Good afternoon. I hope everyone had a restful weekend. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, February 19, the Member for Thebacha rose and made a Member's statement regarding concerns she had with the way in which an issue she had raised with me was dealt with. I accept responsibility for the fact that the issue was not dealt with properly.

What I do not accept, however, is the tone and the manner in which the Member chose to communicate her displeasure. In the space of a two and a half page statement she claims that I am not taking my job seriously, I am cavalier, unprofessional, forgetful, unhelpful, lazy, irresponsible and unconscientious.

Point of order. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to ask clarification, the Minister is making ...

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Members cannot ask for clarification. What is your point of order, Mrs. Marie-Jewell?

Mr. Speaker, the Minister rose under Ministers' statements. I received a copy of the Minister's statement as put forth. Under the rules of this House, a Minister is to speak to a Minister's statement on a policy issue. Thank you.

Up to this particular point, I am unable to rule on your point of order. I wiU say, though, the issue at hand here is, I believe, to be that of policy insomuch as it deals with how the government and the govemment Ministers deal wilh concerns of MLAs. Up to this point, you do not have a point of order, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Please continue, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. She claims that I am not taking my job seriously, I am cavalier, unprofessional, forgetful, unhelpful, lazy, irresponsible and unconscientious.

Mr. Speaker, I am none of those things, the Member knows it as do the other Members of this House. I have tried as best as I know how to deal with Members' issues in a timely and conscientious way. This issue was dealt with the way in which most issues are dealt with. Staff are asked to research facts and provide answers and options available to the Minister at which point in time direction is given. There were two basic mistakes made in this case, the way in which the client was dealt with, and the way in which the corporation officials dealt with the Member's letter of complaint. Both of these have been dealt with and, hopefully, the issue is resolved.

I welcome constructive criticism from Members of this House, but I will not allow mysett to be abused in an irresponsible manner by a Member who, on one hand, expects to be dealt with in a courteous and professional manner but, on the other hand, is not willing to act that way herself.

Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, this is why the reputation and conduct of Members of this House is being perceived by the public in an increasingly cynical manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that seven students who graduated from NWT high schools last year have been named Canada scholars. These seven students are enrolled in university programs in science or engineering. They have all demonstrated high academic standards and we are very proud of all of them. We need to develop a strong resident population of scientists and engineers in the Northwest Territories.

Hear, hear.

---Applause

I hope all seven of these new Canada scholars will excel in their studies and return to the Northwest Territories where they can help us build our future. For the record, Mr. Speaker, I would like to read the names of our 1992 Canada scholars. Our congratulations go out to Katherine Searle, a graduate of Samuel Hearne Secondary School; Jonathan Hazenburg of Fort Simpson; Robert Hewlett of Hay River, and Yellowknife students Brian Auge, Michel Haener, Josip Peleskei and Ivan Tolentino.

My best wishes go out to an these students and I, along with my Cabinet colleagues, and an of the Members of this Assembly, encourage them to continue their achievements by setting outstarnfmg educational standards and examples for students of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An announcement was made recently by a US based company, Hondo Oil and Gas, that it has created a subsidiary, the Mackenzie-Porcupine Pipeline Company, to pursue the development of a large scale project to take natural gas from the Mackenzie Delta by pipeline to a new terminal near Anchorage, Alaska. From there, the gas would be liquefied for shipment to markets in China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

Mr. Speaker, this is an ambitious project, and it is at a very preliminary stage. The proponents will need seles contracts in several different countries, purchase agreements with the Delta producers, environmental and regulatory approvals, and billions of dollars of debt financing. Discussions on these basic requirements for a successful project have only just begun.

We should also note that gas from the Delta would have to compete with gas reserves in the Persian Gulf and Indonesia, which could be developed and transported to Asian markets at a much lower cost.

Natural gas prices, and growth in the demand for natural gas, should continue to be much higher in the Far East than in North America. It, therefore, makes sense for industry to investigate the concept of bringing gas from the Delta to these markets. If this partirular project looks realistic, then it is also possible that other proponents will come forward with different ideas about how natural gas might be transported from the Delta to the Far East. If this type of project were to be constructed, it would probably displace any large scale gas pipeline from the Delta up the Mackenzie Valley to Alberta. However, it is difficult to foresee when gas markets in North America could justify the development of a Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline. The project proposed by Hondo could open up the north to a potentially better gas market.

This proposed pipeline would not cross any caribou calving areas that we are aware of. It would be buied for most of its length, and would follow the Dempster Highway corridor as much as possible. The project would also involve the construc:tion of a small diameter liquids pipeline from the Delta to Norman Wells.

Mr. Speaker, at this point there is not enough information for the government to take a position on the proposal. It will take the companies involved several years to bring the project to the point where it could be reviewed by the appropriate regulatory agencies. In the meantime, we intend to keep an open mind and work cooperatively with the proponents. Next week representatives from Hondo Oil and Gas are planning to visit Old Crow in Inuvik to discuss their proposals with community leaders, the Gwich'in Tribal Council and the lnuvialuit Regional Corporation. The company appreciates the importance of an open dialogue with the affected communities and aboriginal organizations whose support will be of critical importance to the success of this venture. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Coumoyea. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was home on the weekend and it was indicated to me that at the beginning of my Member's statement on Friday, my constituents were unable to hear my Member's statement because at that time the radio was cut off. Therefore, my constituents wondered why the Minister of the Housing Corporation was using the tone that he did, saying I was conducting rnyseH in an irresponsible manner as a Member. I resent that. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I am thinking of requesting an apology. I would like to re-read my statement.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday I expressed my disappointment and concern in the actions undertaken by the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation in dealing with a serious matter, which I brought to his attention. Mr. Speaker, on November 12, I wrote to the Minister to indicate that one of my constituents had approached me in exasperation and frustration with the attitudes of Housing Corporation personnel in the Hay River district office. In doing so, I had faith that the Minister would take the issue seriously and take responsibility to find an appropriate resolution.

I remember clearly, on November 13, 1991, in reviewing the edited Hansard, the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe said some things when he asked Members of this House to select him for a Cabinet position. He said, in this House, and I quote, "I am still committed to working with all 24 Members of this Assembly in the next four years, whether I be a Cabinet Member or an ordinary Member, guaranteed. You are going to hear from me because I am here to represent my people who are aboriginal from small communities." He also said, "When you vote today, my friends, vote for someone who is here to do a job and not someone who is just here for the job." That is why, Mr. Speaker, I am disappointment and concerned with the cavalier manner in which the Minister conducted himself when he dealt with my constituent's concern.

The constituent who approached me...

Your allotted time has elapsed, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue with my Member's statement.

Agreed.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The constituent who approached me heel a serious problem with his housing unit and had waited months for an answer to queries placed with the Housing Corporation. He found corporation personnel unresponsive and negative in their dealings with him. These are the sort of concerns that I believe the Minister should know about. I believe that he would take a professional approach and attempt to resolve the problem. However, he did not.

Mr. Speaker, what did he do? it seems that he delegated and then he forgot about it because I did not hear from him again until just the day before session started. He delegated the matter to one of his senior officials in the Housing Corporation. That person delegated it to the district manager. The district manager delegated it to the staff person who had caused the problem in the first place. This person took the matter to his lawyer. Instead of getting help from the Minister, which Members expect, we did not, in resolving a particular attitude problem within the corporation. What I did get though, was a cease and desist letter from an employee's lawyer. Who knows what they might have in store for the constituent who brought the original concern to me in the first place. What was the Minister thinking about when he responded in this way? I wondered where his management skills were. Where was his commitment to working together and his concern for constituents that he told us about on November 13? Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, as I said on Friday, his teflon is rubbing off.

I recognize the Minister wrote and apologized, Mr. Speaker, the day before the session. However, Mr. Speaker, I want the Minister and the people who he is allowing to do his job for him to know that I will not cease and desist from continuing to express my concerns on behalf of my constituents. The fact that one of his employees tried to hire a local lawyer to intimidate me makes no difference. Should other constituents come and raise their concerns with respect to the behaviour of a civil servant, I will not hesitate to communicate those concerns to the appropriate people. My privilege to do so, as a Member of this House, is clearly defined and has been protected by court decisions in countries served by parliaments all over the world.

To confirm what type of privilege I have, through legal counsel, I was advised it was called "qualified privilege," when it is outside of the House. However, in researching cases in 1972, judgement of a case in England, the court found, and I quote, "It will be a sad day when a Member of Parliament has to look over his shoulder before ventilating to the proper authorities criticism about the work of a public servant, which he honestly believes to merit investigation." I strongly believe that all Members of this House would do no less in bringing the concerns of their constituents to the appropriate Minister. I trust that their issues will receive a more conscientious treatment than what was displayed towards me by the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.

