Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to go over the background on this again, the Government of Nunavut decided they wanted to form their own corporation in Nunavut. A transition agreement was reached that would take effect on March 31, 1999. In the interim, the corporation runs the power plants in Nunavut as well as its employees. Nunavut has indicated they are looking for a systems manager. The corporation has expressed an interest in being that systems manager. So far, there is no response on that.

With regard to the process of division, there will have to be a process to divide the assets and liabilities between the two territories. The information I have does not address yet, other than information we have been provided, the amount the impact will be on the west. I will have to look into that further. Thank you,

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the short time before the end of question period, I seek unanimous consent to extend question period.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to extend question period. Are there any nays? There are no nays. The clock will be reset for one hour. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given the fact the Power Corporation is such a significant asset and provides such a critical service, there is expensive work done. The five percent rate increase was very clear and was one of the big issues. Can the Minister indicate whether he is aware this five percent rate increase is on the table and was one of the consequences of splitting the corporation in two? Are we going to absorb that cost, or are we going to pass it on to all of the ratepayers? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, Nunavut is looking for a systems manager. I am not sure of the status of that at the moment. Should we not be successful to have the corporation remain as the systems manager for both the west and the east, there will no doubt be impacts upon the corporation. The information I have been provided with so far indicates we would have to have layoffs, possibly at headquarters. There may have to be a rate increase. That would have to be done through the Public Utilities Board. At this particular point in time, I do not have any further information, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like the Minister to clarify whether he does not have the information or whether the corporation is totally unprepared and has not done any planning, and the Minister is not aware as a result of that? Or have they done all sorts of planning, but the Minister has not had time to be briefed?

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is information I do not have. To the best of my knowledge, the corporation is meeting with both governments to look at both the division of assets and liabilities.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister indicate whether he would be in the position to speak knowledgably of this issue when we gather in March, so we can address the issues of layoffs and rate increases? So we can address the issue of what happens if NTPC is removed as a supplier in Fort Simpson, and what that does to things like the power subsidy? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am getting up to speed on the corporation, both on the Nunavut issue and on the Fort Simpson issue. I am in the process of meeting with officials from Fort Simpson. I will be attending a meeting in Fort Simpson within the next week. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister is aware of some of the impacts, given the fact we are going to lose 40 percent of the jurisdiction of NTPC. Is the Minister in the position to quantify the potential layoffs that may occur as a result? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not in a position to put exact figures on the number of layoffs at this particular time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. Before the Minister answers, may I ask Members to direct their questions to the Chair, which will then be directed to the appropriate Minister. Do not directly address the Minister. The Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that funding is provided on the basis of the transfer agreement from Ottawa. It is not specifically identified according to treaty rights. The allocation to the department is done on the basis of funding from the Financial Management Board according to the budget it establishes. Thank you.