Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that I'm in receipt of all due replies to written questions on the Order Paper and direct that they be printed in Hansard in their entirety. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Braden on October 18, 2006, concerning the impacts of federal budget reductions on NGOs and government sectors. Specifically, Mr. Braden asked for a written assessment of the impacts of those cuts on the NWT in the areas of jobs in the NGO and government sectors, court proceedings, economic impacts and social services impacts.

Mr. Speaker, the funding reductions announced in September amounted to just over $1 billion. It is difficult to provide an accurate assessment of the impact as these cuts were primarily to federal administration and to federal funding for third parties. Many of the reductions were in the area of application-based funding programs like the Museum Assistance Program, the Court Challenges Program and several women's programs.

The ability of several and various third parties to adjust to lost opportunities, as well as the impact of cuts to federal government administration and operations, is impossible for the GNWT to assess with any accuracy.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT's formula funding arrangement with the Government of Canada, as well as government-to-government funding agreements already in place, were not directly impacted by the federal funding reductions announced in September. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on October 18, 2006, regarding leakage of resource royalties in the North.

1. Can the Premier provide the amount of royalties leaving the North and staying with the federal government, and our return from these resources in the last 10 years?

Later today, I will table a chart that shows federal resource revenues from the North over the past 10 years. The federal government does not publish separate numbers for each territory. However, most of the royalties after 2002-03 would be from the Northwest Territories, because Yukon implemented a devolution agreement in 1998 and

any mines operating in Nunavut were unlikely to have generated significant royalties.

The Government of the Northwest Territories does not report tax revenues specifically from the resource industry. However, the Department of Finance estimates that from 1999 to 2004, corporate, property and fuel tax revenues received directly from resource companies totalled $115 million. This does not include taxes from spin-off industries or businesses that service the resource industry, nor does it include personal income taxes, payroll taxes and other taxes that employees of resource companies might pay.

2. In terms of our financial fiscal imbalance, what does the North need to do to begin having our revenue from our resources managed by the North?

Revenue from NWT resources will be managed by the North once a devolution agreement among Canada, the GNWT and aboriginal governments is signed and implemented. There are a number of outstanding issues that must be resolved before such an agreement can be signed, including the allocation of revenues among northern governments, and the net fiscal benefit northern governments will receive on their resource revenues, after offsets against federal transfers are accounted for.

Canada has indicated that it is not prepared to discuss the net fiscal benefit until after new equalization and territorial formula financing arrangements are in place.

3. Will the GNWT provide an opportunity to discuss post-revenue sharing in the North? Who or when will the North sit down to discuss federal resources revenue management framework?

The GNWT will continue to work in partnership with aboriginal governments to get the best deal for the NWT. Bilateral discussion on resource revenue sharing amongst NWT governments had been under way since 2002. A joint GNWT/Aboriginal Summit proposal was developed and presented to the Government of Canada in 2003. Since that time, aboriginal governments' support for the 2003 proposal was withdrawn. Aboriginal Summit and GNWT negotiators worked on and exchanged proposals into the fall of 2005 at which point their respective mandates had been exhausted.

Discussions were initiated at the political level and have continued with aboriginal leaders, but no agreement-in-principle has been reached. Premier Handley, Minister Roland and Minister Bell met with aboriginal leaders on the matter in June 2006. I subsequently met with leaders in December 2006.

Difficulties arise in trying to come to agreement on how revenues should be shared amongst NWT governments in the absence of knowing what the net fiscal benefit from the revenues will be, a matter yet to be negotiated with the Government of Canada. In order to overcome this difficulty, the GNWT has proposed principles to guide the sharing of resource revenues in lieu of actual amounts.

The federal Department of Finance showed little support for the May 2003 joint proposal although some negotiations did take place to try to define a fair and adequate net fiscal benefit. In April 2005, Finance Canada made a proposal that the NWT receive a minimum of $30 million with any further sharing to be reviewed upon completion of the work of the federal Expert Panel on Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing. The GNWT did not accept the federal offer.

4. Can the Premier outline a strategic plan that demonstrates how northerners will react, should we not get a satisfactory resource revenue or devolution agreement within the next year?

