I would just like to thank the Minister for finally getting that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions, Mr. Steen.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Emergency Response Service at the airport is no longer provided by the Government of the Northwest Territories at the Norman Wells airport.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Steen.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this operation ceased approximately a year ago. Exactly when this occurred, and how many people were let go, I will have to take this as notice, and get back to the honourable member with those exact details. Thank you.

Thank you. The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not fully knowledgeable about the Road to Resources plan by Diefenbaker. It was before my time.

--Laughter.

It sounded very interesting. I heard the same news report by Dave Miller this morning, talking to some people in the north, that have done some work on that issue. My understanding of what they are saying is that, possibly, by a co-ordination of efforts of the private sector, the territorial government and the federal government, that we could look at pushing the road to resources through from Yellowknife to Coppermine, as well as, from Wrigley up to Tuk. Those roads could possibly be financed by the private sector and some borrowing, and then there would be a toll fee on those roads, something like you pay on a highway in BC right now, and other areas in Canada. It is something, I believe, that is worthwhile looking at. We all know that the north is in need of infrastructure, and it is something that I would commit to the Member to look into and see if it is possible, and I would entertain hearing from people in the North that do have idea on how to proceed on this issue. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd. My colleague, Mr. Roland, from Inuvik, addressed the question earlier of some GNWT employees receiving less pay in their pay cheques coming up to Christmas time. I received a copy of a letter sent by the Finance Minister to all MLAs informing them that staff had been informed of this situation on August 23rd, along with their pay slips, and again on November 15, and I understand it is going out again on the next payroll run. My question to the minister is, has he or his department received any feedback from employees or have any concerns been raised to the Financial Management Board? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I can use my own constituency as a litmus test, because I do have a few government jobs there. I would suggest that there is considerable concern amongst the unionized employees, and particularly, employees who are on the smaller pay scales. We have concerns about it. I want to be quite genuine about this. I am tired of becoming a political battle, a battle of paper and words. We are talking about people's lives, at a time when we should be rejoicing and having a good time looking after our children. Some of our employees are going to be in a position, through no fault of the FMB, of not being able to do that. That is why I said earlier in my response to my honourable colleague, Mr. Roland, I am prepared to reconsider that, if the UNW will come to the table and work with us, so that we can ensure that our employees have a regular pay cheque over the 365 days of the year.

I am equally as concerned as my honourable colleague, and we will do whatever we can to rectify it. But I cannot talk directly to the employees, I have to talk to the UNW and their executive, and that is what we are trying to do. Everything I state anything in this House, it is a conspiracy, or some hidden agenda. There is no hidden agenda. We want to improve the lifestyle of our employees, our families, our neighbours, our relatives, the same as they do. So we should just get on with it, put aside the rhetoric, sit at the table and make it work for the people that represent us, and the people that work hard for us. Thank you.

Oral question. Supplementary. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am looking for some clarification there in the minister's comments. He talked about some of his constituents, or, he believes it is a concern. Has the department received any feedback, from the notices that were sent out from concerned employees?

Mr. Todd.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, there is a considerable amount of concern being raised through telephone calls. I do not know if there is any thing in writing, but through telephone calls. Now that we have gone out and indicated that this is what is going to happen, and, of course, there is a bit of a public debate out there as to who is right and who is wrong. I am not concerned with who is right and who is wrong. I am concerned about ensuring that our employees get a regular pay cheque during difficult times, when we have, one, reduced their pay and, two, in some cases taken 20 percent off as it relates to the VTA. We are concerned that now we are going to be in a position where five days during the Christmas and the New Year holidays, they will be with less pay. My belief is that we have to work to resolve this problem. I thought there was a solution. This summer there was a solution for the management and the non-unionized workers. They agreed to it. I think we just need to get on with it, and make it better for the people that we represent. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Transportation. This past spring I posed the question to the minister regarding the fact that Inuktitut was no longer being used to welcome or advise airline passengers in the Keewatin area, in reference to safety instructions and so on. Up to this point, I do not believe I have had a response from the minister, and I would like to know, what is the status of this request, and if Inuktitut will be re-introduced as a third language?

Mr. Antoine.