Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Kelvin Ng will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers of Health meeting in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to advise Members that the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend the Arctic Council Ministers meeting in Iqaluit.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to advise Members that the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi will be absent from the House today due to illness. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Ministers' statements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the business and investment conference and trade show, Prospects North, is taking place September 21st to September 23rd. There are 113 delegates registered, including 20 international representatives and over 80 exhibitors. On behalf of the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, I would like to welcome these visitors to the conference and to the Northwest Territories. The conference theme this year is "Partners in Developing Canada's North."

Through speakers and working sessions, delegates will be exposed to information on the various economic sectors in the NWT and the business opportunities they offer. Interested investors can receive more information at the trade show.

The North enjoys many successful joint ventures. Partnerships between the private sector and government are one of the new ways we are doing business. We must continue to be resourceful and creative in our business dendeavours. The NWT offers a vast array of resources. With the ongoing settlement of land claims and growth of aboriginal development corporations, increased certainty and business opportunities are available. Investors looking for a new opportunity have come to the right place -- the NWT. As a final note, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the individuals who have worked to promote and support Prospects North '98. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back colleagues and Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, nearly a year ago, on October 15, 1997, I provided written notice to the Union of Northern Workers to begin collective bargaining. Mr. Speaker, at that time, I set out two very important items that the government wanted to resolve. These two items were the rates of pay for the implementation of the new job evaluation system and a settlement of the equal pay complaint. Mr. Speaker, the government backed up its sincere desire for a negotiated agreement with the UNW by budgeting $40 million. Mr. Speaker, this is a significant amount of money, especially in light of the many other competing demands such as health, education and housing. Mr. Speaker, at collective bargaining we listened carefully to all the issues that the UNW brought to the table. Through negotiations, many of these issues were resolved and signed off. When it came time to discuss the government's two important items, the UNW refused to even talk. At one point, the UNW did show some willingness to participate in a joint review of the Job Evaluation System and went as far as to sign an agreement to that effect. However, the UNW did not show up for that review. Instead, when the UNW returned to the bargaining table, its PSAC spokesperson said he had specific instructions to not talk about the government's bargaining items. He said that he had no mandate to negotiate on these items.

Mr. Speaker, since the UNW had no mandate to negotiate rates of pay for the implementation of the new job evaluation system and a settlement of the equal pay complaint, a final settlement offer was tabled with the UNW. It was our sincere hope, Mr. Speaker, that the UNW would take the offer out to employees and seek the necessary mandate to conclude a collective agreement and a settlement of the equal pay complaint. Mr. Speaker, the final settlement offer that was put on the table is clear evidence of the GNWT's sincere effort to negotiate with the UNW. The offer would have enabled the government to implement a new job evaluation system and resolve the long outstanding equal pay complain. This would have been achieved with absolutely no down-side risk for any employee or the UNW. The offer represents more money in the pockets of every employee. Wages would have increased from between two percent to 31 percent in the first year and by another two percent in the second year. Affected employees would have received equal pay payments ranging from $790 to $33,199. Northern allowance increases ranged from $421 to $4,096 with an annual lump sum amount of $500 for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, instead of using the offer to seek a mandate from its members, the UNW adopted a strategy of trying to influence Members of this Assembly to bring a halt to efforts to negotiate wage rates based on the new job evaluation system and settle the equal pay complaint. Mr. Speaker, while this government ignored the UNW's rhetoric and personal insults, we did listen carefully to every issue and objection raised. We also listened carefully to comments by employees and the general public.

The general consensus, Mr. Speaker, is that the government's original offer is a good one and that employees would have accepted it if they had been given a democratic opportunity to vote on it. However, there were also concerns expressed about the fairness of the equal pay payments for former employees and with a job evaluation review process that did not have a fully independent chairperson.

Mr. Speaker, these concerns with the government's offer could have been addressed at the bargaining table, had the UNW raised its issues in that forum. Nevertheless, after hearing these concerns, we offered to make revisions to the government's offer at the bargaining table.

