58 N.W.T. gov't staffers warned they may lose their job

Fifty-eight people who work for the territorial government have been told they may no longer have a job soon, according to a background document obtained by CBC News.

"While the approximately 58 affected employees have been notified, no decisions have been made at this time," reads a backgroundershared with MLAs Thursday.

Some of the people will be offered different jobs within the government over the next eight weeks. Those who don't get one of those offers will get a layoff notice, and will have at least three months before their job is cut.

The cuts were widely anticipated as the government faces a looming fiscal challenge related to declining resource production anda major slowdown in mineral exploration.

Finance Minister Robert C. McLeodhas said it needs to trim and/or raise $150 million over the next five years because of falling revenues.

Earlier this year, the government announced a two-year salary freeze for senior staffers.In March, MLAs passed a bill to freeze their own salaries for two years.

Thursday'sannouncement comes a week before the 2016 budget is unveiled.

The N.W.T. legislative assembly reconvenes in Yellowknife May 31.