Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide Members with an update on the Department of Health and Social Services' strategic plan, Shaping Our Future: A Strategic Plan for Health and Wellness.

During the next few years, the people of the north face historic change. Shaping Our Future provides a framework for the governments of Nunavut and the Western Territory to develop effective and sustainable health and social services systems that will meet people's needs now and well into the next century.

This plan results from the department's strategic planning activities over the past 18 months. Creating the plan involved extensive consultations by boards and the department with the public, non-profit groups, associations and other departments. Shaping Our Future identifies the challenges to improving health and well-being. It provides a framework for making improvements to the delivery and management of services. Over the next few years when two new governments are developing, the plan will provide a focus on our most pressing health and social issues.

During our consultations, we heard from people across the north about what is important to them. We heard about their expectations and needs and about how we can improve the system. We also heard that we cannot wait to make changes to improve the health of our children, youth, families and communities. Mr. Speaker, we must address health and social issues today. Many people stressed the importance of fair and equal access to services. They want to take greater ownership of personal and community issues, supported by government.

The system must be managed so that basic health and social needs can always be met. The system must place the needs of individuals and families first. Mr. Speaker, services should be coordinated and integrated so people get the services they need when they need them.

Shaping Our Future is a commitment to make improvements where they are needed and to keep the things that are working well.

The plan focuses on three areas:

1. increasing partnerships between different agencies at all levels to provide better services;

2. involving all of the government in improving health and well-being by dealing with the underlying causes of health and social problems, such as

-low income and education,

-unemployment,

-poor lifestyle choices,

-addictions,

-abuse, violence and crime,

-inadequate housing and environmental pollution; and finally

3. improving the network of programs and services.

The plan will be distributed to MLA's, boards, departments and interested agencies over the next few weeks. A summary of the plan will be available to the public at their local health and social services office or from their board. The plan will also be posted to the department's world wide web.

We will, Mr. Speaker, collaborate with our partners to move this plan into action. Some work is just beginning. For example, we are developing a Mental Health Strategy and a Health Promotion Strategy to address coordination and gaps in service delivery for these areas.

Other work is well underway. Health Suite and the Child Welfare Information System are two new information systems that will improve our management and use of the information we collect. These new systems will be installed once new computers are available in local and regional offices.

These activities highlight the department's commitment to improve health and well-being as well as our public system of programs and services. These activities show that we are prepared to act on the directions spelled out in our strategic plan.

The work that went into this plan and the work that continues will allow a stable start for the two new governments. In the future, we need to keep our commitment to the people by keeping health and social issues a government priority. Mr. Speaker, we look forward to working with the public and our partners to meet the needs of northerners with innovation, cooperation and collaboration.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table a summary of Shaping Our Future: A Strategic Plan For Health And Wellness. For further information on the plan and related activities, I invite Members to visit the display set up in the Great Hall. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise Members today of the progress that has been made on the Municipal Finance Review. This review is being done by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, in partnership with the NWT Association of Municipalities. Members may recall this was an initiative highlighted in MACA's 97-98 and 98-99 business plans.

Mr. Speaker, community governments have raised concerns with the current provisions of MACA's funding programs. The NWT Association of Municipalities also requested this review in a resolution at their 1996 Annual General Meeting.

Mr. Speaker, last Friday the NWT Association of Municipalities and MACA presented the first two public consultation documents to community governments at the association's annual general meeting in Hay River. I will be providing copies of these two documents to Members of this Assembly today. The first document is called the Municipal Finance Review portfolio. It is intended to be a consultation primer and provide stakeholders with a brief overview of the issues, components, possible outcomes and consultation schedule. The second document is called Part 2, Building Key Concepts. It discusses issues that are important for early consideration, before proposals to revise existing funding arrangements are fully developed. In September a third document called, Understanding the Funding Distribution Options, will present stakeholders with proposals for a new financial relationship with community governments. It will also include analysis of how these possible changes could affect the funding available to each community and their financial bottom line.

Mr. Speaker, I invite all Members to take the time to review these documents and discuss them with their constituents. Any comments, concerns or other feedback from Members would be very much appreciated. In addition to consultations with community governments, a number of other stakeholders will be consulted by MACA and the Association. These include band councils and Metis locals, the Office of the Interim Commissioner, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and other First Nations organizations.

Mr. Speaker, consultation on the Municipal Financing Review will continue through to mid-December. Then the feedback and advice received will be combined. Final proposals will be developed for joint recommendation by the association and the department for presentation to the two new territorial governments on April 1, 1999. It will be up to the two new governments to decide when and how these recommendations might then be implemented. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise this Assembly that a number of productive discussions have recently taken place between my department and the Alberta Department of Transportation and Utilities. With the participation of the Regulatory Reform Secretariat and the Minister responsible for the Regulatory Reform Secretariat, the focus of these discussions has centred on the areas of regulatory harmonization and the reduction of barriers to trade for the motor carrier industry. The aim is to provide a seamless program between the two jurisdictions with the goal of increased highway safety, a smooth flow of goods across borders and ultimate cost benefits to our consumers.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the first step toward harmonization with Alberta was taken on May 29, 1998 when Premier Don Morin signed a Memorandum of Understanding on my behalf for the Partners in Compliance Program. The Partners in Compliance Program started as a joint and innovative program between Alberta Transportation and Utilities and the Alberta Trucking Association in 1995. Under the program, transportation carriers, including truck and bus operators, commit to a high level of compliance and safety performance based on a system of benchmarks reporting and general monitoring.

Carriers who participate in this voluntary safety program are rewarded with a number of operational and administrative considerations, such as reduced random inspections and less paperwork, in return for their increased commitment to highway safety. Government benefits from greater regulatory compliance, improved highway safety and the ability to refocus enforcement efforts and resources on those carriers requiring greater attention.

Mr. Speaker, the signing of this agreement means greater cooperation between Alberta and the Northwest Territories, as this program expands to include the Government of the Northwest Territories and the NWT Motor Transport Association. It is seen as the first step toward national and international participation in the Partners in Compliance program.

I am pleased at the cooperation shown between Alberta and the Northwest Territories and further, Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to implement a program aimed at improving motor carrier safety through the cooperation, trust and good judgement of responsible carriers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson

Mr. Speaker, on May 23rd and 24th the Sport North Federation held its Annual General Meeting in Yellowknife. Representatives from 32 territorial sport organizations, along with recreation leaders from across the Northwest Territories attended the meeting.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that the delegates made preparations for the future of Sport North. The delegates formed Nunavut and Western Caucuses. They discussed the future of Sport North for the Western Territory and the creation of Sport Nunavut for the Nunavut territory. The Western Caucus reviewed how Sport North is currently organized and considered recommendations for the future.

The Nunavut Caucus supported an interim constitution and bylaws, which form the working documents that will guide the creation of Sport Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut delegates elected an Interim board to work on incorporating the Sport Nunavut Federation as a society. The Interim board is expected to submit a draft Sport Nunavut proposal to the Interim Commissioner, to me and to the Nunavut Deputy Minister of Community Government, Housing and Transportation. Meanwhile, Mr. Speaker, Sport North will continue to represent the territories until the founding Sport Nunavut meeting is held. Sport North will also work with the Interim board to ensure a smooth transition between the two sport organizations. Through the combined efforts of Sport North, the territorial sport organizations, community governments and MACA, more northerners are benefiting from sport programs than ever before.

Mr. Speaker, this will be an exciting year for all partners involved in sport across the territories. The challenge today is to continue the development of sport programs for our children and youth at the grassroots level, while preparing and planning for the future. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will continue its support by providing healthy lifestyle choices and recreation activities to all northern residents. We are committed to:

-providing the necessary sport and recreation facilities to communities,

-fostering the development of sport and recreation programs throughout the territories,

-assisting Sport North in carrying out its mandate, and

-helping to make Sport Nunavut a reality.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

The Member for Hay River is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Do we have any nays? Mrs. Groenewegen, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

The Member for Nunakput is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? Mr. Steen, you have unanimous consent.

Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my colleague, Mr. Krutko's statement today on tourism, I would like to share with you a news article that was printed in The Weekly Telegraph, which is a paper published in London, England. The article, in their May 14th issue, found under their international news section was entitled, "Chasing the Canadian Light Show of Love" and was written by Robert Uhlig of Yellowknife.

I would like to read this brief article, Mr. Speaker.