We also decided to negotiate revisions to our offer to provide simple interest on the equal pay payments. As well, we decided to consider appropriate revisions to reflect changes in point ratings resulting from the informal employee job evaluation review process.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, our offers to return to the bargaining table with the assistance of a mediator were met with allegations of bargaining in bad faith. Our proposal to return to the bargaining table, with or without the assistance of a mediator, was met with the precondition that the government, in effect, withdraws from the table the two very important items that we want to discuss. The UNW still insisted on its preconditions and its bad faith bargaining allegation even after the GNWT let it be known that it was prepared to take the settlement of the equal pay complaint off the table if that was the only outstanding issue.

Mr. Speaker, the stalling of serious negotiations has gone on for too long. It is time to bring the parties to the table tgo resolve outstanding matters in ways that will ensure serious efforts are made. Accordingly, it is this government's intention to follow the process as set out in the Public Service Act for doing so. We have, therefore, applied to the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories for the appointment of a mediator. With the assistance of a mediator, we wish to table a revised offer for consideration by the UNW. We will approach these

negotiations with an open mind and a willingness to consider all options. It remains our objective, Mr. Speaker, to conclude an agreement with the UNW on a package that includes rates of pay based on the new job evaluation system and a settlement of the equal pay dispute. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, welcome back. It is my understanding that because of increased revenues pursuant to our formula financing arrangements with the federal government as of March 31, 1998, we had experienced above annual surplus that was forecasted. I realize that with the contingency for the fire fighting this past summer and other unforseen circumstances, some of these revenues above and beyond what was forecasted will have to be used elsewhere. Mr. Speaker, is it possible to follow up on the motion passed in this House at the conclusion of our last sitting in June to use some of the extra surplus funds to re-base the Department of Education as per our motion in this House.

Mr. Speaker, with school having started in all areas of the Northwest Territories, reports of increased enrollments above what the funding grants were based on last October are coming in. The Premier has repeatedly said in this House that if the Assembly identified a priority, then the government would look at it as a serious concern. Mr. Speaker, the fiscal health of the Northwest Territories has dramatically improved over the past three years. Will the government look at the window of opportunity present and try and address the social concerns with education and health issues? Mr. Speaker, later today I will ask the Premier about these matters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

The Member for Mackenzie Delta is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Krutko, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later on today I will be tabling a petition from the Fort Resolution Health Centre employees of Fort Resolution. Along with it came a letter addressed to myself,

"I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. We are writing to request a settlement of our pay equity entitlements. We are making this request for the following reasons. We are now employees of a private organization, The Deninu Health and Social Services Board. We are no longer affiliated with the Union of Northern Workers. We are no longer GNWT employees. The Union of Northern Workers does not represent our concerns.

We believe the GNWT's offer to be fair. We believe the union's demands to be excessive in this economic climate. We believe the settlement monies will go a long way to helping northern families and the northern economy now. We believe these monies to be rightfully ours. We believe that any further negotiations will be fruitless and only create a bigger rift between the involved parties at a time when unity, good will and cooperation is what is required to make this great territory even better. We would like to thank you for taking the time to consider this petition. A copy of this letter will be sent to your Minister of Finance, the Honourable John Todd."

Signed by the health workers in Fort Resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon colleagues. Mr. Speaker, during my visit to the communities I represent, there was a concern which was repeated in the communities regarding airfares and travel schedules that are delayed due to weather and other circumstances. For example, if a plane travels from Iqaluit to Resolute or Nanisivik when it goes over here, the passengers are told they are responsible for their own accommodation. While the person is trying to get to their destination, many of these people pay out of their pockets for their airfare and when circumstances are beyond their control this is not fair treatment. If this occurred in the south and the delay was because of the weather or circumstances beyond the passengers control, then the airlines are responsible for ensuring proper accommodation and meals for the passengers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise on a sad note. I have asked yourself Mr. Speaker, and the rest of my colleagues to offer sincere condolences to the family of Mark and Hannah Tunguaq of Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, their nine-month-old son passed away suddenly last week in Baker Lake. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to welcome my colleagues back from our summer break. I hope we all enjoyed a relaxing time with family and friends.

