David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the question of cost, I believe there are several calls for reviews of negotiated contracts, there are calls for review of affirmative action candidates. I do not see why the cost factor has to be a barrier on getting this information and being made public. I believe you do have that information in-house and I do not see why cost should be a barrier. I am asking for information in this

house, and I would like that information made public. Thank you.

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated earlier, we will look at having the information provided to the Member as well as to Members of this House. There are other ways of providing the information out there to the public and we will look at doing what we can do that is available. One other thing that is available that this government does provide, on a quarterly basis, is the contract report which would include any contract for leases. That already is made available to this House and to the public. Thank you, Mr. Speaker

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for Mr. Todd, Minister of the Financial Management Board, and it is a follow-up to my question from yesterday, regarding the employment equity benefits for non-unionized government employees. Yesterday the Minister confirmed that benefits are available to non-unionized employees who are currently working for the government. Certainly it is heartwarming to see that employment equity payouts will be equally available to union and non-union members, but there are a couple of matters I would like to ask questions on.

I wonder if the Minister could tell us, since there is a deadline of March 31st that has been given on notice and payout, and yesterday he indicated that no decision had been made regarding non-unionized employees who are no longer with this government; could he tell us when that decision will be made, so that those no longer with the government can know where they stand on this issue? Thank you.

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understood there was a deadline of March 31st. Could the Minister tell us if that will be changed? Thank you.

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also wonder if the Minister could address the issue of the rationale for the classification codes. I understand that in considering who should benefit, in one case, for example, librarians were grouped in with wildlife officers, and it is based upon the majority in that classification code. Naturally, the number of wildlife officers would exceed the number of librarians and it would stand, at the moment, I understand, the number of wildlife officers are predominantly male. Therefore that particular classification is not fair in other words. I wonder if the Minister could address that question as well with his colleagues? I would ask that the rationale for this be looked at and if the Minister could do that? Thank you.