Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Whitford.

Just for the record, Mr. Whitford, Members are only allowed to recognize visitors in the gallery once. Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the media last week, there were statements made by reporters indicating that this government was investigating the possibility of imposing a sales tax on residents of the Northwest Territories. Since the Minister of Finance isn't here, I would like to ask the Premier, is this government going to be imposing a sales tax on the residents of the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Mr. Koe, I will remind you that you cannot ask the Premier to deny or confirm a newspaper report. But the question was okay. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance is presently out on a telephone call with Mr. Ron Irwin. Regarding the question, Mr. Speaker, there have been no indications that the NWT government is planning to impose a sales tax. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, thank you for that clarification. This year's government and next year's government are going to be looking at deficits of around $130 to $150 million. I would like to get an indication from the Premier as to what steps this government is taking to deal with this horrific projected deficit?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I believe right at the moment we're exploring all possibilities of trying to live within our means as a government. The Minister of Finance and the system are beginning to look at budgets for the future year, recognizing that we will have a significant shortfall. All options are being explored and some of the options are just that: options. We are looking for workable solutions to the problem. In the next while, there will be lots of rumours about rumours, I'm sure, Mr. Speaker. Because, in exploring those options, we are putting together research papers on what other provincial jurisdictions are doing and what types of options we have here, including the possibility of trying to conclude a northern energy accord so revenues will accrue to Northwest Territories residents.

There isn't anything we're overlooking and, certainly, if anyone has any wonderful ideas about how we can either accrue more revenues and do a better job with our financial situation, recognizing that there are programs and services which are necessities for people and we have to try our best to make sure those programs and people aren't suffering because of program cutbacks. Mr. Speaker, every avenue possible is being explored. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Premier mentioned that the Cabinet and the government is looking at options for revenue generation. One of the activities that is going on, I understand, is there might be a meeting this week of leaders involved in northern accord discussions. Other than the northern accord, what other specific initiatives are being looked at to generate new revenues for this government?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, these discussions have been renewed in order to plot out some strategies for next year's budgeting. I would suggest that when the Minister of Finance is available -- because he has been doing that work -- it would be more appropriate to defer the question to the Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do have that paper. We're finished now and it is in front of Cabinet. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason the paper did not get to Cabinet on time is because proper signatures weren't there and the paper was not quite ready. Thank you.