Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In a briefing earlier today to the press, we had indicated some categories of jobs based on our analysis and our best judgment. I believe, for example, a nurse who had been in the system, say ten years, which is somewhere around $18,000 say effective April 1, 1998, counts for retroactivity. I think a data entry clerk would be $6,000 plus. It is significant , Mr. Speaker. I would sincerely hope at the end of the day, that we will be able to reach an appropriate compromise, as I have said consistently, this government can afford to pay and that we can sustain. We believe our position is both defendable, is sustainable and is affordable. Thank you.

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

Mr. Todd.

Well, for clarity purposes, what we did do today, for those who missed the press conference, we said that we felt the affordability issue with this government, with some fairly serious looks at our fiscal position, could probably afford an overall $40 million pay equity negotiated settlement. We had indicated in the press conference, $25 million for retroactivity, $9 million for the ongoing costs associated with pay equity, and I think somewhere in the region of $6 million in terms of a framework for negotiating a new collective agreement. My intent over the next little while, hopefully, is that negotiations will continue between the two parties. I think it is incumbent upon myself, my colleagues to advise the people of the territories, the membership and the community at large, that this is what we think we can fundamentally sustain without any serious downsizing or reduction of services to the public. Ultimately, if we cannot reach an agreement through a negotiated settlement, I would hope that if nothing else that the union and membership would take it to the members through some kind of vote. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are also for the Finance Minister in the area of the pay equity issue. First of all, I would like to thank the Minister for putting forward a position and his commitment to try and settle this pay equity issue. The Minister had indicated that they are using the Hay Group to arrive at their position. Could the Minister indicate just who the Hay Group is please?

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Hay Group or the Hay Associates are a national and international firm who are known professional experts in the pay equity issues that have unfolded across the country. They are active in a number of provincial jurisdictions. They are also working with business, both small and large. In fact, we have been using the Hay Plan process for the last 20 years in this government and they have worked diligently to try to quantify our belief that what we are putting forward is fair and is affordable. I have the confidence of myself and of my deputy, and as I said, have the credibility across Canada in terms of their professional credentials. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister indicated that several other jurisdictions use their methods. Could the Minister give us some examples of some provinces that perhaps use this?

Mr. Todd.

Well, as far as I am aware, I think they are very active in Ontario and Manitoba, I believe New Brunswick is certainly one of the Maritime provinces, there may be others. I would be prepared to provide that to my honourable colleague, but I know that they are active in at least three or four provinces in Canada, and of course, both in the small and large private sector. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yellowknife has been, I would say, the hardest hit with job cuts in the last little while and we know with division looming there will still be more jobs lost. Will this offer, if it is accepted, result in more job losses in the public service?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it is important that I be a little cautious in my response. I am fundamentally of the belief that our offer is an affordable one, and one that we can with some serious look at our fiscal framework manage and our offer will not bring about any further downsizing or program cuts to the government. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister had indicated that this government could afford to reallocate without causing severe service disruption and further downsizing with this offer if it is accepted. What types of things, if we had to go further beyond this, can the Minister indicate how it would affect this government?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I have been fairly clear and fairly transparent in this whole process. This government cannot afford any other additional expenditures on the pay equity issue at this time, other than the $40 million we have put on the table and even that will be difficult enough to achieve, without any further downsizing or program cuts. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.