Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have read somewhere, I am not exactly sure where, we have so many documents every day, that the union had indicated they may not necessarily have approved of Hay and Associates for the particular group they would have used to implement a new gender neutral plan. What I would like to know is, whether the Minister could indicate, if in other jurisdictions, is it the usual procedure that only the employer is responsible for selecting the group for their employment plan?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In most cases, it is my understanding, that is the case. It certainly is the case in ours.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Hay and Associates have done an analysis to arrive at their proposed new pay rates. Does the union have to agree on the new pay rates before they are implemented?

Mr. Todd.

It is my understanding, this is correct. Mr. Speaker, we would hope that our partners, in this process, would agree. As I said consistently, we would be able to put these new pay rates into effect under the new collective agreement which we are currently negotiating.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under this new pay rate that has come out of the analysis, could the Minister indicate what percentage of employees would receive an increase and what percentage would receive a decrease? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

In discussing the matter with my staff earlier this morning, it is my understanding that 68 percent would, in fact, see an increase. There would be from a pay scale perspective. The balance would be reduced somewhere. In fact, from a cashflow and if you want earnings perspective, there would be no decrease. All employees, let us say an employee was on pay level 25 and goes under the new pay scheme to a lower pay level, I believe the term as I say before is red-circled, which means, in fact, there would be no changes to the take-home pay. In fact, on the six grids that we have, there would be no decrease there. If their pay level is 25 and went to pay level 22, they would remain there. The net benefit to our existing staff is that there are no pay decreases. Sixty-eight percent get pay increases and some of them, as I said earlier much to my surprise, are anywhere from a nine to 22 percent. I think that is significant. I hope people will pay attention to that. The net decrease to any of our employees from a pay cheque perspective is zero, unless it is a new employee who comes after the employee leaves. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

The Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take it as notice. Thank you.

Question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

The Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories has layoff guidelines in place to provide direction to all departments, boards and agencies. These guidelines are found in Section 1602 of the Human Resource Manual and I will write to every deputy minister in this government to ensure these guidelines are used. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know I do receive a lot of mail but I cannot remember or recall, I do not believe I have seen one letter yet from one employee raising that concern. I know the Members raised it in the House. To be more specific, if you have employees who are raising concerns, would you take it up with the Minister? Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.