Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Anything further, Mr. Hawkins?
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I only speak for myself in a context that's hypothetical, but I know that if I were the Minister of Human Resources, I would fight to get them on the books.
I would find it odd. I think we’re challenged, as Regular Members on this side, when we hear that you’re funding unestablished positions — in the formal context, when I call it that — and we’re not funding them properly. One could then beg to argue, “Well, if you can get by at a certain percentage short, why can’t everyone else get by?”
I just find it odd that these positions aren’t on the books, and I’d like to know why. For us to get the real picture of what’s happening over there, I think it also starts with the fact that we should know how many people are truly in that department, and then it falls out as to how are we paying them.
As I said — more tongue in cheek — this is a shining example. It seems to be an example that we’re shuffling resources in order to pay people that aren’t on the books. I don’t think that’s right. That’s not a good practice of showing our true accounting.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Would the Minister like to respond?
Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I explained, I’m not saying it’s right, either. I’m just saying that when positions were transferred into the amalgamated Department of HR, they weren’t fully funded. A lot of them were funded at 50 per cent; a lot of them were funded at 75 per cent. In order to fund some of the positions that were at the top of their pay level, we couldn’t afford to fill some of these positions, so they’re vacant positions with no funding attached to them.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. I wonder if Mr. Hawkins would hand over one last question, being mindful of the clock here. You have 12 seconds left if you insist on going forward.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My last question for the Minister at this time is: would he provide the details of every single position that's in Human Resources so that we have it amply clear on how they're funded? The Minister did note that some positions are funded, I would assume, properly, which is at the normal 100 per cent, but he cited that there seem to be positions not funded properly.
As well, could he provide the detail as to every single position, whether they're term, a ghost position, whether they're real or not real? I want to make sure all these positions are accounted for properly. If he could provide that detail, that would be splendid.
We can provide that information. I think the Member should be aware that as a government we go through a regular exercise of trying to stay on top of the unfilled, vacant positions. Some are set up for administrative reasons. It's an issue that we have to constantly update.
Thank you, Minister McLeod. Again, we're running out of time for the day. Does the committee wish to rise and report progress?
Mr. Chairman, I would like to move that we report progress.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Motion is in order, not debatable.
Motion carried.
Could I have the report of Committee of the Whole, please, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Tabled Document 37-16(2), Main Estimates 2008–2009, Volumes 1 and 2, and Committee Report 5-16(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2008–2009 Draft Main Estimates, and would like to report progress.
Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. A motion is on the floor. Do we have a seconder for the motion? The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
Motion carried.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that Bill 4, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, be read for the third time.
Bill 4 has had third reading.
Motion carried; Bill 4, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, read a third time.
I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 7, Securities Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 7 has had third reading.
Motion carried; Bill 7, Securities Act, read a third time.
Orders of the Day for Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 1:30 p.m.:
Prayer
Ministers' Statements
Members' Statements
Returns to Oral Questions
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Acknowledgements
Oral Questions
Written Questions
Returns to Written Questions
Replies to Opening Address
Replies to Budget Address (Day 5 of 7)
Petitions
Reports of Standing and Special Committees
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Tabling of Documents
Notices of Motion
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
Motions
First Reading of Bills
Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2007–2008
Second Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bill 8: Appropriation Act, 2008–2009
CR 2-16(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Report of the Auditor General on the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Public Housing and Homeownership Programs
CR 3-16(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2006–2007 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner
CR 4-16(2): Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning Report on the Review of the 2008–2009 Draft Main Estimates
CR 5-16(2):
Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2008–2009 Draft Main Estimates
TD 37-16(2):
Main Estimates 2008–2009, Volumes 1 and 2
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 1:30 p.m.
The House adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