I also bud when we bring forth our concerns in this manner, that Ministers will not get so defensive to the point where they are calling Members on this side of the House "irresponsible." I find that type of conduct ignorant, at the very least. of a Minister. Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today I would like to say a few things about the Workers' Compensation Board. For a long time many of the ordinary Members have been concerned about the Workers' Compensation Board. We have known it was too closely tied to Yellowknife and that members of the board do not understand what it is like to be a worker in a small community. We are concerned about the policies that have been developed. Sometimes it seems like those policies have lost sight of the fact that injured workers are human beings and they have feelings and fears.

We have also been concerned about the way money was spent on the administration of the Workers' Compensation Board. These concerns are outlined in the report of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions. I think all Members of the House are aware that some major changes have been made. What I want to say today is John Todd is doing a good job of addressing these problems. I agree with the decisions he made about the people who should be appointed to the Workers' Compensation Board. I also agree with his statement that he will put a stop to the run away administrative costs of the board. (Translation ends)

... challenges facing him. These are difficult financial times and the workers' compensation system needs much work. I look forward to seeing the report of this special advisor and I would urge him, as I am sure my honourable colleague for Deh Cho will also do, to finalize a workable plan for providing compensation to injured harvesters and traditional artists and carvers.

I am confident the Minister will be able to move ahead to deal with these and other issues. He has certainly gained my support of the approach he has taken so far. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to express my concerns regarding the airstrip in Lake Harbour. I am requesting that this concern be solved by the Minister of Transportation. There is mountainous country surrounding my community. We are requesting, from the Minister of Transportation, more runway lighting for the runway in Lake Harbour. We would like runway lighting above the mountain at the end of the runway in Lake Harbour. Some of the pilots who go to Lake Harbour have been complaining. In the months of October, November and December, it is very dark in my community and there are always planes coming in, except for Fridays. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like the Minister to consider putting extra runway lighting in my community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Antoine on February 17 regarding assistance to traditional harvesters.

The Department of Social Services' staff are aware of the problems raised by the honourable Member and have been working with the Department of Renewable Resources' officials, who have the lead role in developing strategies to assist traditional harvesters.

The Department of Renewable Resources is currently developing a fur strategy. Their consultant is expected to submit his report by the end of March. This report will include recommendations about price stabilization, which, together with other options also being considered will be carefully reviewed in order to develop alternatives for ensuring maximum benefits to traditional harvesters.

The Department of Social Services has the mandate to ensure that the basic financial needs of all NWT residents are met. This is done by providing social assistance to people in need regardless of their circumstances. The department also works with other departments, Education, Culture and Employment, and Canada Employment and Immigration, to develop job creation opportunities. The employment enhancement initiatives which were recently transferred to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Programs and which is managed jointly by all departments, is a prime example. Education, Culture and Employment Programs, together with Social Services, is working on development enhancement of social assistance recipients, including those whose income is effected by the low fur yield.

The impact of this low yield on social assistance has not yet been analyzed, however, early in the next fiscal we will be undertaking a complete analysis of the recent increases in social assistance. This will include the review of the trends in the fur industry. Officials will continue to monitor any changes in social assistance and factors that impact on costs.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. I would like to thank the Minister for making a statement today on Hondo Oil and Gas. The Mackenzie-Porcupine Pipeline Company, according to their press statement, has filed a notice of intent with the state of Alaska for a pipeline right-of-way to transport gas from the Mackenzie Delta to Alaska. In their press statement they also stated they want construction to start sometime this year with a goal to commence gas delivery in mid to late 1997. What is the status of this application to construct a gas pipeline?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, it is true there has been a filing of intent with the state of Alaska, however, as I noted in the statement on Hondo Oil and Gas, it is in the very preliminary stage. When we first heard about this venture we indicated to Hondo Oil and Gas that they should be consulting with the claimant groups in that particular area as they could possibly have their project on stream next year, but I think that would be highly unlikely and it is very ambitious. I am sure once consultation takes place with the Delta people and the north Yukon, Old Crow people, they will find there are various environmental concerns as well as participation of these groups which will have to be considered. I would think it would be highly unlikely that their schedule to begin construction in 1994-95 is realistic. We are going to be monitoring this very consistently. I think it could be a good thing for the groups of people who could be participants in this venture, however we all realize how difficult it is to get the funding for such a project, let alone the environmental approval and regulatory approvals that would be required. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Has the company filed notice of intent with the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and with any of the aboriginal groups?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, no, they have not. The advice we have given to them is that it would be in their best interest to have informal, preliminary talks with the claimant groups within the particular area that they want to export gas from. They are taking that advice but there have been no applications filed at this point.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

