Mr. Speaker, yes, there are several working groups headed up by deputies that are looking at various ways of achieving greater efficiencies in our government. I do not think that looking specifically at cuts is part of their mandate, but I think that as they look at how we can be more efficient as government departments, boards and agencies then I suppose some loss of jobs could occur. But we do not have a group looking specifically at cuts. We are looking at efficiencies though. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It will take some time for us to calculate exactly what the net benefit is, because that is complicated. There are a lot of elements to this budget. Many benefits will have to be negotiated with the other provinces.

In terms of the tax side, the change in the taxes, if that is what the Member is asking about specifically, the federal government reducing its taxes will result in a $3 million loss in personal income tax for our government. By the time we do the adjustment with the formula and the grant, then that is a $600,000 decrease in our revenue through taxation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the people in the Northwest Territories certainly benefit, as do all Canadians, in that there is a tax cut for wage earners both at the lower and middle income, as well as at the higher income.

In the case of lower and middle income, it is cutting the percentages down over a period of three or four years. In the case of higher income earners, there is a gradual reduction of the five percent surtax. However, over five years that would disappear. Mr. Speaker, that would be the main way people in the North will benefit.

In terms of businesses in the North, there is also a benefit in the corporate taxes are gradually being reduced as well. In the case of smaller businesses, the rate will decrease from 28 percent down to 21 percent in a fairly short period of time.

This, very broadly, is the impact benefit to our people. In terms of how the government benefits from this budget, it does not provide us with the money we had asked for and hoped to see in the budget. That money was primarily in the areas of health and social services, our social costs, and the ability that would give us for capacity building.

The other area, in terms of infrastructure; while there is a provision in the budget for some infrastructure money, it is not adequate to meet the kind of infrastructure that we need, particularly in transportation.

That would be the main impact. I could go on with some of the more minor adjustments that have been made in this budget to give us some benefit, but I will not get into all of these details unless it is the wish of the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The federal budget did announce a $2.5 billion, one-time adjustment to the Canada Health and Social Transfer. The Government of the Northwest Territories' share of that money, as the Member has noted, is approximately $3.4 million. This is one-time money. That money is to cover health, social costs and post-secondary education.

Mr. Speaker, our ongoing costs are higher than that. The amount of the adjustment is not enough to meet the increasing expenses we face in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The $100 million that is being referred to is $100 million divided between the three northern territories. The $100 million dollars is a result of the normal adjustments that are made to the territorial grants under the current formula. It is money that has already been accounted for in our estimates. It is not new-found money, it is simply an adjustment that is made to the grant for this year and for previous years. Mr. Speaker, there is no new money as a result of that $100 million adjustment. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to speak about the Northern Leaders Forum that will be held in Whitehorse on March 4, 2000. Premier Okalik from Nunavut, Government Leader Piers McDonald from the Yukon and Premier Kakfwi will meet on that day to discuss further action on issues that are common to all three of the northern territories.

The Northern Cooperation Accord was signed in August, 1999. The accord outlines the principles under which our three territories cooperate and some of the areas in which mutual benefits can result from working in tandem. The accord, however, only captures in writing what has traditionally been done by Northerners for many years. Although the three territories each have their own unique circumstances, Northerners have worked together for many years, and on numerous issues. Northerners understand Northerners.

This upcoming meeting provides another chance for the three northern leaders to exchange ideas and set priorities. The issue of governance is common to all three territories. The Yukon has been working toward assuming the responsibilities being devolved from the federal government. Nunavut has had almost one full year as a new government in a new territory. Here in the Northwest Territories, we are advancing land claims and self-government and are solidly supporting the government to government to government process. Although the three territories are dealing with different approaches to governance, it is a common issue to all of us.

Given our mutual status as territories, all three northern governments deal with the federal government on fiscal issues in a manner distinct from the provinces. That relationship is a critical one, given escalating costs and mounting pressures on Northern budgets. We look to each other to learn what advances have been made in each individual jurisdiction that may benefit the others. As well, economic development is of critical concern to all of us.

Within our own country, the three northern territories have much to gain when common issues with common positions can be brought to forums such as the Western Premiers' Conference and Annual Premiers' Conference.

More globally, all three northern territories must cope with a changing and shrinking world. Climate changes are showing their effects on the North. We need to address that. The North forms a large part of the circumpolar world. The activities and developments of our international neighbours are becoming increasingly important to us, for instance, environmental concerns, transportation patterns, shared economic development and the role of Canada in a North that includes other countries.

Mr. Kakfwi is looking forward to meeting with his fellow territorial leaders to discuss these issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, certainly there would be.

Mr. Chairman, I am not aware of any situations like that. I did hear stories about people doing that at one time, just on the street. If there is any information that is available on those kind of circumstances, I am sure the Housing Corporation would be more than happy to check it out.

Mr. Chairman, I do not know exactly what the Housing Corporation is doing. They do have the capacity, through the Corporation itself and their housing associations, to be tracking and monitoring all of the various programs they operate. I expect they are monitoring this one to ensure people are complying with the guidelines.

As we said yesterday, we would be very happy to make available to the Members the evaluation that was done of this program. Thank you.