Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course I would be prepared to share whatever it is that we achieve in the follow up meetings that we have with the federal government. I would be happy to find a means by which we can share whatever comes out of these meetings that we will set up in the following month with the federal Ministers, so that people can share the optimism and get a sense that some very good things can happen, and will happen and that it will be done in partnership with the aboriginal governments and federal government. Together we can make and hope for a much better future for all our people. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is addressed to the Minister responsible for the WCB. Mr. Speaker, like the Members of the Executive, the Members of this side of the House have been working ceaselessly and tirelessly day in, day out for the last many months, becoming familiar and conversant with their many responsibilities, carrying the Cabinet, making sure they are on the right track, working around the clock trying to do the business of government. One of the issues that has come up out of our hard work and constant pursuit of good government is the issue of the WCB. I would like to address this question to the Minister responsible. I realize that the board appointments are going to be finished at the end of the month. Can the Minister indicate and update this House on what is happening with the board appointments for WCB? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, the Honourable Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Member's recognition of the hard work we are doing, getting up to speed on our business. There are several appointments that come up at the end of March. Two of them are from the west and I believe one is from Nunavut. It is my intention to refill the positions and before the end of March, I will make that decision. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, obviously I was not quite clear. In addition to the work that they are doing, which Cabinet keeps telling us at every opportunity, the people over here are almost exhausted at the labours of Hercules we have undertaken since being elected in order to get this Assembly up and running.

Mr. Speaker, could the Minister indicate whether he said reappoint or will he just appoint somebody? Is he planning to reappoint or put somebody new in there? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, the Honourable Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too recognize the hard work that is done by the Ordinary Members.

-- Applause

We all recognize each other. I did not say reappoint, I said that I will be delegating the positions before the end of March. Of the current positions, there are three that expire. Two of them are mine to fill. One is for the east to fill. They will be filled. I did not say reappointment at all. Thank you.

Thank you for the clarification, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister clarify whether he intends to bring some new blood into the Workers' Compensation Board and hopefully widen the circle so there are as many appointments outside of Yellowknife as possible? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, the Honourable Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me say that I have to do more consultation with some people before I can make the final selection on appointments. There will be some new blood. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister indicated that he has to do more consultation. Could the Minister indicate who he has to consult with other than the people he has already asked for nominations? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, the Honourable Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I still have some discussions with the people I am considering. I have discussions with the Federal Board of Labour who are giving me some advice. I have discussions with the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations also giving me advice. I want to have a board that will be able to carry out its functions very well, a board that will work well together. That will result in an ongoing, strong Workers' Compensation Board. So there are a number of consultations.

On top of that, Mr. Speaker, I also want to consult with Cabinet before we make the final selections to ensure the appointments are given clearance at all levels. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation in regards to the comment that there have been cuts made to Highway No. 3.

Mr. Speaker, I look at the five-year capital plan and the only place I see any cuts regarding Highway No. 3 is this year where they were supposed to receive $2.5 million, and they are only receiving $1.8 million. If you look at the same number for Highway No. 3 in the five-year capital plan, they are supposed to be receiving $5,889,000. In the budget, they are receiving $6,218,000. As far as I can see, that is an increase.

The same thing applies to Highway No. 4. Highway No. 4 in the five-year capital plan, was supposed to receive $2.5 million. They are receiving $500,000. That is a $2 million decrease. I would like to ask the Minister, can he show me exactly where the cuts have taken place on Highway No. 3?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I did not say that Highway No. 3 had any cuts. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I would like to know exactly when will this government go back to ensuring the five-year capital plan will be followed by this government?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.