Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to announce that this morning, my Financial Management Board colleagues approved significant increased funding to support full implementation of the Recruitment and Retention Plan for Health and Social Services. This investment allows us to further our work with boards and other partners to address, in a sustainable way, recruitment and retention of nurses, social workers, physicians and other health and social service providers. Significant work has already begun to support recruitment and retention initiatives.

A recruitment and retention specialist began work in June. This individual has more than ten years experience with northern health and social services as a frontline worker. The Recruitment and Retention Support Specialist takes a very proactive approach to identifying and encouraging potential employees. I believe her experience and network of contacts is very helpful to the boards.

Mr. Speaker, there are many northern students currently in health and social service programs. Statistics from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment indicate that 187 students are enrolled in these programs. The financial support approved today will assist us in recruiting these students and encouraging them to return to the north. Financial support has been provided to boards to ensure on-going access to professional development and interaction. Professional development funds, administered by the boards, have many direct and indirect benefits, including:

- increasing skills in a particular area;

- creating opportunities for interaction with peers;

- creating opportunities to refresh a professional dealing with daily stress;

- highlighting the importance of self-development and self motivation; and

- acquiring new skills.

Access to professional development will be reviewed on an ongoing basis at the board level to ensure the needs of staff are being met.

Mr. Speaker, one of the biggest drawbacks in recruiting and retaining health and social service professionals in most communities is the isolation from colleagues and the on-call expectations. Therefore, some means of providing relief is necessary. Extensive efforts have gone into developing a pool of nurses, doctors and social workers who can provide relief and locum services for boards. The pool is small at this point, but is growing.

Mr. Speaker, we know that if frontline workers are going to give care to community residents, they must be healthy themselves. Our plan stresses the need for support of health and social service workers. Boards are encouraged to make a conscious effort to develop and monitor structured employee support. These efforts will help to ensure that employees feel valued and want to remain in the organization. I believe that we are addressing recruitment and retention issues. The funding approved today will allow us to continue this work. In view of the serious nature of the problems that we are addressing with these initiatives we will need to be very proactive in implementing our plan. We will also need to remain flexible and open to new and creative ideas for dealing with recruitment and retention of health and social service workers.

We are not alone in facing these difficulties. In fact, recruitment and retention issues have been central in recent federal/provincial/territorial Ministers meetings. These are issues that my counterparts are dealing with as well. These meetings provide opportunities to share ideas and strategies that have worked for others. I have taken the opportunity in those meetings to discuss the difficulties we face in our jurisdiction and to learn from others facing similar problems.

Mr. Speaker, our plan does not contain all the answers to the difficulties that we have to deal with, but we believe that it provides a solid foundation for incorporating good ideas and creative thinking that will allow us to tackle these issues head on. I invite Members to provide us with the benefit of their knowledge of their own communities and put forward ideas, strategies and initiatives that they believe would work for them in serving their communities. We also plan to talk with, and more importantly listen to, frontline workers and managers in their communities to determine what they see as possible solutions to their problems. I believe that community perspective is absolutely necessary in finding and developing

the most satisfactory answers.

Mr. Speaker, the problems that we face today are not problems that will be solved overnight. In fact, it will take time, hard work and dedication to develop and sustain a strong health and social service workforce. I ask Members to join me in recognizing and thanking the nurses, social workers, physicians and other frontline workers who are providing important services to NWT residents.

To all health and social service workers, I would like to say, "We know you are coping with difficult situations. I ask for your patience while we work with you to develop solutions. Your dedication and professionalism are greatly appreciated. Thank you."

--Applause

Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a few moments to provide the House with an update on the NWT Housing Corporation's Plan 2000. In 1997 the corporation launched Plan 2000 with the objective of improving the living conditions of 2,000 NWT families by the year 2000. Mr. Speaker, considering the remoteness of most of our communities this is an ambitious task, to say the least. Under this strategy the corporation streamlined its programs so that more families could take advantage of them, to either get a new home or to improve the one they already live in. Plan 2000 was widely promoted across the NWT, not just through the media, but by presentations in every community. At the end of the second season of construction since the start of Plan 2000, I am pleased to say that the NWT Housing Corporation is steadily closing in on its goals.

