(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps supplementary to my question regarding Nunavut, as we are making plans for division, we have to make annual plans as well for capital items. Now my question is, once when we have Nunavut government, will these same plans that are in place already still be implemented in the new Nunavut government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier on I mentioned through my Member's statement that I would pose a question to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I know that the Minister is aware of the gymnasium being too small for the Hamlet of Igloolik and their requirements. When does the Minister have plans to make an expansion on the current gymnasium, that will be my first question. When do you plan on renovating a larger gymnasium at that time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to make a statement regarding my community of Igloolik. This community is one of the communities in Nunavut that has the highest increase of population within the Nunavut territory. There is some construction going on in Igloolik, whereas Nunavut construction companies are building homes. I would also like to indicate that the school gymnasium is too small for the growing community of Igloolik. In fact, just half the people of Igloolik can go to the school gymnasium to watch their children play during our concerts. This has become a major problem for the people of Igloolik and knowing that the territories will be divided in the next few months, I would like to encourage the Nunavut government and the construction association to look into building more homes and schools within communities. When the appropriate time comes, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions to the Minister of Education regarding schools. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) I was not receiving interpretation, but I am receiving it now.(Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not have a prepared statement today, however, I just want to make a statement to give my appreciation and thanks to Mr. Speaker and my colleagues for welcoming me back into this House. I would like to extend my appreciation to my family as well, who supported me morally. Although they were not able to be with me physically, they have always given me their support. Also, my constituents of Pond Inlet and Hall Beach. I appreciate their sincere appreciation of me being back here in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

--Applause

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House of the successful meeting of the Baffin Leaders Summit, held July 1998. I am very proud of the Baffin region organizations as they are able to work well with one another and with very little conflict. Hamlets and other groups and organizations in the Baffin including corporations and the Members of the Legislative Assembly, are also respectful of one another and must be commended for that.

However, we are seeing a trend where these representative bodies in Nunavut are covering the exact same items at every annual assembly. For example, all the bodies have one sort of social programs or another, perhaps this is due to a lack of communication amongst these bodies. I would strongly suggest that they follow certain channels to avoid overlapping on issues. Nunavut Tunngavik has delegated a committee to deal with certain issues. Issues dealing with social concerns and programs, healing, should be directed to that committee. Similarly the Baffin leaders should appoint a steering committee that would delegate certain issues of general concern.

Will we allow this situation to continue in the same way? Where can we make changes for improvement? If we can obtain some funding prior to April 1999, we would like to reassess the mandate of the Baffin leaders and see if they need to be assigned differently. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

--Applause

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, hopefully I will be clear enough. I would like to pose my question to the Minister for Division. The deputy ministers in that region, and probably the Minister I am sure, have meetings occasionally concerning languages within our communities. The language policies were approved in Igloolik originally, but later on in the future there were amendments made to those policies. Whether it was by way of the Interim Commissioner I do not know, but the Baffin leaders held a summit in July and a motion was brought forward to return to the original documents under the Languages Policy. At that time it was moved, I believe by people representing Kugluktuk/Coppermine. I wonder if he can elaborate on that? Thank you. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister please, or if the Minister will respond to the people of Pond Inlet by written correspondence on this matter that they take very seriously. Can he give me a copy of his response to the people of Pond Inlet? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know he answered my question, however, supplementary to my question. Why is the size of the gymnasium in Pangnirtung different? I have been informed that the designs were rerouted to the community from Pond Inlet. Is that the case, Mr. Speaker? Thank you. (Translation ends)