Also, over the course of this past summer, changes were made at the senior management level of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. I would like to welcome and congratulate Mr. Bob McLeod for his appointment as deputy minister. During the period that Ms. Penny Ballantyne was the deputy minister, the community of Rae-Edzo developed a very good working relationship with the department staff, and I hope that this will continue under the new leadership.

Recently the Hamlet of Rae-Edzo received and reviewed a copy of the draft operational review that the department has undertaken. It was disappointing to find that this document does not address the main concerns that the community and I have raised on many occasions. The hamlet alone has discussed these issues with the department now for the past three years. The department still and must resolve the issue of the two separate communities divided by 14 kilometres of road operating under the budget of one community. The Hamlet of Rae-Edzo has two firehalls, two water/sewage systems, two complete and separate communities, but receives funding as one community and is a great concern.

Another issue is that of equipment and infrastructure. How will the department address that fact that some communities that have certain equipment are funded at some higher level then other communities? I give the example of a community with a cat. This cat was purchased by the department for the community, then given the dollars to operate the cat and to house this unit in a building provided by the department. So far the community has not spent a dime of its O and M budget. Now compare that to a community that does not have a cat. If the community needs cat work done, it must hire a local contractor to do it and then must pay out of its own budget the cost of this contractor, this community should not be penalized. This is not fair or equitable to the community without this equipment or infrastructure and the department should resolve these anomalies. It has been this department's position to ensure all communities are treated in a fair and equitable manner, but this is not what is happening.

In closing, I would hope that the Minister will inform her staff to ensure that these anomalies will be addressed and resolved in the very near future as time is running out. Mr. Speaker, I would like to have unanimous consent to conclude my statement please.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to pledge today, with my colleagues that I will do whatever it takes, to ensure that this is resolved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about NAV Canada and the new fee schedule they have released. Mr. Speaker, on August 7, 1998 I had sent a letter to federal Minister David Collenette indicating that it was unacceptable that NAV Canada proposes to reduce southern costs by up to $110 million a year while the cost in the NWT will increase by up to $10 million a year. I had indicated to him that he could evoke section 35(2) the Civil Air and Navigation Services Commercial Act. This act states that the charging methodology may recognize that the value of the services differs among users. I also indicated that the value of the services they provide to us is much less than in the south. The area of lower radar coverage and lack of provision of radio navigation services for approach and landing and also using maximum certified takeoff weight as the bases of charges when in the north planes cannot land with maximum certified takeoff weight.

On September 8th, I also wrote him another letter indicating that NAV Canada is raising millions of dollars on our route charges, flights that are flying over the Northwest Territories, from western United States to Europe as well as from Alaska to the eastern United States, and that they stood to gain about $140 million from our route fees and from the four new polar routes that will be open over the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, these charges, the money they are raising from the over flights have not been reflected in our fees. I believe that the Minister should evoke section 35(2) of the Civil Air and Navigation Commercial Services Act to lower our rates. I guess you could say that NAV Canada should have taken this upon themselves to see that if they are going to make over $140 million off of us, this should be reflected in their rates. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome you and the rest of my colleagues back to our capital city, it is still our capital city for six months for everyone in this House yet. Mr. Speaker, it is not always popular to speak out against initiatives such as the work of the new constitution, but none the less I feel it is my responsibility to raise in a public forum, the serious reservations I have about the state of the constitution development in the western Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot fault the work to date of the Constitutional Working Group, they are working within their mandate and are trying to raise a sense of a very divisive issue. However, I believe strongly that now is not the time to be dealing with constitutional issues in the western Northwest Territories. How can the constitutional working group hope to develop a workable constitution when major players such as the Deh Cho and the Sahtu, refuse to be involved or have withdrawn from the process. Mr. Speaker, how can we realistically expect the federal government to agree to a new constitution when major players are not involved in the process? A new constitution for the Western Territory is not possible until land claims and self-government agreements are settled. It is that simple, Mr. Speaker.

