Thank you, Mrs. Thompson.

Beginning this Thursday, March 28, 1996, and running through to Sunday, March 31, 1996, Inuvik will play host to the 30th annual general meeting of the NWT Association of Municipalities.

This year's theme for the meeting is "community empowerment' in keeping with our own government's priorities and agenda for action. A series of workshops are planned on Friday, March 29, 1996, to draw out community government views and positions on this important topic.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to attending the association's meetings and plan to participate in various sessions scheduled throughout the four days. Senior staff of the department will also be available to contribute and participate in the meetings. Also registered to attend these meetings are our colleagues, Mr. Henry and Mr. Roland.

I went to extend to the association my wish for a successful meeting. I am confident that Members of this Legislative Assembly will support me in saying that we look forward to working with the association and its member community governments towards our common goals, including community empowerment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

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

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Yesterday, Tuesday, March 26, 1996, we were advised by NorthwesTel that they have lost all communication with those communities served by the satellite Anik E2 in the Nunavut area.

Mr. Speaker, the question that remains to be answered is what is the alternative solution in the event that we lose communication again within the Territories. Mr. Speaker, Isaac Newton once said, "Anything that can go wrong, will eventually go wrong." I am sure that we live on the edge in the Nunavut area.

Mr. Speaker, what would happen if something tragic happened in the Nunavut area during the time when the communication system was out? Is there any alternative solution that the government can offer for our area in Nunavut?

During the appropriate time, I will be asking the Premier about the alternative solutions in the event this occurs again. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I have heard the Minister of Finance say that he is going to be fair and equitable in the cuts to wages and benefits. I know that he has a very difficult job. We all know that there will be reductions in wages and benefits to government employees. Mr. Speaker, I could accept these cuts if I felt that my constituents in Clyde River, Broughton Island and Pangnirtung were being treated the same as people with the same size families in other communities in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, according to my calculations, that is not the case, especially for people with big families. For example, Mr. Speaker, I have considered the case of government employees with six children with a basic salary of $38,216 who live in Broughton Island. The end result of the new northern allowance is that my constituents with large families face a reduction of take-home pay and benefits of a whopping 37 per cent. This will happen in one year, Mr. Speaker. This is a big drop in wages and benefits.

If every government employee in the Northwest Territories with a family of six was having their wages and benefits cut by that much, it would be easier to explain to my constituents. That would be fair and equitable. However, Mr. Speaker, I understand that in some communities in the Northwest Territories that are on the road system, that same employee making $38,216, with a family of six, is only losing 11 per cent of their wages and benefits. Mr. Speaker, I don't think this is fair. What concerns me the most about this new system, Mr. Speaker, is that it is usually the longterm residents in my constituency who have large families.

Mr. Speaker, I am seeking unanimous consent to conclude my statement, please.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These long-term northern residents are the people I would hope we would encourage to stay working for our government. According to the figures I have, a single person making the same salary in Broughton Island would only lose seven per cent under the new system of northern allowances. This also seems unfair to me, Mr. Speaker. Two employees making the same salary in Broughton Island lose seven per cent or 37 per cent, depending on whether or not they have a big family.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the Minister of Finance wants to treat everyone with fairness. I would respectfully suggest to him that if he wants to be fair to people with large families who live in remote communities, he should review the proposed new wages and benefits to make sure that those large families and those who live off the highway system are not hit harder than those with small families and those who live closer to Yellowknife. Since there must be cuts, I would like to see everyone treated equally; whether they have a large family or not, whether they live on Baffin Island or on the highway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past few days in this House, I have talked about the newly announced package for employees. I have said that it isn't fair because reductions in Nunavut will be greater than in other locations. Mr. Speaker, I also note that there is a deficit problem. Instead of attacking this government on its plans, like the elimination of the Executive and Personnel offices, which I think are short-sighted and detrimental to this government, I should also be prepared to offer constructive ways to help this government overcome the deficit. Mr. Speaker, I have tried to do this in and out of committee. The role of the ordinary MLA is to provide the checks and balances for constructive criticism, as well as to congratulate this government when the opportunity arises. Mr. Speaker, that is why I have asked the questions that I have. I represent the constituency of Iqaluit; their concerns are my concerns. I have not forgotten that. I will continue to bring up matters that are important to my constituents.