The northern lights season is ending in Yellowknife, Canada, the self-proclaimed aurora borealis capital of the world, ending the annual pilgrimage of thousands of Japanese honeymooners who hope their marriages will be blessed under the celestial light show. As summer approaches, a last consignment of Japanese tourists has flown in to view the aurora before the nightly display ends. Since Christmas, 40,000 have arrived in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, 350 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Each night they travel 30 miles to search the sky for the astronomical phenomenon that used to occur over northern Japan. Japanese tradition says a child conceived under its glow will have good fortune. However, over the past 40 years the magnetic North Pole has moved northwards and the lights are no longer seen over Japan. Newlyweds wishing to continue the tradition, fly to Canada. The aurora occurs when the earth's magnetic field interacts with solar wind, particles coming from the sun.

Mr. Speaker, it is nice to learn we are worthy of such international attention, especially when it is positive and promotes the North. Tourism is important to the North and I would like to thank Mr. Uhlig for writing this article and for The Weekly Telegraph for this free advertising. I hope we can attract even more tourists next year than the 40,000 who have come our way this past winter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statement. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the Pages who have been with us all week. Tiena Rose will be obtaining her grade 11 next fall in Bolivia. Tiena is also the student council vice-president of Inukshuk High School in Iqaluit and has been eyeing your Speaker's chair.

Charlotte Kusugak is a relatively newcomer to Iqaluit via Rankin Inlet. On her way over to Yellowknife, half of Rankin's population turned out at the airport to say, hi to her.

Meghan McKenna is a very quick study. She was able to do an on-the-spot evaluation of the Members at a moment's notice. She would make an excellent clerk. Watch out Mr. Hamilton, perhaps I should say, John Quirke.

Heather McGregor is a very strong soccer player and her presence will be missed next year by Inukshuk High School because Meghan will be going south to further her studies.

Allison McKury is one of the few Pages who has the love of her uniform. She will also be attending school in the south next year.

Jonathan Levy says he would never involve himself in politics because he would not be able to stay awake long enough. Perhaps he is trying to tell us something.

Kipinik Eegeesiak, better known as Kip, is another page who has trouble staying awake. On the first day in the visitor's gallery with the sum beaming down, he had an afternoon nap. Way to go, Kip.

Mr. Speaker, the Page Program is an excellent opportunity to allow our young people an excellent view of politics. I would like to thank all the billets in Yellowknife and Legislative Assembly staff, Canadian Airlines, again, for giving me a good rate to bring all the Pages from Iqaluit and the Sergeant-at-Arms and Eliza Kingdon, who is in the gallery and again has taken on the job of chaperon for the Pages, and to you, Mr. Speaker, for the continuing good work and, hopefully, for hosting a lunch for us tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address the issue of the bad state of affairs between the UNW and this government. In reviewing the final proposed settlement brought forward by our government, I feel it is more than fair and equitable, so hopefully, progress can be made on it. The UNW is taking a strong stance on the issue of pay equity and rightfully so. However, they seem not to be too interested in what their membership is saying. I have talked to number of staff members in my riding and am happy to say, most are pleased with the offer and I hope the union will listen to its membership. As I have stated previously, in this day and age of tight budget restraints and cutbacks, we must all cooperate to ensure our staff and membership is the main party that wins in the end. Our staff is, our most important asset. They should have this contract negotiation settled, so life can go on and everyone can concentrate on the other just as important issues that are currently at hand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make an emergency statement on behalf of a significant proportion of my constituents. Mr. Speaker, there is a little less than a month left in the NHL Hockey season and I am worried about the potential ramifications for the people of the territories who cannot face the week without their Saturday night fix. One positive thing is, at least with the elimination of all of the Canadian teams, there will be no threat of an NHL players' strike this year.

On a sad note, Mr. Speaker, it has been five years since a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup, which believe it or not began its life as the emblem of Hockey supremacy in Canada. Of course, the lack of Canadian teams left in the hunt for Lord Stanley's Cup has actually saved the lives of a few Fox Network Sports Executives. If there were three Canadian teams left, I am sure that there might be a few very nervous Network Executives wanting to fall onto their swords, so to speak.

I am brave enough to ask the question, Mr. Speaker, can adequate Constitutional debate continue in this country without Don Cherry having his Saturday night soapbox? I am sure that there are a few members of the Quebec National Assembly who are convinced that the stiff collars Mr. Cherry wears have cut off the circulation to this brain.