We, as a territory, cannot move ahead economically and constitutionally until these issues are resolved. It is easy to understand the hesitation on the part of aboriginal leaders to agree to any process that may impact their inherent right to govern themselves. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that a constitutional conference proposed for this fall, would accomplish any measurable result. Consensus is not there.

Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, it is highly unlikely that a workable constitution, acceptable to the majority of residents of the western Northwest Territories would come out of a constitutional conference. Mr. Speaker, even if consensus on a constitution was reached, it would be at best, an interim measure, that would have to be changed each time a new land claim or self-government agreement was reached. The current NWT Act, which is basically the constitution, may be flawed and outdated, but at least all of the players in the western NWT understand it. It will continue to serve as the constitution of the residents of the NWT with minor changes for the time being.

Mr. Speaker, until the inter-relationship between the Territorial Government, aboriginal claimant groups and self-government agreements are defined at the negotiating table there will be no possibility of a constitution. It may take some time for negotiations, but at least then it would be possible to forge a constitution. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you, colleagues. I urge the Constitutional Working Group to consider the validity of holding a constitutional conference and the possibility of any measurable outcomes. I do not think there will be any measurable results and a conference at this time, is not the best use of taxpayers money. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Taloyoak. When Northern Transportation Company Limited (NTCL) was purchased equally by the Inuit of Nunavut and the Inuvialuit of the western Arctic, the board of directors began a program of renaming its fleet of ships to better reflect its northern aboriginal ownership. On September 12, 1998, NTCL held an official ceremony in Taloyoak to rename the former MV Kelly Hall to MV Pisurayak Kootook. Pisurayak Kootook or David was a courageous member of the Taloyoak community who was on a medevac emergency flight that crashed on route from Cambridge Bay to Yellowknife. Pisurayak David Kootook, although seriously injured himself, worked heroically to keep his fellow passengers alive until he finally succumbed to his own injuries. Pisurayak Kootook is a true northern hero and it is only fitting that he be recognized with this honour in his own community.

David's mother and family were on hand to christen the vessel and honoured guests included were: John Ningark, MLA for Natilikmiot; Mayor Dennis Lyall of Taloyoak; NTCL Chairman of the career development committee, Wilf Wilcox; President Cameron Clement and Pat Lyall and also Norterra executive vice-president Murrie Hurrley. I would like to thank Mr. Clement for providing this information to me. I would like my colleagues to join me in congratulating the community and the family of Kootook. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Item 4, 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. Krutko.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize David Legros. He is a constituent of Yellowknife South and has a great interest in the pay equity issue.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe I have said to the point of being repetitive, if it is $40 million versus $25 million in retroactivity, nine for the ongoing costs and six for the collective agreement. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Todd.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I believe I have had said consistently in the House that the government has used the Hay Plan evaluation system I have just prepared in my comment today. The Hay Plan evaluation job system is what we are using to determine the fiscal costs associated with the pay equity complaint and with bringing about gender neutrality in the workplace. Thank you.

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

I heard two questions. Minister of Finance.

Mr. Speaker, again, I have said consistently in this House, the disposition of assets and liabilities is done so in the asset and liability table under the Division Secretariat and that is how the pay equity situation will be dealt with and there will be a fair assignment of liability. However, certainly my desire to try and seek some resolve both, with the collective agreement and hopefully, at some point, the pay equity issue. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine. I heard two questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware of one incident where close to James Creek, I believe, there is a condition on the road. The department is aware of the situation and we are making plans to do something abut it. The weather conditions this time of the year are fairly wet and damp in that area. Once the conditions improve, we will try to improve that road. Thank you.

