Thank you, Mr. Speaker. His statement indicates that the cause of this early closure is due to an act of God. It is the warm temperature. I wonder if the Minister could say it is 100 percent an act of God and not the overuse and heavy traffic volume on that ice bridge?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question has to do with the statement that the Minister responsible for Transportation made earlier today with respect to the early closure of the ice bridge.

Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned about this record-breaking time in the ice bridge closure. It is two weeks ahead of the earliest time we have. It is going to have serious impacts on the residents of Yellowknife and surrounding areas, as well the businesses. There are schools going up and they have to get the supplies in. I was wondering if the Minister could inform this House, seeing that the statement probably was written earlier, I wonder if he could give us the absolute latest on when he expects the ice bridge to close. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Bob Doherty, the executive director of the Manufacturers' Association. I believe he is up there with another person, who I am assuming is Allison Barr, who I believe works for the association. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today in the Great Hall, the Northern Manufacturers' Association, in partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories Regulatory Reform Secretariat helped launch the Canadian Standards Strategy. I would like to take this opportunity to speak a little about this Association and highlight the good work it is doing.

The Northern Manufacturers' Association was formed in 1997, Mr. Speaker, to improve the competitiveness of territorial manufacturers and to develop a strong and vibrant northern manufacturing industry. It also serves as a voice for the northern manufacturers. Its membership has grown from nine original members to over 40 members in just over a year. It currently represents communities all over the North, including Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, northern manufacturers produce a wide range of products, everything from clothing, accessories, furniture, windows, log homes, fiberglass, steel tanks and paper products, to name a few. In this House, Mr. Speaker, we often speak about the need to diversify our economy. I strongly believe that the manufacturing industry is a key to our diversification potential.

The northern manufacturing businesses contribute to our economy in a very strong and direct way. They create a wide array of jobs and foster a strong community sprit in the process. More manufacturing in the North means less imported goods. It also means enhancing our northern economy by exporting our goods to the markets world over.

Already, Mr. Speaker, our manufacturers export our products not only to the rest of Canada but to international markets such as Russia, the Far East, Japan and Alaska. Most importantly Mr. Speaker, northern manufacturers are homegrown. They live and work in the North. They know the consumers, and they know how to produce products that meet the standards necessary for the rigors of the northern climate and conditions.

Mr. Speaker, may I close this statement by saying the association deserves our support and northern businesses need our commitment to do everything we can to help them grow and prosper. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Committee members were concerned with the ongoing costs for staff housing. The committee was of the understanding that the government was predicting to be out of the staff housing program years ago. The Minister will provide the committee with an inventory of all staff housing units, their locations, their respective appraised values and maintenance costs.

Financial Information System

The committee noted that GHRS, Government Human Resources System, and HRIS, Human Resources Information System components of the FIS recording system formerly utilized by the government, have now been replaced with the new PeopleSoft system. Committee members were concerned why additional funding has been requested for the FIS program. The government accounting activity requested $65,000 in funding for FIS maintenance and contract report.

The Minster, at the request of the committee, will determine if the proposed funding for FIS is for the entire fiscal year or for the interim period and report back to the committee.

That concludes the committee's comments, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee met with the chair of the Financial Management Board Secretariat and his staff on March 16, 2000 to review the proposed 2000-2001 interim appropriation for the department. The committee made note of the following issues.

Continuing Legal Costs

Committee members were concerned about continuing legal costs for equal pay litigation, pension reform and collective bargaining. The committee asked the Minister how long we would continue to incur legal costs to settle the aforementioned issues. The Minister explained that the pay equity settlement is still being negotiated with PSAC. The government is under the understanding that 83 percent of the potential litigants have reached settlement and a further $33 million may be necessary to reach settlements with the remainder. However, the union is of the position that the settlements are partial payments and the final, overall settlement should be $300 million.

The proposed funding for research and consultation surrounding the pension reform issue is a one-time activity and collective bargaining will always be an ongoing process.

Pension Reform

The committee was also concerned with the funding necessary for pension reform and succeeding fiscal years to ensure the superannuation plan for Government of the Northwest Territories employees is fully funded. The Minister replied that the government is working with the union on cost-effective alternatives to the current pension scheme.

PeopleSoft

Committee members were also concerned with the additional funding requested for the PeopleSoft program. The department informed the committee that the proposed funding is for system upgrades and to fulfill the remainder of the government's contract obligations for PeopleSoft.

Tangible Capital Assets

The committee was concerned with further requests for funding for the tangible capital assets reporting system. Committee members commented that most government departments might not have the qualified staff to ensure their contribution to the valuation and reporting process is met. The Minister replied that the system would be up and running and auditable by March 31, 2001. He further added that departments have qualified staff to complete the necessary tasks for the program. Furthermore, he explained that this initiative might be an ongoing item as the government continually procures or divests infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister's answer. I wonder if I could confirm that he is taking this question as notice and he will respond to us in writing so that I can make it available to my constituents? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if the Minister could assure the House as to whether there is ongoing monitoring by his department or the federal officials responsible, to monitor and to make sure there is no harmful arsenic being transported. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today goes to Minister Kakfwi, and it is in response to enquiries that I have received from concerned parents in Yellowknife. It is regarding the possibility of arsenic being carried in the transportation trucks between Giant Mine and Miramar Con Mine. I believe there is a great deal of information on this, and I wonder if the Minister could inform us as to whether there is any dangerous arsenic being carried in the trucks carrying ore between the mines.