Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Considering that this came before the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development, I wonder if the Minister can give us assurance that it will also be referred, with justification, implications and so forth, back to the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development.

I have a further question on that to the Minster of the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Speaker. When will their consultations with the stakeholders take place?

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I will address my question to the Minister of the Workers' Compensation Board again in this instance. Will the government give assurance that they will consult the stakeholders with regard to the implications, the benefits and the reasons for the transfer?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will address my question to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. With regard to the transfer of occupational health and safety and mine safety from Safety and Public Services department to the Workers' Compensation Board, could the Minister please advise me as follows: Has an actuarial cost and benefit analysis been done with regard to the transfer?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for Safety and Public Services with regard to the transfer of occupational health and safety and mine safety from the Department of Safety and Public Services to the Workers' Compensation Board. Would the Minister of that department please advise me as follows:

Has an actuarial cost and benefit analysis been done with regard to the proposed transfer?

With regard to the NWT transfer, I understand that no actuarial review has been done to enable employers and workers, the stakeholders, to determine what the financial impact will be nor has a benefit analysis been done. My concerns are as follows: That I am misinformed on the information supplied to me; that stakeholders are paying for this; that stakeholders have not been made aware of this; that stakeholders have no say in this. Later today, I will be asking several questions with regard to the proposed transfer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak on the proposal by the government to transfer occupational health and safety from the Department of Safety and Public Services to the Workers' Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories. The proposed transfer includes mine safety and, I understand, may include the Labour Standards Board.

During the review of the business plan of the Department of Safety and Public Services by the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development, a recommendation went forward that the transfer of occupational health and safety not proceed until further information, rationalization and justification could be provided back to the standing committee. To date, this has not been provided.

During the review, committee Members were advised by departmental officials and the Minister that in most other jurisdictions, namely the provinces, the workers' compensation boards have responsibility for occupational health and safety, including mine safety. In the last several days, a number of organizations have expressed concern to me about the government's plans. These organizations are: the NWT Chamber of Mines; the NWT Chamber of Commerce; the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce; the NWT Construction Association; and, the NWT Association of Municipalities.

In the standing committee meetings, I was told that boards in all other jurisdictions in Canada have responsibility for occupational health and safety. Now I am told by some of the stakeholders that only four other boards in Canada have responsibility for occupational health and safety: Quebec; BC; Yukon; and, New Brunswick. The level of powers differ in each case.

I am also told that the levels of power and responsibility vary with each jurisdiction. None of them administer labour standards. Mine safety is the responsibility held by some WCBs but, again, the level of power and responsibility varies. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The association has noted that upcoming changes in the NWT compel municipal governments to address certain issues. I would ask the Deputy Premier, will our representatives be addressing the membership of the association on the subjects of transfer of powers to communities, impact of aboriginal self-government on municipalities, and the impact of division on municipalities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Deputy Premier. The NWT Association of Municipalities is holding its annual general meeting in Inuvik this weekend. The theme is community empowerment. Since the initiative for this concept originated in the Legislative Assembly, I would like to ask the Deputy Premier, in the absence of the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, are there any Members of Cabinet who will be attending this important meeting?