Over the past 10 months, the GNWT has received positive commitments from the new Prime Minister and Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development that reaching an agreement on devolution and resource revenue sharing is a priority. We are working hard to try to reach an agreement-in-principle before the end of this fiscal year.

5. What will be the process to get the aboriginal governments a fair share of the resource revenue agreement and the devolution agreement?

The GNWT intends to continue to press the Government of Canada for a fair deal on the net fiscal benefit for the NWT from resource revenues through all available avenues including national fiscal imbalance discussions, devolution discussions and territorial formula financing discussions. At the same time, the GNWT will work with aboriginal governments to develop a fair sharing arrangement.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Ramsay on October 18, 2006, regarding Stanton Territorial Hospital 2002 operational review - status of recommendations.

On January 15, 2004, the Stanton Territorial Health Authority Operational Review Status Report was prepared. The majority of recommendations provided in the report have been addressed, including the development of a Stanton Territorial Health Authority staffing plan, the completion of a physician recruitment plan, and the initiation of various nursing specialty programs to increase skills and abilities in a number of areas. A copy of this status report has been provided to the Member.

In view of the dissolution of the board at the Stanton Territorial Health Authority shortly after the review was completed, recommendations directed toward the board were deferred until such time as a new board may be appointed. At the present time, a public administrator has been appointed for the Stanton Territorial Health Authority, and the role of the board has been assumed by a subcommittee of the Joint Leadership Council, which oversees the health and social services system in the NWT, including the Stanton Territorial Health Authority.

Recommendations with respect to human resource functions were assigned to the Department of Human Resources. As concerns are raised by employees regarding their benefits and superannuation, Human Resources staff work with the employees to provide information and resolve any difficulties. Progress is being made to ensure processes are improved for the provision of benefits and payroll information by the Department of

Human Resources. In particular, this is being examined in light of the implementation of PeopleSoft self-service at Stanton, which was scheduled for start-up on February 3, 2007.

In addition, several recommendations are being addressed on an ongoing basis, including recommendations number 2 and number 23. These two recommendations relate to the completion of a master development plan for Stanton and the implementation of the integrated service delivery model. The Department of Health and Social Services is working in partnership with the health and social services authorities on these aspects of the operational review. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on October 19, 2006, regarding the Territorial Residential Schools Interagency Committee.

The Member asked for a territorial interagency framework for the survivors of residential schools in the Northwest Territories. The Member also asked for an outline of an action plan and the mandates, roles and responsibilities for the Territorial Residential Schools Interagency Committee.

The development of the territorial interagency framework will be an outcome of the coordinated partnerships between the GNWT and members of the Territorial Residential Schools Interagency Committee that will include representation of survivors of residential schools. It is our intent to have the first interagency meeting in the spring of 2007.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is taking the lead in the process to develop a territorial interagency framework.

As a first step, ECE has set up an internal working group to provide support to the residential school survivors' group in the NWT and to the GNWT social envelope departments to establish similar working or support groups. The internal working group is developing an action plan that identifies key areas of responsibility for the different divisions within ECE.

Following the establishment of an ECE-based working group, ECE plans to facilitate the formation of an interdepartmental support and working group for the GNWT by March 2007. The main objectives of this support and working group will be to launch the Territorial Residential Schools Interagency Committee, and to develop an action plan that identifies key areas of responsibilities for the social envelope departments. The group will also assure that support is provided to the residential school survivors' groups in a coordinated manner.

By May 2007, the Residential Schools Interagency Committee will develop terms of reference that plans to identify roles and responsibilities for committee members as they seek to provide support for survivors of residential schools in the NWT. A framework will be developed that will provide direction to the interdepartmental support and working groups about the key priorities in providing support, in developing action plans, and in carrying them out.

The Residential Schools Interagency Committee will also plan for the first face-to-face NWT Residential Schools Interagency Committee meeting by May 2007.

Mr. Speaker, the Member asked a question regarding how the region in the North will be an active participant with the interagency residential schools committees.

The committees will ensure that residential school survivors' groups and other related agencies are informed and participate in the consultation and review of action plans.