Mr. Speaker, I also envision that there are Reform Party members who have adopted Don Cherry as the poster child for the politically challenged. Personally, I think, Mr. Speaker, the new beard that Mr. Cherry is sporting makes him look like a slightly demented version of KFCs Colonel and that the only reason he wears the collars is to hide his red neck. In any event, Mr. Speaker, this Member's statement is starting to make about as much sense as a back-checking Swede or Don Cherry, getting a fleur-de-lis tattoo. I will end on a serious note. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for High Arctic is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? Mr. Barnabas, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, my colleagues, for allowing me to conclude my statement. The hockey playoffs in Canada have always been a time to get together with your friends, have a little party and cheer on your favourite team. If you are going to drink, please leave your vehicle at home, walk or take a cab. Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by the honourable Member, Jake Ootes on May 26th on the termination benefits for laidoff employees.

During the period when the Government of the Northwest Territories was restructuring, an employee in the Personnel Secretariat, Department of the Executive was designated and tasked with overseeing the administration of termination benefits of laidoff employees. The central specialist was in this position for the time that the government was undergoing major downsizing in the number of staff.

In September of 1997, individual departments assumed full responsibility for all aspects of layoff administration. The Personnel Secretariat was available to provide advice and assistance during the transition to ensure consistency across departments, revised guidelines and procedures for layoffs have been implemented. Thank you.

Thank you. I would like to remind the Members when they are addressing other Members that they do not use their first name. It is either Mr. Ootes or the Member for Yellowknife Centre. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to recognize my CA in Yellowknife, Ms. Atsinak Bishop. She is also a lay leader at Holy Trinity Church here in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to also welcome to the gallery, Janet Ostler. I thank Janet for her tips on successful yard sale bargain hunting in Yellowknife. Thank you.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Steen.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Renewable Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development is ill today. He is not available to answer this question, so I will try my best. Our government is on record as in support of the Inuvialuit people to review that park and the boundaries in the Inuvialuit land claim area. Our government is on record that we ask the federal government to reconsider the moving ahead with this bill until they look at reviewing the park with the Inuvialuit people and our government as well. I am on record as the Premier of the Northwest Territories, who represents the Northwest Territories people as saying, let northerners decide what happens in the north. I will be pleased to forward the Member's arguments to the federal government requesting them to slow down on the bill which affects this park and once again, listen to what northerners have to say. Thank you.

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

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member knows, the government is very quick in responding to the majority of the concerns raised in this Assembly. As Members know, we do have very effective and efficient staff in our offices upstairs watching these procedures, so through those processes I will request my staff immediately to contact the Department of Renewable Resources and Economic Development to pen a letter immediately for my signature to the federal government, so that within an hour or two I can fax it off. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

The Minister of the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It would be fair to say, there has been a continued concern expressed, not only by some of the community-based providers of communications, but also others within the constituency at large. My staff has had numerous meetings with NorthwesTel and impressed upon them the need for them to move aggressively and meet the deadlines that we have set. If my memory serves me correct, the deadline I had said at the time was we would have this whole system up and running in the majority of the communities by April 1, 1999. Certainly, that was the intent. I do not have before me an up-to-date record to provide my colleague as to where we have successfully or unsuccessfully concluded the digital communication network system, but certainly the intention is and the direction I have given to my department is to put the right kind of pressure and to work in coordination with NorthwesTel to achieve that overall goal of having this communication system up and running by April 1, 1999, in all communities within the territories. Thank you.

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

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of where that is occurring, but if it is, I think I can probably say I would be disappointed. I do not want to prejudge whether, in fact, that is happening. All I can tell you is that I fundamentally believe a year, a year and a half ago that we would be the anchor tenant, in respect to this communication system and that we would get it up and running. If ever there was a place that the advanced state of the art digital communication system would work, it would be in a country like this. I will check with my staff and see what the status is and if there has been any attempt to downgrade or to give us any less than what we requested, then I will take the appropriate course of action to correct that. Thank you.

