Thank you. First of all, I have to correct myself. I was talking about positions, not PYs, because there is a difference. There are positions, 438. My understanding, when I look at the information, there are no additional layoffs in the amalgamated RWED Department. They have all taken place next year. Thank you.

Thank you. Human resource management. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Yes, Mr. Voytilla advises me that due to a number of reasons, one being the collective agreement, et cetera, that most of the employees who are going to be laid off have already been advised, either by letter or orally, by their employers. Thank you.

Qujannamiik. Human resource management, total operations and maintenance. We have Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is the Minister aware of each department and the number of positions that may be vacant in departments? Thank you.

Qujannamiik. The Honourable Minister for Finance, Mr. Todd.

Well of course, Mr. Chairman. Vacancies happen on an ongoing basis so it would be difficult to say today that there are x-vacancies, because tomorrow there could be less or there could be more. But, I believe I said yesterday, it was yesterday was it not? Yes, I believe I said yesterday that when we did the cuts the first time, there were a significant amount of jobs vacant, we know that, we know positions are vacant, and that is where we took the first slice, if you want. So that avoided a greater degree of layoffs by our employees. Most of those vacant positions, or what I call, vacant PYs or whatever you want to call them, really are pretty well gone now. So I suspect that vacant positions will be minimal because of the exercise we did the first year. Does that make sense?

Thank you. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that this may be a question better directed to the Minister responsible

for Renewable Resources and I will do when he is available to do that. My understanding is that there is a significant amount

of positions in that department that are vacant. Is the Minister of FMBS aware of that?

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

No, I cannot tell. I deal with the fiscal management of the government and really that would be a question better put to the Minister when he comes forward. All I can tell you is what the policy of this government is, and that is to try to fill vacant positions with employees that are on layoff. They get priority status and, where we cannot do that, to try to retrain and provide training, and where we cannot do that we then work an appropriate severance package out. So I would suggest to my honourable colleague that if, in fact, there are, as he implies, significant vacancies there, he should ask that of the other Minister when his budget comes forward. Thank you.

Thank you. Human resource management. Mr. Henry.

Thank you. I know the Minister did touch on it, but I would just like him to confirm again that all layoffs, people that are being laid off because of this next fiscal budget for beginning April 1, all those people have at least a couple of months ago or so or at least have received layoff notices as of today. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Well, I cannot unequivocally say that all. I know that there are layoff notices that have gone out. Oral discussions have taken place with the staff and it is certainly the intent over the next little while for these notices to go out. So there may be some employees who have not received the actual letter of layoff but they have been told orally that it is coming.

Thank you. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So is it fair to say then that every person that is getting laid off because of the presentation of the 1997/98 year budget either knows about it or has received written notification that they will no longer be required?

Thank you. Mr. Todd.

I cannot give my honourable colleague that assurance that everyone who is going to be laid off has received either oral or written notice. Sorry. Thank you.

Thank you. We are considering Human resource management. Yes, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So then there are potentially some employees presently who may still be, their positions may be terminated? Is that what the Minister is telling us and I guess I take it for granted but rather than take it for granted maybe the Minister can confirm it, will they be receiving a three month notice as a minimum if they have not received written notice of layoff? Thank you.

Thank you. I am having some difficulty with the line of questioning because I think we are getting into asking the Minister of his opinion? Mr. Minister.