The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Acting Premier, Mr. Arlooktoo, and it is to do with the question around contracting back the services from Nunavut and that potential. There has been much discussion and, I believe there was a list circulated of services which the Nunavut government would require the Government of the Northwest Territories or other jurisdictions to perform. My question is, who will be responsible for the employees if such services are contracted by the GNWT to Nunavut, after April 1, 1999? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Acting Premier, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is correct, there is quite a number of services that are being looked at for possible contracting back with the GNWT from the Government of Nunavut. I believe the number is somewhere in the neighbourhood of 40 different types of services. The final arrangements or negotiations, are being concluded as we speak. My understanding of how it will work, is that the GNWT here in Yellowknife, once given the proper advanced notice for what services will be required, will make the necessary arrangements to make sure that the human resources are available to be here in the western Arctic to clear up the services, working for the GNWT. The final bill will be paid for by the Government of Nunavut for those services on a contractual basis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Acting Premier has noted that there will be approximately 40 services that Nunavut will require some GNWT services on. That will, Mr. Speaker, require sufficient, or a larger, number of employees excesses to what the GNWT needs. Has it been worked out, Mr. Speaker, who will be financially responsible for any particular layoff costs that may be incurred by the GNWT, subject to the services not being required by Nunavut after a year, or whatever time period? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With your permission, I would like to refer that question to Mr. Todd, the Minister responsible for the overall division. Thank you.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All costs associated with any necessary layoffs or anything else that is associated with the downsizing of the western government, as the eastern government moves forward, will be negotiated with our federal counterparts. As I have said on a number of occasions, we will continue to document that cost. I think there is an acceptance that some of these costs will be negotiated, of course, because some of these costs are valid and that would be, then, the responsibility of the federal government to provide us with compensation for same. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

The Acting Premier, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is a fairly complex question that would require some research, but I think the basic answer would be that Cabinet, as long as it follows the necessary rules under the Financial Administration Act, and the other laws that govern its conduct, has some areas of flexibility. On whether or not this is one area it has flexibility on, I would need to do some more research. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not certain if there is precedent or not. Perhaps if the Member would be more definitive in a specific area, I will be able to answer it. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Groenewegen.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, unfortunately, do not have a copy of that particular directive or guideline on hand. Again, as a general rule is that the Cabinet is bound by directives and guidelines and goals that are there for us today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Ms. Groenewegen.