Oral question. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

I know in the previous discussions that were brought to my honourable colleague and my colleague from Inuvik as well, there was some concern about the impact of this overall digital communication network. There was some concern how it would impact upon the local Internet service providers. Again, I would hope that in the discussions that were undertaken with my department's officials and the community providers that we had reached some accommodation here that would not impact on their services. I will have to be brought up-to-date on this issue to determine if, in fact, there is validity to my colleague's question and if there is, I will take the appropriate action necessary to correct it. I will also look into some of the concerns he has expressed with respect to the technology because if we are getting any less than what we have asked for, you have my assurances corrective action will be taken. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I will make every effort to do that. I would again, suggest, I am not up-to-date on this file as of today. I will look into it. There were supposed to be ongoing discussions that were to take place. Now, in any debate, of course, you never satisfy all of the people all of the time. Sometimes, hopefully, you satisfy some of the people, some of the time. It may be a situation like that. As we speak, Mr. Speaker, I am sending a note to my office to get a full briefing tomorrow morning. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding that there are groups in the western Arctic working with the Arctic Tourism Association or something similar to that. I do not understand the local level of tourism and how it works, where the funding comes from, but I will be pleased to take that question as notice and I will have the Minister respond to the Member directly as soon as possible. Thank you.

Thank you. The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will be directed to the Minister of Education, the Honourable Charles Dent. I understand by combining payments to seniors that there will be a lump sum payment for the seniors. In the smaller communities, most of the seniors do not have bank accounts and I understand that the lump sum payment will be directly deposited into their accounts. How is the Minister going to pay the people who do not have a bank account in the smaller communities? Thank you.

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?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the collective agreement, hopefully, that will be signed over the next few months, will give some assurance that the members of the bargaining unit and the employees working for the Government of the Northwest Territories would be covered under that collective agreement. I guess the concern is, within that collective agreement, is there any assurance that the Minister can give that those employees working today for the GNWT will be working for the new Nunavut government after April 1, 1999? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is an old question that we have answered a number of times. The answer is yes, all employees who are currently under the collective agreement, and are not under the collective agreement, who are working in Nunavut on April 1, 1999, will be transferred to the new Nunavut government, period.

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Chairman of the Financial Management Board. Mr. Speaker, the UNW has said that it will be able to put the GNWT offer out to its membership when it is satisfied that the job evaluation system is gender neutral. It also says that it would be satisfied of this if the issue was put to a three-person panel of experts with the GNWT choosing one representative and the UNW choosing another representative. The Minister has made it clear that he does not intend to meet the UNW's request. The Minister has said it is too late because the UNW has already conceded, in collective bargaining, that the system is gender neutral. My question for the Minister is, whether or not there have been any concessions so far, what does the Minister believe the government stands to lose if he agreed to put the job evaluation system before a panel of experts, as the UNW has suggested?

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

I do no think it is a question of what anybody has got to lose. I think it is a question of people's rights. The management team has a right to put in place a job evaluation. That is our right. A job evaluation system, we think is fair and we think responds to the needs of our membership. We have done that, and I say categorically today, in the bargaining unit, they agreed that the Hay Plan was gender neutral. They are not denying that. I did not see any press release this morning saying they were denying that. I see no need to go to a third party to determine if it is gender neutral if both parties have agreed it is gender neutral. What I see a need for is both parties to work through some of the problems that may be within the Hay Plan Evaluation. I see no need to move forward in that respect. We gave the UNW every opportunity, every opportunity to participate in this Hay Plan Evaluation System. They agreed to do that at one point by sending a memorandum. For whatever reasons, and I do not question them, they chose then not to participate. I see no point in going to a third party at this time, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the UNW has not indicated that the Hay system is not gender neutral, but the way it is being proposed to be implemented here is not gender neutral. Be that as it may, would the Minister not agree that the important issue is not whether the UNW has already conceded that the Hay system is gender neutral, but that the more important issue is that this matter be resolved as quickly as possible?

Mr. Todd.

I could not agree more, Mr. Speaker, that we need to move quickly to resolve it. That is why I have consistently said, let the people decide. Let them go through the democratic process of a vote for this collective agreement and this pay equity issue that has been long outstanding. At the end of the day, that is where we should be heading. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on May 12th, the Canadian Human Rights Act, was amended. I have had a look at the amendments. I believe this means that this issue will be going to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal which could take up to a year with its workload and with the UNW's proposal, I believe, it would take about two weeks to conclude as both parties would have 20 hours of representation being made. In this light, it seems as though the UNW's tribunal would be over in two weeks. Is it not more preferable to do it through the UNW's suggestion rather than the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, but my position is clear. I believe that we have an agreement that the Hay Plan Evaluation is gender neutral. What we have are some problems within it, where two parties should work it out. I am sorry I cannot respond in a positive way for my honourable colleague. My position stands at this time.