Mr. Speaker, the plans that the honourable Member mentioned from the departments have come through F.M.B., then they go to Cabinet and on for implementation. We do have an implementation organization within the Department of the Executive. The Cabinet would attempt to force those issues to fruition. That is the answer to the previous question. I would be willing to provide a status report of all the privatization efforts, where they are, and if we are behind schedule, where and when we feel they will be accomplished.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

Mr. Allooloo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not clear on the question. However, the hunters and trappers in the N.W.T. have supported and protected them through funding. Through the hunters' and trappers' associations, the old traps are presently being replaced and the trappers will continue to trap to sell. In 1984-85, the prices for the skins were very low: pelts were $20. During our meeting, we had agreed to come up with a committee to do a study on the grey seals, and to work on the cost of the pelts and the meat. We agreed that the Ministers would form a committee and, during this week, I stated that the working group will be working on the recommendations and that they will be meeting in January to talk about seals.

In the N.W.T., within the territorial government, we are also setting up a fur strategy committee. We are working on that, and I will also be working on recommendations on harp seals. The department is setting up a proposal to be presented to the federal government. This has now gone to our Cabinet and I will be asking for funding so that the pelts will be once again can be sold in Canada. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This will be cut at the end of March. What is your department doing to support the aboriginal people who support their families through hunting and trapping? What is your department doing so that the funding will continue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) We will be using the existing bodies to continue the funding through I.T.C., I.S.I. and other organizations, because they are in a better position and they know what to say and we will be listening to their concerns and comments. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I understand that the I.T.C., the organizations and bodies will be working together. However, what is your department, the Department of Renewable Resources, doing to support the funding?

Mr. Allooloo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I was not too clear, but we are listening to their concerns, because they know what is best for them and the strategies they should set up. They are in a better position than we are. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Pollard.

I anticipate having those numbers by the end of this month, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, if I had to guess, I would say it was in the area of $8 million that we saved through that financial restraint program but, even more important, Mr. Speaker, is the message that government employees, bureaucrats, departments could not just go out and spend indiscriminately. It has been noticed in the past, when you get to year end, there are people out there spending money like crazy. That was brought home to me time and time again. That was another area we moved to in saying to the departments, you cannot go out and do that any more. There are not enough dollars to go around.

Although, I have only saved $8 million and I will know that at the end of the month if I am correct, Mr. Speaker, we set the tone. We said to people, you have to be responsible. You have to spend your money wisely and we prefer that you spend it in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, F.M.B. and Cabinet decided on a course of action to balance our budget by next year. Departments were given targets, both in O & M, with a call letter, and in capital, they were asked to work within an

envelope of a three year expenditure program so that they know what they had in year one, two and three. That has had a lot of influence on those things coming down the road that would be, let us say, surprising. We have maintained our capital spending and I am very pleased to say, Mr. Speaker, that I notice that in the areas of health and social services, and I credit the former Minister for this, the spending has ceased to escalate at the pace it was a year ago. I think that the message is still there to use the funds wisely, to be cognizant of those dollars. I have said to the deputy ministers before, spend them as if they were your own dollars.

The other thing is, I have been very pleased with the support that I have received from Cabinet Ministers. We adopted a discipline and said that we would accept forced growth, but beyond that no extra dollars would be spent. I must admit, Mr. Speaker, the support from the Members of Cabinet has been really exemplary and they have been responsible. There have been times when they have come forward for a very good reason for extra funds, but mainly Mr. Speaker, Cabinet has been very supportive of trying to balance our budget by next year.

If we continue the way we are going, if everybody continues to be reasonable, and if the transfers from Ottawa remain as they are at the present time, we still will be able to balance our budget next year, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Koe.