Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have an return to oral question from Mr. Henry on September 22, 1998.

Certain types of GNWT payments are currently paid through an electronic system for direct deposit to northern business bank accounts. These types of payments are generally linked to schedules within agreements such as commercial leases or contribution agreements. Unfortunately, this payment system requires a considerable amount of manual intervention and could not be used for large volumes as would be the case for GNWT trade payables.

Currently, trade payables are processed through the Financial Information System and cheques are produced in six regions. The current software applies a payment term of 20 days for northern businesses approved under the Business Incentive Policy and 30 days for all other vendors.

The software development necessary to go to electronic deposits would require additional money and additional trained staff to undertake the required planning, programming, software testing and user training in the current year. As significant programming and system file structure changes will be needed, it is unlikely that reprogramming would be completed by March 31, 1999.

I agree, a direct deposit method would be beneficial to northern businesses and to the government. Therefore, I have directed my officials to do a cost study next fiscal year of what programming and file structure changes would be required to our current system and what banking arrangement fees would be involved in order to go to direct electronic deposit of trades payable accounts. Additional funding may then be sought at that time if necessary. It would be most appropriate were this system of electronic direct deposits available to greet the new millennium in the year 2000. Thank you.

--Applause