Oral question, supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that there are many people who feel that the accident levels are still too high. I would like to know if we are introducing anything new to further reduce the accident rates?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The member is correct, we are moving with a mine safety committee that will be reviewing legislation and the regulations that lead to legislation. The mine safety committee is made up of people active in the industry both on the workers' side and on the employers' side. It is part and parcel of an overall program that has been underway for some time now with respect to improving mine safety, improving awareness about the need to limit accidents, et cetera.

So, there is a committee which, I believe, myself, the chairman and the minister responsible for WCB, appoints based on the recommendations of industry and the unions. It is my understanding, if my memory serves me correctly, that they are meeting sometime in early December to move progressively on reviewing the regulations that will surround the Act. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier regarding the amalgamation of Public Works and Services, Transportation and the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, the Premier, yesterday in the House, stated that the amalgamation of those three departments would be completed in April 1999. In a letter, which was tabled as document 13-13(4), tabled on the 29th day of November, 1996 from the Premier regarding the subject of amalgamation he stated and confirmed a motion that was passed in this House and the end of the motion states further that the executive council not proceed with the amalgamation until a sessional discussion paper on the proposed amalgamation is tabled and approved in the Legislative Assembly. I also look at documents that are attached to that tabled document and it talks about a time table. I just want a confirmation from the Premier that in fact no continuation of amalgamation will proceed until the committees have the opportunity to review this document, report back to and approve it in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Mr. Henry, I must rule your question out of order since the rule states that a member may not ask questions on matters that are listed on the order paper for consideration at that sitting. We do have the discussion paper on amalgamation on the orders in Committee of the Whole. You could ask your question at that time. Oral questions, Mr. Roland.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to make sure I get this accurate because I know it is a sensitive issue understandably so. It is my understanding because I would like to qualify it that way just in case I am incorrect which of course you all know really I am. My understanding is that the 20 percent that we deducted which is to recover vacation travel assistance taken by roughly about 40 percent of our employees is 20 percent of the net pay.

Oral question supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Todd.

I believe it was the VTA that was applied for under the collective agreement. Those that applied for the VTA prior to the union signing off the collective agreement. I believe that is what it was, the VTA. Now there are circumstances and maybe the member wishes to ask me this question, there are circumstances where there are hardship cases which we are prepared to respond to.

Oral questions, supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Todd.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to assure my honourable colleague in fact that is what we are doing now. If there are some particular instances in his constituency, I would be happy to address those. We recognize that particularly in the small communities there is a high cost of living and that when you take that kind of level of funding off it may cause a hardship. It was actually pointed out by other members like Mr. Picco and others.

So, if there are situations where there is a hardship factor, we will address these on one-to-one basis and try to ensure there is adequate disposable income available in that particular house so that they can continue to pay the bills and feed their children. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, seeing as it is the last sitting day for 1996, I want to return to the motion of May 13 on disclosure. I have a copy of the contract report for the quarter ending for 1996. Mr. Morin has a copy of the same book. And this question concerns sole-source contracts. Mr. Morin, tell me, on page 47 of the contract report that is in his hands now, if the amount for $22,524.23 is a sol- source contract. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, on page 47 of the contract, the $22,524.23 was for fuel tank construction, Colville Lake was to Ferguson, Simek, Clarke out of Yellowknife. That would be a design contract and as far as my understanding is, Mr. Speaker, that would not be a sole-source contract. All design contracts are let by DPW and are let to architectural firms throughout the north. Thank you.

Oral questions, supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier was the former Minister of the Department of Public Works and Services. So, he would know of course. On page 67, the amount for $6,918.00. Can the Minister tell me is that a negotiated contract?