I would like to invite Mr. Yakeleya to help facilitate the participation of residential school survivors on the interagency committee and to have their representative contact Ms. Judy Desjarlais at the Department of Education, Culture and Employment at 867-873-7900, or e-mail [email protected], who is establishing a contact list for participation on the interagency committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Lafferty on October 19, 2006, regarding GNWT funding for literacy programs.

The Member asked for a breakdown of the funds that the Government of the Northwest Territories provides to the NWT Literacy Council and whether the funds are committed on an annual basis. Each year, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment provides approximately $500,000 to the Literacy Council, including $96,000 for core services, and $400,000 for individual projects. Core services and projects are reviewed annually based on identified needs and priorities.

In 2005-2006, ECE provided $489,000 to the NWT Literacy Council. To date in 2006-2007, ECE has provided the NWT Literacy Council with $500,000.

The Member also asked for a breakdown of the funds that the GNWT provides for literacy programming, whether the funds are committed annually, and what communities benefit from the funding. Each year, ECE provides a total of $6 million for literacy programs, including $4 million to Aurora College, $500,000 to the NWT Literacy Council, $700,000 for community literacy projects, and another $850,000 to support aboriginal language literacy, community libraries, persons with disabilities, and research projects.

All communities benefit from literacy program funds. Aurora College has a formula that determines funding allocations for adult literacy and basic education programming in all NWT communities. Communities are also eligible to apply for funding under the community literacy development fund, learning support for persons with disabilities and aboriginal language literacy. These programs are driven by proposals. The community library fund has specifically benefited the communities of Hay River, Yellowknife, Inuvik, Fort Simpson, Hay River Reserve, Deline, Fort McPherson, Aklavik, Fort Good Hope, Fort Resolution and Ulukhaktok.

The Member asked a final question about the amount of core funding that the GNWT provides to the Literacy

Council. As I indicated earlier, ECE provides the NWT Literacy Council with $96,000 annually to provide core services. The rest of the funding is for identified and agreed to projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Villeneuve on October 20, 2006, regarding the sale of public housing initiative. Specifically, these questions related to the number of units sold to public housing clients over the past three years, and whether any of these units have been repossessed or have outstanding arrears.

Over the period in question, 16 public housing units have been sold under the sale of public housing initiative. Four of these units were sold to public housing clients.

As of January 31, 2007, no units sold under the sale of public housing initiative have been repossessed. Since the beginning of the initiative, only two clients have fallen into arrears under this initiative. One of these clients has repaid all outstanding arrears. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Ms. Lee on October 23, 2006, regarding the GNWT's analysis of Alternative North's Mackenzie gas project assessment.

The GNWT has conducted a review of the study and has determined that there were several errors in the model used, which had significant impacts on the results. Because of errors contained in the model, the study overestimates the potential revenue derived from the project. Alternatives North publicly acknowledged these errors during the November 7, 2006, session of the Joint Review Panel in Yellowknife.

While the GNWT will consider all pertinent information with respect to its discussions with the federal government on resource revenue sharing and devolution, it will continue to rely on the Wright Mansell report as the principle assessment of the economic impacts of the Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on October 24, 2006, regarding the seniors' home heating subsidy.

As well as answering the questions, general policy information is also provided in this response. The calculation of the SHHS involves a net income threshold and fuel consumption threshold. It does not include a fuel cost threshold. Senior homeowners' fuel subsidies are based on the actual cost of the fuel up to the established consumption limits. For example, where 4,000 litres of propane is proposed under the program, the SHHS program, not the senior, assumes the increased cost for fuel as the price goes up. The budget for the SHHS has been $525,000 and actual expenditures have recently exceeded the budget to the program. In 2005-06, we spent $1.1 million for SHHS resulting in an expenditure of $586,000 over the initial budget. We anticipate that we will again expend a similar amount on the SHHS in 2006-07.

The Member asked how the maximum amounts were developed for the subsidy, and how these amounts compare to the actual cost of heating the seniors' homes, including older and less efficient homes.

