I have one other question with regard to the process. Can the Minister tell the House if this contract for the review was a sole-source contract, or was it put out to tender?

Thank you. Mr. Todd.

It was a sole-source contract, and it was clear in its terms of reference that I wanted to get clear, political direction from the MLAs as to what direction and what priorities they placed on transportation. It was a short, 90-day process. In my understanding, it cost $12,000. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of my neglected communities in the Northwest Territories, Hall Beach, has no government representative from the Executive. It doesn't have a full time representative from Renewable Resources, it doesn't have an ED&T representative, it doesn't have a full time Social Services representative, either. Mr. Speaker, my community has over 500 people.

Since the community of Hall Beach is economically depressed, I would like to ask the Minister of ED&T if he's prepared to put a person in Hall Beach to assist possible business persons to create jobs?

Mr. Todd.

I'm not in a position today to indicate whether we would have the resources or the PYs available to put a person in Hall Beach, but I certainly concur with the honourable Member that we should take a hard look at it. We will commit to doing that and get back to the Member when we've done an assessment. But, at this time, I'm not aware of our total resources and our flexibility in being able to transfer resources to put someone in there. But, we'll commit to it.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you. I understand the PYs are hard to come by, when you are a Minister in this government at this time, because of restraint. If the Minister is not able to come up with new PYs, is he prepared to move a PY from less useful positions to Hall Beach? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

---Laughter

All our positions are useful. Again, I would have to take a look at it. We'll do an overall assessment of our PYs and needs in the Baffin and I'll get back to the honourable Member. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I don't know about this particular case. I'll take the question as notice. I will go and find where that money came from and report to the House tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

I would like to ask the Minister of Finance if he knows the answer to this question. Just for the record, would he indicate what the projected deficit is likely to be for the fiscal year ending in 1993-94?

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, as Members will see when the supp comes into the House this afternoon, and as they'll hear me say at that time, we're projecting a $25 million deficit for the year we're in, at the present time. I don't have to remind Members that there is still some time remaining in this fiscal year. So, I would anticipate there will be more financial pressure put upon us. I don't think $25 million is as low as it will go. I think it will go lower, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

There is always a degree of uncertainty as to exactly where you're going to end up at the end of the fiscal year. But, I would like to ask the Minister, since we are going to be in a deficit position, has he considered any deficit reduction schemes that he can share with Members, so at least we have some idea about the kind of options he has in front of him?

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are a number of problems we're facing at the present time, with regard to our fiscal position. And, as I advised the Standing Committee on Finance on Thursday morning, Cabinet will see an options paper on how we can collectively look at the financial situation we find ourselves in. Once that options paper has been discussed by Cabinet, it will then go to the Standing Committee on Finance, and it would be my intention, Mr. Speaker, to introduce that options paper into this House early in the Sixth Session, so it could be moved into committee of the whole and debated.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that will give people the opportunity to see the kind of situation we're facing, look at some of the things we could be doing and, perhaps give us some advice on areas that ordinary Members feel are areas in which we can move. I hope that we can see that next week, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.