Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too, would like to recognize Ludy Pudluk. I used to sit beside him when I was first elected. He taught me a great deal when I was coming in as a new Member. The one thing I remember the most, I use to always rub his leg accidentally when I was throwing my garbage because I did not have a garbage can and things have never been the same since he has not been there and I have not been rubbing his leg. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Premier of this government. As I stated in my Member's statement, there are times every year in the small remote communities, people require the assistance of a person who is able to do an income tax return during the time of travelling. Will the Premier of this government assure the people in the remote communities, this government will provide that assistance to ensure people fill out their income tax returns? Thank you.

The Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government is committed to working with the Government of Canada and the people of the Northwest Territories to make sure the income tax forms are done. I was just reading a document the other day about Revenue Canada. They have increased their presence in the north to assist people. Also, we are on record of having asked Revenue Canada to have the forms translated into Inuktitut as well, but they have refused to do so. We are working with the people of the north to try to make sure people know how to fill out their income tax. I understand Revenue Canada will be putting on workshops as well in some communities. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, not every person in the jurisdiction is able to read, write and figure out the mathematics when filling out the income tax return. Will the Minister assure this House and the people in the remote communities that the assistance by the GNWT will be there in small communities when it is required? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The whole responsibility for federal income tax lies with the federal

government. We have attempted to bring the two parties together, the small communities and the federal government to assist the people in the small communities to fill out their income tax. I cannot commit this government to take on the responsibility that is solely a federal government responsibility. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Premier knows, we do not have a presence of a federal person in every community. The Premier, as the Premier of this government, should at least try to help those people who are not able to fill out their income tax return in a timely manner. Will the Minister assure this House that he will do everything he can to ensure that people who need assistance are helped? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are committed to working with the people in the communities to work with the federal government to make sure they understand the unique conditions of the Northwest Territories and the unique conditions of all our remote communities and the people who live there. We do have people who do not read or write in our communities, so they do have a problem filling out income tax. We will make sure we communicate that to the federal government again. We will continue to work with the federal government to try to find a solution that is positive to the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to NWT Housing Corporation. The Minister stated yesterday in a Minister's statement that the social housing rents will not be increased before April 1999. Some of my constituents have been notified through a letter and verbally which states that sometime in June of this summer, social housing rental increases will be in effect up to 90 percent. At the present time, they are paying at a ceiling of 60 percent. I just want to find out from the Minister, I believe what he said in his Minister's statement yesterday. Will my constituents be notified that their rental increases will not be increased? Thank you. (Translation ends)

The Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year, we made a statement that we would like to put a moratorium on the rental increases for social housing in the communities. We had to make a plan for 1998. The increase would have been effective in June, but yesterday I made a statement that rental increases that were to be in effect in June will not be in effect. The letter that was given to the communities is no longer in effect because there will no longer be an increase. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have budgeted, based on the Hay and Associates job evaluation, an additional $9 million, to compensate female employees who were not in a pay equity situation in previous years. There is a great deal of employees who will be getting more money, not less money. Maybe some jobs are declassified and if they are, the existing people within these jobs, will be what we call, red circled. They will lose no money. Mr. Speaker, I am fairly confident today, more people will get more money and there will be some people who will remain the same as they are. Nobody will get less money.

--Applause

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.