Mr. Speaker, in a consensus type of government, where the boundaries between Cabinet and ordinary Members are not well defined, sometimes it is difficult to be critical without the feeling of being personal. I find this every day, Mr. Speaker. However, Mr. Speaker, questions must be asked, questions must be raised, questions must be spoken, or this government would be a sham. Mr. Speaker, as a rookie MLA, I have learned many things over the past few months. However, Mr. Speaker, I have not forgotten how and why I came here. I thank my fellow MLAs for their support, their constructive criticism of me and their camaraderie. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's not often that an MLA receives good news; therefore, I'm very pleased to announce that two communities in my constituency have been awarded funds from the Parks Canada supplement to the Canada/ Northwest Territories languages agreement. The hamlet of Arctic Bay has been awarded $78,805 for activities associated with the construction of the traditional qarmaq. The Resolute Bay Hunters' and Trappers' Association has been awarded $7,500 to hold a workshop on oral history and the traditional knowledge of polar bears.

The Arctic Bay project is a tribute to the elders of Arctic Bay, who are specialists in the Inuktitut language and culture, who have successfully participated in community-based projects in the past by collecting traditional place names and who instruct cultural classes in Inuujaq School at all grade levels in Resolute Bay. The project ensures that Inuit traditional environmental knowledge and practical experience with polar bears and land-based cultural activities will be available for use in the cooperative management of the proposed Bathurst Island National Park. The Resolute Bay Community Lands and Resources Committee and the Resolute Bay Hunters' and Trappers' Association will carry out this work. I would like to congratulate my communities on this achievement and thank the Honourable Charles Dent and his department for their support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

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

The Member for Yellowknife Centre is seeking unanimous consent. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like the Member for High Arctic, Mr. Barnabas, I too have some good news to bring; it concerns a young man from the Yellowknife North constituency, Mr. Brent Beck. Brent left this morning to the Second Trofeo Topolino Sled Dog Competition. This is an international sled dog competition for juniors. The 1996 edition will take place at the ski resort community of Passo, Tonale, and the valley high above, Ponte di Legno. This event is an opportunity for children from different parts of the world to meet in the Italian Alps and celebrate together the snow, the mountains and sled dogs.

The race is open to all junior mushers who can show proof of appropriate experience in driving sled dogs, such as a recommendation from their mushing club, mushing school, national organization or a recognized musher. Brent will be representing the Yellowknife, the NWT and Canada as the only Canadian going. He will be representing us in the 13-to16-year age group with one to four dogs. I would like to congratulate Brent on his trip and he is being assisted by the new champion who won the dog derby here, Tim White. Tim donated $2,000 of his winnings so that Brent could attend this event. Thank you.

--- Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Picco on March 22nd, with respect to the breakdown of the new northern allowance.

The new northern allowance will be paid to employees in regular instalments as part of their bi-weekly pay. The full amount of the northern allowance paid each calendar year will be reported on the employee's T-4 in the section entitled, "travel in prescribed area." This will enable employees to take maximum advantage of the tax deduction for travel. Employees determine the amount of tax to be withheld from their bi-weekly pay on their TD1 form, which must be completed when an employee commences employment and which may be updated periodically as circumstances change.

I have another one, Mr. Speaker.

Go ahead.

I was asked a question on March 2 1 st by Mr. Henry, with respect to the status of arbitration awards.

There were no findings by the arbitrator that the government was guilty of wrongdoing over a 10-year span from 1985 to 1995. Instead, there were rulings on procedural matters and decisions on which jobs were appropriately excluded against the criteria and which jobs, in the opinion of the arbitrator, did not meet the criteria.

Several rulings have been received and there are rulings still outstanding. It would be very expensive to produce 75 copies of the rulings for tabling in the House. Instead, I will have a binder of the rulings in my office that I will be pleased to make available to any Member who wishes to review this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Krutko on March 22nd, regarding contamination of the Fort McPherson water supply.

The Member for Mackenzie Delta asked if the Department of Transportation was taking measures to alleviate the hamlet of Fort McPherson's concerns about the possible accidental contamination of its water supply from the Dempster Highway.

The department has no record of an accident ever occurring on the highway in the vicinity of the water source. Nonetheless, the department plans to widen the highway this year from 7.5 metres to 10.5 metres which will improve traffic safety and reduce the likelihood of an accident near the water source. The department also plans to install guardrails along the highway beside the lake to reduce further the possibility of a vehicle leaving the road and contaminating the water source.

The Member's question also raises the possibility of contamination from the calcium chloride the department applies on the highway to control dust. Dust control improves visibility on the highway and helps to maintain safe driving conditions. The water source is tested regularly, and the department has no evidence that calcium chloride from the highway is contaminating the water supply.

