Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am pleased to announce that the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers reached a tentative collective agreement early Friday morning after 15 days of negotiations. Although this tentative agreement has yet to be ratified by the members of the Union of Northern Workers, the president of the union has indicated she will be recommending its acceptance.

The agreement enhances current wages and benefits and emphasizes the value the government places on our employees. The new agreement will provide increases of 3.8

percent effective April 1, 2000, and 2.5 percent effective April 1, 2001, to both rates of pay and the northern allowance component.

Other changes include a new parental leave provision available to both mothers and fathers, an improved dental plan and enhanced salary protection for employees who were affected by the 1998 change in pay plans.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the collective agreement is a good one. It provides reasonable increases to employees' wages and addresses many issues raised by the union. I am told that ratification by the employees could take four to six weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause