Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for Department of Finance, Mr. Todd. Yesterday, I made a statement in this House regarding the need to implement an electronic payment system of direct deposits for northern businesses that are providing services to this government. I had hoped to ask my questions yesterday regarding this issue, but we ran out of time, Mr. Speaker. This government is trying to foster, and it is a priority, to develop northern businesses by supplying grants and loans. It seems to me that the minor expense in creating and producing a system that would accommodate direct deposits to businesses providing service to the government, would add to this. On April 1, 1999 many small northern businesses may experience a period of confusion as to where their invoices or where their payments may be received. The direct deposit system could link the two new governments and the businesses that are providing services to them. By adopting an efficient direct deposit system, we would not only benefit northern businesses, but we would also facilitate the transition between businesses and the two new governments.
The question to the Minister of Finance is, some departments are presently using a direct deposit system for services they are purchasing from the private sector. I would hope the Minister of Finance would agree a direct deposit system of payment would be beneficial to northern businesses. I would like to ask the Minister if he would be prepared to pursue this implementation as soon as possible, certainly prior to division? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.