Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Good afternoon. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the 13th Legislative Assembly was elected in the fall of last year, the government and standing committees of the Legislative Assembly have spent many long days reviewing department multi-year business plans to determine the best and fairest means of dealing with our fiscal problem.

We have reviewed all the government programs and operations to identify ways we can utilize our resources more effectively, reduce expenditures and find innovative ways to live within our means. The conclusions that have been reached are that changes are necessary in almost every aspect of government operations. As a result, the services presently provided by this government will be impacted, capital spending will be reduced, and the manner that we do business will be dramatically altered. These changes will necessarily involve reductions in the size of the public service and in its cost.

Although the business plan review process is not yet complete, to date the process has yielded a number of areas of agreement between government and the standing committees on how the government can be restructured and downsized to reduce expenditures.

This process has also allowed the government to largely determine where positions will need to be eliminated for the 1996-97 fiscal year and to proceed with the implementation of these reductions.

All Members of the House recognize that the budget reduction exercise currently undertaken by this government has caused a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety amongst our employees and their families. It has been our intention since the outset of this process to ensure that the decisions on expenditure reduction and job elimination be taken in a fair, consistent and rational manner.

As importantly, we have tried to implement these changes in a manner that would minimize job loss by eliminating positions through attrition and redeploying many of the staff affected. To a large extent, we have been successful in reducing the number of lay-offs that will be necessary.

Mr. Speaker, this process will result in some lay-offs. Employees affected by these lay-offs will be dealt with fairly. They will be provided with priority on government job competitions during the period that they are on lay-off notice. Employees that are not re-employed may choose from a range of assistance such as an enhanced severance pay package or education assistance for one year.

Mr. Speaker, the number of positions that have been eliminated in departments totals 295. From this number, the total lay-offs required are 150; 49 of these lay-offs were implemented earlier this year and we are in the process of implementing the remaining 101 lay-offs.

The reductions in positions are reasonably balanced across the Territory when compared to total government employment in each area. Headquarters reductions are slightly higher than other areas as emphasis has been placed on minimizing the impact of downsizing on front-line staff and direct services to clients.

The 295 positions that have been eliminated constitute the majority of position reductions required in 1996-97.

There will, however, be some additional reductions over the year as some of the departmental consolidations and other strategic direction initiatives of this government are implemented.

There may also be some staff adjustments made by boards funded by this government to deal with reduced funding. The impact of these actions will become clear within the next several months. In all cases, Mr. Speaker, it remains our intention to implement these reductions in a manner that minimizes job loss and ensures that the staff affected are treated fairly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When this Legislative Assembly took office, it faced a potential deficit of $150 million for 1996-97. It has been a very difficult task to find ways to manage our way out of this problem. Together, the standing committees of the Legislative Assembly and the Cabinet have come close to achieving the objective of sound fiscal management in a fair and reasonable manner.

As we have reached agreement on the components of our emerging plan over the last few months, we have been announcing the initiatives that we will be implementing. On several occasions, we have stated that one part of the overall solution to our financial situation will require us to address the $460 million that we spend on the public service. This has resulted in considerable speculation and concern among our employees about what this will mean to them. Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is best, wherever possible, to put an end to that speculation and alleviate employee uncertainty.

In February, we met with our non-unionized employees and sought their input on the preferred means by which wages and benefit reductions should be implemented. Taking that input into account, the following changes will be made to the compensation package for non-unionized employees, including deputy ministers, managers and excluded employees, effective April 1. 1996.

- The $5,400 annual accommodation allowance will be eliminated by rolling it into the current base rates of pay. A 6.25 per cent reduction will then be made to the new base.

- The existing settlement allowance and vacation travel assistance benefit will be combined into a northern allowance that each employee will be entitled to. The northern allowance will have a fixed base of $1,750 in Yellowknife and will be adjusted by an index to reflect differences in the cost of living among communities. The new northern allowance is structured to ensure that employees can continue to receive the income tax deductions for travel expenses. However, travel days and winter bonus days will be eliminated.

The ultimate removal entitlement will be frozen as of March 31, 1996, and the maximum benefit will be capped. Ultimate removal will not be available for future employees. In addition, removal on initial appointment will be eliminated as a term and condition of employment and will be revised to support specific recruitment needs.

Medical travel assistance will be retained as a benefit of employment but will be brought into line with the benefits available to the general public through the NWT health care system. And,

Unique rates of pay will be established for excluded casual employees and summer students to reflect the work that they perform.

