Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 14 has had first reading. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 3, Bill 4, Bill 9, Bill 11, committee reports 3-14(6), 4-14(6), 5-14(6), 6-14(6), 8-14(6), 9-14(6), Motion 10-14(6), Minister's Statement 28-14(6), Tabled Documents 26-14(6), 31-14(6) and 41-14(6), and with the authority given the Speaker by Motion 4-14(6), the Committee of the Whole is authorized to sit beyond the time of adjournment until a committee is prepared to report, with Mr. Krutko in the chair.

I would like to call Committee of the Whole to order. We have several items to deal with: Bill 3, Bill 4, Bill 9, Bill 11, Committee Reports 3-14(6), 4-14(6), 5-14(6), 6-14(6), 8-14(6), 9-14(6), Motion 10-14(6), Minister's Statement 28-14(6), Tabled Documents 26-14(6), 31-14(6), 41-14(6). What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Dent.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to recommend the committee continue consideration of Bill 3 and Committee Reports 3-14(6), 4-14(6), and 5-14(6) concurrently to first of all examine the estimates for the Department of Public Works and Services, followed by the NWT Housing Corporation and then the Legislative Assembly.

At this time, I would like to recognize in the visitors' gallery, Monica Ayha, a constituent of the Member for North Slave. I would like to welcome you to the House.

---Applause

With that, we will take a 15-minute break.

---SHORT RECESS

I would like to call the Committee of the Whole back to order. Prior to the adjournment, we agreed to continue on with the consideration of Public Works. I would like to ask the Minister of Public Works and Services if he would be bringing in any witnesses. Mr. Steen.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to bring in witnesses.

Does the committee agree the Minister brings in his witnesses?

Sergeant-at-Arms, can you escort in the witnesses?

For the record, Mr. Minister, can you introduce your witnesses?

Mr. Chairman, on my right is the deputy minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Bruce Rattray; and, on my left is the director of the petroleum products division, Mike Aumond. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Welcome, witnesses. General comments.

We are on page 5-9, directorate, budget summary, operations expense, total operations expense, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I notice under the activity description that records management for the Government of the NWT is handled by the directorate. Over the years, I have been approached by local businesspeople in Yellowknife who have suggested that the GNWT could save a considerable amount of money on warehouse space by handling their records management through microfiche or other methods of putting documents into a smaller space, electronic and film. Has the department made any moves at all in this or will we keep storing paper for the foreseeable future?

Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I will ask my deputy to respond.

Mr. Rattray.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If space isn't an issue, I am sure that it would be easier to retrieve information if it was stored differently than it is now, in boxes and filed away in a warehouse. Is there any interest in moving towards a modern day records management system, or is this one that is seen as being an issue where the cost really doesn't justify the effort of changing the records management systems we have now?

Mr. Rattray.