Fuel consumption thresholds were determined by a review of specific fuel types such as wood costs and propane costs. Thresholds were also determined by the average consumption in households located in three geographic zones within the Northwest Territories. For example, fuel consumption is less for Yellowknife, in zone 1, than the community of Fort McPherson, in zone 2. Older homes with greater consumption are factored into the average costs determined for the specific geographic zone, but are not considered in the calculation of individual subsidies. The actual management of fuel consumption is determined by the homeowner(s). The SHHS is intended to subsidize the cost of the home heating, but not to cover full costs. Covering full costs may mean that the program would not encourage energy efficiency.

The Member also asked about the rationale for rolling off the assistance by 25 percent as household income increases. Senior homeowners' fuel subsidies are determined by an assessment of net income. A lower income means residents need greater subsidy and support. To be fair, a formula is used to determine the relationship of subsidy to income. For example, senior homeowners in zone 1 with an income of $36,249 or less would receive 100 percent of the established subsidy threshold. A homeowner with an income of $37,499 would receive 75 percent of the threshold. Previously, the program provided the same subsidy to all seniors up to a single household income cutoff. A graduated reduction in the subsidy was recommended by Members of the Assembly.

You also asked about how the income thresholds were arrived at and how they compare with the actual incomes of the seniors. An income threshold based on cost of living data was set in 1992, with the initiation of the Seniors' Home Fuel Heating Subsidy Program. Initially the program was designed only to supplement the purchase of firewood so seniors could continue to stay in their homes during the winter season. The program was adjusted over the years in recognition that there are other heating sources used by seniors and to deal with the fact that the initial focus on firewood restricted the benefit to people living below the treeline. Most recently, for example, wood pellets were added to the list of heating fuels under the program subsidy. Education, Culture and Employment continues to review the SHHS on a regular basis to ensure fuel sources are kept current. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Ms. Lee on October 24, 2006, regarding WCB chronic pain policy.

Specific changes to legislation were requested to allow the Minister responsible to issue directives to the WCB

related to policy development, in particular a policy on chronic pain.

In March 2007, I will be introducing a bill to replace the current Workers' Compensation Act. This bill will clearly set out the roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities of the Minister, the Governance Council, the Workers' Compensation Board, and the Appeals Tribunal. The bill that will be presented will satisfy the recommendations of the Act Now report regarding transparency and accountability. The bill will also satisfy the Act Now's recommendation and the Auditor General's comments that the WCB remain independent from political influence.

With respect to the WCB chronic pain policy, the Governance Council is considering options for amending its policy at the February 13 to 16, 2007, meeting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Villeneuve on October 26, 2006, regarding affordable housing initiative plans. Specifically, the Member asked that the "new" affordable housing plans of the NWTHC be tabled, and that information be provided on changes and post-analysis.

Mr. Speaker, the Housing Corporation does not have a singular design for the homes to be constructed under the AHI. Rather, it has numerous designs on which construction plans are based that are then tailored to meet the specific needs of communities and those who will be residing in these dwellings. This allows the Housing Corporation to be flexible in targeting specific needs in communities and allows residents to have input into their new homes.

There are many innovative changes that can be incorporated into AHI dwellings. Primarily, public housing dwellings constructed under the AHI will be multi-configured, thus improving energy efficiency, reducing operations and maintenance costs, capitalizing on available developed land. There is no standard design for multi-unit buildings as multi-unit configured dwellings must be designed for each community based around the specific site on which development is planned.

Depending on the needs of individual clients, dwellings constructed under AHI may also include barrier-free features for persons with disabilities, modifications to allow seniors to live more independent lives, and new technologies designed to lower heating costs. Above all, the infusion of over 500 new affordable dwellings in NWT communities will target public housing units in need of replacement, and ease the transition to homeownership for qualified tenants of public housing.

The Housing Corporation will conduct an analysis in the near future to ensure that the designs have met their intended goal, and to identify other areas where floor plans can be modified to meet the needs of residents.

Later today, examples of floor plans that have been used in AHI construction during 2006-07 will be tabled. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a response to written question asked by Mr. Ramsay on October 26, 2006, regarding direct appointments, transfers and casual hires.

The number of direct appointments to the Government of the Northwest Territories' public service from April 1 to October 26, 2006, by department and agency, was 74. Most, 43 percent, were of interns and 23 percent were appointments of successful candidates of the Graduate Placement Program: health care and social workers. Other direct appointments involved women being appointed into non-traditional occupations and senior management, ministerial staff appointments, a person with severe disabilities and individuals in highly specialized, hard-to-recruit positions; for example, oil and gas.

