Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in this privatization document under the Department of Public Works and Services and POL that the Minister just mentioned, when does the Deputy Premier, the Minister of POL expect this document to be available for the Members of this House and the appropriate standing committee which POL falls under? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot answer that as the lead Minister is Mr. Kakfwi, but I will ensure that the appropriate committee is informed as soon as arrangements can be made.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. I have had the opportunity to look over a document of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada, and it is particularly related to Canadian Financial Roundup. I would suggest that there are many good items in this magazine. Something that I see neglected is any reference to the NWT or the Yukon. Each of the provinces and a small write-up is included about each of them and their financial implications, and some of the important features that they are taking part in.

Like Mr. Ootes, I also am concerned about, he talked about it earlier today, concerned in the drop in capital funding, but I think it is important also to look out, what other provinces are doing. I do not think that our drop is out of line with what other jurisdictions are doing. It is important to look at the big picture, I know it is a concern. But my question to the Minister of Finance, will he write to such organizations such as this one, Canadian Financial Roundup, where no reference is made to the Yukon or the NWT, and encourage them to, as we are part of this country, include some financial data from our jurisdiction? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am a real believer that any news is better than no news. I will commit to do exactly as my colleague says, and find out why we are not involved in this particular document. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Steen.

Just to remind the Member when Mr. Arlooktoo responded, Mr. Arlooktoo did say that Mr. Kakfwi is responsible for POL. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware of the concerns of the contractor in the communities, some of whom have been going on a month to month arrangement. As for timelines, I would hope by this spring that we would be able to give these contractors some certainty of where the government is going. I will imagine that it will be another couple of months before we can make some kind of announcement.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Public Works and Services. I think that every Member of this House is aware of the fact that

when we travel across the NWT, in every community there are times when you see material and equipment belonging to the government waiting for construction season to begin, placed in an open area. I am sure tons and tons of the material is damaged by the weather or perhaps vandalized. Maybe people help themselves because we do not have appropriate storage for them. In times of restraint, when we cut programs and services, we also layoff so many people that I do not even have the number with me at this time. What is the government doing to protect the materials and equipment belonging to this government, in order to ensure that there is minimum damage done to these equipment and materials? Thank you.

The Minister of Public Works and Services. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, that is also an ongoing concern of the government. In some of the communities we have to bring in materials six to eight months before the actual construction because of the transportation arrangements that we are forced to live with. That is, most of our materials have to be shipped from the south through sealift. Therefore, we do have to store this material in these communities. In some communities the damage or theft of materials has been reported, but it fortunately is not a major issue. We are looking into it. The Department of Public Works along with Housing Corporation and other agencies that will have to bring in materials and store them for the winter are aware of this and looking at options. Thank you.

Thank you. Question period is over. Item 7, written questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my written question is for the Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment, the Honourable Charles Dent. On Friday, January 31, in this House, several questions, were put to the Minister regarding section 63(1) of the new Education Act which deals with principals employment contract. The Legislation states, and I quote, "a District Education Authority shall, for every school of more than one teacher, employ a teacher to be a principal of that school for a term not exceeding five years." My first question, Mr. Speaker, is why has the Minister chosen to impose the length of the term of the contract on the District Education Authorities, instead of allowing the individual authorities, to exercise responsibility clearly given to them under the Act? Question No. 2, clearly it is the intent of the Act to provide for some flexibility in deciding on the term of employment for principals. Why did the Minister choose a five year term instead of a three year or two year term? Three, what provisions are in the new Act to allow the local education authorities to dismiss a principal considering these new hiring practices? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Written questions. Mr. Steen.

The Member for Nunakput is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 6, oral questions. Do we have any nays? You have some nays. You do not have unanimous consent. Sorry, Mr. Steen. Written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Picco on January 21st in respect to policy and fees paid for jury duty. The jury fees regulations state that a fee of $40 per day is paid to each person who serves on a jury. If it is a criminal trial, the fee is paid by the Supreme Court. If it is a civil trial, the fee is paid by the party who requested that the trial be heard by a jury.

Every person who serves on a jury is entitled to this fee. At one time, the GNWT had a policy of recovering this fee from its employees, since those who serve on jury duty also receive a paid leave of absence, designated as court leave. However, this practice of recovering jury fees from GNWT employees ended in 1993, as a result of an arbitration ruling, which concluded that it breached the terms of the collective agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Replies to opening address. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to return to item 6, oral questions.