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

Mr. Todd.

Thank you. Well, I think it would be fair to say we are frequently criticized for our lack of communications. I would hope in the last two or three weeks that we have kind of changed some of that pattern, especially when it comes to pay equity. We have tried to, at least from our perspective, present the facts and present the fiscal realities that we are all living with. Certainly, we intend to continue with that information campaign, both at a territorial and at an individual level. I am trying to provide as much information as I can to our employees of how this pay equity issue and the collective agreement issue will provide them additional dollars and reward them for the job they have to do. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have had the Department of Justice speak with the RCMP for further detail after the issue was brought up by the Members yesterday. I am informed that a forensic identification position will move out of Inuvik, likely to Yellowknife. This is an under-utilized position in Inuvik dealing with crime scene investigation, blood splatters, criminal sketches, et cetera. Also the two general investigation positions, in other words, plain clothes detectives, will move out of Inuvik as well as a position out of Hay River. These positions, again, are deemed under-utilized in these communities and will still give services to the outlying communities from a more central location. I am also informed that, in addition, in Inuvik, two vacancies that have been vacant for some time, will remain unfilled until the RCMP budget is brought in line. The important point here is that the number of uniformed officers or officers that deal directly with the police will not be reduced in the Inuvik region because of these minor internal reorganization measures. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the concern. I think we always need a balance between the overall economic effect of downsizing versus the operational requirements of any organization. In summary, I am led to believe that we will see a reduction of three bodies from the RCMP detachment in Inuvik and a delay of the filling of two other positions in that detachment until such a time that the RCMP budget, which is very strained now as I understand it, is brought back in line. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did pose that question and I was informed that the overall effect of these reorganization changes will not reduce the level of public service to the community of Inuvik or the services that are presently offered to outlying communities. I will ensure that a briefing note is prepared and given to the MLAs who represent communities that are affected by these changes.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a couple of issues there. One is the RCMP's expenses, on the non-discretionary side, are a large portion of their budget and is growing. This has to do with the salaries, the travel budget, et cetera and there are limited opportunities there, I believe. In terms of increasing the amount of money that we budget for the RCMP, presently the Government of the Northwest Territories pays for 70 percent of the policing costs for the NWT for a total of a $28 million share that the Government of the Northwest Territories pays out, compared to an additional 30 percent that is paid by the Government of Canada. There are ongoing discussions between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the RCMP in ways of reducing costs. The most recent one is the exchange of some personnel in the Finance and Administration side to ensure the RCMP has the same type of information that the GNWT has now in the area of possible cost savings.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. I am glad to see he is committed to being here for the whole time period. The department, Mr. Speaker, had $4.4 million left over from its budget because it was not used in fire suppression this year. I note the Minister has reallocated $40,000 to train a person as a renewable resource officer. Could the Minister give me some additional information as to how you spend $40,000 to train a renewable resource officer? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.