Mr. Todd.

I made a clear commitment to organized labour that they will have a balance of unionized workers and others on that committee.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Personnel. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Personnel knows that one of the affirmative action priorities for this government is to increase the number of women working in non-traditional occupations. I am aware there has been some progress made by the previous and current Ministers of Education, Culture and Employment Programs in enhancing women in trades, training and apprenticeship programs. However, I am concerned about the lack of progress we seem to be making as a government in terms of hiring women into all non-traditional occupations whether they are management positions or trades oriented jobs. Can the Minister of Personnel indicate whether his department has evaluated areas where more progress could be made in terms of women working for this government in non-traditional occupations? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, sometimes with respect to trying to acquire that information, one of the main factors which prevent women from entering into non-traditional trades or occupations is the attitude of predominantly male senior management within our public service. Will the Minister take the responsibility to determine whether he can have this evaluation done in order to determine the amount of women attempting to enter non-traditional occupational trades programs? Thank you.

Mrs. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I know we work very carefully with the Department of Personnel. The honourable Member is correct in saying that women in trades fall very short of the objectives that have been set in the past. It has been two years since the document "Women in trades - a needs assessment" was completed. The document was developed by women in trades steering committee which included a representative from the Department of Personnel, the Equal Employment Directorate, the Department of Education, the Women's Directorate, Arctic College and the Department of Public Works.

Mr. Speaker, based on the findings and conclusions of the report, nine recommendations have been structured to identify the responsibilities and the specific action required. Mr. Speaker, as Members should know, there is a special advisor to the Government Leader, Bertha Norwegian, who proposes to do a follow-up with the GNWT departments as mentioned to determine what actions have and have not been taken. This responsibility has been given to the government's special advisor on women's issues.

Upon completion of the follow-up, a women and trades steering committee will be struck and one of the main objectives of the committee will be to outline implementation strategies based on the recommendations and, further, to identify what resources and time frames are required for the implementation. Mr. Speaker, this responsibility has been given to the special advisor so we can take an overall governmental approach, rather than a departmental one. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, when does the Government Leader anticipate this work would be complete? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the special advisor has begun to undertake the work now and hopefully by the summer it should be complete and we will have an evaluation to give those recommendations some weight within the government. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Government Leader make a commitment to provide to this House the report and findings of the evaluation which she has requested her special advisor complete? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I believe it is anticipated that the findings of the special advisor would not be another study, but something to put together a time frame on how we can implement those recommendations which have already been put forward. I will provide that report. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I have a simple question for the Minister of Personnel. I am going to try it again. Employees have been offered the chance to buy staff housing in level II and III communities. What will the government do to replace a staff house needed for a teacher, if the employee buys the staff house and retires, or if an employee buys the staff house and sells it to the private sector. In both cases the staff house would no longer be available for other government employees. What will the government do if it loses houses through retirement or sales to the private sector? Thank you.

Minister of Personnel.

The time allotted for oral questions has expired. Item 6, written questions. There is an instruction booklet, Mr. Patterson, on how to read the clock. Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Item 8, replies to opening address. Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Morin.