The Department of Transportation would prefer to continue applying calcium chloride on the highway. It makes a positive contribution to highway safety and reduces the amount of dust that would otherwise settle in the reservoir. However, should the hamlet of Fort McPherson so request, the department will promptly discontinue its dust control program near the water source. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, I have stated many times in this House, my concern for the extremely high unemployment levels that exist in my communities of Arviat and Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, the pending lay-offs and overall government downsizing only adds to this already desperate situation. Mr. Speaker, my question relates to the number of positions that my constituents see advertised for your department. Mr. Speaker, out of fairness and sensitivity to the unemployed in the Kivallivik region, would the honourable Minister please consider locating some of the jobs that have been advertised in Arviat and Baker Laker as opposed to locating all these jobs in Rankin Inlet? Thank you. Mahsi cho.

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I'm aware of the concern raised by the honourable Member, The situation of filling the positions in Rankin Inlet is ongoing, it's part of the Arctic A transfer initiative that is under way. I've asked the department to look at the situation. As we examine the request of this honourable Member, I will get back to him at a later time. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated to this House in my Member's statement regarding the NorthwesTel communication outage in the Nunavut area, the former information indicated, Mr. Speaker, that those communities in the Western Arctic served by the microwave were not affected. The former information indicates that there is no indication at this time when the service will be restored. Mr. Speaker, this statement causes me some concern. When the communication links are out, there is no way of knowing how long it will be out for in the Nunavut area. Mr. Speaker, in this day and age, with advanced technology, surely this should not happen within our jurisdiction. In the event this happens again, what alternative do we have to communicate with the Eastern Arctic communities?

The Premier, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member raised a very valid concern: communication is very important. The safety that people feel by being able to communicate from any remote Community in the Northwest Territories is very important. I will have discussions with NorthwesTel to find out if they have any back-up plans should this happen again, or what they will put in place to ensure that we always have some sort of communication line open to our remote, small communities. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank You, Mr. Speaker. The NWT-wide public consultation of the business incentive policy will be completed next week, on April 2nd. The drafting of a revised policy is continuing. As I mentioned before in this House, the responsibility for administering the policy and maintaining the policy will be turned over to the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in the very near future. So, although the Department of Public Works will continue to have a role in the business incentive policy, the responsibility will be moved to another department quite soon. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, several days ago, the Department of Public Works had a briefing and consultation meeting with Members of the Legislative Assembly, and we received some good comments and suggestions at that meeting. I would think that until the day the new policy is approved, we would continue to take suggestions and comments from Members.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the honourable Minister of Finance. Yesterday in the House, I asked the Minister what method he proposed to attain any of the wage and benefits savings from excluded employees back to general revenue. An example I was given was the WCB. The honourable Minister responded that the savings are not coming back to the GNWT with respect to the Workers' Compensation Board. Can the Minister explain how this reduction to the example of WCB employees will contribute to a saving to the government?

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Any reductions in the overhead of the WCB would, hopefully, be passed back on the assessments to the employers. This would ultimately make employers more profitable, which would ultimately make their taxes greater, so ultimately would, even though it's further down the line, have an impact on this government. That's what I meant yesterday and perhaps I didn't explain it as properly as I should have. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister was not aware until March 15th that these funds were not coming back to the government, my question is how much does the lack of these funds not coming back to GNWT coffers alter his budget projections.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it's important to point out that the WCB is funded by employers' contributions and there is no direct fiscal relationship in terms of the government base funding to the WCB. The point I was trying to make yesterday is that there is an

impact if there's a reduction in the cost to the WCB because it impacts upon employers which Will ultimately impact on their ability to create employment, pay taxes and deliver

services to the Territories. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question concerns the announced reductions to pay and benefits. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Finance explain why a six-year employee with a family of four in Iqaluit will be reduced by 19.53 per cent and the same family in Fort Smith will be cut by 6.84 per cent? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps it's important that we try to deal with and try to respond to this question. The principle of the strategy, which we've been trying to accomplish here and has been discussed at length with this Legislative Assembly through the standing committees, is this: The government can no longer afford to maintain the same benefits package that was originally designed to attract public servants from southern Canada. It's time to recognize the fact that increasing numbers of northerners do have the education and do have the job opportunities within the GNWT. The change to the northern allowance is intended to de-emphasize the recreational travel and provide a fair compensation package to the people who we've all grown up with to enable our employees to meet the basic needs in the community, whether it's mortgage payments, feeding the family, et cetera.

In the process of restructuring the northern allowance package based on the principle that we can no longer afford the current package and the fact that the old package was designed primarily for a southern employee component that took place 20 or 30 years ago, we redesigned it. It's an oversimplification to use the vacation travel component and to exaggerate the percentage changes when we're talking about a cost of living allowance and not a recreational bonus. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I enjoyed that history lesson on the northern allowance package. However, the point is that these cuts are affecting the long-term northern residents who have been here 10, 15 or 20 years working for this government. That's the point. Mr. Speaker, the majority of our workers who are working at the entry level are aboriginal, at the $30,000 to $40,000 rate. My point is that these people are going to be affected. I'm prepared today to table in this House a document showing that. I'm

still waiting for a document from the Minister of Finance that was asked for last week.

Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question to the Minister is will he commit to reviewing the proposed reductions based on these inequities. That's all I'm asking for.

Mr. Todd.

I obviously have a fundamental difference with my honourable colleague. We've got to deal with the principle of the strategy. I'm going to say it again: The principle of the strategy is for us to provide the wages and benefits to a northern employee base that addresses the basic cost of living in the country. That's what we've tried to accomplish. If you look at it from the vacation travel perspective, yes, there is disparity. If you take that out of the component and look at it from a cost of living component, which is what we're trying to accomplish here ... Let's not forget that there are others out there who are less fortunate -- the unemployed, the people who can't find jobs -- we've also got a responsibility to them in the overall deficit elimination strategy. When are some of the Members in this House going to recognize that? Everybody has to take the cut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I realize that everyone has to take a cut. And I also realize people are unemployed and are on welfare; I know, they are in my family. I also realize that a lot of the northern workers who we're talking about support extended families. For example, I support an extended family so, by cutting my salary, you're hurting my extended family who isn't working. That's the point. The VTA component is part of that package. It has been for X number of years. So when you look at the total package and you cut that, you're affecting these workers. That's all I'm saying. When I look at the cuts, I know, that they're not equal. I don't want to sound uncompassionate to the Minister of Finance. I know the Minister is grappling with this. I know the Minister of Finance is compassionate. However, I also see that when I look at reductions, for example, a family of four in Aklavik being cut 19.82 per cent and the same family being cut 8.5 per cent in Hay River, that's not equity. That's what I'm saying here. I'm asking, will the Minister address this.

Mr. Todd.

In my opinion, it is equitable. The honourable colleague, with all due respect, is not paying attention to the principle of the strategy. The principle of the strategy is to ensure that we provide a wage and benefits

package for northern employees that meets their needs. It is not designed and will not be designed in this government if we are to meet the targets that this Assembly and the standing committees worked with us on to address the VTA recreational bonus that was originally designed for southern employees. It's an unfortunate situation that over the years people have viewed that as part of their overall income. It was and is vacation travel assistance for people to go south, nothing more, nothing less. The principle of what we're trying to accomplish here is a benefits package that addresses northerners and their cost of living. I can't address it any other way. I don't know how else to explain it to the honourable Member.

Item 6, oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's not rocket science. I understand the principle of the bill. However, what I'm saying is I've been in the North for 15 years, so I guess I'm not a long-term person. It would affect me. I can only use myself as an example. Mr. Speaker, I know that there is a deficit problem with the government. We've spoken about it. I've talked about it. I'm doing what I can. That's the reason I brought up the bigger hit in MACA for the capital cuts the other day. Mr. Speaker, has the Minister looked at a cut across the board of perhaps five or 10 per cent of all employees? So if you cut Ed Picco 10 per cent in Iqaluit on $60,000, that's a reduction of $6,000. It would be the same amount in Hay River. To me, that's more equitable. That's my supplementary question to the Minister. Has he looked at across-the-board cuts of five or 10 per cent?

Mr. Todd.

I'm sure we're going to debate this in the coming weeks. There is no one who has received more phone calls than I have on this issue and I've lived in Nunavut for 30 years. I'm still learning what's going on. Let me try again. Perhaps my honourable colleague will understand it this way: We are moving away from a benefit that sent people south on vacation and we're repackaging the benefits to provide an economy and a wage package to meet the basic needs of the constituency. I can't say it any other way. We're doing this in trying to meet the targets that we all set, and the majority of us agreed to, in committee. I'm trying the best I can, Mr. Speaker. I don't know how else to explain it.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been brought to my attention that, with the downsizing of

the Housing Corporation, my home community of Arviat will be losing two PYs. Mr. Speaker, for the record, may I remind this Assembly, once again, that this community faces a 70 to 75 per cent unemployment rate. Mr. Speaker, to further compound the situation, it is my further understanding that one of these positions will be transferred to the Rankin Inlet suboffice. Will the Minister review this pending transfer so as to retain this position in this level 11 community where jobs are so desperately needed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of the Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member can appreciate, this is my third day as the Minister of Housing and I am still in the first phase of briefing with the department. I am aware of the Member's concern about downsizing the district office in Arviat. I can only say that I will review the situation and talk to the Member about it and see how we can come to an understanding.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question directed to the Minister of Finance. (Translation ends) I was told by the Minister of Finance that his officials have already done an analysis on the effect of take-home pay of the new wage and benefits. I asked the Minister to give us the information on Monday. To date, we are still waiting. When will the Minister give us the information on this analysis? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

