Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out to the Minister that when we make contributions to families with low incomes through the NWT child benefit, we are trying to improve the quality of life. When we take that money out of a program, any program that calculates this as income, especially a program such as harmonization, we are defeating the whole purpose. The end result is neutral. So does the Minster actually believe that these programs work together or are they conflicting programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the program will provide for the working poor an opportunity to have a rent reduction based on the amount of money earned and that's the total amount of money the family received. Anywhere up to $3,833 is the limit and below that, they can receive a reduction on their rent, Mr. Speaker. So it works in harmony with each other. Any funding that is provided, the child benefit portion is part of the family's income, but it really depends on the total income of the family. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral question. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat. I addressed this question to him earlier in the session with regard to mandatory days off during the Christmas period and the Minister informed me that it is an agreed upon process through negotiations with the UNW. I am also aware now, Mr. Speaker, that the UNW has approached the government on a couple of occasions to put alternatives on the table. The Minister didn't say that. I would like to know if they have worked with UNW to try to come up with some alternative measure so that employees' money stays in employees' pockets? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The honourable Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, the provisions for the mandatory leave without pay days is in the collective agreement. I am sure that when we come to renegotiating the collective agreement, that both sides will look at this issue and determine whether or not they would bring forward any proposed changes.

Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe that proposal will meet the same destiny as the other ones the UNW has brought forward. I asked the Minister if he's worked with them or worked with the proposals the UNW has put in front of them. Thank you.

The honourable Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that each time we get together to discuss the collective agreement, that there will be proposals brought forward on this and other matters. I know there were proposals brought forward in the past and there were discussions made. Since the mandatory leave without pay days was introduced, there have been some changes, so we are continually working with the union to make this a good program for our employees and for their members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on the issue of mandatory days off, the Minister had answered thequestion if it's accepted. I will ask this question: Is it accepted that the government is taking what equals to 10 days pay from an individual, if they leave the government prior to December 19th?

The honourable Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure how the Member arrives at the 10 days, but employees have 1.92 percent deducted from their biweekly pay cheque and that's what is used to annualize the cost of this leave program. I haven't done the calculation, maybe it comes to 10 days, but that's an agreement that's in the collective agreement. When we renegotiate, if the union wants to bring something forward, then we would be obligated to have a look at it. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's 1.92 percent, correct, to cover the five days that would have been leave without pay, but if an individual leaves before December 19th, that's the five days they would have off leave without pay, plus the 1.92 percent off of their paycheque throughout the year. Is that not correct?

The honourable Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if I understand the Member correctly, then yes that is correct and that's the provision we have negotiated in the collective agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated earlier, we haven't changed our policy as of this date. We feel we cannot compare the Seniors' Fuel Subsidy Program with the way we deliver the Seniors Home Ownership Repair Program on the income tested. We feel there has been some discrepancy in the development of that procedure. However, I indicated earlier that we were looking very closely at increasing the income threshold, Mr. Speaker.