Thank you. Oral question. Supplementary. Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to assure my honourable colleague, we are not dithering. We recognize the importance of this issue. I am proud to say for example in my region, that we are, I think, the highest in terms of aboriginal content to our civil service. I would like to see the same objectives that have been accomplished there right across the territories. I think we all want to do that. Not only is there a moral obligation, there is also a fiscal one. It makes sense if northerners and aboriginal northerners are in the civil service, it makes sense, because they tend to, in my opinion,

spend their money in the north.

So, I would suggest to my colleague that what he has asked me, we are trying to accomplish. We will want, as we did previously, the input and direction and recommendations of the committee. Hopefully, we can package this all together for November. But I am cautioning him now, that there is a cost attached to it. It may be a cost we have to pay. But I am suggesting to you that that is where my over-riding concern is. Not so much the need for it, as whether it is moral or fiscal. It is the cost that is going to be attached to it.

Again, that will all be brought out in the report. Hopefully, the next draft will be available, as I said, for committee in November. I would be only too happy to look forward to the recommendations and input that will be given to us so that we can conclude this issue, and get on with it, before we divide the two territories. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you Mr. Minister. My question will be addressed to the Minister of Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd. In a couple of weeks time, the committees will be looking at the business plans from the departments. My question to the Minister is, at this stage, does he have any indication as to the potential number of job cuts that have been identified in the next fiscal year?

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

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I did commit to my colleague that I would try to be as direct as I could today on this questioning. But I am a little hesitant, because we only got the business plans last week, and we are summarizing the impact of these business plans, and the targets that we have to reach, and the tough task that is ahead of us, as the Premier outlined in his initial address today.

I think it would be fair to say that there are still going to be significant cuts in government that will include positions, and, if I could just get some clarity from my honourable colleague as to, does he want some indication how many additional cuts across the framework, or within a specific constituency? Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Yes, the number of potential job losses across the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Todd.

As I have said, I believe, consistently, last year, I think we looked at 350 PYS. I stand to be corrected. I believe the actual job loss per se, was about 180, 185, again, I think if my memory serves me correct, I hope it does. That is what we are looking at. Again, I am not trying to be evasive, but because the business plans have not been approved by the ordinary members, it is difficult to suggest a fixed number. I am prepared to say that there would be more cuts coming, and they could be significant. Yes. Thank you.

Oral question, supplementary. Mr. Henry.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Could I get some assurances from the Minister that a minimum of six months notice, a minimum of six months notice would be given to people who are affected by downsizing or job loss?

Mr. Todd.

In the first round of cuts which were difficult enough for everybody, we have tried to manage them in as compassionate way as we could. I believe that if you look at the PYs, 350, I think if I am right, and in fact there was only 180, I should not say, only 180, but there was 180 actual jobs lost. We have tried to manage our way through this thing to minimize the job loss. I believe that under the collective agreement, we have to give 90 days. We would have to check on that, okay? But, similarly, I know what my honourable colleague's concerns are. We need to tell our employees if it ends up where they are unfortunately, no longer required, give them as much time as possible, and if it is possible to give them six months notice, I will do it. But I will need to check with Mr. Voytilla of the FMBS to make sure that I am meeting the requirements of the collective agreement, etcetera.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, of course I have several questions today, but I will try to keep to a minimum of two to give other people a chance to ask questions.

I think I will ask a question to the Premier. On May 13th, a memorable motion passed in this House, motion 7-13(3), dealing with disclosure of public contracts, sole source contracts and negotiated contracts. On that date, Mr. Morin told me that, when we come back in October, we would discuss it.

It is October, it is October the 2nd, the House is back, and I am still waiting, I have been waiting all summer. I may add that I have had several phone calls, faxes, e-mails, since I am on the internet now, from constituents, residents of the Northwest Territories, asking when the Government of the Northwest Territories would act on the motion to disclose this said motion. As we all remember, there were 17 abstentions, and I will not go into that. So my question to Mr. Morin is, when is Mr. Morin going to act on the motion passed in this house on the 13th of May, concerning disclosure. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. It is early in October, October 2nd today. I will look into the Member's issue, and get back to him before the end of the month. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Picco. Supplementary.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. As always, the Premier is so committed, and I respect his comment, at the end of the month. Well, the end of the month, and I may not be here to see it. So, I would like a better timeframe from the Minister, the Premier. We have had since May to think about it. May, June, July, August, September, that is five months. I think the people of the Northwest Territories deserve an opportunity. I would like the Minister to come back with a better answer than to say that, indeed, that before the end of the month, he will back to me on it. Can the Minister commit to the people of the Northwest Territories that, indeed, this government will be open, and by open I mean, with the facts on the table, so we know who is getting negotiated sole source contracts, and publish those figures, and tell me when he will be doing this, other than, at the end of the month, maybe.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding that we do publish all contracts that are let by the Government of the Northwest Territories. That information is available to the Member, as well as all members of the public of the Northwest Territories. If he needs it, I guess, more clear, then we will look at

getting that done before the end of this session. I am going to have to revisit that motion and look at that debate we had, or question and answer period we had in the previous Assembly, and then I will get back to the Member.