(Microphone turned off) ... my honourable colleague asked me the question on Monday. It is Wednesday; 48 hours later. We are making every effort to provide them with the information. I want to ensure that it is accurate and reflective of what the concerns are. I want to assure him that this Minister is transparent and will table these documents in the House and will defend the position this government has taken. There is no attempt here, as has been implied, to not provide this information. We want to ensure the information is accurate. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This again is directed to the Minister of Finance. When the analysis has been completed, could he present this to the House, please?

Mr. Todd.

Let me assure my colleague that I am equally concerned as he is on the overall fiscal impact that these changes are going to have on our constituency, particularly the people in remote areas where it appears the greatest impact will be because of the removal of the VTA. It is our intention to provide that information as quickly and as accurately as possible. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the record, I have lived in Nunavut for about 50 years.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, my colleague from the Kitikmeot region. Gjoa Haven has been requesting, Mr. Speaker, for many years, an elders' centre and a health facility for that community. What is the status of the request for the health centre and the elders' centre in Gjoa Haven? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With respect to the health centre, the department recently received an evaluation from Public Works and Services on the condition of the existing health centre to see whether or not it would be feasible to renovate versus a new facility. We have that report and we are reviewing it at the present time.

With respect to the elders' facility that was proposed for Gjoa Haven, it has tentatively been put on hold. There is a capital program through the Housing Corporation to deal with the seniors' independent housing strategy and the Department of Health and Social Services will be working with the Housing Corporation to try to identify the needs of the community of Gjoa Haven Linder the terms of that strategy and see what we can come up with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The actuarial costs that the honourable Member is asking about is the responsibility of the Workers' Compensation Board. I think they have done that analysis, so I would refer that question to the honourable Member responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Ootes, could you readdress your question to the Minister of the WCB?

Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The actuarial work is currently under way between the Department of Safety and Public Services and the WCB. The WCB, of course, has a long history of dealing with actuaries, so they are enacting that right now to try to determine a variety of options as to how they will end up paying the long-term obligations for this responsibility when it is transferred. The current agreement, as I am sure my colleague knows, is that we have phased this transfer in over three years and the fiscal cost of it being phased in over three years is being paid for by this government. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Mr. Todd.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. We do recognize, both the government and the Workers' Compensation Board,

the need to be fair. The strategy we have taken is to try to phase this in over a three-year period and this government will continue some fiscal commitment. I think it is fair to say the objective is to ensure -- and I can't speak for the board - a fiscal package is in place that will reassure the contributors to the fund -- that is, the employers -- and no increases in the assessments. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be meeting with the chairman of the board, the general manager of the board and Mr. Voytilla, tomorrow at noon, I believe. They're supposed to provide me with an updated report on what steps they're going to be taking with respect to meeting their fiscal obligations, how we're going to go about that, reassuring and ensuring both groups of stakeholders -employers and employees -- that it won't have an impact on them, et cetera. I will be in a better position probably tomorrow afternoon to respond to my honourable colleague about the timing of these consultations and discussions. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Todd.

I will give my colleague my assurance that I will report back what steps have been taken with respect to the transfer, the overall fiscal implications, and try to answer a number of the questions that have been raised today; and I believe they've been made by stakeholder groups, whether it has been the Chamber of Commerce or the Chamber of Mines. I want to say, in all fairness to my colleague, that I am moving forward on this important initiative and I intend, unless there is some major reason not to, to proceed with the transfer. Thank you.

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

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Let me try to answer the question, Mr. Speaker. I'm confident, based upon what I've seen in the short time I've been in this House with the 15 new Members and the fact that the new committee system we've put in place provides direct input into developing initiatives in this government; whether it's in deficit elimination or whether, hopefully at some point, we'll come to the investment side and make life better for everybody.

I think the process is set. The learning curve for those of us who are new to the Finance portfolio and those of you who are new to the House, I think has been a fast-tracked learning process for all of us. I think the future development of changes and fair distribution of the dollars will be transparent to everybody. If there is some method in which I can table it in the House, I'm sure I can work it out with the standing committees and I would only be too happy to do so. Thank you.