Mr. Premier. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I believe every policy or practically every policy of this government has had a similar provision in it that allows the Executive Council to make exceptions where those are warranted. Mr. Speaker, in situations like this one we run into two objectives. One is to have adequate, affordable housing and the other one is to have maximized northern economic opportunities. We often have to deal with both of these and we don't want to compromise one more than the other if we can help it. In some situations we have to decide which one is the highest priority. In this case, Mr. Speaker, it is our decision that on a pilot basis we'll try this out, make an exception and see whether or not getting these extra units into the communities is achievable.

Mr. Speaker, I have to say that policies are policies. They are general directions and guidelines. They're not one of the Ten Commandments. They're not laws. There is room for some exception there where we can warrant it. Mr. Speaker, we have to work with the committees and the Regular Members when doing that, so if there are any suggestions or recommendations of how we can improve the communications on when we make exceptions, then I'm certainly open to hearing that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question to the Premier is emphasizing on his point that the BIP does not save us money. The Premier just said that. I think it's well within the Premier's ability to put the brakes on this and demand that the BIP apply. Recognizing that this whole side of the House wants this BIP reinstated on this potential bid contract tender, would the Premier be willing to make every effort within his means to ensure that this BIP will apply to this tender, recognizing that this whole side of the House is screaming for that type of action as well as the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

----Applause

Order. Mr. Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation has already committed to bringing this back to the next Cabinet meeting and we'll have that discussion then. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The time for oral questions is concluded. Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the visitors' gallery and welcome a few of our visitors. I'd like to welcome you to the Northwest Territories and the Legislative Assembly. Welcome.

Item 7, written questions. Mr. Yakeleya.

My questions are for the Minister of RWED.

In their budget, the federal government has put $75 million for northern oil and gas development. There is also another $10 million for 2004-2005 in the northern economic development strategy. Can the Minister please provide the details that explain the following?

1. What this funding is for?
2. Who can access this funding
3. How you can access this funding?
4. When this funding will be available?
5. What other programs does the Government of the Northwest Territories have to help the Sahtu take advantage of oil and gas development and what is the best way for the Sahtu to access them?

Thank you.

Item 7, written questions. The Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Ministers responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Workers' Compensation Board, Northwest Territories Development Corporation and Aurora College. I realize this is not just one Minister. I'm directing this question to all the Ministers separately.

1. Please advise as to who does the work of bad debt collection for the following Crown corporations, the WCB and Aurora College:

• • NWT Housing Corporation;
• • NWT Power Corporation;
• • Workers' Compensation Board;
• • NWT Development Corporation; and,
• • Aurora College.

2. Is it the GNWT Finance department or a private sector company?
3. If it is done by a private sector company, please advise as to whether there was any open tendering process to choose who would do the bad debt collection within the last five years and, if so, when.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just to remind the Member, you can only make one written question to a particular department or Minister. So one written question per department. Not one for all departments. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I just reword that question to the Premier on behalf of all these Ministers? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

----Applause

Written questions. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My question is for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

How much money has the Government of the Northwest Territories has spent in the last 10 years in support of our fledgling manufacturing industry? Thank you.

Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled, Deline Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled, Second Year Activities of Towards Literacy: A Strategy Framework 2001-2005, November 3rd, 2003. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 13, tabling of documents. In accordance with subsection 21(3) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I hereby table amendments made to Schedule C of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act indemnities and allowances. Item 13, tabling of documents. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table a copy of an expression of interest for corporate training dated in the News/North on Monday, March 8th, 2004. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, March 31st, 2004 I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that not withstanding Rule 4, that when this House adjourns on Wednesday, March 31, 2004, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday, May 26, 2004.

And further, that any time prior to May 26, 2004, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time.

Item 14, notices of motion. Mr. Pokiak.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, March 31, 2004, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the following individuals be appointed by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories to the first Human Rights Commission for the Northwest Territories: Ms. Mary Pat Short of the town of Fort Smith, for a term of four years; Mr. Colin Baile of the city of Yellowknife, for a term of four years; Ms. Joletta Larocque of the town of Hay River, for a term of four years; Mr. Lorne Gushue of the city of Yellowknife, for a term of two years; and Ms. Rose Marie Kirby of the town of Inuvik, for a term of two years;

And further that the Speaker be authorized to communicate the effective date of appointment to the Commissioner.