Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, after hearing the federal government's numbers and listening to Mr. Irwin last week when I met with him, we, too, as a government have some concerns about the numbers. We have some concerns about what Nunavut would look like April 1, 1999. This week, we will be coming out with a position as a government on what we see these numbers meaning. We will be meeting with NTI, as well as the federal government, in Arviat this weekend and hopefully we will get some clarification on the numbers and we will definitely be getting clarification on the role of the GNWT in the whole process. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is it the intention of this government to implement Nunavut at all costs, even if this money is not enough?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In previous assemblies and also in this Assembly, we have supported Nunavut. This Assembly has supported the people's right to govern themselves and will continue to do that. We will also look at the fiscal reality. We will meet with our partners on this whole issue, NTI and the federal government, to discuss it this weekend and hopefully we can come out with a very concrete proposal and direction we are going in.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 1, too, support Nunavut, as I am sure all the MLAs in this House do. However, if there isn't enough money to implement Nunavut coming from the federal government, that probably means that some of the money might have to come from the GNWT's budget. If this happens, how will it affect the territory that is left over here in the West? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We haven't got to that level of detail yet. We have just gotten these numbers from the federal government on transition costs. I believe it is $117 million, after you subtract the federal government's presence in the North and what that costs. We will consider that. We are concerned, as well as Members of this Assembly, about the numbers and what type of territories we will have. We are going to have two new territories April 1, 1999. We do want two territories that are financially viable and we don't want layers upon layers of government and our community people getting hit or taking the brunt of the blow and not receiving adequate programs and services because of the cost of too much government. We are going to take a serious look at that and we will report back to the Members. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mrs. Thompson.

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the concern from the riding of Hay River. I think all of these concerns are the same in all areas of the NWT because leaders need to be trained to take over

responsibilities and training is a very important part of this objective.

Also, our officials in the department are working towards this end to ensure that communities get trained. Our officials are working to train the community leaders, so they can take over the transfers in an orderly fashion. Transfers are still going ahead and more and more communities are coming up with proposals to take over programs that this government currently runs. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.