Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. As the Minister is aware, the economy in the NWT is very slow; businesses across the NWT have been feeling the effect of the recession in Canada and especially the freeze on government spending, which has really hurt a lot of businesses this year. It has been a tough winter. It has been a tough year for businesses in the NWT.

At this time of year in the construction industry it is generally very slow. There is not much going on, and cash flow is generally at its slowest right now. In spite of that, the Workers' Compensation Board assessment notices are being sent out, and in some cases construction firms are being required to come up with fees in excess of $100,000, all of which must be paid before the end of June.

As the Minister is aware, most construction only starts in many communities in the NWT in June. This means there are very few construction firms with any cash coming in from this year's work right now to pay this year's fees to the Workers' Compensation Board, and some may have a problem staying in operation and complying with the WCB payment schedules.

Will the Minister ask the Workers' Compensation Board to revise their fee payment structure to spread fees out over a longer period of time and ensure some recognition that seasonal businesses face a problem in meeting the present WCB payment structure?