Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is addressed to the Minister of Renewable Resources in reference to my earlier statement about the amalgamation of the departments. I wonder if the Minister could tell me if the report that he will be releasing on Friday to the Members outlines the benefits and directions of amalgamation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to address the proposed combining of the Department of Renewable Resources with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. As a Member of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development, I was informed by the Minister and departmental officials that a report would be issued back to the standing committee outlining the purpose and implications of combining these departments.

Yesterday, the Minister responsible for Renewable Resources, ED&T, EM&PR, stated that a report would be forthcoming this Friday. Concern about this issue has been expressed to me by a number of constituents. I have also received a letter from the NWT Enviro Watch about this. While it may be true that practically every government department has something in common with every other department, it may be that perhaps the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has, in some instances, fundamentally different priorities than Renewable Resources. One promotes industry while the other protects the environment in which that industry operates.

Consequently, without prejudging the positiveness or the negative impact of such a move, I think we should carefully review the combining of these various departments and that Members of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development should have proper time to review the amalgamation proposal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

No, thank you.

The reason for my question, Mr. Chairman, is I wanted to know if the Minister may be able to project what the deficit projection looks like for next year.

I may have jumped the gun. I meant in terms of the total territorial budget, what the projected O and M is and what the projected capital expenditure is.

Before we go to the total figure, I would like to know if the Minister may have a total of the projected O and M for the coming year and a total of the capital.

Mr. Chairman, I wonder if I could be given the figure of the total budget for the year for the Department of Health and Social Services.

Could the Minister confirm if he said this was the full commitment for the year?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to file a petition with respect to the public service lay-offs and wage reductions. The petitioners request that MLAs oppose the government's initiatives to cut positions and roll back wages of UNW members. Petition No. 3-13(3) has been signed by 17 people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.