(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is in support of the dogteams participating in the Arctic Winter Games. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the fact that we have Inuit and their dogteams participating in the Arctic Winter Games.

Since the Arctic Winter Games began, many Inuit and other native people have been expected to compete in sports such as basketball and volleyball, which are not our traditional sports. I am very happy that the Arctic Winter Games include Dene games, Arctic sports and dog racing because these sports are traditional for aboriginal people. When we include Arctic sports like dog racing in the Arctic Winter Games, it reflects our northern way of life and our culture.

I don't think the Arctic Winter Games should only include the sports they play in southern Canada. Dogteams are a very important part of our history and our culture in the North. They are also very important in Yukon, Alaska and Greenland. The use of dogteams is growing in the Eastern Arctic.

I hope that the Arctic Winter Games will continue and that the games will continue to be a reflection of our northern way of life and our culture. Thank you.

---Applause

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Health. The health centre in Hall Beach has a vehicle but they don't use it to deliver patients to and from the airport. I'm wondering if you can check into this because the patients who have to leave their community for medical attention have to take taxis. Are you aware of this? If not, could you please check into this, Mr. Minister? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I will ask the Minister of Justice or the Premier this question. As we are aware, ITC plans to go through the court system regarding the gun control act. I am wondering how much funding will be used to support ITC. I am wondering if the Government of the NWT has indicated whether they would help with funds that will be used for the court proceedings or have there been any request for funds from the GNWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. We received a letter on January 24th and I'm sure the Minister received that letter. I got a copy from Igloolik. Back in February 1995, during the 12th Assembly, there was a petition that was sent to the Minister regarding a community centre in Igloolik. That particular Minister responded in April 1995 that that Minister would be able to provide a response. To date, the residents of Igloolik have not received a response. It was going to be included in the 1995 capital plans under the five-year plan, but apparently it is not included there.

I had a meeting with the Minister of MACA in February and she informed me that she was going to get her officials to check into it. To date, we still haven't heard a response. I wonder if the Minister can respond to my question. Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was informed by one of my constituents so I'm going to raise a question but I'm not too certain which Minister I should direct it to; maybe to the Premier. When we're constantly talking about fiscal restraint -- I'm not sure whether this is true or not -- they've heard that the territorial government donated $70 million to other countries. Was that the case? Can one of the Ministers respond to my question? Is this true? Can somebody respond whether this is true or not?

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Justice. The Minister of Justice worked very hard with the gun control act. I wonder if he ever asked the question of how much money will be used to enact this law. If he cannot respond to my question, I would like a letter from him showing the amount that might be used. Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a former resident of Igloolik. His name is Hugh Lloyd. When I was younger, he used to be my best friend in Igloolik. I would like you to recognize him. He is married to a resident of Igloolik. Thank you.

---Applause

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have a written statement for distribution, so my statement will be oral. I would also like to thank the MLAs who are within our Nunavut area. We all agreed when voting day came close that we would still remain united and support the end result of the vote, whichever way it ended. This was not an unhappy situation for me, personally, because in the early 1960s, we were against building a school in Iqaluit. Students still attend school in Iqaluit. I am happy to see those results because over time our ideas have changed. I am happy to see that continuing.

Also, the people who worked very hard from the Keewatin and the Baffin regions should be congratulated. I would also like to remind others that this will not be implemented or become a reality by tomorrow. I watched a TV program where people did a radio phone-in. The subject was that people expected the capital will happen overnight, but I wanted to tell people this will not be the case. That is my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my wife, who also lit the kudlik at the opening, and my son, whom I'm not sure is present in the gallery; my adopted son, Lionel. My wife had a bit of a problem lighting the kudlik but it's still lit. Thank you.

---Applause