So, Mr. Speaker, it's fairly clear that the Minister has said the requirements developed by this department were too stringent, the requirements in the request for proposals. If he feels as a Minister that they were too stringent, as he states, why didn't he take steps as a Minister to stop the requirements from being too stringent? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for fire management a question. Mr. Speaker, earlier this morning, the Minister indicated that, according to Transport Canada guidelines, the pilot qualifications were sufficient enough to fight fires. I know that Transport Canada does certify pilots; however, the requirement for pilots to fly in these fire conditions is stipulated by this government through their request for proposals. The Minister commented last week about the ratchet type of effect with regard to the requirements for pilots. I would like to ask the Minister whether he feels the stipulations developed by his department for pilots were too rigid under the request for proposals that he sent out. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Premier, in her response to an oral question today, she referred to a request for assistance from other jurisdictions through the MARS agreement, known as the mutual aid resources sharing agreement. This reciprocal agreement allows for other jurisdictions to share what they can in the event that they need the resources. I would like to ask the Minister, who pays for the cost, for example, of ferrying these water bombers from Newfoundland and helicopters from Quebec? Who pays the cost of ferrying these two types of aircraft under this agreement? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that. I do have full confidence in Mr. Pollard assessing this fairly, along with labour relations. Is it possible for the Minister to advise this House the parameters of how these investigations are conducted, so the public can understand? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In light of what the Minister of Public Works and Services has indicated to this House, I would like to ask the Minister of FMBS whether the labour relations guidelines for his investigation will take into consideration the results of the investigation done by the chief safety officer of the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since he indicated that the investigation is taking place, is it fair to say that he is discussing the issue of the investigation being done by labour relations? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question to the Minister responsible for FMBS. Mr. Speaker, since the Minister of Safety and Public Services has indicated the responsibility of air attack officers is this government's and the Minister made this House aware that there is an investigation going on, would the Minister consider reinstating the Bird Dog officers who were laid off until the investigation is over? Thank you.

Thank you. I appreciate that response. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister whether he can indicate to this House the time it would take to do the investigation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Safety and Public Services a question, but he's not in the House, so I will pose my question to -- Mr. Speaker, I just realized that I have said that he wasn't in the House, and I withdraw those remarks. But I was initially going to pose a question...

---Laughter

to the Minister of Safety and Public Services, but I will pose my question instead to the Premier, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I have been aware that the chief safety officer of the Northwest Territories has indicated that the responsibility of air attack officers lies under the jurisdiction of the NWT Safety Act and is the responsibility of this government. In light of the information that I've received, I would like to ask the Minister whether he can indicate to this House if he's aware of this latest development, recognizing that yesterday he stated that he was going to obtain a legal opinion. Thank you.