Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to Mr. Todd, the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board. I have spoken in the past about the unjust inequities, in the process the government has developed in determining settlement allowances, because Yellowknife is used as a basis for determining the allowances paid to GNWT employees in other communities. Yellowknife government employees have received no settlement allowance increases in this round of collective bargaining. When I last questioned the Minister, he stated because there was an offer on the table with the UNW on a new collective agreement, he was not prepared to revisit the issue at this time. At that same time, Mr. Speaker, the Minister did advise the House that he would give it some serious consideration. I am wondering, Mr. Speaker, now that pay equity has been removed from the table and both sides are back at the bargaining table because of the unjustness and unfairness of this particular part, will the government look at putting more money into the kitty for the employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories working in Yellowknife? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are at the bargaining table right now. As I have said on a number of occasions, and I said to my honourable colleague, for those that did not hear me, that we are not in a position and I am not prepared to intervene in the whole bargaining process. What I was prepared to do was take a look at how we evaluated the northern allowance component of Yellowknife versus Hay River. I think that was the discussion at the time and we are doing that. As far as the collective bargaining process, it would be inappropriate for the Minister to intervene in sensitive negotiations at this late hour. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would remind the Minister that I hear it quite well, thank you.

--Applause

Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that when two parties go back to the table, either side can introduce points that they have already talked about. If there is a new point introduced, no it cannot be negotiated at that time. What I am saying is, this is an unfair situation and I am saying to the government, why do you not correct this unjust situation now at this time when you have and it is not a case of interfering in the collective bargaining process. The parties are back at the table. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Henry, for the record what was your question?

Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, why will he not introduce this and create a solution to an unjust situation? Why will he not direct his negotiators to correct the situation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

While I can appreciate my colleague's concern, his definition of unjust is exactly his definition. I do not see the situation as unjust, I see the situation with the analysed, with what the question was raised here several months ago. We are doing that, I have no intentions of intervening at this time, at this late juncture in the collective process. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That was as much a surprise to me as it was to my honourable colleague that they would appeal at this late juncture, the ruling provided by Justice Richard. As far as I am concerned, we are bargaining in good faith. I hope, as I said earlier this morning, we can come to an agreement in a matter of days and move on so that our membership can vote on the agreement and get the money in the hands of our employees prior to Christmas. What impact will it have? In my opinion, none at this late juncture. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland

Mr. Todd.

I will do the best I can to communicate with my colleague as I frequently do every morning, along with everybody else. I want to be clear here, I cannot intervene in the bargaining process as has been suggested. I can not put new stuff on the table, the reality is we have tabled what we think is a fair and reasonable offer. We are optimistic, I certainly am, that we will come to an agreement through the mediation this week or next week. I would hope the UNW would see the justice in allowing its membership to vote on this agreement. If there are any significant changes, and this government has to take a particular course of action, I will assure that the House knows, all the Members know, either through the written word. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not have all the names of all the individuals or groups involved in the review of the youth services treatment. I will commit to getting that information and advising all Members. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Ng.