With a project of this type and once we receive an application, there will be a need for the governments and the aboriginal groups to have public hearings. What initiatives will this government be taking to ensure there will be effective public consultation on this project?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we do not have a great deal of information on the particular project and we will have to gather more. This week, the deputy minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources will be meeting with Hondo Oil. As well, there are scheduled meetings with the Gwich'in, Inuvialuit and individuals from Old Crow. However, once the company decides to file, the normal process will be instituted whereby the regulatory process will take over. At that point in time built into the regulatory process is the involvement of all concerned parties to take part in the hearings. However, I believe this will be determined once these informal meetings have taken place to see precisely what is being planned by the company. We will, as a government, ensure, as with all projects of this nature, that the concerns and the involvement of the people in those areas are fully informed and involved. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I spent a day with the people of Gjoa Haven and attended the opening of their community complex However, the issue of bussing did come up. The concern of the community and their requirements were sent to the Department of Education. I believe the Minister responsible is looking at an overall bussing policy. This would take in the needs of not only Gjoa Haven, but also other communities with a similar situation. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier has indicated that the Minister of Education will be developing a policy. When can we expect to see this policy? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

made by Mr. Nerysoo, so I would refer that to the Minister responsible.

The Premier may refer questions to appropriate Ministers. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated to Mr. Arngna'naaq previously, I was hoping to have a draft bussing program before the end of this fiscal year. If not, I will report back to my colleagues as to the reasons why that particular policy is not going to be considered.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Personnel. In the Minister's statement on February 18 regarding the long-term staff housing strategy, the Minister stated and I quote, "Finally we welcome the Assembly's review of the strategy and want Members to know that our staff is prepared to sit down with each Member of this Legislature to review the concerns of individual constituents, house by house, or case by case." I am very pleased that the Minister and his staff are willing to discuss these issues, however late, on a cow by case basis. This offer bodes well to more open government. However, why is the Minister's staff willing to sit down with each MLA to discuss individual constituents' concerns, rather than taking the time to sit down and meet with each constituent in his/her own home?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

To me, it makes more sense to talk directly to the tenants to clear up these misunderstandings or overstatements. Will the Minister make a commitment to have his staff available to meet with each tenant to discuss individual concerns?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Personnel. I would have hoped this issue would have been dead by now but, dearly, it is not. Today, all Members received a letter from David Sudlovenick from Pond Inlet about the now staff housing policy. It says, 'This policy, to be blunt and to the point, is irresponsible, dishonourable and has been hastily executed because any reasonable person can see it will destroy the eastern Arctic." Mr. Speaker, this has been an issue for the past week. On February 16, 1993, the Minister was interviewed on CBC radio and Members now have a transcript as Tabled Document 38-12(3). The transcripts show the Minister stated that this policy has been well accepted by the public. Recognizing that a record number of petitions opposing this policy have already been tabled in this House and we continue to get letters, and recognizing that there continues to be an outcry from employees and the unions across the territories, can the Minister explain why he has made public statements indicating the policy has been well accepted?

Mr. Kakfwi

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Speaker, recognizing this policy includes a provision whereby the government is going to save a great deal of money if everything goes according to plan, I would like to ask the Minister whether his department has carried out any studies on the potential costs of staff turnover related to the implementation of this policy, which would have the opposite effect? In fact, instead of saving money it is going to cost you more. Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is very evident that some people prefer death to dishonour because, as I understand, Mr. Bell has left a very good job as fire marshal to return to Saskatchewan rather than stay in the Northwest Territories. Is he assuming that there will be no more than the 20 per cent removal of people from the territories in protest against the staff housing policy?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, oral questions. Point of order, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Point Of Order

Mr. Morin, point of order.

Point Of Order

Point of order, Mr. Speaker. I do not have the book to refer to, but I believe that calling a Member ignorant, which the Member did call me, is also unparliamentary, so I request an apology as well. Thank you.

