Thank you. The other point I wanted to bring forth was in regard to labour relations. I do not know whether the labour relations division has any legal counsel

within the division, particularly when you are doing departure agreements with employees. I know the Department of Personnel used the services of the Department of Justice to work out legal implications if there were any. Can the Minister advise us whether there is any particular legal counsel in that particular division? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is the point I want to make. There never seems to be legal counsel within the labour relations area. Sometimes it is very difficult. I have been told, once you are in the government, you never get fired because they do not know how to fire civil servants or how to discipline them. Will the Minister take into consideration trying to complement his labour relations division with the necessary legal counsel? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe there is some merit to that because sometimes when you are trying to address any type of labour relations, by the time it gets to the Department of Justice there are so many events that have come up and it is difficult to keep on top of them. I think in taking a more pro-active approach, consideration should be given to legal counsel within that particular area.

Mr. Chairman, I did want to mention to the Minister, with respect to his definitive objectives particularly pertaining to job evaluations, sometimes I receive comments that the job descriptions which reflect the position requirement are somewhat too sophisticated and artificially inflated. Through classification, depending upon the requirements necessary for a job, reflects the salary base. Has there been continual evaluation with respect to job descriptions to ensure you are not placing in artificial barriers to a possible individual who may want to take on a position? Is there a possibility that job description requirements are artificially inflated with requirements which are unnecessary? Is this type of review being done? Thank you.

That is good news to hear, Mr. Chairman. I have stated in committee, I have never stated it publicly, that I certainly have supported the department's initiative with respect to the housing strategy. I know last week when I was out of town there were some significant changes, however, they were accepted by both the Members and the government in addressing the housing strategy.

I wanted to comment on the housing allowance which is granted to civil servants. This side of the House and these Members have been pressing the government to increase social assistance allowance, particularly the food allowance. There is a $450 housing allowance given to every civil servant who owns their own home. An individual client of Social Services does not even get $450 per month for food, they do not even get $450 per month to live on, let alone for food.

Hear, hear.

I would suggest that maybe the Minister of Personnel may want to consider giving up a portion of his housing allowance, not saying the whole $450, but a portion of it to his colleague the Minister of Social Services so they could look at raising the food rates for Social Services. I think that would be benefiting all the people of the north, particularly the ones in need, as opposed to just a selected few. Thank you.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Job Evaluation

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Has any progress been made with the gender equality issue? I know this government was working on paying women for equal work of equal value. Have you addressed that issue?