Mr. Speaker, I've asked the Department of Public Works to look into this matter. Two days ago, I did ask the Member to provide me with a contact name; however, when I did not get that, I asked the department to conduct an investigation to see what we could do. At this point in time, I do not have any information to pass on.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance. Mr. Speaker, many of our civil servants are facing lay-offs similar to those in other governments across Canada. The federal government, in particular, has set a target of reducing their workforce by 45,000 positions over a three-year period. As part of these reductions, the federal government has offered employees an

early retirement and an early departure package. Eligible employees are able to retire earlier than planned with no penalties for early retirement. Similarly, some employees would be able to voluntarily terminate their positions. There were a number of incentives offered for each of these programs. The result, Mr. Speaker, is that positions were freed up for other employees who would otherwise have to be laid off. Can the Minister advise this House whether this government would give the same consideration to our employees in the Northwest Territories?

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I can go back to an earlier statement, when we looked at the lay-offs that were prepared by the departments and the Ministers, we took the time to try and manage our way, as I've said consistently, out of this fiscal mess that we're in. I believe that we were able to save a number of jobs by careful management of the lay-offs. We are looking at, and do have in place, a variety of options, as my honourable colleague says; whether it's early retirement, retraining and some other options. In short, Mr. Speaker, we're doing some of the things that my honourable colleague is talking about. I think we demonstrated clearly -- I hope we did anyway -- to this House in the previous discussions that we're trying to manage as carefully as possible the job loss. We'll continue to do that and we'll certainly look at other options that have been suggested by my honourable colleague from Arviat. Thank you.

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

Thank you. Mr. Premier, two questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me assure the Member that we'll look at any proposal that is presented to this government on privatization. We do, as far as I'm concerned, have to look at our present employees and, as my honourable colleague, Mr. Todd, has said, we have to look at all our employees and try to minimize any lay-offs that we have to do. Then, through privatization, if the employees can continue to work and continue to gain

meaningful employment in the Northwest Territories, then we should try our best to accommodate them because they are the ones who have worked for many years for this government and we do, I believe, owe them something.

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

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't know the answer to that question. I'll take it as notice and get the information back to the honourable Member. Thank you.

Thank you. The question is taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I previously made a public commitment through this House that we will look to make sure that we do have regional representation on an independent advisory group of independent business people. I've asked all Members of this Legislative Assembly to forward names to myself and I've given them, I believe it was two weeks, to do that. That time is coming up. From that we will decide and make sure that all areas of the Northwest Territories are represented. I also know that the renewable resource business sector, the mining business sector, the construction business sector all have very

capable individual business people that may be able to sit and advise myself on economic activity in the North. I will look at the names that come forward but I will not put somebody on that represents the Chamber of Mines. I will not put somebody on that represents the construction association. They will be independent business people, Mr. Speaker, and that's who they will represent: independent business. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Premier update this House on the restructuring and the status of the GNWT Ottawa office?

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. By reviewing the business plans of the Executive through the committees that we work with now in this Legislative Assembly, and through the recommendations of those committees, it was recommended to us to review the function of the Ottawa office to make it more efficient and perhaps more productive in a different role. We have committed to do that. We will be getting back to the committee in a very short period of time. We fully agree with your committee that the review of the Ottawa office has to be completed. We will do that and present it back through the business plan at that time. Thank you,

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm very pleased to hear that. Has the Premier looked at possible reductions to PYs and their O and M costs for the operations of said office, keeping in mind the fiscal realities facing this government, especially long-term contracts and so on? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Morin.