Existing employees can be moved to another position without competition on a temporary basis. This is most commonly done by transfer assignment. Transfer assignments are a tool used by the Government of the Northwest Territories to provide employees with opportunities to broaden their work experience and gain knowledge of other departments/units with the organization.

These temporary work placements also allow the Government of the Northwest Territories to meet short-term human resource needs that cannot be met through the open competition process. Two hundred ninety transfer assignments were approved in the 2006 calendar year. Please note that one employee may go on more than one transfer assignment in a given year if operational requirements warrant it.

Casual hire numbers are challenging to provide as an individual may have multiple casual jobs during a year. About 11 percent of the Government of the Northwest Territories' workforce was a temporary hire during the 2006 calendar year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Braden on October 26, 2006, regarding chronic pain claimants.

Of the 39 claimants diagnosed with chronic pain, 17 have been resolved and closed, three are open and working toward a resolution, and 19 are receiving a pension for their original injury. Of the 19 on pension, four are also receiving ongoing temporary benefits related to chronic pain.

In response to the second question, the number of injured workers who have returned to work has increased from 23 to 29 since June 2006. Of the 29 who have returned to work, 24 have returned to the kind of work and pay that they had before being diagnosed. There are currently four appeals in process related to chronic pain: three for workers who have not yet returned to work, and one for a worker who returned to work but not at the same level.

In response to the third and final question, each case is looked at individually to consider all circumstances. It must first be determined if the worker is able to return to work without further treatment. Although most workers

return to their pre-accident employer, if the worker cannot return to their pre-accident employer, they may be eligible for the vocational rehabilitation process. If the worker returned to work and later requested to participate in pain management treatment it would be reconsidered.

If a worker declines to participate in treatment and they are unable to return to work, their benefits may be reduced or suspended according to policy 04.01. This policy states that an injured worker is required to undergo certain medical investigations or examinations and is obliged to cooperate fully in his/her recovery by taking reasonable measures to moderate the disability. If a worker does not comply with these measures, the WCB may first notify the worker of the actions he/she must take to meet these requirements, and then reduce or suspend the workers' compensation payments if the worker does not comply with the requirements in a reasonable time.

In relation to training, a worker is fully involved in their vocational rehabilitation process and participates in the creation of their plan. Under policy 05.01, if a plan is selected and then the worker does not participate, the WCB can cancel the training program and limit benefits to 13 weeks for job search. Prior to the commencement of the job search, workers receive up to two weeks of job seeking skills training along with the associated benefits. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Hawkins on October 27, 2006, regarding job application acknowledgement notice.

The Department of Human Resources acknowledges those applicants who submit their resumes by e-mail. Unfortunately, right now the department does not have the resources to acknowledge applicants who submit their resumes by post or fax as that process is much more time consuming and the volume of applications is in the thousands. As we migrate to version 8.9 of PeopleSoft, we will be implementing the E-recruit module that will generate a document acknowledging all applicants.

Mr. Hawkins also asked that a web page by set up that would provide the status of jobs, such as open competition, accepting applications, competition closed, screening, interviews, finished and appeal process.

There currently is a section of the Department of Human Resources' website -- linked to the Government of the Northwest Territories' site -- that lists all employment opportunities and the closing dates. However, the staffing process after this point is not linear. While a normal competition would move from screening to interviews to references and completion, this is often not the case. In keeping with the affirmative action policy, departments begin with interviewing affirmative action candidates. However, if none of these candidates is successful in interviews or have poor references, the process moves back to the screening stage. The same thing happens if an individual turns down the job at the offer stage or if a decision is made to consider individuals who do not fully meet the criteria. It would be very confusing for those not fully familiar with the recruitment process.

An applicant may contact his/her local human resource service centre at any time to inquire about the status of a particular competition. They will be advised whether a competition is still in process or not. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Braden on October 27, 2006, regarding consultation on the chronic pain policy.

The Governance Council will be amending its pain disorders policy to allow for the awarding of permanent pensions for pain disorders. The Governance Council will consider options for amending this policy at its February 13 to 16, 2007, meeting.

