(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say thank you that I was able to participate during session, and especially to the interpreter/translators who worked exceptionally hard. I am the only unilingual Member in this House; there are three of them at times who translate all the material and interpret during the House. I wish to thank the interpreter/translators. Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Chair. Being a Member of the Standing Committee on Resource Management, the only concern I have regarding this bill is that we should be more concerned over people's lives. However, I thought that we were not on the highway system, being hamlets do have their own by-laws.

We, who are not on the highway system, being in hamlets, do have our own by-laws relating to vehicles in our own communities. I am still supporting the hamlets within their communities, particularly in the Baffin region. The hamlets are able to make their own by-laws within their own communities relating to motor vehicles. The hamlet by-laws state that as long as they have license plates, the by-laws have to be used accordingly and followed.

A concern that I had with this bill was that it might apply to every community that has their own by-laws. Some people cannot afford to buy parts for their vehicles. Another concern that I had related to this bill was that if people weren't able to buy expensive parts to install in their vehicles, then they won't be able to operate their vehicles in their communities. Thank you, Madam Chair.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Chair. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding a little bit on this motion. I am in support of the $5 million that is being proposed in the motion. First of all, when the Baffin leaders were meeting, there was a resolution made stating that the government shouldn't be selling off government housing before Nunavut is in place. They wanted the government to consider that resolution that was being made at that meeting in the Baffin.

Being a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I can be involved in decision-ma king. However, we have to represent the people who are in our region; we have to listen to their concerns and problems. For that reason, I will not be supporting this motion at the moment. I know the motion might be carried but I will not be supporting this motion at this time. Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Chair. I apologize for the short comment I just made. However, being a Canadian, I cannot just sit back and listen to what is being said without having the freedom of speech. However, we have to abide by laws that have been established for us. Having said what I just said, I just wanted to make that comment because in the past, it seems like that has been the case. However, I apologize for the comment I just made. Being Members of the Legislative Assembly, we are told that we can't change plans that have already been in place from previous operations of government. I just wanted to say that I am quite happy about this funding. I am asking this question. Will I be able to get half of this $12.5 million for my communities? Thank you, Madam Chair.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to make a comment. I am not pointing a finger at the Minister. She is a new Minister dealing with this department. Perhaps if I had read through the main estimates previous to our meeting and under general

comments, maybe I should have brought up my comments. However, being on page 10-31, looking at this page and the amount of funding, it is over $12 million. I am happy that this would be allocated to the Nunavut region; however, part of the communities in my constituency have projects in the five-year capital plans; some have been deferred, however. That is the way I am understanding it. Why didn't they defer this funding for another time? I have heard from the people that the Ministers'...It has been said before that the ridings of the Minister tend to get more capital projects than any other ordinary Members' ridings. This has been done in the past. St.

Listening to the CBC News this morning, the government has already made five-year plans for each community. So those plans can't be changed in between those five years. I am not particularly...

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is Friday and I will try English and say "thank you, Mr. Speaker." Mr. Speaker, I wish to report that, as the chair of the Baffin Leaders' Summit, I have just sent out invitations to our next meeting in Kimmirut on June 21 to 23, 1996. The Baffin MLAs have agreed that this meeting will focus on developing a common Baffin economic strategy for the Baffin region. The Baffin meeting will be attended by the Baffin MLAs and 13 Baffin mayors, the president and the executive of the Baffin Region Inuit Association, the president of ... (inaudible) ... corporation and the president of the Baffin Chamber of Commerce. Also, Mr. Jose Kusugak, president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, has been invited to attend.

We will also receive a presentation from the Honourable Manitok Thompson and we will have a discussion on community empowerment. I would like to thank the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, for allowing his regional staff to prepare a presentation on the Baffin economy. I do believe this will greatly assist us to guide the discussion towards a common Baffin economic strategy.

We are also grateful to the community of Kimmirut and Mayor Kowisa Arlooktoo and his council for agreeing to host this important meeting. Mr. Speaker, I will be pleased to report the results of this important meeting to the Assembly at the next opportunity, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

I do not see any of my riding in there. Are they not going to receiving any contributions? What's happening?

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is my riding. There is Igloolik, ...(inaudible) ... but I do not see Pond Inlet or Hall Beach. Are they going to be receiving any contributions?

(Translation) I have a question. In Igloolik, we have asked for a recreation centre. I think it was in a five-year plan. Do I understand that we will not be getting that recreation centre in the next three years?