Thank you, Ms. Snider. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am having trouble understanding why all nine offices then opposite the Ministers' offices are still filled. Could I get some explanation of that please?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ms. Snider.

Thank you, Ms. Snyder. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I had assumed when I saw under the activity description that this activity includes salaries and operational expenses for the Ministers and the staff, that this would be the appropriate place to ask about numbers of executive assistants. Am I wrong?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. I do not think so, no. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The position of executive assistant for the Department of Resources, Wildlife & Economic Development, that has been deleted. That is the response. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just awhile ago, in response to a question from Mr. Roland, the Premier said that the Minister has now worked through the Premier's office to coordinate the hiring of executive assistants, so could we get a listing of how many executive assistants we have in the Minister's offices now and the Premier's office, and to which office they are assigned? In other words, to which Ministerial office they are assigned. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. I understand what the Member is getting at. The government employee who performed the job of being an executive assistant to me because I was responsible for Resources, Wildlife & Economic Development is no longer working with me as an executive assistant.

That person has reverted to being an employee of the Department of Resources, Wildlife & Economic Development and is now performing a function in the same office of supporting the new Minister of Resources, Wildlife & Economic Development.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. So Resources, Wildlife & Economic Development is now maintaining an office in this building is I guess what I can take that answer to mean. It certainly sounds like an executive assistant position, but I would ask the Premier again. Will he provide this committee with information on the numbers of executive assistants employed in the Premier's office and the Ministers' offices, and advise to which Ministers they report please?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Kakfwi.

Yes, I would be very happy to do it, and I would be even more happy if the Members would provide us as well with the staff that are filling their side of the offices, just so we keep a level playing field. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe that is on our phone list right now, but I would be happy to coordinate putting that together and delivering it to the Premier's office this afternoon. I hope he will meet the same schedule. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Minister's office, operations expense. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under Ministers' offices, can the Premier or his staff provide information as to the area of accommodations for Ministers in the capital? Can they provide a list of how many Ministers are receiving that allowance? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Chairman, we are not clear on what it is that the Member is talking about. Perhaps he could rephrase the question or ask it again?

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will gladly ask it again.

Under the Ministers' offices, it includes salaries and operational expenses for Ministers and their staff. I am aware that the Ministers, as was tabled in this House by the government, the handbook on Ministerial...for example, the housing allowance that Ministers from out of the city would have to move to the city are allowed. So I am asking for the number of Ministers who are receiving that housing allowance. Thank you.