Thank you. Just to mention to the Members that I've written down all the names according to when their hands go up, so if I haven't gotten to you right away it's not because I'm ignoring you but it's according to the order I have. Mr. Ootes is next and then Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Henry.

Mr. Chairman, I will speak against the motion as it's presented. I could support the initial part of the motion. I believe that the words "strongly consider the issue of East/West balance" is a way that this House can, for all intents and purposes, tie the hands of the person that we will, over the next period of time, elect to be the leader of the Government of the Northwest Territories. When we do elect an individual, from my perspective, I will be supporting the individual who I believe has good judgement and the integrity to know if there is a requirement for a Deputy Premier position.

Secondly, I would be opposed to tying the hands of that individual from being able to make that decision. I feel that the words "strongly consider" does not give enough consideration and does not leave enough consideration for the person we elect as Premier. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Evaloarjuk and then Mr. Todd.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To the motion that is on the floor now. I am supportive of this motion as long as...We've just finished talking about not having nine Cabinet Ministers. If there is going to be a lot of money involved, then I may not support this. Is there any funding available for a Deputy Premier? Is this to the motion? Is there funding?

Okay. With regard to the guidelines right now, the mover cannot amend his own motion. Mr. Steen.

Just for a suggestion, if you look at your motion right up to Deputy Premier, we add "from those Members appointed to the Executive Council." Would that be your amendment?

I'll ask the Clerk of the Assembly to respond to that.

Mr. Chairman, the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act prescribes the salary for the Government Leader or Premier and the Ministers. There is no salary identified in legislation for the position of Deputy Premier, so there is nothing in legislation at this time that would allow that to happen.

Thank you. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Like my other colleagues, I support the motion. In the last Assembly, if I can just share with you, Mr. Antoine and I co-chaired the Special Joint Committee on Division. I think it was a difficult task, but due to the fact that we had a balance in terms of sentiment from East and West, it seemed to function reasonably well.

I support the motion and whoever he or she may be, I would hope that at the end of the day they would see the requirement for one, putting the right person in the job, as Mr. Henry said; and, two, that hopefully the balance would be there when that appointment is made. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Steen and then Mr. Miltenberger. To the motion.

Thank you. Just for clarification, Mr. Steen, at this point it's only a suggestion. Are you going to move an amendment?

Do we need a copy of that or is it clear?

---Interjection

You understand it all. So it's right after, "I move that the Territorial Leadership Committee agrees that the Premier should choose his or her Deputy Premier from those Members appointed to the Executive Council." To the amendment.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The amendment is carried.

---Carried

To the motion as amended. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. To the motion as amended. Mr. Arlooktoo, do you wish to say anything further?

When I moved the motion, the intent was that the deputy would be selected from the Cabinet that was already in there.

Just a comment on increased costs; that would be up to the Premier, I suppose. The way I see it, there may be some additional costs. Not nearly as much as a new Cabinet Minister, but if the Deputy Premier did come from either East or West and if the Premier was going to spread the workload more evenly, it could be that the Deputy Premier would be doing a bit more travelling from time to time. For example, if the Deputy Premier did come from the East, I would expect that the Deputy Premier would occasionally go to the Nunavut area on behalf of the Premier from time to time. So I wouldn't close the door on that one. The way I see it is that the Deputy Premier would be perhaps a senior Cabinet Minister from whichever area, East or West , that he or she came from.