The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, why is there a lump sum payment to these seniors in the small communities? Because in small communities, a lump sum payment is not acceptable. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister make weekly payments to these seniors? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do have a concern on lump sum payments. Mr. Speaker, the lump sum payment is going to be a one time payment only to the seniors. Why not divide it into weekly payments because they are going to get one whole pay cheque? Why not divide it so that seniors will get cheques every week? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in response to a written question I had asked on an update of the UNW negotiations to date between the UNW, the OIC and the GNWT and the status of the employees after division. I did not have a strong level of comfort from the response. I am wondering if the Minister could update this House on the current situation regarding the negotiations that have gone on between these three parties on the employees in Nunavut after division. My question would be for the Minister of FMBS. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if my honourable colleague could clarify. Is he talking in relation to the current collective agreement and how we are going to bridge that after April 1, 1999 just so I can give him the clarity he has requested?

Mr. Picco, supplementary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, the Minister is correct. Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, of course, we have to get through the first situation we have and that is to try to get the current collective agreement approved by the membership. I have said, I am sure to the point where all of you are perhaps tired of hearing, that I am hoping it will go to the membership and I am confident the membership will give it the kind of vote that is necessary. My understanding of the situation is that whatever collective agreement is in place at the time is transferrable over to the new Nunavut government and that the conditions, et cetera, will stay the same until such time as the collective agreement expires and a new collective agreement is negotiated by a new government, a new finance minister and a new minister responsible for the FMBS. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the UNW has requested to participate by conference call on this matter between the parties, the OIC, the UNW and the GNWT. I am wondering if that conference call has actually taken place yet. Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

I am not aware whether a conference call has taken place or not, Mr. Speaker, but I can assure my colleague that all parties, particularly the UNW, who has got a responsibility, an obligation, to represent the interests of the unionized members, or the civil service, will be intimately involved, as will the management team, as will the Interim Commissioner's office. It is certainly our desire to bring all parties to the table, if you want, to reach whatever steps are necessary to bridge the collective agreement so that, hopefully, will be in place now and bridge to the new government on April 1, 1999. I am fairly confident, Mr. Speaker, that will occur.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess the concern from the UNW and the employees themselves has been their status after March 31, 1999, and the collective agreement is one part of that. I am wondering if the Minister of the FMBS can give assurance or a level of comfort to our employees who are currently working for the GNWT that, indeed, they will still be in place after March 31, 1999. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Can I ask the Member to rephrase his question, please?