(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say a few words with regard to the motion. We agreed before that we would take a break at these dates mentioned. We have not forgotten this. We all know that we have some work to do in our constituency during the break and our constituents know that and they are expecting us. We didn't know at the time we made the decision what amount of work we were going to finish with the budget. We have completed two departments since we have been here and there are numerous departments to be completed. I know we don't have very much time until the end of March to deal with the main estimates. The motion is trying to support the government to finish the budget by the end of March. I would like to make an amendment to the motion.

Motion To Amend Motion 14-12(7), Ruled Out Of Order

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Amittuq, to amend the motion to take a recess after the main estimates are dealt with. Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a brief comment to the amendment. This amendment is one that I will not support either; my reasons being, having an early election by June 12th will cause people to rush around, both the people who will vote and the people who have to get ready to be elected. I know we have been looking at a fall election and my people understand already that the intent is to hold an election in the fall of 1995. People have already accepted that.

If we try to make it different now and change it to June, it is obvious, at least in my constituency and in the surrounding communities, that half of the communities' population will not be in the settlements -- in October, people start returning to the communities -- and people who are out on the land for traditional activities won't be able to be contacted by telephone. So, they wouldn't even be able to vote by proxy. Although they could do it this way: you could use the XBX CBs. In the western Arctic, they're called bush radios. This would be the only way that it could be publicized and people would know who got elected. Even though when you vote, you do it by secret ballot.

Furthermore, the people who are out on the land for recreation or for vacation are taking their holidays and they will be included in the Baffin South MLA's constituency. You could also contact the people by helicopter and bring the ballot box around, but that would be very costly. Because of the difficulties that are occurring, this government is well into the work they have to do and they can continue to pave the way for the work they have to complete. The amendment is one that I will not support because of these reasons. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier.

Could the Premier provide the following information regarding the travel of Ministers:

1) A complete list of all ministerial travel, giving the Minister, travel location, purpose and dates of travel from December 1, 1993 to the present.

2) The projected travel plans of all Ministers, including which Minister, the travel location, purpose and dates of travel from today to August 31, 1995.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the course of their duties, Ministers travel to different parts of the NWT. This gives the rest of the local MLAs a chance to raise local concerns and issues. Can the Premier advise this House of what travel has been planned for Ministers over the next month? Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to say a few things about the price of gas and other fuels. I would like to thank my friend, the Member for Iqaluit, who is concerned about this very important item. In my constituency many Inuit live by hunting and trapping alone because of the lack of employment. They have to use a lot of gas, and they have to work very hard to obtain enough gas so they can go hunting to pursue their lifestyle and to gather food. They need gas to obtain food for their families. The price of gas is going to increase the hardships placed on hunters who pursue a traditional lifestyle.

The people who live by farming in the south receive subsidies from the federal government. By receiving subsidies for fuel, they are able to make a better living. This has never been done in the north, even though we have people who live by hunting alone. They have never received any such subsidy. This has to change and, because the price of gas is increasing very rapidly, we have to pursue this change with the federal government.

Those people who have to support families and who are unemployed are going to face increased hardship. I want this government to look at these people and what kinds of improvements and solutions can help them, so this way of living can be better in the future for our residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity, through my Member's statement, to talk about the aboriginal people of Nunavik in northern Quebec. The aboriginal people are very concerned right now in Nunavik about the issue of separation of Quebec because they are one of the original peoples of Canada and are aboriginal people. The Premier of Quebec is really pushing for Quebec separation from the rest of Canada so, for this reason, the aboriginal people of northern Quebec are very concerned. They are working towards staying in Canada. They want to belong to the rest of Canada as aboriginal people.

There is going to be a referendum very shortly in Quebec to decide whether or not Quebec will be separating from the rest of Canada. Because Nunavik aboriginal people are our family -- I have family members there because my wife is from there -- they want to have easy access to the rest of Canada. The residents are very scared that Quebec is going to separate from Canada. I rise today to say we support the aboriginal people of Quebec to stay in Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. My supplementary is does that include dog teams, too? Because there are a few dog teams in the communities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am supporting this bill also. I think it's quite a good bill, especially for the small, dry communities. I have only one concern: with smaller communities, with a population of about 150, there won't be as many vehicles running around in those communities. When they are talking about vehicles, does that include all-terrain vehicles and skidoos?

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I asked the Premier if she has extended the five days so the GLOs

would have more time to respond about whether they would stay on or not. Thank you.