(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation concerning privately owned housing regarding the energy and the utilities that come with it. As of April, we understand that the utility costs will be raised by 15 percent. This is the information that was passed on to me and I was asked to ask this in the House. Are we to expect rate increases for utilities for private housing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to make a brief statement. There was a meeting of Nunavut Implementation Commission on March 24th to 26th. At that meeting, participants included were people from Nunavut region, Quebec and Labrador. Tommy Enuaraq and I attended as well and the discussion was on languages. The progress on the topic covered was tremendous. We learned a great deal and had a productive meeting. I would like to congratulate the co-chairs John Amagoalik and Peter Ernerk for giving us the opportunity to participate and to say that the Inuit should work to preserve their languages. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development. In my Member's statement earlier, I spoke about an unusual occurrence that we are very proud of regarding, Pakak Qamaniq. He guided two separate successful polar bear hunts on April 9th, 1997 and April 9th, 1998, a year apart on the same day. I believe this was the first time the hunt was accomplished within the timeframe I indicated. Mr. Speaker, this man is a humble man, well-organized and soft spoken. In view of the fact that the department is in the business of promoting tourism and economic development endeavours, can the Minister, in his capacity, indicate to me whether or not he can consider presenting an official form of recognition for his work? I wonder if the Minister can do this for me? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an individual. Members are aware that many sport hunters are taken out on polar bear hunts, yearly around this time on dog teams, especially big game hunters from outside of Canada. This is especially helpful financially to those who own dog teams in communities. In my community people with dog teams take big game hunters out on the land to hunt polar bears and it takes them three or more days one way and sometimes the weather does not always cooperate. I would like recognition given to Pakak Qamaniq who owns a dog team, and takes big game hunters to hunt polar bear.

On April 9, 1997, he guided a successful polar bear hunt and again on April 9, 1998, a year later, guided a successful polar hunt. I have never heard of incidents such as this where someone guiding big game hunters succeeds like this a year apart to the day. This is a very unusual occurrence and during question period today, I will be asking the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, what his department is willing to do to recognize this individual. I think this is the first time this kind of feat has been achieved during this lifetime. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak on the general meeting that was held in Igloolik, March 20th to 23rd, with the Social Development Committee. Representatives from all the Nunavut regions were in attendance. At the meeting, we learned a great deal including aspects of the new Nunavut government to be, the role that our culture plays and how we must maintain it and try to understand it. We realize how much of our culture we are losing. Our elders were there to remind us of the importance of our heritage. Young people, elders, men and women were at this meeting. The meeting helped us a great deal and we have to recognize the contribution of the Social Development Committee as well as remembering that we have to implement our cultural nature in our future endeavour. To do this, we must ensure that funding is provided for their work on an ongoing basis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. On February 12, 1998, I asked the Minister about Hall Beach residents not being able to receive broadcasting from CBC since December, 1997. At the time the Minister responded by saying that on February 28th, they would send someone to fix the service. Today is May 21st, they still have not been provided with CBC broadcasts and their local radio station is still not in service. Can the Minister provide me with an accurate response as to what they are doing and what they are going to do to rectify the problem? (Translation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to make a statement regarding Hall Beach's lack of CBC News Service. The residents of Hall Beach are still not able to receive CBC service at this point in time. As well, their local radio station is still out of service. At the appropriate time during question period, I will be asking the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment what his department and the CBC have done to date, to rectify the problem. Thank you. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a person from Pond Inlet. William Merkosak, who is a good carver, is here. I would like people to recognize him. Thank you. (Translation ends)

--Applause

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Concerning parks for the Baffin region, Mr. Chairman, what happens when people get extensions under building and works. For example, Hall Beach, Igloolik and Pond Inlet have no parks, and they have beautiful country up there. I am wondering why there is never anything set aside. Is it because you require proposals from the communities to set up parks so they have them under this funding? (Translation ends)