Mr. Speaker, it is hard to tell someone they will have to wait for assistance. I hope that those who question the corporation for not giving them a home as soon as they apply for it realize that we have to be fair to everyone. That means we have to set priorities. As we enter the final year of Plan 2000 I call on all Members of this House to support this initiative to assist the maximum number of people possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories dismissed the bad faith bargaining allegation made by the UNW and granted the government's application for the appointment of a mediator. Mr. Speaker, collective bargaining has since been scheduled to resume from November 10 to 12, 1998, with the assistance of a mediator.

Mr. Speaker, we believe that we are now in a good position to conclude a collective agreement for ratification by employees. We now have clear direction that we must negotiate a gender-neutral job evaluation system and gender-neutral rates of pay at collective bargaining. However, we do not believe, in view of the position taken by the UNW, that we can conclude an agreement on retroactive payments for the settlement of the equal pay complaint at collective bargaining.

Mr. Speaker, before I set out the government's overall approach to the mediation talks and to resolving the pay equity complaint, I will list the principles that continue to guide the government in these negotiations:

- The government pays its employees a fair and equitable wage and benefit package designed to attract and retain a northern workforce.

- The government is totally supportive of the requirement for no discrimination in the workplace and for equal pay for work of equal value.

- The government is totally supportive of the Collective Bargaining process and believes that agreements freely entered into in good faith are preferred over settlements that are imposed on the parties.

- The government believes that a negotiated settlement of the equal pay complaint is preferred over the cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive federal Commission, Tribunal and Court processes.

- The government believes that it is in the interests of all the people of the NWT, including past and current employees, to settle the pay equity equal pay complaint and conclude a collective agreement before the division of the NWT on April 1, 1999.

- The government believes that employees should have the right to decide for themselves whether to accept the equal pay settlement offer for the past and a new collective agreement for the future.

Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court made it very clear that the parties must negotiate a gender-neutral job evaluation system and gender-neutral rates of pay at collective bargaining. The Supreme Court agreed with the government that the obligation to negotiate a gender-neutral job evaluation system is the result of the union's allegation that past collective agreements do not contain a gender-neutral job evaluation system and gender-neutral rates of pay.

Mr. Speaker, a considerable commitment of time and resources went into the selection of the Hay Job Evaluation System and the evaluation of all jobs against that system. We must implement this system. We do not have the time or resources to start over with another system. Mr. Speaker, we are fully satisfied that the Hay Job Evaluation System, as implemented for our non-unionized employees, is gender-neutral and that the results are gender-neutral. The challenge we face is how best to demonstrate this fact to the satisfaction of the UNW so that we can agree on the implementation of the system for our unionized employees.

At mediation, we will table a revised offer that we believe will address all possible concerns that the UNW may have regarding the Hay Job Evaluation System. If we can address these concerns, we should be in a position to conclude a collective agreement that the UNW can recommend to its members for ratification. Hopefully, this can be done in time to get the increases that we are offering into the hands of employees as quickly as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Mr. Speaker, every year we suffer the loss of loved ones because of tragic events and accidents. The recent deaths in Pangnirtung make it clear that lives can be lost, even when coordinated search and rescue attempts are made. Mr. Speaker, search and rescue and emergency preparedness is a collective responsibility. Individuals, community and government organizations, and the RCMP all work very hard to save lives through coordinated and planned efforts. It is critical to have trained, community/volunteer search teams to help RCMP members carry out search and rescue operations.

I am pleased to report that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the RCMP have designed a search and rescue training program for the regions. These training sessions help communities and residents respond to these emergencies. Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to report that the next search and rescue conference will be held in the Keewatin Region. MACA, the RCMP and the Kivalliq Inuit Association, are sponsoring the conference. It will be held in Rankin Inlet from December 15 to 17, 1998. Search and rescue personnel from Keewatin communities, RCMP officers, and representatives from federal and territorial agencies will discuss all aspects of search and rescue.

