The consultant, KMPG of Ottawa, is supposed to produce a report that will be released in late March to mid-April. Then, Beaubier said the department will examine the report and confirm any suggestions.

Beaubier said the consultant will look at the department as a whole and look at which branches and positions make the most sense to move.

Jobs in the Northern Development section, for example, seem to be a natural choice.

"With Indian Affairs, it doesn't make a lot of sense to base those jobs in the North because they relate to status Indians who are based in the South," Beaubier said.

There are currently 1,399 full-time jobs within the department in Ottawa, and 141 casual jobs. In regions there are 3,688 jobs. But Beaubier said any jobs which would move would come from Ottawa.

And though the consultant has yet to determine the best time for the decentralization, Beaubier said one thing the consultant is likely thinking about is the April 1, 1999, creation of Nunavut.

Beaubier said no employees in Ottawa are not worried about being forced to make the move because the consultant has already met with unions and staff. Everyone feels they are making a contribution and their views are being listened to, he added.

A KPMG team will also come North to talk to GNWT representatives, the chamber of mines as well as departmental staff in Yellowknife.

Beaubier stressed the move is not a devolution in which the federal government transfers staff and a budget. The move would be merely a relocation of a portion of DIAND staff from the National Capital Region to Yellowknife.

The transfer would be good news for the city, which will be losing a substantial number of bureaucrats to the new government of Nunavut.