The Governance Council, recognizing the importance of consultation with stakeholders on this important topic, undertook a consultation in the form of focus group discussions and telephone interviews. These took place during the last week of November and the first two weeks of December 2006. Participants were representatives of employer and worker associations, the workers' advisor, members of the public, and injured workers who have pain disorders.

The focus groups and interviews initially dealt with background knowledge of the workers' compensation system, employer assessments, and benefits provided to workers. The discussion then dealt specifically with chronic pain syndrome and its impact upon injured workers and the benefits currently provided to them. Finally, the discussion focused on the appropriateness of a permanent pension for pain disorders and how other compensation boards and the American Medical Association guidelines rate this as an impairment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Ramsay on October 31, 2006, regarding Stanton Territorial Hospital Sleep Centre.

1. The department undertook a review of several factors for testing and treatment options for sleep apnea. A Sleep Disorder Advisory Committee considered the equipment, which Dr. Remmers of Calgary provides, and also worked with a consultant to develop the
2. options and assess the implications of the program models proposed by the committee. A copy of the consultant's report has been sent to the Member.
3. The working committee recommended an in-house sleep apnea program to be based at Stanton Territorial Hospital. However, funding for this recommendation was not available. As a result, the following arrangements have been established for the testing and treatment of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea:

- initial testing is undertaken in the regional centres of Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik;

- Stanton has arranged for this testing to be provided through a private contractor;

- the testing is an insured service under the NWT health care plan;

- an internal medicine specialist reviews the test results and, if needed, prescribes specialized equipment for treatment, such as continuous positive air pressure device or a bi-directional positive air pressure device;

- most northerners have a significant portion of the costs for these machines covered through their employer's insurance plan;

- First Nations and Inuit persons are covered under Health Canada's Non-Insured Health Benefits Program;

- the Department of Health and Social Services administers the Metis Health Benefits Program that covers the costs of eligible equipment for Metis northerners, and the Extended Health Benefits Program that covers the costs of eligible equipment for people 60 years and older; and

- the Specified Medical Conditions Program under the Extended Health Benefits Program covers the costs of the equipment for non-aboriginal northerners if the equipment is required for the treatment of a chronic condition under the program.

4. The coverage for this service is not different from the way health services are routinely administered in Canada. A physician makes a diagnosis and identifies the treatment plan for the patient. These services are insured services under the NWT health care plan. The NWT health care plan does not cover the treatment needs, such as prescription drugs or medical supplies of patients who are not in hospital. As a result, clients must pursue coverage of those costs through one of the programs noted above.
5. Stanton Territorial Hospital does not maintain detailed waitlist information for this service. However, the contractor has been able to respond to the demands for testing without significant delay.
6. Stanton has contracted out the services for sleep studies to a private contractor. The provision of sleep studies is shared between Stanton staff and a private contractor. Staff provide overnight oximetry and if this indicates that a full study is warranted, the full sleep study is ordered through the private contractor.
7. With respect to the Member's question on the clinical staffing review at Stanton Territorial Hospital, the consultant is completing the work for the report. When the report has been completed, it will be distributed to all stakeholders, including the union and the department.
8. Employees in health care professions have raised the issue of having their own bargaining unit within the Union of Northern Workers. Health care professionals believed that this would give them a better advantage in negotiating greater wages and benefits than other employees and further attract and retain individuals to health care professions in the North. However, negotiating differential pay and benefits for only their group would be a violation of equal pay requirements. This issue has been raised numerous times over the past two decades. The Department of Human Resources advises that multiple bargaining units and multiple agreements are not possible within the UNW. Provisions of relevant legislation do not contemplate bargaining units within the UNW other than those identified in s. 41. (1.4) of the Public Service Act. An employees' association, such as UNW, can initiate collective bargaining only on behalf of the members of a bargaining unit. Unless the UNW is representing a bargaining unit identified in s. 41. (1.4) of the Public Service Act, the Minister is under no obligation to bargain.
9. The relevant provisions of the present Public Service Act do not offend the freedom of association guaranteed by s. 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as determined by a Supreme Court of Canada decision in 1990. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.