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

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you. I do not have details to answer in detail to the Member. However, I will get all the information and get back to the Member. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Antoine.

Mr. Speaker, the objective of the department is safety on our highway system and if there is a major problem with the safety in these corroding areas that the honourable Member mentioned on the Dempster Highway in the Northwest Territories, we will look at this immediately with urgency and we will try to correct that. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question to the Minister responsible for division, Mr. Todd. Would the Minister provide to this House a brief update as to the status of discussions as it relates to division regarding the NWT Power Corporation and the WCB? Thank you.

The Minister Responsible for Division Secretariat, Mr. Todd.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well as my honourable colleagues know the Power Corporation and the WCB are sensitive issues. There is, on occasion, some polarization of thought on both these issues.

On the WCB, we are working closely with all the players - the Western Coalition and the Interim Commissioner to try to reach an accommodation where we have a transition document that will allow the two new governments to continue to negotiate, what we think will inevitably happen. That is two new WCBs. We are seven months effectively away from division and it would simply be unreasonable for us to expect the eastern territory to be up and running in that time. So there are some discussions underway to try to reach a Memorandum of Understanding as to how we will proceed with this, when the two new governments are elected in 1999.

The NWTPC of course, which comes under the auspices of my colleague, Mr. Dent, these same type of negotiations are underway right now. They are what you might determine as sensitive negotiations and it is the desire of both myself, my Cabinet colleagues and Mr. Dent to try to reach an appropriate compromise to ensure that a transition document will be in place for both these organizations. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated there is a possibility the WCB may split and Nunavut would have its' own WCB. Does the Minister sincerely believe that Nunavut can support its' own WCB? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Well in the analysis that are being done right now and as I say sensitive discussions that are underway, that will have to be a critical component of it, is the affordability issue. At this time I have not seen any documentation to say otherwise. The Workers Compensation Board, I will be making a comment on that later on this week, is a pretty impressive organization. It has done a darn good job in terms of its obligations to injured workers and to employers and I think later on this week I will make a comment about how even its current performance is. It has outperformed itself, in a way. So in terms, is there a fiscal capability? I think that is the issue you are asking to have two new Workers Compensation Boards, east and west. To date, to say is that there? I honestly could not answer you. I believe it is but these discussions are currently underway. The negotiations are sensitive and it will be critical that when it comes across my desk, Mr. O'Brien, I want it to be critical that there be an affordability component to it. When that comes across my desk, I will share it with yourself and my colleagues in the House. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, falling in the same line of thought regarding division and the Power Corp., and the WCB. Mr. Speaker, recently I attended a meeting in Winnipeg regarding a possible road linkage and power grid between Churchill and the Kivalliviq region. It is my understanding there is approximately $500,000 has been put into a research fund to study these two issues. There is also a joint committee that is working between Manitoba and the GNWT to come up with some possible options regarding this.

My question, Mr. Speaker, is can the Minister update us as to what is the status of these discussions with this joint working group? Thank you.