Mr. Speaker, these changes will be implemented April 1, 1996, for non-unionized employees. It is also our intention to eliminate the $5,400 accommodation allowance, effective August 31, 1996, for teachers and March 31, 1996, for all other employees, by offering to roll it into base wages as done for non-unionized employees. This will be subject to a negotiation process with the unions and will only occur when other changes to the wages and benefits for unionized employees are made.

Implementation of this decision on April 1, 1996, will avoid potential overpayment in wages and vacation travel assistance for non-unionized employees. The recovery of these payments could cause an unnecessary financial hardship for these employees.

The same concern exists for unionized employees. I have asked my officials to work out an arrangement with the unions that will avoid payment of vacation travel assistance in 1996 pending the results of negotiation of a new collective agreement.

Mr. Speaker, these changes to the wage and benefit entitlements for non-unionized employees reflect the new fiscal realities facing this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All of us can be proud of the effort Team Northwest Territories made at the recent Arctic Winter Games.

Alaska got the most medals, but our athletes got what I believe is the most important award: the Hodgson Trophy for fair play and sportsmanship. It's the second time the team has won the award since 1992.

We can be proud of our sports system in the Northwest Territories. Not only have we produced excellent competition results, our athletes consistently display tremendous respect for their opponents, the officials and the rules of the game.

Mr. Speaker, the important thing is how the game was played, not whether it was a win or a loss.

As a result, I also want to congratulate Alberta Premier Ralph Klein on making good on the bet we made about who would win the Hodgson Trophy in Eagle, Alaska.

To pay off the bet, Mr. Klein wore the Territorial team jacket during a media scrum in the Alberta Legislature yesterday. And his Minister of Sports and Recreation gave a statement in the Legislature acknowledging the presentation of the Hodgson Trophy to Team Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho. Thank you, Mr. Speaker

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Are there any further Ministers' statements? Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The operation of the Legislative Assembly requires coordinated efforts of everyone on staff and we all appreciate their efforts. I am especially pleased that one particular Member of the staff has returned to her duties after spending a short time in hospital. I know that all Members and the Assembly staff will join me in saying a special welcome back to Carolyn McCabe, who has been a part of this Assembly for many, many years. I am sure she realizes she had everyone worried and we are glad to see her recovering so well and wish her continued good health. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I start my statement, I would like to say hi to my wife and kids back home...

--- Applause

... and also to the communities of Pangnirtung, Broughton Island and Clyde River.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of a constituent who has been suffering with back problems and back pain for many years. He is now at the point where his back pain, which has worsened over the past two years, makes it very difficult for him to do his job with the local housing association. He is suffering from headaches which can't be relieved by medication, and generally feels worn out.

Mr. Speaker, my constituent has done everything he can to deal with the problem, but he has been to the local health centre many times. He has been doing exercises recommended by physiotherapists who have been in both Iqaluit and his own community. And he has seen doctors many times. The exercise and physicians unfortunately do not seem to have helped him with his problem at all.

After years of trying to get medical help, my constituent is now very anxious to find a solution to his back problem, which seems to be very slowly getting worse. He has done careful research into the problem and has asked many people for help. He is now convinced that the services of a chiropractor may well be what he needs. From talking with a person he knows who had almost identical symptoms to his, my constituent is convinced that a chiropractor will be able to help him.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Baffin Central is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Having tried everything else, he at least wants to give this option a try.

He has recently asked the Baffin Regional Health Board, with my full support, if the board would help to see a chiropractor. Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Minister of Health, Honourable "Pretty Boy" Kelvin Ng...

--- Laughter

... is reviewing whether these services could be provided as insured services under medicare. Mr. Speaker, I believe that chiropractors can often help people with back problems. I think many of us know people who have been helped by chiropractors. I believe that in some cases, they can save money in our health care system by eliminating the need for expensive specialists and even surgery.

Mr. Speaker, I know that some doctors may argue that chiropractors are not real health professionals. Some doctors also believe that traditional healing methods should not be recognized by our health care system. However, Mr. Speaker, I hope that our Minister of Health will be open to consider health care treatment which will be effective, which our people believe in, and which probably will cost less than expensive physicians and hospitals.

I am pleased that the Minister is willing to review this matter, and I look forward to the results. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a statement in appreciation of some of my colleagues who visited my community during the community feast that was held last Sunday. This occasion was held in honour of Chief Joe Rabesca's re-election as Grand Chief for the next three years, along with the other three members of the band council who have been elected along with him.

I certainly appreciate my colleague, Seamus Henry, having come on with such short notice, including Ed Picco who also came along. I hope that in the future most of my colleagues will be able to make it to one of the occasions we have, such as a feast and the possible opening of the new co-op store slated for the very near future. Hopefully, some of the Ministers will be able to come to my community to attend some of the functions that we might be participating in over the next three years while I am still in office. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I find this an exceptionally bright day today. I would like to read a newspaper article which my fellow Members may wish to consider for our government.

