Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We need to clarify this issue again of public confidence and public opinion and I appreciate your support in saying that it is not the Minister's role in defining that, but what I would suggest is that of the 56 or so communities in the north, I would suggest that it is not the majority opinion of those communities that these contracts are done in an improper way. In saying that, I acknowledge that it is a concern. It is a concern in Yellowknife, some of the major communities, the media and of the MLAs, and so therefore, it is a concern that the government needs to deal with. That is how I think we should deal with it. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that from the comments of the Deputy Premier that, in fact, it is a little more widespread than just one community. He has recognized that yes, he has heard concerns coming from Yellowknife, also from MLAs and also in the press. Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that certainly represents more than one community's concern. Again, I would ask the Premier, would he consider taking it to his Cabinet colleagues for discussion? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would have to say that this is the type of issue that Cabinet does discuss on a frequent basis and issues that are raised by MLAs are considered seriously. Ministers raise them in Cabinet meetings and we do discuss them. I will certainly bring this issue up as the Member requests to Cabinet, but as I say, we will deal with it in the best way we believe it should be dealt with. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for FMBS, Mr. Todd. It is in reference to the opting-out policy. Mr. Speaker, I heard the Minister indicate that there were no requests from employees to be waived, or to opt out of this policy. Can the Minister tell me what type of enforcement is being done or are the employees self-policing themselves? How do we know what is going on? Thank you.

The Minister of the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me again say, I verified with my staff that no waiver has come across my desk in relationship to employees. While there may be, today, yesterday and in the future a focus on one particular employee, I want to remind everybody that a definition of senior officers is close to 300 plus people. What I have asked my staff to do, is I want to make sure that we get this clear, is to research the severance potential post-employment contracting by a number of people. In this community, for example, and others and other deputies, to see if, in fact, any waivers that I have not seen, have taken place. I have to do that just out of respect for the system. I have every confidence. I, for one, have faith in the integrity of the public service. I, for one, believe that all government employees, when they take the oath of office, they take it seriously. I, for one, believe that the civil servants that many of us represent, understand the seriousness of their obligations and responsibilities. And the policy is clear and the rules and regulations are clear. One Minister, or one department cannot police them all.

The obligation and responsibility lies with the contracting departments. They know what the policies are, they know what the rules are, we have a quality civil service, that I have faith in, I am saying to you today, in my initial research yesterday and last night, there was no exemption, if you want, or no waivers came across my desk. I am attempting, as quickly as I can, to research all the other employees out there. All the other employees out there, and to determine if, in fact, it has taken place. When I get it done, I will provide the Members, as quickly as I can, with that information.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe Mr. Todd is saying that each department is in charge of policing the policy. Is that correct?

Mr. Todd.

What I am indicating to my honourable colleague is that the contracting departments know the policy. There are hundreds of policies in government. This is just one that has got a focus right now because of the politics, if you want, and the current situation with respect to the Conflict Commission. I think everybody accepts that. There are

hundreds of policies out there. Senior management, who have the authority to award contracts are fully aware of the policies that this government has in place and the requirements by them to uphold and fulfil their obligations that they are sworn to do. I, for one, have faith in the civil service ability to do that. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again in reference to the opting-out policy as it relates to Mr. Bailey. Is Mr. Todd confirming that Mr. Bailey had no inside information, was not privy to any information relating to contracts he may have bid on? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe I answered that question yesterday in my ministerial address. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Todd indicated that he answered the question yesterday in his address. I wonder if the Minister would refresh my memory and repeat his answer as of yesterday? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just give me a moment. Mr. Speaker, I believe the easiest way to answer the question would be for my honourable colleague to read Hansard, page 731 and 732, where I outline in a detailed succinct way, that Mr. Bailey, in reference to the issues that were brought before us, did, in fact, I am looking for it, meet the policy's criteria, et cetera, laid out on the contract with former employees. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.