Mr. Speaker, this conference will allow participants to discuss ways to improve the general organization and management of local searches. They will also consider developing a strategy for the Keewatin region. We recognize that our efforts to help communities improve their local search and rescue operations could save lives. This is well worth the investment. It is an initiative the department will continue to promote. Through other promotions, such as public awareness and prevention initiatives, we also hope to save lives by reducing the number of search and rescue incidents required throughout the north. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the most important things any person can have is a safe place to call home. Sadly, in the Northwest Territories there are people who do not have a home. They sleep wherever they can find some shelter. Often, this shelter does not meet basic needs. This problem is particularly severe in Yellowknife and Iqaluit. I am proud to say that the NWT Housing Corporation

is working with partners in Yellowknife and Iqaluit to provide homeless people with basic shelter.

In Iqaluit, the corporation worked with the Emergency Shelter Society, the Iqaluit Housing Authority, Iqaluit Health and Social Services, the Baffin Regional Health and Social Services Board and the Illitit Society to replace the town's shelter. The old shelter was closed because it did not meet the standards necessary for healthy living conditions. The corporation provided the Iqaluit Housing Authority with $57,000 to renovate a one-bedroom public housing duplex for a new shelter.

In Yellowknife, the corporation is working with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment on a ten-bed shelter. This pilot project should be opening soon. I would like to thank the many people who supported this project, especially the Honourable Charles Dent and the Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Roy Erasmus.

Mr. Speaker, these two projects are examples of what can be accomplished when government and community organizations work together. Through cooperative efforts like these, we can all make the north a better place to live. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking Inuktitut today. On Sunday morning, November 1st, the bodies of two hunters and a ten-year old boy from Pangnirtung were found washed ashore about four hours away from their home community. The hunters were first reported missing October 23rd. Their bodies were found by members of the community who had volunteered for the intensive six day search. This effort included the RCMP, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Coast Guard. Coast Guard vessels, as well as small private craft from Pangnirtung, also participated in the search and rescue effort.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and thank the local volunteers and members of the RCMP, the Department of National Defence, and the Coast Guard who took part in the search and rescue. Mr. Speaker, the list of volunteers is long and I will be tabling a document containing all their names. They number close to 61. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Nay.

Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to look into the future. I would like to express my constituents' concern over the comments that my colleague, Mr. Henry, made yesterday during his Member's statement. Mr. Speaker, as you may recall, Mr. Henry was rather adamant about the fact that his road to resources would start from Yellowknife and basically follow the existing route. I, on the other hand, feel this is not the most prudent or feasible solution. I would also like to thank the Mayor of Hay River for his comment and his vision of the future.

Mr. Speaker, for years Rae-Edzo has been in the shadow of Yellowknife. We have never lobbied to take anything away from Yellowknife, we have always been very good, cooperative neighbours and have watched Yellowknife grow and prosper. Now we have an opportunity that could benefit my entire region. If this road were to start from Rae-Edzo, badly needed jobs would be the first benefit. Secondly, it would allow for further expansion of our airport facility by establishing docking yards and storage areas, which of course would also create employment for our residents. Thirdly, by ensuring a good route to the Lac-de-Gras area we could also ensure that our smaller communities of Wha Ti, Rae Lakes and Snare Lake would receive benefits from employment and possibly by the fact that these communities could be connected to this road, which of course would provide a better way of life than is currently available to these residents.

As one can see, Mr. Speaker, by using Rae-Edzo as a starting point, the benefits are considerable. Now I ask, who benefits from having this road start from Yellowknife? I would venture to say a few businesses at the most or nothing else. I feel it is time for the rest of the NWT to reap some of the benefits that are available and not just Yellowknife. Let us share the wealth to benefit the entire western Arctic and not just a few businesses in Yellowknife. I also hope that my other colleagues will give us the much needed support to ensure this very important project benefits as many people as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to inform this House of the loss of a close friend and respected elder during the summer of this year in Coral Harbour.

Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser of Coral Harbour was born in September 1928 and passed away on June 10, 1998. He is sadly missed and deeply remembered by his wife, Annie, and their 11 children and many grandchildren. His children are Ajownik, Amaujoak, Joe, Nellie, Patrick, Leona, Dorothy, Jackie, Jake, Leonie and Jason. Mr. Netser and his wife had one other son, Albert, who passed away as a young man.

Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser put in more than 20 years of service with the Department of Public Works before he retired. He was actively involved with his community and worked hard to make it a better place. During his lifetime, Mr. Netser was a dedicated mayor, he served as an outspoken and determined member of the hamlet council, he was an active board member of the HTA and the DEA, and was deeply committed to serving on the Special Committee on Suicide Prevention.

Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser was very vocal about the needs of his community. He was regularly heard on the local radio talking about life skills, youth politics and harvesting practises. Mr. Netser firmly believed in community empowerment and emphasized that the skills of the local people needed to be developed so that they can become employed in their community. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser encouraged us to believe that we, as aboriginal people, are able to live and help our communities to become better places. Mr. Speaker , Mr. Netser was a wise and respected elder. The community deeply misses him and we will always keep his memory alive in our hearts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you and many of my colleagues are aware, the Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation is holding a telethon later this month, on November 29, 1998 to be exact. The telethon is being held at the St. Patrick High School.

All money raised from this telethon will be used to purchase new equipment, in particular a CT Scanner, to improve the quality of health care services provided to the people of the Northwest Territories. It is up to all of us, as residents of the NWT, to support this very worthwhile cause as we all benefit from the provision of better health care services. Telethon organizers have been working extremely hard in recent months to pull this venture off and it is now the time for the people of the NWT to do their part. Already $1.2 million has been raised, most of that from governments and the corporate sector.

One approach that the telethon organizers are using in attempting to raise money for the telethon are challenges within the GNWT, business community, school groups and other organizations. I know the staff at the Legislative Assembly are working hard to raise donations and pledges for the telethon. They have also issued a challenge to all other GNWT departments to meet or beat their total, which I am told is climbing slowly. At this time, I would like to add my voice to the challenge and encourage all GNWT employees and their departments to try and match or beat the Assembly's total. Already MACA and the NWT Housing Corporation have expressed some interest in accepting this challenge. I urge all other departments to get involved and help the telethon organizers meet their goal of $2 million.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate two of my constituents, who were recently married in a civil ceremony in Yellowknife. Ms. Edith Girouz and Mr. Darryl Mack became husband and wife on November 4, 1998 in a small ceremony. I would like to extend my personal best wishes to Edith and Darryl.

Edith has been my most capable executive secretary since 1996 and Darryl is employed with the Department of Justice. I would like all residents and colleagues who know Edith and Darryl to join me in wishing them a lifetime of happiness together. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past few weeks I have been doing some research on the national minimum wage rates. Mr. Speaker, the minimum wages across Canada run from $5.25 an hour in Newfoundland to $7.15 in British Columbia. The Yukon rate is $6.86 an hour.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories minimum wage is $6.50 and off road is $7.00 an hour. A large number of the Northwest Territories employees and students continue to be paid the minimum wage. If a person works 40 hours a week for 12 months a year, their gross yearly wage would be a little more than $13,000 a year. Mr. Speaker, that amount is well below the cost of living and indeed puts that person below the poverty line.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to suggest that this government review the current minimum wage amount both off and on road and look to increasing it at least to a point that reflects the higher cost of living in the north. To have jurisdictions like British Columbia further ahead of our minimum wage rate and having other jurisdictions within 40 or 50 cents of ours, is not acceptable. Later today, I will ask the appropriate Minister about this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask for Members to remember a long-term northerner in their prayers. I am speaking about Mike Kachkowski, a very long-term northerner who is seriously ill with cancer in the Stanton Hospital. Mike has been in the north for over 50 years and can be said to have been a true pioneer. He worked as a prospector, cat skinner and those types of things. He is probably best known for starting and running Mike's Trucking here in Yellowknife for many years with his wife, my aunt, Theresa Paul. They later sold this company, but it is still operating today in Yellowknife. As I said, Mike is seriously ill in the hospital and we ask that people remember him in their prayers. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the gallery today we have Ms. Judy Aniliaiak who is a former resident of Pangnirtung and a resident of Iqaluit. She is currently working here in Yellowknife at the Legislative Assembly. With her is Nancy Tupik, who will soon be moving to Iqaluit to work with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a former resident of Baker Lake, Ms. Rhoda Perkison, who recently took on the responsibilities of deputy clerk for Nunavut. Thank you.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker

the exact amount approved by the Financial Management Board this morning in a supplementary appropriation was $2.386 million, which works out to approximately $3.6 million on an annual basis, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Ng

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

yes, the intent is that the approximately $2.4 million dollars is to carry us to the end of this 1998/1999 fiscal year and the plan is to have approximately $3.1 million dollars added to the bases for the 1999/2000 fiscal year, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are significant areas that have already been identified in the plan and, as I had indicated, there is a lot of work that has been done, so it is to enhance and complete the implementation of those things. I will mention some of them and I will provide a more detailed list if that is what the Members want.

In respect of development of northern resources for scholarship opportunities for nursing and social workers, summer employment internship opportunities, to fund those, of course, that would not work so much this year for the summer employment aspect of that. Mentorship programs for social workers, nurses, recruiting of northern graduates and students, high school students orientation, recruitment, coordinators for northern work force development, the establishment of locum relief pools, facilitating professional development, these are some of the more major areas where some of the more significant resources will be dedicated, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these funds will be in addition to the current budget. It is over and above the current budget of the Department of Health and Social Services. It is new funding for this year and for next year when it is added into the base. The collective agreement has nothing to do whatsoever with this. Those are the more specific pay and benefit issues that are on the table in respect to our government union. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Krutko.

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

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Oral questions, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker going back to the statement made by the Minister of Health concerning the funding of the recruitment and retention of health and social service professionals. I wonder, Mr. Speaker, when can the boards and the staff expect to see the benefits of the FMB decision announced by the Minister today? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I think that is a very subjective question, in respect of it is hard to measure. Some of these initiatives are more of a medium and longer term range in trying to develop a northern work force. I think one of the things that could be expected to impact directly on the board currently would be the development of a locum relief pool, where we would be able to send individuals in to assist communities that require assistance on an immediate basis. As I indicated, it is a small start in that area, but it is starting to grow and we are hoping that now that we have some additional resources we can hopefully accelerate that. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker does the extra funding announced to implement the recruitment and retention include funds to start up the Nunavut Nursing Program as outlined on page 5 of the report?

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that, as you know, does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Social Services. Funding for Arctic College programs are with ECE. I can say that there was a request that had gone forward as well and in conjunction with ours and Mr. Dent would be planning on making an announcement, I believe tomorrow, on that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on page 21 of Mr. Ng's report it talks about the flexibility necessary in hiring, an incentives fund would be established. I am wondering if the incentives fund that is in the report tabled by Mr. Ng. is part of the funding that was approved today? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the

report was not tabled in this particular session of the Assembly, but knowing the background of it, I will respond to the Member that no, that is not a part of the submission that was put forward and approved by the Financial Management Board. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will be directing my question to the Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Jim Antoine. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister please update this House on what is happening on the runway in Pangnirtung? Thank you.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as far as I know, the department has not really done anything other than they normally do with the runway in Pangnirtung. I guess I have reported in the House in previous Assemblies that there has been a request for major funding to go to Pangnirtung to move the airport to another location. I had indicated that the department did not have any funds to do such an expenditure at this time. However, we were working with Transport Canada to see what could be done with it. That is the only source of possibly trying to meet up with the requests of the honourable Member, by this route. At this point in time, I have not really had an update with my department with regards to how that is progressing. I will have to check with the department in this regard and get more further detail on that. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

