Thank you, Mr. Chair. I notice that there's a reduction in another position at Deh Cho. Please explain what position this was. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister.

The update on that position was a transfer from the Deh Cho to the North Slave region.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson.

So the position was in the Deh Cho and they moved it to North Slave, is that correct?

Mr. Minister.

Yes, that's correct.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson.

I thank the Minister for that. However, I guess my question is: how come this information wasn't brought to our attention previously? One of the positions was cut, now this is the first time I'm seeing it and I'm seeing it in the business plans here. So the information we're getting about cuts, are they only full-time positions, is that the information, and that half-time positions are just showing up? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister.

As I mentioned earlier, in terms of when we're doing reductions on positions it's always tough when we always look at the best scenario, that if a position is moved that other people in that department or in that division can actually take up the work that needs to be done.

With this particular position it was a vacant position. They moved that position to the North Slave. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Just to clarify. This position's moved into North Slave, which is a Yellowknife office, correct? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister.

Yes, it's moved into here in Yellowknife; as I mentioned, but the North Slave they cover other communities as well, yes.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So when are we going to find this information out, about half-time positions that are being moved? We have to look at the budget and we have to research to find this information? Because this is now two positions within your department that have been either deleted with reductions or transferred, and which is two positions in my riding. So I'd like to get that clarified please. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister.

he regular process when we get to where we are today with main estimates, a review of the business plans and what's going to be proposed in the main estimates is done, a business planning review. We did go before committee with all reductions, all the information was given there. As well, in terms of some of the discussions, in terms of whether we're going to give updates on employees that have been affected, we committed to that and we also committed to the positions and areas from the questions that were asked earlier. So the process is we do present all this information at business plans before we get to the main estimates here today. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson.

I thank the Minister for his answer, but I regretfully disagree. Like, I mean, at no point in time was I aware that these positions were going to be cut. Anything we receive from the finance department was in there. So I guess I'll be more diligent in listening and looking at business plans from now on. I'm a little bit disappointed, you know, right now I've lost 1.5 positions in my riding, and two from this department or one full-time position if you look at the two halves. So I didn't see it anywhere and I apologize. I guess I must apologize to my riding, because if I've missed it, it's something I'm kind of disappointed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, and we'll take that as a comment. Thank you.

Any further questions? Seeing none, moving on.

Page 62, Education, Culture and Employment, income security, operations expenditure summary, activity total, $47,578,000. Questions? Mr. Testart.