Again, to remind the Members that a Minister cannot confirm or deny any media reports, whether it is radio or newspapers. Perhaps the Member would like to rephrase his question.

The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.

McPherson

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe my Honourable colleague is alluding to the CBC interview this morning by some teachers in Fort McPherson, who for one reason or another, which is incomprehensible to me, seemed to be unable to find the $73,000 to buy a six-plex. When I was advised of it this morning, I thought it meant per unit, until I was told it was for all six. So it is approximately $12,000 a unit.

We have asked them if they would like to make an offer on it, and the implication, I believe, in the CBC thing, is that we were treating them insensitively and uncaring and unkind. I frankly, Mr. Speaker, do not understand the issue. They have the option to purchase a six-plex, which is all occupied. The face value of that unit, and to make it public, is $73,000. It is inconceivable to me that these people are not prepared to purchase this unit.

If they are not prepared to purchase it, we will, as I have said, on a number of occasions, provide that opportunity to the people of Fort McPherson, whether it is the Gwich'in people or others in his constituency, to purchase that unit, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral question. Supplementary. Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I said last week in the House that we were going to provide our employees with an additional sixty days, to the end of November, I have to get this right, to make an offer on the units.

After the end of November, we will then work out a formula for providing a means in which the communities can purchase units. We have to find some way in, we are working on that, to secure housing for the teachers, and to ensure that those who purchase them will provide that housing at an affordable rent. I think on this issue, particularly, I mean, it is an issue because it is on CBC and they are implying that we are being insensitive. And this issue is straight math, Mr. Speaker. The rents more than surpass any mortgage payments they may wish to purchase and the appraised value of the units is a reflection of the condition of it.

I would hope that this particular unit and these particular employees, who happen to be teachers, would have sober second thought, see that this is an opportunity, not a problem, purchase the unit and get on with doing what they do best - teaching our children and balancing the budget. Thank you.

Thank you, oral question, supplementary, Mr. Krutko. No? Oral questions, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last year the GNWT was forced to cut about $100 million from the territorial budget in order to meet the targets of the Deficit Elimination Act. This year, once again, we are looking at reducing the same amount, if not more, to meet these targets. My question is to the Minister of Finance. What are the legal consequences if the deficit elimination targets are not met?

I would like to ask the member if he might be able to rephrase his question. You are asking a Minister a legal opinion or a legal result if the Deficit Elimination Act

is not met. Would you like to rephrase your question, Mr. O'Brien?

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will try to be a little gentler. What are the consequences if these targets are not met?

Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, good question. Legislation was brought in, as we know, by the previous legislature, by some members in this House. That legislation puts us in the position where we have to balance the budget, I am not trying to avoid the question here, Mr. Speaker, I am trying to answer it in the proper way. Although I see some of my colleagues giggling.

We have to balance the budget by 1997/98 and if we want to balance the budget then we, collectively, would have to decide what we are going to do because we would not meet the legislation that was set for this House. Thank you.

Thank you, oral questions, Mr. O'Brien.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, thank you. Mr. Speaker, I will rephrase my question again and ask, what are the actual consequences?

Again, to remind the members that the question itself is hypothetical because, every time you use a term "if" then you are asking the Minister to guess the result of a situation that has not happened yet, and so, as a member would you like to rephrase your question and say what might happen, maybe, no? No. As a member if you might be able to rephrase this question. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe I can rephrase my question to say what will happen if the targets are not met?

Again, every time the member uses the phrase "what if" or "if" then it is hypothetical because you are asking the Minister to guess. I ask the member to rephrase his question again. Mr. O'Brien.

Mr. Speaker, since the Minister is having such a difficult time in answering my question, I will withdraw the question. Thank you.

Again, the member has made reference to the Minister having a difficult time responding to a question, but the Minister cannot answer the question, because you are asking the Minister to guess.

Oral question, Mr. Roland.