Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Transportation. Yesterday in the House, the Minister stated the reason for not allowing ABT to bid on a contract in our area was due to a policy for the selections of architectural and engineering services. I would then ask the Minister if the policy he is referring to in the Department of Public Works and Services is document 20-6 titled: "The Selections of Architectural and Engineering Services" dated March 31, 1985.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I stood in this House and asked the Minister of Transportation a question regarding ABT being invited for a tender call. First, let me state that ABT came to me not looking for any special treatment, but to have an opportunity to bid on a contract in our area. I do realize the need for a policy, but this policy seems rather unfair, when you consider a company being invited to submit a tender on a job worth $100,000 but not able to bid on the one worth $2 million. This could easily show favouritism. I think all contracts that are tendered should follow current policy, such as northern preference and business incentive. Maybe it is time we reviewed the tender policies currently in use.

I find it very frustrating that our government, on one hand, promotes and encourages local people to start businesses and, at the same time, this same government refuses to allow a locally-owned company to pursue active contracts that will hire and train local people in our area who are needed now and more so in the future.

I am also concerned with the Minister's lines of communication, as stated in an oral question of yesterday. I received a letter from the mayor of Rae-Edzo on Thursday, May 2, 1996, at approximately 9:22 a.m. Mr. Marion came to my office at approximately 1: 15 p.m. to deliver letters to the Premier and Ministers, with the letter from Grand Chief Joe Rabesca going directly to the Premier and Minister via fax at 11:15 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, as you may recall, the Minister indicated that he had no knowledge of this concern until noon of May 7, 1996. Something didn't work. I would like to thank the Minister for his reply. However, he should take note that I will be asking further questions today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, like I said earlier on, I would like to say that I wouldn't like to see this type of response coming from the Minister to happen in the future. If the practice of northern preference or the business incentive policy is not being followed by the Minister, I wonder if he would be able to consider retendering the contract so that any company that operates within the Territories will not have to go through the same practice that we have experienced this afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is disappointing that you are only representing half of the people in the constituency. The closing date for the tenders is scheduled for some time this afternoon. I was hoping to ask the Minister whether he would be able to delay opening the tenders, so we will be able to have the company in question submit their bid, along with the three that you have selected so far.

I would further like to say northern preference should be included and the business incentive policy and the affirmative action policy should be practised to their fullest extent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier or for the Minister of Transportation. On May 2, 1996, the mayor of Rae-Edzo and Grand Chief Joe Rabesca wrote a letter to you concerning a tender call made by the Department of Transportation, which was by invitation only for quality assurance work and Highway #3 on kilometre 165 to 175. As you may be aware, Rae-Edzo does have an active engineering company that is locally owned and operated for that active Dogrib ownership. This company strives to train local people in various aspects of the engineering field. However, due to a reluctance of the Department of Transportation in recognizing this company, they cannot get work in order to train our local people. It is imperative that our people receive training and education in the field of engineering.

Today I spoke to the owners of this company and their main concern is to be able to bid on various contracts that become available. There is no reason why they cannot. My question is, why has the Department of Transportation felt it was necessary not to include this company in the bidding process for this particular job, considering the high component of training that would take place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize ABT Engineering of Rae-Edzo. The members are Tony Lafferty, Bob Johnson and Al Harman.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate all participants of the super soccer tournament that was held here in Yellowknife this weekend. The tournament was very well attended, with 1,400 students participating. I would especially like to congratulate teams from my constituency: the 20-and- under boys from the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School for the championship. The tournament was hard fought, but they were able to hold out and win. Other teams from my constituency also did very well and were able to place first, second, third in all age groups.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the organizing committee for the job well done. I hope this type of event can continue for years to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Renewable Resources. It has been some time since our discussion regarding the Snare Lake freezer. Could he please give me an update on this very important issue? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct this question to the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. I am quite concerned about the effects this decision by CMHC would have on my communities. I am pleased to hear that the Minister has arranged for additional talks and to try and resolve this issue. Mr. Speaker, we have had these agreements for many years, and I am sure there must be legalities involved here. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not he has examined the legal aspects of these contracts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.