The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

I do not have that information available at my fingertips today. I will provide the Member with it. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary. Mr. O'Brien.

Mr. Speaker, I could be mistaken but it seems that most of the companies here that are borrowing the money are individuals that are western based. I wonder if there is any formula or criteria that the Minister has in place to ensure there is a balance between east and west as far as money that is lent out? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

There is no formula, Mr. Speaker, in relationship to east and west. It is first-come, first-served, assuming that they meet all the criteria and they are recommended by the investment committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to go back to my earlier question, when will the Minister commit to provide this information as to the amount that is being borrowed by these various companies?

Mr. Todd.

As soon as I can get it typed. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of FMBS, Mr. Todd. Last week in the House, Mr. Ng announced initiatives to help with the recruitment and retention of health care professionals for the Northwest Territories. We have listened last week and before, to Mr. Steen and Mr. Krutko, talk about the shortages of health care professionals in various communities in the north. It was recognized even by the Minister that those initiatives he is proposing are of a long-term nature, more than a short-term solution.

My question to the Minister of FMBS is, if it is recognized and accepted that there is an emergency in the provision of providing health care services in the north, could the Minister not come up with some emergency measures, like housing or added pay to attract and keep staff in the communities to provide health care services? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. While the situation is a difficult one, I would not characterize it as an emergency one. Certainly the Minister of Health is trying his best to put both short and long-term policy changes into place and some programs into place that will bring about greater retention of nurses across the Arctic. I have said many times in the House and to a question last week, we, I believe, go back to the bargaining table tomorrow or the next day. I think it is tomorrow. If we can get an agreement on the collective bargaining and if the UNW executive will have the decency to take it out to its membership, nurses will get with the new agreement that is on the table right now, we presented to them, somewhere between $9,000 to $13,000 in additional dollars in their pay packet. I would hope while that may not be the perfect solution, it will be a step in the right direction in terms of compensating our nursing fraternity for the work that they do. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has suggested that nurses in the communities will get between $9,000 and $13,000 additionally. Is this over and above what they may receive in pay equity when that matter is resolved? Would this be between $9,000 and $10,000 a year over and above any other pay equity awards? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, let me explain that in the job reclassification exercise it went through with respect to Hay and Associates, it was determined in accordance with the skills and responsibilities of a nurse, because that is what we are discussing right now; under the new pay scheme, they would get somewhere between $9,000 to $13,000 in pay increase. Over and above that, they would get whatever collective agreement arrangements are made, should we manage to get it out to our employees to sign off. I think there is a two percent increase in wages, there are some additional northern allowances that are out there; depending what community you are in, there is a $500 signing-on bonus for two years.

There are a variety of other physical arrangements outside of the reclassification of the job, of community nurses, et cetera. What I am saying to you is, it is one component of the program that both Mr. Ng and myself are collaborating on to ensure that we have in the short term, an adequate nursing fraternity to look after the health care of the people of the territories and long-term, that we develop, along with Mr. Dent, a training component that will bring about a homegrown nursing fraternity as we have done with teachers. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question to the Minister is, this additional $9,000 to $13,000, what level will the nurses be in the Northwest Territories compared to other jurisdictions, if and when this increased remuneration will be voted on and hopefully accepted? At what level will they be at? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was asked that question earlier, I think, last week, and at the time had indicated that I would provide the House with a full detailed explanation of what the other provincial jurisdictions do in comparison to what we were offering and, unfortunately, for my colleague today, I do not have that at my fingertips but he will be getting it later on this week or early next week. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Roland.