Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question this afternoon for the Minister of the Executive, the Honourable Mr. Kakfwi. Earlier this year the Department of the Executive issued a request for proposals in supplying counselling services to GNWT employees.

This contract is currently carried out by NWT Family Services, an NWT society. The group has been active in the NWT since 1979 and was recently awarded national accreditation. The request for proposals awarded the contract to another northern-based group for a three-year period commencing April 1, 2000.

One issue is the difference in costs, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that NWT Family Services met the criteria required but the successful bidder was 258 percent higher in cost, a total of half a million dollars more over the life of the contract.

Mr. Speaker, in view of the fact that this government is facing fiscal restraint, would the Minister justify this considerable discrepancy? Thank you.