That is a new question. I will rule it out of order. Oral questions, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question follows on my earlier Member's statement. Will the Premier be directing the FMBS to review the recorded excess surplus and use this to follow up on the motion to rebate the Department of Education, as passed in this House in June? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member is fully aware, this summer has been a hard summer on forest fires. The Minister of Finance is still working on balancing the budget of this government and hopefully we will get a surplus. We have taken the Member's motion in this Legislative Assembly seriously. We know that we would like to invest more dollars in education and health but we have to make sure they are there first. Once we find that out, then we will move ahead. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the financial report that was tabled according to Sub-section 51(3) The Financial Administration Act in August. When would the Premier know what the actual surplus is so he can actually rebate said department? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Yes thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well I am optimistic that we may have a small surplus. I want to remind my honourable colleague that we still have got an accumulated deficit that I am sure he will support getting rid of. We still have an enormous pay equity issue out there that is significant, which I am sure he supports. Certainly, our intention as the Premier has said, that should we and when we determine what an appropriate surplus, if we do have a surplus, and I will report to the House as quickly as I can, we would take into due consideration the overall fiscal framework of the government, the needs and priorities as has been explained by Members of this House and Cabinet and allocate dollars accordingly. At this time, I wish I was in a position to announce today, this is what the surplus will be. I am not, but I do have, and I am sure my colleague is well aware of it, enormous fiscal issues still looming. Hopefully, we will be able to do this, if not in October, certainly in November. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the annual surplus is actually a net of the provision for pay equity. So I do not know why he is bringing that up. Mr. Speaker, my supplemental question to the Premier or the Finance Minister is, will they be actually involving the Ordinary Members of this House in the allocation of said surplus, because last year when they actually had a surplus of $4 million in RWED, we were not identified until after the fact. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

As my grandmother used to say to me, a penny wise, a pound foolish. I am not prepared to spend money right now that I do not see. Until such time as I am comfortable and confident there is going to be a surplus, that we can assign to the priorities we have heard in this House, and we have heard with the public and the advocacy groups out there, I am not in a position to determine that today. While we have banked $25 million on the pay equity retroactive side, that issue still has not been concluded. I would like to remind Mr. Picco, since he made reference to it. We still have as the Premier said, somewhere around, I think we spent close to $11 or $12 million in the fire suppression this year that was not budgeted for, which is no fault of anybody's. Massive problems in housing, health care problems, education, et cetera. So we will, when I am clear, if there is a surplus, we will use due process to determine, to some extent, where that money, should there be any, go. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am at a little disadvantage because of the reporting structure of government on what is actually the surplus. I can only go on the Financial Administration Act and the Comptroller General's Report, which according to the Finance Administration Act, has to be forecasted and tabled. So my question then to the Minister, following up on the surplus of this government or if there is a surplus is. Indeed, according to the Comptroller General there was and is, can the Minister actually inform us then, on the surplus. Is the result of the surplus because of increased money to us from the federal government because of our formula financing grant? Is that the case? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

There is a possibility and I am cautious about it because we still do not have an agreement with the provincial jurisdictions and I think my colleague will understand that we may get a one-time, some additional dollars from the federal government, because of population statistics, growth. It requires the concurrence of not only the territories, it also requires the concurrence of provincial jurisdictions. I do not know at this time to what degree that will be, if any. When I do, I will ensure that due process takes place and this House will be informed. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Roland.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would have liked to settle weeks ago, but unfortunately we are caught up in a battle that is not necessarily being driven by territorial politics and more by national ones. It is certainly our desire, one to deal with the bad faith bargaining issue, which is an allegation by the UNW not us. I believe that gets dealt with on Monday. I am hopeful that the courts will see that we are bargaining in good faith. We will apply, under the Public Service Act, in accordance with the rules that are in place, that a mediator will be appointed because we can not come to an agreement with the union on that. Once that is done, the mediator is supposed to help both parties reach a resolve. I want to resolve this thing. As I have said to my honourable colleague many times, both informally and formally, as quickly as possible to put money in the hands of our employees. At the end of the day, it is up to the UNW to give the democratic right to each of our constituents and employees to vote on what we think is a fair and reasonable settlement. I want to remind everybody that we want to give the people more money not less money. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you. Oral questions. Ms. Groenewegen.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Transportation and also having travelled on the highway system, whenever there is a capital project, I notice there is a sign but I have never really asked the department what is the policy with the sign but I know it describes the project and it also lists the MLA's riding as well as the Minister responsible for the project. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Enterprise is in the Hay River constituency, so I do not know. We will talk to the MLAs involved and we will talk to the department.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Antoine.

I did not really study that particular sign in my travels, Mr. Speaker, so I am not aware of that situation until today. We will take a look at it. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Steen.