Despite years of effort, business has had only modest success in convincing government to reduce the regulatory burden.

It is a burden that is especially onerous on small businesses that don't have large administrative resources to cope with government regulations.

But even for major employers, regulatory compliance adds significantly to costs.

There was hope of an important breakthrough in cutting federal government regulation with the introduction of the Regulatory Efficiency Act, but it remains stalled in the House of Commons.

One of the most encouraging examples of what can and should be done to unwind the red tape strangling businesses is the action of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

As noted in the Post's Special Report on Small Business, in February, in its 1992 budget, Newfoundland eliminated 171 fees for licences; from the $10 fee for a birth certification, to the $25 fee for renewing a waste management certification to a $15,000 fee for selling a high-volume of gasoline wholesale.

What should be carefully reported by all governments is that these changes cost Newfoundland $2 million in lost revenue, but it has saved $3 million in administrative and collection fees.

Newfoundland now plans to scrap up to 50 per cent of all existing regulations and paper burdens on small business.

So what we have here is the best of all possible worlds: The government saves money by reducing administrative costs, and will further benefit by collecting more tax revenue from businesses that are more profitable and new start-ups are encouraged."

I would like to suggest to the Premier that after he forms the Special Advisory Committee on the Economy, as he has talked about earlier in this House, this is exactly the type of recommendation that the committee will be making to him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that our government has financial problems and must cut its spending back. However, I wish to express my concern today that in the small isolated communities that I represent, lay-offs and drastic reductions in pay and benefits could cause serious problems in continuing to deliver vital government programs and could seriously affect the local economy. Let me use my home community of Arctic Bay as an example: Of 15 government workers in Arctic Bay, 11 are Inuit and the remainder are mostly committed long-term community residents. Our power plant superintendent has done that job for 11 years and our head nurse has been in Arctic Bay for seven years. Mr. Speaker, the employees represent decades of dedicated experience and commitment to my constituents. If they are laid off, it would be very difficult to replace them. Furthermore, since jobs are quite scarce in Arctic Bay, the Inuit employees are each supporting large, extended families. If there are drastic cutbacks in wages and benefits, it would affect many more people than the individual employees. Also, local businesses are very much dependent on these people for their spending power. These employees are committed to Arctic Bay. The money they earn stays in the community. If their wages and benefits are cut back drastically, they will no longer be able to support local businesses.

I am told that uncertainty about what will happen next is causing great anxiety. For example, one of my constituents was considering buying his government staff house but now he's hesitating because of uncertainty over his future as an employee. Mr. Speaker, I know that cuts will have to be made; however, I would recommend that the government and the Minister of Finance please take into account the special situations of the remote...

Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

... please take into account the special situations of the remote isolated communities where long-term and experienced government employees are providing critical services. They are relied upon by many people other than their own families and give critical support to local businesses. Cutting these vital positions to save money should be a last resort. It will only have a harmful effect on the delivery of the government programs. Secondly, I believe it is important that we work together to finalize the budget as soon as possible so that our employees know where they stand. I believe that the job losses may not be as bad as my constituents fear but they don't know that now. Everyone is afraid that they will lose their job. Mr. Speaker, today I will be tabling petitions from the dedicated government employees in Nanisivik and Arctic Bay and a letter from a long-term employee from Arctic Bay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to briefly speak about the Kitikmeot Regional Council. The Kitikmeot Regional Council consists of the mayors from Pelly Bay, Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, Cambridge Bay, Coppermine, and Holman Island. The Kitikmeot Regional Council has been functional for many years and I hope it will remain that way for many years to come. The Kitikmeot Regional Council is a major voice for the communities in that region. The Kitikmeot Regional Council talks about the major issues reflecting the economy, health, social services, education, and many other things that relate to the well-being of the region and of the communities in that region.

Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot Regional Council is aware of the bad financial situation that this government is faced with and they are willing to work together with this government to make life easier for the people of that region as well as the other regions in the system within the given jurisdiction. Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot Regional Council has done a lot of research for the planning of that region. In the very near future, Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot Regional Council will be requesting a meeting with the Premier of this government and the other representatives of this government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues. This past weekend the honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. James Rabesca, invited MLAs to his home community for a feast to celebrate the election of Mr. Joe Rabesca as chief. Mr. Speaker, the hospitality shown to myself and Mr. Seamus Henry, the MLA for Yellowknife South, on our visit to Rae was exceptional. The food was second to none and I thoroughly enjoyed the short tour of facilities by the mayor and Deputy Commissioner Dan Marion. Mr. Speaker, I also had an opportunity to meet elder Elizabeth Mackenzie and Chief Rabesca.

