Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [translation not provided].

Mr. Speaker due to reductions, the layoff of staff has created real issues for people of the NWT. Several people working for the GNWT were told the GNWT no longer needs their service. Meanwhile, the GNWT continues to fill jobs. Mr. Speaker, as a hypothetical example, the GNWT places more value on hiring a young engineer from Toronto than keeping a young mother from the North in their job. This young mother serves as a key to the entire extended family. She uses her income to help her extended family. Mr. Speaker, the layoff of employees has a negative effect on more people than just the immediate family and the employee.

Mr. Speaker, the person relocates outside the NWT with four members of their family for 80 per cent of their salary for one year to go to school. What are they going to do after that? They can't become an engineer, and the job at the GNWT is no longer needed. Mr. Speaker, the government will have assurances that a bridge or a highway will be completed a year earlier. Don't get me wrong, Mr. Speaker; it is good that we have young, bright engineers working for us, but it should not be at the expense of our families in the North.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT does not have the socio-economic analyses of the impact of this type of decision. When we make decisions to lay off people, we must be fully aware of what those decisions do to our families and the NWT in general. Mr. Speaker, under this scenario the government would save $90,000 in salary but give up about $130,000 in federal transfer payments, plus will carry the full costs of financing for the people who are left behind, the extended family that was getting assistance from this young mother as the main income earner. Do this a few times and we will have to hire a few income support officers, social workers, housing officers, and nurses to support the families. Mr. Speaker, in addition the entire family could be lost in the system down south.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted