the federal government in the economic development of the North. He indicated that the federal government does not seem to take an active interest in developing the resources that they have up here, and if they have, he indicates that he has missed it.

There are many ways for Northerners to benefit from economic development. These include requirements for agreements for training, employment and the use of northern supplier services and manufacturers.

The most recent evaluation made by this government of that agreement was completed in May, 1990. A lot of things have changed since then, Mr. Speaker. We now have increased oil and gas development, the closure of the gold and zinc mines and the establishment of a growing diamond industry. The former federal Industry Minister, Mr. Tobin, on his last trip here to Yellowknife was boasting that the NWT has the fastest growing economy in the country. This growth is in areas that will require services in fields that are either emerging or changing, and Northerners need access to financial resources if they are truly going to derive the benefit from northern development.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, one of the big beneficiaries of our economic activity, the federal government themselves, do not seem to want to come to the table. I know we have attempted, through our Non-Renewable Resource Development Strategy, to engage the federal government in our desire to benefit from our resources. Other jurisdictions in Canada have enjoyed the success of the benefits of economic development agreements with the federal government. Why is the North being ignored on this front? I believe this is completely unacceptable.

Later today, I will be asking the government what the status is of an NWT-Canada economic development agreement. I want to know what the government has done lately in this matter and I want to see some tangible action on this front. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning all. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all the Members of this Legislative Assembly and family members to the third Mackenzie Delta Good Time Dance to be held tonight between 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., and also another one tomorrow night at the same time.

Mr. Speaker, it is customary for the people of the Mackenzie Delta to celebrate through dancing on special occasions. In this instance, the reason for celebrating is the gathering of all our Members here in the Assembly, where we continue to work in the best interests of all the people of the Northwest Territories. Finally, Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Delta Good Time Band will be providing fiddle music. We invite all members of Yellowknife and those citizens who are visiting the city to come and join us at the Con Mine rec hall for two nights of square dancing, jigging, reels and a number of waltzes. Hopefully we will see you there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like today to acknowledge the support and assistance that has been provided to us over the past week by our pages. In particular, I want to recognize two young people from my constituency who have been working with us this week. These are Eric Crapeau and Curtis Beaulieu, both from Detah. They are grade seven students, very active in sports and very strong academic students. I think they are good examples of the quality of many of our small community schools. I encourage all of these young people to continue on with their education. They may go on to professions. Who knows, maybe some day they will have a different role in this Chamber. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of RWED. In going through the budget the other day, notable in its absence was any mention of manufacturing. Mr. Speaker, we all know that diversity in our economy is critical, so I am wondering if the Minister can tell me what he is doing to promote the manufacturing industry. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to hear that that work is going on. I was getting concerned. It seemed like a review and overhaul of the BIP has been underway for some time. That may not speak specifically to manufacturing, but it is nice to hear that work is underway. Can the Minister indicate when he will have this report back from the Business Advisory Panel? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Bell. No further supplementary? Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask some questions regarding the issue of ammonium nitrate transportation and storage in the communities. It is difficult to identify the appropriate Minister. When this product is on the highway system, it is an issue affecting the Department of Transportation under their regulations. When it is stored in the community, it falls under MACA. When there is a spill, then it falls under the jurisdiction of RWED. I will ask my question to the Deputy Premier, who is also the Minister of RWED.

Under the Dangerous Goods Act, the government is not required to notify communities prior to storage or transportation of ammonium nitrate in our communities. I would like to ask the Minister when the government will establish a procedure to adequately notify communities when dangerous goods, including ammonium nitrate, are being transported or stored in our communities? I would like to ask him when can we expect to see some policy regarding that?

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

Thank you. The honourable Minister is using his Deputy Premier's authority to transfer that question to the Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly answer on the transportation of dangerous goods. The storage, as you know, is one that does not fall particularly within Transportation's jurisdiction, but more with RWED.

On the transportation of dangerous goods, there are different categories. Ammonium nitrate is classed as a dangerous good. All the trucks that are carrying it are properly flagged so they can be identified as carrying a dangerous good. Ammonium nitrate is not as dangerous as some people think it is when it is stored, or even when it comes in contact with some diesel fuel.

However, in order to assure residents who have concerns, I will take it upon my department to ensure that we let communities know when we are transporting it and also when we are moving it on the rail or trucks. We will, as a courtesy to those people and in recognition of their concerns, let the community leaders know when we are moving these products. Thank you.

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

Thank you. I am not sure if my supplementary questions can be directed to the Minister of Transportation. However, I will ask him anyway. When these chemicals are being transported and stored in our communities, when they are unloaded into our parking lots and empty storage grounds, I want to know, who are the officials out there monitoring and ensuring that they are properly stored, that they are fenced in, locked up and all of these other procedures that have to be followed?

I realize on the highway system there are highway toll officers. Who is out there in our communities monitoring this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct. When they are transported or stored on a truck, on a flatbed, then they are the responsibility of Transportation. When they are stored in a yard, then the responsibility of ensuring that they are properly stored and secured rests with the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, which is responsible for environmental protection.

Now because of the concern with these goods, our department is working very closely with the other departments involved to ensure that any concerns the communities have will be alleviated in the future and ensure that these things are properly transported and properly stored. Thank you.