Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister inform us...there has been some talk for some time now about the centre being closed down or turned into open custody. Can the Minister inform the House where we are on that, if there is any definite date set for that taking place?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has informed us that these students are in training. The fact is that these students are displacing employees at the centre right now. What assurances can the Minister give us that this is not creating an unsafe practice at the centre?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister inform the House as to how many full-time positions at the centre are vacant at this time?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Antoine. As I stated in my Member's statement, there is a considerable amount of uneasiness among employees at the young offenders' facility in Hay River. Full-time positions are being filled with casual employees. Casuals are being replaced with students. Supervisory positions are being filled with casuals when needed on a minute's notice.

Does the Minister have first-hand knowledge on the staffing policy at the centre in Hay River?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to raise an issue in this House today that is affecting a number of my constituents. The issue, Mr. Speaker, concerns the young offenders' facility in Hay River and how it is being staffed.

This government-run facility is recognized as needing a certain number of full-time jobs. However, half of these positions are being filled with part-time employees. For a number of years, the administration has elected to fill these positions with casual employees. I assume, Mr. Speaker, that this is happening under the direction of this government.

This situation does nothing as far as giving employees job security and affecting their ability to advance in their chosen field, to say nothing of workplace morale.

Mr. Speaker, this situation has been compounded by recent staffing changes that have taken place. Employees who have been working as full-time casual have had their job classification changed and have been replaced with students who have very little training.

I feel this creates an unsafe practice. Indeed, it sets up the possibility of instances that could have very serious consequences. Mr. Speaker, if this government can hire negotiators for indefinite periods of time, even when it is unknown whether they will be needed more than two or three times a year, surely we can give employees job security by filling full-time positions with full-time employees. At the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister some questions in this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to point out that I am wondering if the government can make a statement such as this, that they are maintaining service levels to provide it to the northern people, and still maintain cuts to tax-based communities. How can they justify a statement such as this? Maybe the Minister could clarify that when they are cutting funds to tax-based communities, they can blame the tax-based communities for lowering their services rather than blaming the government for it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister tell me what guarantees are in place that there will be no further cuts to tax-based communities where tax-based communities are providing services for this government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was under the impression that during the interim appropriation we had managed to hold that cut to block funding, to reverse the decision on that. I am assuming that the Minister is saying that those block funding cuts will still be in place. What is the Minister's interpretation of those cuts, as to how it affects maintaining the levels of services to our people and our economy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I listened to the Budget Address yesterday quite closely. I was interested in one comment that was made by the Finance Minister, and I would like to read a short paragraph out of it, if I could.

"Given our fiscal position, the fact that we are able to maintain the service levels we currently enjoy is an achievement worth noting. We are maintaining the levels of services provided to Northerners, and investing where we can to get maximum returns on the future for both our people and our economy."

Can I assume from that, Mr. Speaker, that the Minister of Finance is clarifying that there will be no tax cuts to tax-based communities, or no block funding cuts to tax-based communities?