Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am also concerned, as all of us are, about the increasing health care costs. I have mentioned on more than one occasion, regarding the costs that are in dispute with the federal government, and the impact it will have on our bottom line. I am not satisfied that accurate numbers are being used. I have never been given proper estimates. It is my opinion that no one really knows what the actual costs are. It is a legal case now, and hopefully it will be resolved soon.
I am also very concerned about the potential off-loading on various coverage for aboriginal people, and I have always been concerned that we do not have equivalent coverage for Metis people. The issue has been raised many times in this Assembly, I am not sure what stage that it is in, and I am not sure it is in this budget. I somehow doubt it.
I have also looked at the terms and conditions of the Health Transfer Agreement when this government took responsibility for health transfers. One area of concern, is the provisions in the agreement for a new hospital in the Inuvik region. The Minister and I have had discussions on it during his visit to Inuvik, and I think there is room for new planning and incorporation of a lot of the ideas that were brought up with the board, and other organizations. Decisions have to be made very quickly as to how, and when, planning and start up for a new hospital begins. I know it is a capital item, but there is much impact on the O and M, and the planning of the department involved in this. Those are just some of the areas of concern that I have, I think they are broad, and I will leave it at that. Thank you.