(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I want to direct my question to the Minister of DPW or NWT Housing Corporation. Both the government and the housing associations are in great need of housing. Will there be any more government staff houses built in the NWT, especially for the teachers that are recruited up north? Recently, when I was in Sanikiluaq, I noticed that there were teachers, two teachers, that shared one house. Will DPW or the Housing Corporation provide more housing to the NWT? There are a lot of people who want to work up here. I am wondering if there will be any more housing provided. Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the beginning of this month we became aware of a death, due to a fire, in the Koukdjuak area of the Nunavut region. There were also other deaths at the beginning of the month in Sanikiluaq due to a fire. This is a sad story, and it causes hardship.

Just after my election, some weeks ago, my uncle died. This occurred when I was present, but I had to travel. These things cause great hardship, and I wish to express my apologies to the people who are experiencing hardship in the Nunavut region. We have to keep going, and we have to keep working hard in spite of these difficulties. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct this question to the Minister of Finance. In our area, as well as in Sanikiluaq, we know there is a panel on environmental surveys who have been requesting environmental assessment. Have you put aside money for their request for funding? They said they had received a percentage of what they had requested. The environmental panel had requested to do some surveys in their area. Maybe the Minister of Finance might know about this request or if they have funding for that purpose.

(Translation) Yes, I think I already have a document on the planning process. As well, I have a document on -- they have been training tourism operators, and that will probably be concluded in June. I would like to know more about the process of training that they have for tourism operators in that region.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct this question to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. I stated just yesterday that I presented this document yesterday, the park proposal in Lake Harbour. Maybe the Minister of Economic Development can give us an update on the planning or give us a document on the planning process of the park proposal there.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I have a concern from Baffin South. You all know there are some concerns arising from Baffin. Their concern is the art shop and if it is going to go bankrupt, because this is income for the people in Baffin. Their main concern is that, for example, there is a new facility that will be built in Baker Lake sometime this winter. Their main concern is, is it going to be an improvement for the social life of the community? This is also

my concern. So I stand this afternoon to express my concern. My question is, is there going to be an improvement? Perhaps my next question is that I think it is going to involve the whole community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This written question is directed to the Minister of Economic Development. Is the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism aware of the extensive community consultation over the past four years and the strong community support for the proposed new territorial park near Lake Harbour? In light of the extensive consultation and the very strong community support, will the new Katannilik Park be a priority for the department in the Baffin Region?

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Education. I am not sure if he will be able to answer me at this time, but for a long time now we have been requesting a school. I am wondering what progress has been made since the request was put in. I asked about this during the last session, and at that time he indicated that he would be more able to respond to me within a month or so concerning the school in Lake Harbour.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to that topic, I have comments on that. My question is to the Minister of Social Services. I wonder if the alcohol counsellors in the communities were consulted before this was put into place. Were there information sessions? This has caused a lot of problems in the communities. I do not think the communities were informed enough before this was put into place. I am not saying that these people should stop drinking. I am just wondering if this can be policed. Will this be a good policy for the future?

Some communities have signed and some have not. This agreement came by fax and there seems to be some difficulty in where it came from. Do you feel they were informed enough before this was put in place?