The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have tried to put incremental costs for the division of the Northwest Territories on the table at formula financing meetings and have been unsuccessful. The federal government is not particularly interested in discussing that at the present time, although they will tailor the agreement and make mention of the fact that division is going to occur. With regard to addressing the issue of incremental funding, at this particular time we have not been successful in convincing Mr. Martin of it's importance. We will continue to pursue the matter with the federal government, though. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you. I know we have discussed this issue a number of times with the Minister of Finance, but I have some real concerns when the federal government talks about incremental funding when we have no idea what our base is going to be. So, it's really an irrelevant conversation until we know exactly what the base is. You can give us $30 to $50 million a year in incremental funding but if you take $100 million off the base, you're losing $70 million.

I wonder, in the meeting coming up soon with the federal Minister of Finance, if our Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard, will again try to impress upon the Minister of Finance that we need some certainty as we go into division. Because if we don't have certainty as to our fiscal base and stability, we're going to have a lot of problems here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier and I will be meeting with Mr. Martin. One of the issues that we will be raising with him, amongst others, is we see the division process taking place, we're all doing work, whether in ministries or in this Legislative Assembly. We're all moving in that direction, NIC is doing a lot of work, as is NTI. The move is on and there needs to be some certainty with regard to incremental funding. I sympathize a little bit with the federal government because they say, how can we judge what the incremental funding is going to be when we don't know what the forms of government are going to be. But they need to be a little warmer than that on this incremental funding, so we will pursue it with Mr. Martin when he's here, the week of the 26th, I believe. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, I've been advised by individuals in the fire control office about fire suppression. I've been advised particularly about one issue that is quite disturbing. I've been told that prior to the fire getting out of control and becoming a danger to Fort Norman, there was a request to ask for extra bombers but apparently the deputy minister or the Minister's office refused that request. Could the Premier determine and correct if a request to ask for extra assistance for fire suppression was refused? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, normally we don't, as Premier or a Minister at this level, get involved or have knowledge of those day-to-day operational requirements. It's generally handled by the people who are in the field. However, I can commit to find out an answer to that question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you. I know Ministers don't normally get involved in the day-to-day operations. That's why they have personnel staff and deputy ministers. But, unfortunately, this type of stuff has been happening, which leads me to my next question, Mr. Speaker.

On May 9th, the manager for air operations was advised that his services were no longer needed. He was not told whether his position was declared redundant or whether he was dismissed. When the concern came to my attention, I immediately wrote to the Minister responsible for fire suppression and I further followed it up with a question to the Minister of Personnel. He indicated to me today that when a position is declared redundant and the department is unable to find alternative employment, a formal letter of layoff is issued.

With regard to that, Mr. Speaker, this position being responsible in the operations of fire suppression, the employee is required to work for three months but that requirement may be waived at the discretion of the employee's deputy minister. Can the Premier indicate to this House whether or not the deputy minister has waived that particular procedure of the government with respect to fire suppression staff. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

That's a new question. Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I will have to take the question as notice.