Mr. Chairman, the phase 1 of the feasibility review was approximately $100,000 for the contract, to have that done. In order to do that, we had, as you will recall, our reform project where we had to update a lot of our data, put our data together on our employees. That goes back a couple of years, but it cost in the neighbourhood of a million dollars. Once we had that done, this phase 1 was roughly $100,000. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Bell.

Thank you. That is a sum cost. I am just wondering if the Minister could tell us if the compilation of that information from phase 1, that million dollars, will be helpful now and is of use to us now, going forward.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, no, I think the only money that was -- I do not want to say wasted, but that we do not get a return on was the $100,000. It told us this and that was a valuable contract. The roughly $1 million through the reform project was something we had to do anyway, so I think it helped us to have much better records. It is something we would have had to do in any case. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Financial Management Board Secretariat, labour relations and compensation services, not previously authorized, negative $1,298,000. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Since we are not proceeding with this project and we are going to stay in the superannuation program, what is the extra amount per year that is going to cost this government to pay the total amount, the GNWT contribution?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, if we are not successful in getting a permanent base adjustment to cover the cost, the cost to our government will be about $12.5 million, but we are negotiating for a base adjustment. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe we have a three-year commitment from the federal government to provide that amount to us. What year does that end? Is it the same year as the formula financing deal?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, that agreement ends on March 31, 2004, the same time as our financing formula.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Has the Minister or his staff had any initial discussions since the decision to stay in superannuation with Finance Canada, to see what their early attitude going into the negotiations is, as to whether or not they will find the extra $12.5 million a year for us?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, I have written to both the Minister of Finance and the president of the federal treasury board advising them of our decision. Beyond that, there have not been any further discussions on it yet but there will be soon. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Financial Management Board Secretariat, labour relations and compensation services, not previously authorized, negative $1,298,000.

Page 7, Executive, operations expenditures, Aboriginal Affairs, not previously authorized, $1,674,000. Mr. Krutko.

I just have a question regarding the negotiation division. We have had people in negotiations in different areas and some of the claims have been concluded. We are moving towards self-government, or we have gone through the agreement-in-principle stage and heading to the final agreement stage. How often do these people move around? Do the people leave after the job is completed? Where do these people go with regard to positions in those different departments? Is there anyone there who can be moved from these different divisions into this devolution negotiation division with experience in negotiations in the other areas, who have had previous claims negotiations in the government?

Mr. Chairman, I will refer this question to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Antoine.