My apologies, Mr. Speaker, and also to the honourable Minister. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Public Works; it involves the construction of the tank farm in Rankin Inlet. I'm asking the Minister if he can provide to this House information regarding the environmental impact study, the terms of reference for this study and also a breakdown of how these savings are going to be achieved once this tank farm is constructed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Pardon me, Mr. Speaker, I didn't realize that the honourable Minister was absent from the House.

---Laughter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will direct the question to the now-returning Minister of Public Works.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for Public Works. Maybe I should wait until the honourable Member returns.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was recently asked if I personally thought that the Rankin Inlet project was feasible and if I thought it would save government dollars. Mr. Speaker, my answer to that question is I really can't say at this time. That project could be the best deal since the invention of the honey bucket, but without being provided the details and accurate facts and figures, I can't offer an informed opinion.

Mr. Speaker, before I conclude my statement, I would ask the honourable Minister of DPW to give some further review and thoughts to the following key points: Does the Minister have the mandate to enter into a multi-million dollar contract for 20 to 25 years, in view of the fact that division is only three years away? Can the Minister state unconditionally that there will be a cost savings in view of the fact that it appears we have no firm capital cost that has been concluded and finalized? Mr. Speaker, it appears to me that it would be difficult to make this sort of a statement. If you don't know what capital costs are associated with this project, how can you determine what the cost-savings are going to be? We don't know what the lease costs are for the project, at this time.

Can the Minister assure this House that when dry good costs rise, they will be subsidized for the long term and not just the short-term period of two years. What will be the amount of the subsidy? Mr. Speaker, can the Minister provide information to the fact that prices will not increase once the fuel is delivered or taken from the tank farm and delivered to the other eastern communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue I will speak on today is the proposed tank farm for

Rankin Inlet. Mr. Speaker, prior to Christmas in the first sitting of this House, I raised the concern and the fear that the residents and community leaders of my riding had regarding the Eastern Arctic resupply contract. I stated that I was requesting a detailed report to be presented to this House prior to any contracts being awarded. Mr. Speaker, included in my remarks, I asked for assurances from the Minister of Public Works that there would be no negative impact on the cost of living for the residents of my riding. Mr. Speaker, in my statement I also said that any other related contracts that may be issued should not have a negative impact on my riding. Mr. Speaker, the Rankin Inlet tank farm is a related contract and it will have a major impact on the Kivallivik region.

Mr. Speaker, a few months have passed since I made this request. To this date, no consultation has occurred. It is only fair that I qualify the lack of consultation by stating that there was willingness on behalf of the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Transportation to come to my riding, but unfortunately, due to poor weather and the cancellation of the Nunavut Leaders' Summit, this consultation did not take place. Mr. Speaker, the bottom line here is that the consultation did not take place but still the government continues to move ahead and enter into negotiations against the wishes of the KRC, the Keewatin Regional Council, and the majority of the residents of the Kivallivik region. These negotiations involved the construction of a multi-million-dollar tank farm and also involved a 20 to 25-year lease on this project.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for support from my colleagues to continue.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of DPW. I would like to know what the status is on the discussions between the government and the NTI working group regarding article 24 of the final agreement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also first like to wish a very Happy Valentine's Day to all the elders and children in Arviat and Baker Lake; especially to my daughter, Kelsey. My question is to the Minister of Finance. I believe this is the appropriate Minister. This is regarding the issue of incremental funding for division. I am requesting an update as to what the present status is on discussions. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I would just like to get a copy of the manual.