Mr. Speaker, these types of events give many of the MLAs a chance to visit and see different communities, East and West. I would like to thank the honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. James Rabesca, for the opportunity to visit Rae and partake of the feast. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize today in the visitors' gallery, three visitors from my constituency: the mayor of Kimmirut, Kowisa Arlooktoo; a councillor with the hamlet of Kimmirut, formerly Lake Harbour, Matthew Akavak; and a third-generation RCMP member, now stationed in Yellowknife but from Lake Harbour, Jimmy Akavak.

--- Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome two of my NARB colleagues here today: Andrew Tagak, chairman of the Nunavut Arbitration Board, chairman of the NWT/NTI Baffin Appeal Board, manager of the Language Bureau, and a resident of Iqaluit; and, sitting next to him, well-known Yellowknife author and businessman, and as some Members have said, a little right of Attila the Hun, Mr. Dave McCann. Thank you.

--- Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was going to recognize Mr. McCann, and he's the only one that I recognize up there. I was wondering if there would be some consideration given to a mirror just above your head so I could see who's up in the gallery the odd time. For anyone from Yellowknife South who's in the gallery, Mr. Speaker, I welcome them to the Assembly.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Minister of Housing, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I would be willing to have the Housing Corporation personnel contact the seniors' society and arrange to have something in place for them. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. As I indicated in my Members' statement earlier, the Kitikmeot Regional Council wants to be able to work together especially at this time when there is a need for people of the jurisdiction and the bodies to work together. The Kitikmeot Regional Council wants to work on mutual concerns together with the territorial government. They understand the bad financial situation that we are faced with. My question to the honourable Premier of this government: Is the honourable Premier aware of the request of the Kitikmeot Regional Council to meet with this government? Thank you.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I'm well aware of that request. I believe the council will be in town next week. I believe I will be travelling with prior commitments so I will be unable to meet with them, but other Ministers of the government will meet with them. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I made a statement in reference to the Department of Personnel being amalgamated into other areas, and I had meant to ask a question but the honourable Member to my left, Mr. Henry, once again distracted me before I was able to ask my question. My question is to the Minister responsible for Personnel, What is being put into place to ensure that our hiring policies will be followed, particularly such policies as affirmative action and other hiring policies put into place to ensure that hiring is done fairly?

Minister of Personnel, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Part of the strategic plan of rolling in the Personnel responsibilities to the departments is making not only deputy ministers responsible but also Ministers responsible for making sure that they meet their targets and they follow the hiring policies of this government. We have put that in the strategic plan of

