Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad this gives me an opportunity to return to this written question, asked by Mr. Picco, who else, on October 3 regarding the ultimate removal assistance guidelines. I hope you are listening.

The Honourable Member from Iqaluit asked 3 questions relating to the new ultimate removal assistance provisions.

1. Yes, employees now arrange their own moves, submit receipts to their department and then are reimbursed for all eligible expenses for the lesser of the actual cost of the move or the cap that was negotiated with the Union of Northern Workers for each community.

2. The introduction of the cap has substantially reduced the government's future liability for this benefit. The government also expects to realize savings due to the reduced administration requirements.

The original mandate for the government's negotiating committee was to eliminate this benefit. The contract that was ratified by the members of the Union of Northern Workers represented a substantial concession to this original position. Staff are interpreting this provision as it was intended. Thank you.