Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I will be tabling in this House several petitions from my constituency of lqaluit and other communities in Nunavut against the amendments to the Public Service Act. Mr. Speaker, I spoke against the proposed act in this House

earlier in the week, and, Mr. Speaker, unanimous consent at that time was not there.

Mr. Speaker, I think that putting the proposed amendments to the act to the Standing Committee on Government Operations, which I have the privilege of sitting on, was the correct process. Mr. Speaker, over the past days, I've been called a unionist. Mr. Speaker, I am and I do not deny this. However, I do understand the principle of the bill and I've tried to articulate this in and out of this House.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the Government Operations committee had the opportunity to seek input from the two major stakeholders on this issue, and I thank all of my constituents who have phoned arid faxed me to let me know that I had their support. I would also like to thank my fellow brother and sister MLAs for their support. Thank you.

I understand that, Mr. Speaker. My question was and still is, is there a mechanism in place outlining how much of the total cost? Let's say the cost was $100 million. Would the GNWT be expected to pay $60 million of that, for example? I would like to see in these tough fiscal times, what the amounts would be owed by this government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what is the percentage or is there a framework in place for percentage to be paid by the GNWT? Let's say, for example, a 60/40 split or something like that with the federal government. What is the mechanism in place for that?

Mr. Speaker, I guess the total cost, and I'll have a supplemental on the percentage.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance. Mr. Speaker, what is the estimated figure for the incremental cost for division?

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I do understand the process, but I've received word that some of these affected people have been told to get their resumes updated and they'll be gone on March 31st. So somewhere down the line, that information is not being passed. I agree with you that the business plans aren't completed and there may be changes. I think we have to inform our staff of that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Personnel. The Premier has announced the downsizing and amalgamation of different departments. I have received several calls from affected constituents. When will the affected employees be notified of possible lay-off, et cetera? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the coordination and professionalism of the ground search team from Iqaluit, Mr. Simon Nattaq who kept watch at the floe edge and kept radio contact with the search and rescue people in Iqaluit, the Canadian Air Force Hercules crew and Canadian Helicopters based in Iqaluit.

Mr. Speaker, during this operation, the Honourable Manitok Thompson, Minister of MACA, kept me informed and up to date on the progress of the operation in Iqaluit and I thank her for that.

Mr. Speaker, I wear my tie proudly today in recognition of Jerry Ell and his brother, John, and the search and rescue people in Iqaluit and the Ell family. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the honourable Member for Baffin Central spoke about receiving his tie from the Premier. Today, I'm proud to say that I'm wearing the tie given to me by Mr. Jerry Ell of Iqaluit. Yesterday, after an intense search and rescue in Iqaluit with Hercules aircraft and helicopters, my friend and official agent of my election, Jerry Ell, and his brother, John, were plucked off the ice floe on Frobisher Bay; safely, I might add.