Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'm pleased to present the main estimates for the executive office program of the Department of the Executive. I would like to begin by responding to the Standing Committee on Finance's recommendations that the Premier assume responsibility for initiating transition planning in order that the next government enter into office with a blueprint for action and decision-making.

Work on this document has begun and will be completed prior to the dissolution of the 12th Legislative Assembly. It will build upon those subject areas outlined in the SCOF report and will contain sections on major accomplishments and objectives of the current government and Legislative Assembly; major recommendations and observations of the Standing Committees on Finance, Legislation, Agencies, Boards and Commissions and the Special Joint Committee on Division; spending priorities and strategies; bills and policies which are in preparation and ready for Cabinet consideration; other organizational reviews and options; and, status of and strategy for intergovernmental initiatives and negotiations.

As this document will cover a wide array of issues, I will be writing to committee chairmen to ask for their input. I accept the Standing Committee on Finance's offer of assistance and have asked the Minister of Finance to coordinate that aspect of the document. The need for a fiscal plan was highlighted in the federal budget in cuts that are being made across the board, for example, in the federal government's final offer on the Canada-Northwest Territories official languages agreement.

As Members will recall, the federal government responded to our initial renewal proposal of $30 million with a $9 million counter offer. Through hard work and pressure by the GNWT and our two MPs, their offer was subsequently raised to $16 million last summer, $18 million last fall and, finally, $20 million this winter. The $20 million is composed of two parts, $18 million in the agreement, itself and $2 million in new community-based aboriginal culture initiatives.

While we are disappointed that we were unable to secure higher funding levels, the terms and conditions of the documents are a considerable improvement over past agreements. For example, administrative flexibility has been greatly enhanced by allowing transfers between projects, appendices and fiscal years; easier approval mechanisms; and, fewer reporting requirements. These changes meet many of the recommendations and observations of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions and the Official Languages Commissioner. They will also allow us to cover all costs incurred during the 1994-95 fiscal year.

Prior to federal Cabinet consideration of the division issue, the GNWT will submit to the Minister of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and the federal Minister of Finance, a detailed position paper on division. This document will cover financial, administrative transition training and infrastructure issues and the impact on both territories. We will be working closely with the special joint committee on this matter.

One area which is being allocated additional funds is the women's grants program. These grants provide funds to women's groups at the community level to facilitate workshops, attendance at conferences and special projects. These groups are an active part of the community wellness strategy and the increase from $50,000 to $100,000 should assist in the number of projects undertaken.

The department's other contribution program is also undergoing change. As Members will note, the total amount of funding for regional councils have been reduced to reflect councils which have disbanded and chosen new ways of bringing forward regional views.

The department is developing a policy to address assistance for regional leadership meetings, which will be in place this year and will provide funding for a maximum of two meetings per year. Funding for ongoing regional councils will be frozen for 1995-96 at the previous year's level.

The other reductions in the regional office budget totals $463,000, an accommodation of staff changes resulting in a combined total of nine fewer person years. The trend over the past number of years has resulted in most departments establishing a greater presence in the communities leading to less and less demand being made on government liaison officers and clerical staff supported by the Department of Executive.

In addition, other government initiatives such as the transfer of responsibility of housing to the Housing Corporation on June 1st and community transfer initiatives have all resulted in much less demand being placed on our departmental staff.

Mr. Chairman, the need for the Department of Executive administrative and clerical support in western communities is virtually non-existent. In the eastern Arctic communities outside of the community of Arctic Bay, which also serves Nanisivik, the ongoing support of the Executive of more than one-half person year in each community is no longer needed. The budget about to be presented for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 1995 addresses these changes through the elimination of half-time positions in three regions. Community representation will still be maintained in all communities as in the past, only at a lesser level.

This decision does not in any way reflect on the many years of valuable service provided by the incumbents. In fact, I continue to hold that the individuals affected will decide to accept the new part-time positions.

It should be noted that in several communities such as Cape Dorset, Holman, Gjoa Haven and Pelly Bay, discussions are under way to transfer the role of GLOs to the hamlet councils. They will receive a financial contribution and the ongoing support of the regional director in fulfilling the necessary activities. We are also exploring the option of putting those funds into the MACA budget to be included in the municipalities' operating budgets for ease in administration by both the GNWT and the hamlets.

I would now like to briefly address the Standing Committee on Finance recommendations 10, 11 and 12. The first states that:

Recommendation 10

"The committee recommends that the Premier ensure that sufficient resources are provided to the government's office in Ottawa to enable the government to increase its presence in the nation's capital, so as to ensure that the Northwest Territories is adequately represented in discussions regarding financial, constitutional, self-government, and other important issues."

This recommendation must be read in conjunction with number 11, which states that:

Recommendation 11

"The committee recommends that in the next government, the duties of the Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Ministry be divided; and further, that the next Premier assume responsibility for the intergovernmental affairs responsibilities."

The committee, quite rightly, points out that the decision to merge Intergovernmental Affairs with Aboriginal Rights and Constitutional Development Secretariat dates to the Charlottetown Accord days when the constitutional agenda was at the forefront of public debate and required a comprehensive approach to political and constitutional development. The Minister responsible is reviewing this matter.

The final recommendation directed to me, as Premier, is number 12 which states:

Recommendation 12

"The committee recommends that amendments to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act that would give the Premier the authority to discipline and dismiss Ministers be prepared and introduced at the current session."

I agree with this recommendation and legislation has been introduced. I look forward to answering your questions on the budget for the Executive offices for the fiscal year 1995-96. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think that sometimes the work of the personnel that we have in the various departments really needs a little bit of support like that and I would like to thank the Member for acknowledging good work when good work is being done. Thank you.

Staffing

Mr. Chairman, outside of Yellowknife and at the other regional centre, education committees will be coordinating, with the support of Personnel, to make sure that...Because we are not in Yellowknife, there isn't a centre where students can go to get the support and the back-up to be channelled into the jobs that will be available. It is not as big of a set up as Yellowknife, but through Personnel and ECE, we feel that that can be handled.

Mr. Chairman, the way we would try to work with the area of responsibility of student hiring is in a partnership with the chamber. We will also be working with Human Resources Development Canada and they will be providing the funding for the operating cost.

That's correct. Mr. Chairman, I would like Mr. Bohnet to clarify in case I have forgotten something.

Mr. Chairman, my understanding is it does not make any changes at all.

Mr. Chairman, the only fundamental change is their financial administration would come from the Executive. Other than that, the secretariat, because it is a secretariat does not have to have all of the components and trappings of a department and it is very much more of a focused section under the Executive. It isn't advocated that there is a change in the job function, other than what has been transferred on housing and that would be a more focused section for Personnel.

Mr. Chairman, placing casuals has been part of the responsibility. And we will continue to, there is no plan to change that. So, the secretariat of Personnel would continue to place casuals.

Mr. Chairman, we didn't, at this time, contemplate a commission. Perhaps it is something that will have to be contemplated in the next government, but right at this point in time, we are not contemplating setting up a commission.

The secretariat is within the Executive which would be providing support and ongoing monitoring at the will of the Legislative Assembly and direction of this Assembly. The secretariat will still be doing the hiring and staffing. So there is no intention to change the staffing process within the secretariat. We will still be adhering to the appeal process that has been established from the time the honourable Member had been the Minister responsible and instituted a strong appeal process. So that will still be established, we are not advocating taking that away.