In the overall negotiated contracts, the contract price is fairly well predetermined. There is a budget allocation for a certain project. The department responsible, generally knows about how much those projects are going to cost. When a contract is brought forward, it takes into consideration what we had determined to be the amount that would be required for that project.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are negotiated contracts in several different departments of government. So, on what basis do you decide which contracts should be negotiated, and which should not? What is the basis for deciding?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, generally the Minister responsible for the particular department evaluates whether the negotiated contracts would bring maximum benefit. Other times, there are different organizations they are aware of, or development corporations, that request they be given a

chance at the various opportunities that might be within their region. It is evaluated on that basis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, in Mr. Pollard's budget address, he said that contractors may not beat expectations, with respect to performance and satisfactory project completion. Since we are looking at full value for money, in the case of the negotiated contract in the building of the airstrip at Lutsel K'e, I know there will be a very large supplementary appropriation request. Mr. Todd, Mr. Morin and Mr. Pollard have indicated that contractors getting these negotiated contracts are required to provide full value for money. Is that what is meant by full value for money, that we are to be required to have a lot more money than was originally planned, to build a particular facility?

Madam Premier.

Not necessarily, Mr. Speaker. By and large, most negotiated contracts come in at the estimated cost that has been negotiated. From time to time, there are project officers assigned to the project as well, particularly, if people need some extra support to get going. In terms of the specific contract you are talking about, I would say with the past experience on negotiated contracts, that was an anomaly. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

My final supplementary is to Mr. Morin, since he is in the House. Mr. Morin conducted an interview, Mr. Speaker, with...

Mr. Lewis, your line of questioning is directed to the Premier and you would have to complete that line of questioning to the Premier for your final supplementary. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Okay, I will direct the same question to the Premier. As I understand it, Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for Public Works had an interview with CBC on December 1. During that interview there was an exchange between Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Morin. Mr. Hamilton asked, "At what point do you sit down and start rationally studying and quantifying this provision to see if you are doing the best thing with taxpayers' money?" Mr. Morin said, "We are doing the best thing with taxpayers' money, that is our job, number one." Mr. Hamilton asked, "Is that written down somewhere?" Then, Mr. Morin said, "It is written down."

I would like to ask the Premier, do you have a policy written down to guide people on negotiated contracts, please?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, when a request for a negotiated contract comes forward, the procedure is that the Minister responsible would be assessing exactly what that negotiated contract was. He or she would be assessing what the particular group or development corporation intends to do, how they intend to do it and how they will maximize the benefits, which is one of the criteria for negotiated contracts. That is all-encompassed in the request for a negotiated contract. The terms of the negotiated contract are approved on the exact guidelines that are presented. That becomes part of the contract. thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, certainly.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I made a Member's statement regarding social services. I have a question for the Minister of Social Services. In Sanikiluaq, we haven't had a social worker since June. The government employee in Sanikiluaq has many responsibilities, including clients, who go to the administrator to receive social assistance. Mr. Speaker, perhaps the Minister of Social Services could respond to the problem in Sanikiluaq. I'd like to know if they can place a social worker in Sanikiluaq in the near future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member for Iqaluit stated earlier that Sanikiluaq hasn't had a social worker since August 13. They have advertised the position in the papers a couple of times and there hasn't been any interest in the position. At this time, it is being advertised in the north and in the south. The department has occasionally been sending different social workers from other areas, but I would just like to assure you that the advertisement is in the papers right now. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ng.