dismantling Personnel so that we are assured that the affirmative action policy will be adhered to. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Considering that there will no longer be a central agency, are prospective employees going to have to go to every different department to find out what types of jobs are available in the GNWT, or will there still be a central location where they can go to find out about positions that are available with the Government of the Northwest Territories?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there still will be a central place to find out what's available in all departments. This is the computer age and that's not difficult to carry on. For example, if someone was living in Tuktoyaktuk, they would be able to go to the hamlet council chambers, the manpower office or whatever, and they'll have a complete listing of government jobs. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What is being put into place for the students who are coming back this year? We know that every year there's a big commotion about affirmative action, and I think we have an obligation to ensure that all northern-born students receive a job in the summer to save a little bit of money for when they go back to school. So I would like to know what is being put into place to ensure that all northern-born students will receive preference on GNWT jobs this summer.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me assure the Member that all students who are attending educational institutions right now, all students who are born in the Northwest Territories will have first option on any student employment this summer. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the honourable Member for assuring me that they will get preference, but I would like to know how they will get preference and what is being put into place to ensure that they get preference. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Previously, in this government, we have had the Department of Personnel and different departments doing hiring and they were supposed to follow the policies of this government. The goal of this government, I believe, was 50 per cent affirmative action in the past. We are now at approximately 31 to 32 per cent. We have been staying there for many years. Whose fault is it? If you go to Personnel, it's not our fault, the department does the hiring. If you go to the department, it's not their fault because Personnel is involved. Let me assure the Members of this Assembly, managers will be held accountable and Ministers of this government, including myself, will be held accountable through this Legislative Assembly. So individual departments will be accountable and they had better get the numbers up. When we give the directive of hiring northern-born students, it better be done or else they will be accountable. Let me assure you, if Members are managers of this government, they're hired at the pleasure of this government and when they displease, they suffer consequences. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was discussing that very issue yesterday. We're optimistic that the report will be concluded some time in late April so that this report can be tabled in the House for discussion by my colleagues who are here today. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we all recognize that this is an issue where there has been significant debate over the years. We have provided an opportunity for stakeholder input. We're trying to incorporate that input into the report we present. That report, hopefully, will be ready late April or early May. It is my intention to bring that report to the House during the session in April or May. I hope the report will reflect a cross section of the stakeholder groups that have made presentations on it. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a serious issue and we have to treat it with a serious debate. I think the Premier made it pretty clear in his response to Mr. Erasmus's question earlier what his position is, which is also the position of this Cabinet; that is, to ensure that aboriginal students born in the Northwest Territories get the first chance at these jobs. I am trying very quickly to bring forward this review that has been undertaken, so that we can have a healthy debate in this House, and as Mr. Ootes has said very well, so we can come forward with some recommendations and suggestions for change. That way, there will be a sense of fairness in the issue of northern recruitment in this government, whether it is in students or whether it is in permanent jobs. So it is our intention to do that and I look forward to a healthy debate on it, hopefully in May, so we can then put it into effect to meet the student employment program this summer. Also, we want to be able to deal with the everyday running of government and the recruitment and training of the people we all represent. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. I was pleased to read in your document, wages and benefits, that you have noted this is the result of considerable speculation and concern among employees about where their jobs are at. I appreciate that. I suggest the wording is probably very light for individuals out there who have families, mortgages, and payments to make. I would suggest it is probably for them a lot more than just concern. When will these people -- we have identified that there are going to be 150 lay-offs -- be notified of their positions being terminated? Thank you.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I totally agree with Mr. Henry. It is a time of concern and anxiety. We are trying to, in a clear and concise way, to reassure those people that we are trying to do this in a caring and compassionate way. My understanding is that we are interviewing people on an individual basis who, unfortunately, have been assigned to be laid off. That process is currently under way and is going to be concluded very shortly in the coming days. So some people have already been advised. People are being advised as we speak and others will be advised over the next three or four days. I do recognize the concern that Mr. Henry has alluded to and we are trying to reassure people that this is going to be done in a caring and compassionate way.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have some very serious concerns with the elimination of the Personnel functions in the regions. I have said this in and out of committee. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Personnel. Can the Minister inform this House how the Inuit training plans for the new Nunavut government will be implemented without a coordinating Personnel presence in the Nunavut region as outlined in the NIC model that we seem to be going forward with for the new Nunavut territory? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the present time, discussions are under way with the federal government. We have had a few meetings now with the Honourable Ron Irwin, Minister of Indian Affairs. At this time, we have had no commitment on the incremental costs, let alone training costs from the federal government. Until I see the dollar figures and commitment, I will wait and hopefully we will get as much accomplished in the period of time while we are waiting on those numbers, but we aren't going to proceed on anything until I see the dollars. I am not willing to put dollars forward to process, unless we can get something out of it. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is a very serious situation. I will have to address that in another question tomorrow. How will the appeals process, for example, through the CDA be handled if we don't have a regional Personnel presence?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If it is an appeals process relating to the union, we are delegating that responsibility out to the management. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North and I have very strong concerns with the implementation of affirmative action on possible nepotism occurring in the hiring process without a strong regional Personnel presence. Mr. Speaker, if there aren't going to be any more people in Personnel in the regions, then what is headquarters going to be doing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been made quite clear to me by Members of this House that they already know that that is going on, even with a fully-funded Department of Personnel. When we have managers who are held accountable and Ministers held accountable, then hopefully that will stop. No one will be able to pass the buck. If that is happening in a department, that deputy will be held responsible. Hopefully by restructuring, that is what we will do and we have kept a total of five PYs, including the ADM, at this time in the Department of Personnel. They will be slowly phased out, once the departments are up and running on the hiring practices and training. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Steen.

Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, as the Member well knows, the petroleum products division of the NWT is set to be privatized in the coming months. I cannot make the commitment at this time, without looking into the issue further. There are, at present, tenders out for fuel delivery contracts. So without further research into this matter, I cannot answer the Member's question.

Supplementary, Mr. Steen.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I was not aware of this particular situation before this time, but I can commit to work with the Member and see how we can deal with this situation. We will look into the matter.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is not the practice of the government to go to sole-source contracts. It is the practice to call for a proposal. In some case, it is the practice to sole-source, if it is a speciality thing. However, that isn't the general practice. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes.

Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the study. It was pointed out to me yesterday in discussions with the CBC reporter, but I am not aware of the contents of that study, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.