The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Human Resources. I’d like to ask the Minister along the lines of the questions from the honourable Member for Nahendeh: what is the motivation behind making unreasonable offers to affected employees under the staff retention policy? Thank you.

Minister of Human Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don’t know where the Member got the unreasonable offer. There are no unreasonable offers that are made to the employees. Thank you.

I have letters from the deputy ministers that indicate, right on there, that this is considered an unreasonable offer. My question is: why? What is the motivation behind that type of offer to individuals? Individuals are affected. During the Staff Retention Policy, the Government of Northwest Territories tries to retain staff, good staff, long-term staff. What would the motivation of offering those members of the public service an unreasonable offer?

I’m not aware of any unreasonable offers. I would be pleased if the Member would share his letters with me.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my statement yesterday, they were getting into the season of winter road closure and looking forward to the barging season. Our session will start at the end of May and, just weeks prior to that or after that, we’ll get into the sailing season. My question is to the Minister of Public Works on the sailing and preparation steps here for the barging season: what sailing schedules, if any, have been done so far for the Sahtu communities? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Public Works and Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For Members of this House and those listening, if you look on the Public Works website, there is a tentative sailing season already posted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That would mean that the operational schedule has taken into account and is monitoring the water levels, in particular, between Norman Wells and Fort Good Hope? It could be challenging with the two sets of rapids in that area, and the fuel quantum going to Fort Good Hope and Tulita. Is that part of the first sailing season in June?

We cannot control the levels of the river. We are hoping that this year has a good sailing season. As far as what deliveries are going to be scheduled out initially for fuel delivery to the Members' ridings, I would have to get that information and get back to him.

Seeing that the public owns these assets here, are there any additional benefits such as subsidized freight rates that the customers could realize by this government owning the property, subsidy benefits?

We have no plans to have subsidized freight rates. I believe that the purchase of us buying these assets has helped lock down uncertainty that would have been brought to this industry and supplies to the northern regions of the Northwest Territories. I cannot tell you exactly what the rates are, but I believe, I think, we are following the rates from the previous sailing season.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question is: if there is going to be any reductions in our operating from the previous owner in the costs of doing so, and if there is room for reduced benefits seeing and the rate price per freight, would that information be provided to me, please? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we move forward, how we are going to operate the marine division, we will be definitely updating committee on revenues versus expenses, and we will have a look at all that stuff moving forward.

Masi. Oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and Special Committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled "Northwest Territories Tourism Marketing Plan 2017/18." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Tabling of Documents, Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled "Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000, April 1 to December 31, 2016."

Masi. Tabling of Documents, Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents entitled "Northwest Territories Power Corporation Capital Spending Budget 2016-2017," "Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 670-18(2): New Generators for Yellowknife Power Plant," and "Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 590-18(2): Land Use Plans." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.