Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am unaware of a committee that would be in place to monitor the benefits of mineral development and other development that is happening in the Northwest Territories. It is a responsibility of RWED to monitor the benefits, especially from the BHP development

because of the socio-economic agreement we do have with that specific mining company. I would be pleased, once I talk to the Minister, to have the Minister inform all the Members, by letter, of how we are monitoring that issue. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

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

Thank you. Question period is over. Mr. Krutko, question period is over. Mr. Krutko.

You already recognized someone in the gallery. You had your recognition of visitors in the gallery. You cannot have it again. Mr. Ootes.

The Member for Yellowknife Centre is seeking unanimous consent to go back to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Ootes, you have unanimous consent.

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize two constituents from Kugluktuk, Mr. Donald Havioyak is a former mayor of the community with whom I had the pleasure of working with during the past two years. He is currently the economic development officer. With him is his better half, Margaret, who is an elementary school teacher in the community.

-- Applause

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. We are back to item 7, written questions. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On February 26, 1997, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment responded to written questions in the House on February 5, 1997, regarding concerns on the term of employment of principals under the Education Act. After reviewing his responses to the questions, I have additional written questions I would like to ask the Minister.

1. Does the change in the term of employment also include the termination of the principal?

2. Why does not the district education authority have the responsibility for terminating principals in their own communities?

3. Does not this legislation render communities powerless when it comes to terminating principals?

4. How does the legislation empower communities when it is the GNWT that is dictating the terms and conditions of employment for principals?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Written questions. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Written questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have some written questions addressed to the Premier. Would the premier provide copies of the following policies:

1. Negotiated contract policy of this government.

2. A copy of the sole-sourced contract policy.

Could the Premier indicate the dates and nature of any updates that have been made to these two policies over the past two years.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, Return to Written Question 15-13(4) asked by Mr. Erasmus to the chairman of the Financial Management Board concerning information on grievances.

Information on Grievances

First and Second Level Grievances:

First and second level grievances are addressed by individual departments. Statistics are not kept centrally and not all departments currently track grievance details. The information provided by departments to date for 1996 is as follows:

There were 55 first level grievances filed, 13 were resolved at this level. 59 grievances were moved to or filed at second level with 14 of these being resolved at that level.

I have provided a detailed breakdown of these statistics by department to Members under separate cover.

Third Level Grievances:

Third level grievances and arbitrations are dealt with centrally in Labour Relations and Compensation. A summary of third level grievance statistics is as follow:

1996 1995

- third level grievances filed: 96 141

- third level grievances resolved: 47 71

- grievances sent to arbitration: 26 33

Not all unresolved grievances have been forwarded to arbitration.

I have provided a chart of third level grievances and arbitrations by department for 1995 and 1996 under separate cover.

A provisional Return to Written Question 16-13(4) asked by Mr. Erasmus to the Chairman of the Financial Management Board on staff training participation levels.

This is to advise that more time is required for a full response to Mr. Erasmus' question.

Information must be gathered from all departments. The return will be completed by March 31, 1997.

A Return to Written Question 17-13(4) asked by Mr. Krutko to the Chairman of the Financial Management Board concerning lay-off provisions and education leave option.

Lay-off Provisions - Education Leave Option

During the period of November 1, 1995, through December 31, 1996, 28 laid off employees chose the education assistance option under the lay-off provisions. Of these 28 individuals, one had subsequently obtained casual employment with the government while awaiting the commencement of her education program. None of the other individuals have had further employment contracts with the government.

The list of institutions selected under the education assistance options include: Athabasca University, Aurora College, Dalhousie, Georgian College, Mount Royal, NAIT, Nunavut College, SAIT, Sheridan College, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Manitoba, University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, York University.

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