Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware that the item has been completed. There are a number of recommendations that were raised with our Department of Justice. I believe they are in the initial discussion stages and that is the latest update I can provide. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you. Can the Minister confirm that in fact that we have had no substantial increase to policing resources in Yellowknife from this government since about the mid 80's, and between then and now I think the population has almost doubled. Is that the case?

Minister of Justice, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, there has been a status quo on the level of funding. We are continuing to work within other existing funding programs in terms of securing additional funds to meet the growing demand. We will continue to work from that level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In fact, I think the only substantial additional resources recently, as far as the RCMP is concerned, have been mandated by the Supreme Court of Canada, forcing us to no longer have single member detachments. Would the Minister indicate whether or not the department is looking to or agreeable to increasing the level of resources for detachments right across the Territories? Thank you.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the financial arrangements during the targeted setting exercise for the 2001-02 fiscal year, we directed that the RCMP resource be capped until 2005, pending consultation with the RCMP. Beyond that though, Mr. Speaker, I don't have any further information to provide the Member. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just so I have got it then, is it correct to understand that we are sitting down now to talk about resources from 2005 on and there really won't be any significant change until that point? Is that the case? Thank you.

Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, my understanding is we continue to consult with the RCMP of 'G' division to enhance some of the policing services pending their financial capability. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I questioned the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat regarding mandatory leave-without-pay days over the Christmas period. Mr. Speaker, in the Minister's responses to my questions, he's informed me that it is an agreement with the UNW, which I was aware of, that they don't pool the resources from the money they withdraw from employees' pay. I would like to ask the Minister what happens to those dollars if they are not pooled to be paid back at a certain time of year? What happens to those dollars that belong to employees? Thank you.

Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, each department has an appropriation that includes money for salaries, wages, benefits and so on. Each department is obligated to budget for and account for its total salary, wages, and benefits package. If at the end of the year, there is any surplus money, then that comes back to a consolidated fund as unspent operational money the department didn't utilize. If there are any savings - - I don't know if there is - - then it would be part of that package. In the same way, if someone leaves with a higher salary and we hire someone with a lower salary and there is some savings there or less cost, then that money comes back. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Then can the Minister also confirm along this line if employees who leave before December 20th when that pay cheque comes out, in that time period, then they are receiving ten days leave without pay?

The honourable Minister responsible for FMBS, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I don't quite understand the point the Member is making, so maybe he could clarify what the question is.

Mr. Roland, could you rephrase the question?

Mr. Speaker, the Minister stated that -- and it's known now -- that when employees leave before the final pay period in December, they do not receive the money that's been deducted off their pay cheque for coverage of that one week, five days. So if they leave days prior to that last pay cheque, then they are receiving ten days leave without pay. Is that not correct?