We have two requests for apologies. I will consider both points of order and will relay my decision to the House. I would like to say that this, again, is another example of a point of privilege that was made last week, which I will be giving my judgement in the next couple of days. It comes to the very fundamental way a Legislative Assembly works. It comes to a matter of common sense and politeness. This is a political process, it is not a debating society. However much latitude the Speaker decides to allow, it must be fair for both sides of the House. I will get back to the House as soon as possible with my judgement. Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps calling the Minister ignorant was unparliamentary. I have not been able to see it in...

Excuse me, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Point of order, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Point Of Order

Point of order, Mr. Speaker. I cannot see the word "ignorant" in Beauchesne's, however I apologize for using that word. I should have said that I found the Minister's reply to be appalling. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism regarding the shipwreck in Sanikiluaq. I had asked this question earlier. Has anyone been sent to look at the shipwreck in Sanikiluaq? I would like a response to that question. Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that was done, but I will provide the Member with the dates, the person and the report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Friday, I asked Question 285-12(3), the government policy on contracts. In reply, the Minister of Public Works, Government Services and the Housing Corporation, indicated there was no policy but, normally, a community requests to negotiate a contract. Later he indicated that a development corporation may ask to negotiate a contract. Would the Minister indicate that this forms the basis of a policy that a community and a development corporation may ask to negotiate a contract, but no one else? Is this the policy?

Mr. Morin

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Normally, it is a community or a development corporation that requests a negotiated contract, but anyone may ask for a negotiated contract. The process is, they ask and I take a paper to Cabinet to got approval to negotiate. Once Cabinet gives approval to negotiate, then my department negotiates with the community. Once they finish negotiating, it goes back to Cabinet for approval.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Since there is a process whereby someone can ask to negotiate a contract, on what basis does Cabinet decide whether something should be negotiated or not? What are the parameters? What is the policy? How many groups can be invoked?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Normally there are certain guidelines to negotiate a contract. These include, if a community is going to train a local work-force, if it is going to help the community develop a business and if all the jobs and benefits from that contract stay local or in the north. They are not allowed to use southern people in a negotiated contract. Thank you.

Mr. Lewis.

Since Mr. Todd is not involved in the Evaz Group of Companies any more, I will ask you this. Can the Evaz Group of Companies negotiate a contract with this government, or would it be an automatic, "No, this is not a group that could be involved in negotiating a contract with this government?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we could negotiated with that company. Presently, we are not. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to indicate to the honourable Member that I am preparing the documentation to take to Cabinet for review so that we can got the direction and approval of Cabinet to proceed with the review of the Education Act.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell

Mr. Speaker, with respect to students' school attendance, under section 131 (1), is the definition of a child. 'Child means a person who, on December 31 of an academic year, is between the ages of six and 15 years inclusive: 'compulsory school attendance' means the attendance of a child at school that is required by this act." According to this act, the compulsory age requirement to attend school is between the ages of six and 15. In reviewing the Education Act, would the Minister consider raising that requirement of the age to, at the very least, 17 years of age as opposed to 15 years of age? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All ideas and suggestions with regard to those particular issues will be sought from the people in the communities, the local education authorities, including school boards and also Members of this Assembly. It is my view that there is an obvious need to amend the Education Act, to modernize it and to recognize some of the charter responsibilities we have for providing education. Any changes that will accommodate those are in the interest of improving the educational system and the offers of good schooling and good programs and services to our students.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my comments with respect to the Education Act, I would like to ask the Minister, under section 111, respecting vocational education, it indicates "Any person who has attained the age of 17 years and has been resident in the territories for at least two years is eligible to make application for admission to an adult or vocational program." Would the Minister consider, in his review of the Education Act, looking at raising that age from 17 to 19 years? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that if there are any suggestions in which we can improve the Education Act, certainly those considerations will be given to the suggestions that are being made. I welcome the constructive ideas and thoughts Members have with regard to amending the Education Act. Those issues will be considered.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Personnel. On February 18, the Minister gave a Minister's statement regarding pay equity. I understand to deal with the pay equity the government was negotiating with the union. These negotiations have fallen apart because the positions were over $50 million apart. The Minister informed Members of this House that there was potential for substantial liability. Could the Minister tell the House what the plan is for dealing with this pay equity situation? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

The Minister was informing Members of this House that there is potential for substantial liability. I wanted to know if the Minister could tell the House how he is going to deal with this pay equity situation? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

For clarification, Mr. Speaker, could the Minister tell the House which union we are talking about? In his statement he mentioned a union, but he did not specify which one. Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell the House what kind of time frame we are looking at in terms of deciding whether we are going to arbitrate or take legal proceedings? Thank you.