The question is very detailed and two questions were asked. Would you like to respond, Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department had approval by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs to give us the permits to go ahead and commence the work on the section of Highway 3 between Yellowknife and Rae-Edzo. Therefore, clearing and brushing has begun on both ends. That is already in progress. In regards to the actual work to start the reconstruction of the section, it is to be out for public tender by the end of this month, by November 30th. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in our highway strategy one of the four strategies was to look at the section between Rae-Edzo and Yellowknife to see how we could accelerate this program. What we are doing in the department is that we are currently having a public tendering process to begin the initial work in the normal process. Once we publicly tender the work that is approved by the Legislative Assembly by the end of this month, then we will be moving into the phase of organizing an advisory committee of some sort and undertaking some studies to see how we could accelerate this program, including the financial aspect the honourable Member is inquiring about. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. That was your final supplementary. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated, we are awaiting the awarding of the public tendering contract at the end of the month. After that, we will be getting into awarding some contracts to do some studies to look into these matters. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Finance in relation to some questions and statements that were made yesterday regarding the pay and

benefits for nurses. We have heard that some places are losing nurses and actually shutting down some programs because of loss of those nurses. We have also heard that Mr. Ng is now moving ahead on the recruitment and retention plan. That is good. What I wanted was clarification on what the Finance Minister indicated yesterday, that in some cases there is approximately $11,000 sitting there waiting to be offered to nurses, but that cannot be implemented. I was wondering if the Minister could indeed clarify if that is what the case is? Thank you.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my honourable colleague for giving me the opportunity to further elaborate on the situation that was raised by Mr. Steen yesterday. When we did the Job Evaluation System and put into place the Hay Plan system, it became obvious that there was going to be a significant change in the way nurses, particularly community nurses, now, have to define the difference between community nurses and nurses who work at the Stanton hospital or the future Inuvik hospital. Community nurses, in my understanding with my discussions with Mr. Voytilla earlier today, a community nurse should we get the pay equity and the collective agreement solved, would just on pay equity and the changes to our classification get somewhere between $9,000 to $13,000 annually on a salary. On top of that, if we get the collective agreement signed off, there will be a two percent increase plus, in some cases depending on the community, a significant increase on the northern allowance benefits, et cetera. In simple language, there would be significant increases to the wages and benefits package offered up should we get an agreement reached, both on the pay equity and on the collective bargaining situation that we placed before the UNW. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is also my understanding that this cannot be offered to the nurses because of the collective bargaining. Is there anything that can be done to improve a monetary situation of what we are offering nurses outside of the agreement?

Mr. Todd.

Well, Mr. Speaker, the short answer would be no. I think it would be inappropriate for the government to pre-empt collective bargaining that is currently underway. As I said in my earlier comment today, I am optimistic that we can come to some resolution, that common sense will prevail. This government and this Cabinet wants to put new money, more money, in the hands of our employees and hopefully we can conclude that before Christmas. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If this is accepted, the increase would be from $9,000 to $13,000 for the community nurses. Would this be substantially more than what is being paid to the nurses in southern Canada?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to be able to answer my colleague. I am advised by my colleague, Mr. Ng, that it is different in jurisdictions across Canada. I would be reluctant to say unequivocally today whether we would be more or less. What I would say, though, is there is a significant change in the compensation package as it relates to community nurses when we look at the redress we are making with respect to pay equity and the additional collective bargaining components that we put on the table. Again, if I may, just to be a bit repetitive, I am optimistic that we will be able to come to an agreement in the next week or so, so that we can put more money into the hands of our employees by Christmas. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Somehow I am not too sure that more people will come flocking over here if they are going to be getting paid the same amount in BC or southern Alberta. Would the Minister admit to providing us with a comparison of what is being offered in the south to the nurses as compared to what is being negotiated now? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

I will provide the House or the Members by letter with some comparisons once I have my staff have it done. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd. Yesterday, the Minister of Finance talked about the Formula Financing Agreement that was signed by Minister Martin and himself a couple of weeks ago. I think it is fair to say that all Members of this House were excited about the deal that was negotiated. Mr. Todd talked about the hard work that all parties put into the deal. My question is to the Minister, I would like the Minister to advise this House of some of the potential negative parts of this agreement in the event that the population numbers of the Northwest Territories decline. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.