Thank you. On the same note, with regard to seniors, Mr. Speaker, there are seniors who own their own homes and who are still paying mortgages, I believe, through the NWT Housing Corporation R and R program. They are not in free housing because they have this mortgage liability. I'd like to ask the Minister whether or not he can review this category of seniors to try to alleviate this financial burden on them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation a question. Mr. Speaker, regarding the new rules with regard to public housing for seniors, as we know as of April 1st, seniors don't pay any rent. However, the Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes seniors from the age of 60. There are civil servants who may not be retired, who exceed the age of 60 years, who have fairly good jobs, and who may want to sell their homes. They might be encouraged to go into public units because of the free rent for seniors. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not he is reviewing the criteria for seniors for public unit free rent, to ensure that this type of situation is avoided. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for FMBS a question. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, the Premier announced that there will be an investigation carried out by labour relations with regard to the positions of the assistant manager of air operations and an air attack officer. Would the Minister be willing to expand the investigation to include the manager of air operation's position and to determine whether or not the method used for lay-off notices was in accordance with the policies and procedures of this government regarding lay-offs? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to ask the Minister whether or not he is aware of the penalties under the act, which indicates that if the Government of the Northwest Territories discharges, suspends, disciplines; or threatens to discharge, suspend or discipline, otherwise discriminating or threatening to discriminate against air attack officers because that person has exercised his right to refuse to work under section 13, the government may be found guilty of an offence under the act and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000. Is the Minister aware of that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In addition, I would like to ask the Minister if he would check with the Government of Canada to confirm that these air attack officers are employees of the government and are subject to the Safety Act of the NWT, particularly section 13.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that response. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not he will be able to provide the House with that response before we decide to prorogue. Thank you.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question of the Minister of Safety and Public Services. Mr. Speaker, last week, I questioned the Minister at great length, about the matter of legal jurisdiction. He indicated that this government did not have the responsibility under our Safety Act, to deal with the refusal of the Bird Dog officers to work. He indicated the responsibility lies under the Canada Labour Code.

Mr. Speaker, I want to indicate to the Minister that I sought a legal opinion on this, because I believe the responsibility lies with the Government of the Northwest Territories, under our Safety Act. I want to indicate to the Minister that, in as much as he feels this is covered not by the NWT Safety Act but by the Canada Labour Code, it is currently, indeed, under the NWT Safety Act that this responsibility does lie.

So, I want to ask the Minister whether or not he will review, once again, the NWT Safety Act to assure the air attack officers, who refused to work for this government, that they are, indeed, the responsibility of the Government of the Northwest Territories under the NWT Safety Act. I would like to ask the Minister, would he review this to determine whether this act applies to the Bird Dog officers? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for fire management. Mr. Speaker, the procedures for lay-off of employees are fairly clearly laid out in the government's human resources manual, and earlier the Premier described the procedures which the government is supposed to follow. Can the Minister explain why these procedures were not followed in the lay-off of Rick Pederson, the manager of air operations? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable colleagues. I have stated over the past couple of weeks the concern of Bird Dog operators and how this government is ignoring the safety aspect of section 13 of the NWT Safety Act, particularly when it was this government who placed this requirement in the request for proposals for the heavy land-based and air tanker proposal which is critically needed to fight fires. I am pleased an investigation is being carried out by labour relations.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier is ultimately accountable for the actions of any of her Cabinet Ministers, and it's her responsibility to ensure our legislation is upheld. The Cabinet, as a whole, has a legal responsibility to uphold our laws we enact, that is why they are called "Ministers of the Crown."

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Premier for her announcement of what course of action she's going to take. The Premier is displaying a professional attitude towards addressing this tense situation, and is more in line with her character. Mr. Speaker, if this government is serious in ensuring the fire operation runs smoothly, then it is important they take every measure to avoid a disaster this summer. Thank you.

---Applause