Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, when I became the Minister of Finance, one of the earliest documents that I received was this particular document, and it was, I think, released to the House the day after I got it. Early on cabinet decided that this was of such importance that the Government Leader would be the lead Minister in this particular document. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Page five. Any comment on page five? Page six. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today, if the honourable Member, the Government Leader, recalls, I asked for specific documentation. You will notice on pages six and seven that there were specific groups that developed particular reports. I am wondering if the interim reports from these committees could be made available if possible, depending on your review and consideration as you indicated earlier.

Thank you. Government Leader.

Mr. Chairman, I did not mean to be hesitant about providing the information. I do not know where they all are or how many there are. The only report that was delivered to us was this, and I undertook to find out where the other documentation or reports that were used in this process are. I will do that; I just have not had time to do that yet.

Thank you. Page seven. Mr. Gargan.

In designing this report, there were some private citizens and government employees who provided opinions that were critical to the project. I would like to ask who the private citizens and government employees are on this.

Thank you. Madam Government Leader.

Starting at the bottom of page five, it lists all the people on there as well as the different team leaders. There is a management organization as well as service and program delivery. The names are on there. For example, under management and organization, Jim Antoine, Knute Hansen and Liz Apak Rose are on this list.

Thank you. Mr. Gargan.

I thought these were resource people. When I was referring to this section, my impression was that there were public meetings where private citizens and government employees made presentations. I guess that is not the case.

Madam Government Leader.

These were the team organizers. They met with several people by going to the various regions. I do not have a list of who talked to them or how many people met with them making presentations. It is not listed in the book. However, I am sure the information may be obtained.

Thank you. Page seven.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Page eight.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Page nine. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask if the Direction for the 1990s is still the basis by which this government is operating, or whether or not there will be an indication at some time of either a renewal of those directions or a reassessment and indication by this cabinet of the direction they wish to take over the next four years.

Madam Government Leader.

Lack Of Financial Resources For New Programs

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The general problem we had in trying to set a direction is our lack of ability to find the financial resources to take on new programs or deliver new initiatives. What we have found is that if we do something about the government, to reorganize and redirect, we would be able to do that. At this point in time I am not planning to go into another Snare Lake and say we are going to set these brave objectives that cost money, because we cannot afford them. Basically, we are staying the course and trying to reshape and redirect funding to take on programs, even the present programs that we have. I think that there is a lot of anxiety that our financial position would not allow us to fund the programs that exist today. Hopefully, when we are going through this process, a clearer direction can be pulled out of this exercise.

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the Government Leader for responding; however, I must say that the matter of, for instance, dealing with additional provincial-like powers and responsibilities does cause me some concern. I agree that if the case is that those transfers are going to cost us more money, then it is really not in our interest. I do want to caution government about even dealing with the matter of northern control of Northwest Territories' energy resources if that particular matter is going to, in future, cause us financial problems. I know that some may say it is an advantage because we are going to get resource revenues, but our problem still lies in that we have to assume the responsibility for paying for the overall administration of managing those resources within terms of mineral and energy resources.

I am cautious about it, and maybe even more so I am concerned that aboriginal people are still not secure in their involvement in that process. I just want to raise that concern with you and maybe you can address it some other time, but I just wanted to point that out to you. I know that you have consulted some organizations with regard to legislation, and those kinds of things, but there are still problems with significant changes that are required, and maybe that is one reason that you are seeking the advice of the various groups.