Sorry, Mr. Krutko. I must rule the question out of order. You are asking the Premier on an issue that is not his responsibility. It is the Yukon government's responsibility. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the Finance Minister, Mr. Todd. In the budget address which was tabled on January 27th, a couple of days ago, the Minister, as one of the initiatives to try and create some employment in the Territories, talked about the infrastructure agreement between the federal, territorial and municipal governments. I understand that these funds are mainly targeted for small construction community infrastructure. I think every MLA could use additional infrastructure in their communities. At the same time, I think this is costing us a lots of additional funds that we do not have now to operate that infrastructure and I think the Minister alluded to it yesterday on the question of zambonies. But my question to the Minister is, is there potential to contribute more than $1 million from the GNWT? Would the federal government match that money? If this could happen, could it be used for other than municipal projects or small projects? Could we look at some seed money for highways, sort of to continue with that road to resources? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The current infrastructure program that we announced in the budget under the guardianship of Mr. Dent, is just an extension of the existing one. The dollars, of course, are pre-determined by the federal government and it is a 50/50 match up. They put up 1.1 and we are putting up 1.1. I asked Mr. Dent in these discussions to indicate to them if there were any other additional dollars, we would be prepared to try and find the matching ones. My understanding is, there are no additional dollars other than what they have identified. We are not in a position, as Mr. Henry indicates, to do the kinds of road infrastructure that he is intimating.

However, I know that discussions are under way right now at the federal level about the possibility of a road-type infrastructure program. It is premature right now to be able to give you any idea whether that politically will move forward, how it will be financed if it does move forward, and what impact it would have on the Territories. But it is something the Minister of Transportation and the Premier have a particular interest in. Depending on how, would it be fair to say, the coming two or three months unfold prior to the next federal election, there may be a possibility of some of these new programs as you have suggested. But under the current infrastructure program, it is just a continuation of the old one and it is to a maximum of 1.1 million, which we are going to match up with 1.1 million. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The 1.1 million as a continuation, were there additional funds or more funds contributed in previous years? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Yes, I believe, if my memory serves me correctly and if my casual conversation with Mr. Dent is correct, in the previous one, which was I believe a three year deal, I think the total amount of dollars involved was $17 million. It was done under this previous government. I believe Mr. Dent is close to making an agreement right now with the federal government for 1.1 million. Previous one, over a three-year term, was 17 million. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have known the Finance Minister now for approximately a year and a half and I have yet to hear him accepting no for an answer. He tells me that there is potentially 17 million over a three year program that was in place. Will the Minister consider going back to the federal government, first to attempt to get more funds, and secondly try to persuade the federal government that we could use additional infrastructure, major projects such as highways and roads to resources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. You used up your final supplementary too. Two questions.

Yes. Two questions, six answers. Mr. Speaker. First of all, we did take the initiative as Mr. Henry suggests, to see if there were any additional dollars over and above the $1.1 million under the current infrastructure fund. I believe, if my discussion with Mr. Dent is right, that was the maximum they were prepared to give us at this time.

I believe that Mr. Dent is in negotiations right now to try and finalize that. We are very much aware, if anybody is aware, we are aware that any additional dollars that we can get, particularly 50 cent dollars, are to our advantage and of course both practical and political. On the larger issue of trying to find additional resources or to make an arrangement with the federal government and possibly industry on the need for a cooperative approach to an infrastructure highway program, that was under way under the previous government and under previous transportation Ministers and I believe is continuing under the current one.

As I said, we are still hoping, and the signals we are hearing, that there is a possibility that a new joint fund may come about. If that does happen I want to assure my colleague that we will be there at the federal government table seeking our share of the appropriate funding that may came about. There is nothing definitive at this time as to whether the federal government is going to move forward on a joint sponsorship of an infrastructure road program. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for MACA. It is in reference to the community empowerment and also community transfers. Mr. Speaker, I raise the concern of the transfer of liability provisions to the hamlets. Mr. Speaker, in an agreement that was signed with the Hamlet of Baker Lake. It stipulated that the GNWT agrees to transfer to the council the responsibility and liability, in so doing relinquishes the Minister from any responsibility and liability. The council agrees to accept all associated liabilities. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, have all the hamlets been clearly advised of the fact that they have to assume all liability? Are they clearly aware of it? Also, are these small communities able to secure this type of insurance? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Ms Thompson. Two questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will get more information on this from my staff and I will get my staff to work with the community. I have a regional person in Rankin Inlet, Paul Somotuk who can go there and talk with the community on this issue. I do not really know all the details of this issue in that particular community, but I will get my department to work with the community. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Mr. Speaker, would the Minister agree to ensure that all the communities are provided with legal advice on this critical insurance matter? Thank you.

Ms Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will.

Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.