Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do respect what the Premier did say. Would the Premier be willing to consider something along the lines of a forum to talk about northern issues to all the candidates, not unlike what the Union of Northern Workers would do or another advocacy group would do? Would the Premier be willing to host a forum of some sort to get some discussion out on both the northern agenda, as well as what some of these potential candidates may be doing for the citizens of the Northwest Territories that they are saying they wish to represent? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, we certainly want to ensure that all the candidates know all the issues that we deal with and hope that their staff, their researchers, and they themselves will make themselves aware of what is happening. But, Mr. Speaker, in my mind there is a difference between us as a government and an interest group or a union who may want to host such a forum. Mr. Speaker, my view would be that it wouldn't be appropriate for us, as a government, to organize and host such a political event during a campaign. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Premier, for your answer. My concern personally is the fact that the northern agenda could be hidden somewhere on page whatever in who knows which text of the party policy. We don't really know what plans they have for us. What makes matters worse is they may be

overlooking us because we only have one candidate, and I want to make sure that our candidate is bolstered with the best education on the northern needs. So I further ask, once again, would the Premier consider a non-partisan type of discussion hosted by him or someone of that similar representation, so we can get a northern discussion on northern issues that are important to the Northwest Territories, rather than a special interest group strictly focussing in on their individual needs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I think the Member meant we have one Member, one MP, not one candidate. I believe there is more than one candidate.

Mr. Speaker, I don't think it's appropriate for the government to do that. It may be something that Caucus might want to do. As a government, we want to maintain our government-to-government relationship. Mr. Speaker, I don't think we should do it as a government, but if Caucus were to decide to do that, that may be very appropriate. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, I have been raising issues of importance to seniors over the last few days and one of them has been on housing. There are lots of other Members who have raised questions on that end. Mr. Speaker, I should say when we in this House are asking questions to the Minister, the least we expect is that the Ministers are responding to requests for meetings, if not requests for action. My information, Mr. Speaker, is the seniors' groups all across the Territories meet regarding housing, and I have brought a lot of issues up about seniors and the Minister has not agreed yet to meet with the seniors who wanted to talk to him about that. Could the Minister advise as to whether he's aware of any requests from the meetings from the seniors and why is it he's not meeting with them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me concern that the Member has information from the seniors' groups stating that I have not been responding to requests. We have arrangements and dates picked out. I would be glad to share that information with the Member. We have been dealing with the NWT seniors' groups for some time now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thought I could just pump up for the cause of the seniors, but I can see the Minister is getting a little testy.

---Laughter

He's not having a good day and I am not in the mood for a fight either. So maybe, Mr. Speaker, the Minister could advise as to when he has agreed to meet with the seniors to talk about seniors' housing. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am trying to recall the exact detail. I don't have it on my calendar in front of me. I believe it's the middle of June; I believe it's the 11th. I would have to confirm that, however.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the Minister does not have his Daytimer there. My understanding is the suggestion for a June meeting is not very good at all. Mr. Speaker, could he make the commitment to find the earliest opportunity for him to clear his calendar and sit down with the seniors and listen to their concerns about the housing needs in Fort Liard, in Simpson and in Yellowknife? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we spent several days going back and forth with the president of the Seniors' Society. We did finally manage to nail down a date. I can share that with the Member. If she wants me to cancel that and start over again, we would be looking some time into the month. I am serious about meeting with the seniors. I would like to go ahead with this meeting. If there are other seniors' groups out there that the Member is referring to, I would be willing to meet with them also.

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

I don't know why he can't just say yes, Mr. Speaker. I am compelled to say that it's my understanding that the seniors have been asking to meet with him since March. With the change in the leadership of the Housing Corporation, that was not possible. The Minister was not available during Senior Citizens Week. The next meeting is difficult, as well. If I could kindly ask the Minister to say yes. I understand he is busy; I am doing my job. Could he

just say yes that he will nail down a date within a week or two to meet with them? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, I don't understand what the Member is requesting of me. I have already nailed down a date. I do apologize to the seniors for not being able to meet during the week requested. I was not available. What more can I commit to? I am willing to meet. We've already set a date. It's done. I am not sure what the Member is asking for.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.