In the Legislative Assembly on March 22nd, 1996. See this topic in context.

Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Lay-offs In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 44

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I apologize for my oversight earlier. My question is to the Minister of Finance. The Minister tells us that in Yellowknife we have 2,212 employees in the government. He also tells us that there are 150 lay-offs, 72 of which will be in Yellowknife. Could the Minister tell me what percentage 72 is of 150?

Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Lay-offs In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 44

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance ... That is a very detailed, technical question which I don't know if it's on top of the Minister's head to respond to, but I will allow the Minister to respond. Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Lay-offs In Yellowknife
Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Lay-offs In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 44

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to point Out to my honourable colleagues there are 2,212 employees in Yellowknife. As I said yesterday and will say again today, out of the 150 positions, we've managed to cut in a caring and compassionate way, that the only actual layoffs are 72 which is three per cent of the total employees in Yellowknife. Thank you.

Return To Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Lay-offs In Yellowknife
Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Lay-offs In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 44

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Supplementary To Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Layoffs In Yellowknife
Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Lay-offs In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

March 21st, 1996

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Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Minister, for answering a question I didn't ask. My questions was could you tell me what 72 is of 150. 1 realize it may be a technical question, but that's around 50 per cent.

Mr. Speaker, I have supported and realized right from the beginning that job cuts would be necessary. I supported that. I think it's imperative that we get our fiscal house in order, and one component of that work would be to, unfortunately, lay-off some of the people who provide services to the government. With that, my question would be, when most other provinces or territories in the country where the capital city is -- and I will read examples of Alberta, where 53 per cent of their total government employees are located in their capital city; in Manitoba, 56 per cent of their employees are located in their capital city; in Newfoundland -- which has a large number of small communities -- 75 per cent of their government employees are located in their capital city; in Nova Scotia, 68 per cent of their government employees are located in their capital city; in the Yukon, 82 per cent of the government employees are located in the capital city. What does this government know better about the economies of scale that would see Yellowknife's numbers go from 35 per cent to much less?

Supplementary To Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Layoffs In Yellowknife
Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Lay-offs In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 44

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Layoffs In Yellowknife
Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Lay-offs In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 44

John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, it is Friday, so I will be kind to the honourable Member. This is not Newfoundland, this is not the Yukon, this is not Alberta; there are 52

Further Return To Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Layoffs In Yellowknife
Question 33-13(3): Percentage Of Lay-offs In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 44

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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