The Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Antoine.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Finally I would like to note that during Addictions Awareness Week we should be thinking about the people who are making our communities more aware of alternatives to substance abuse. In every community you find people who are outstanding role models and contribute time and effort to help others resolve alcohol and drug problems.

I am talking about people like elders, Sarah Hardisty of Jean Marie River, Lena Marcellais of Nahanni Butte, Chief and Susan Kotchea of Fort Liard, Ralph Sangris of Trout Lake, Gabe and Elsie Hardisty of Wrigley, Candy and Ken Brown of Fort Simpson, and Marie and Gabe Cazon of Fort Simpson. The contribution of these people and many others should be remembered not only during Alcohol Awareness Week but all year long. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Members' Statements. Mr. Patterson.

Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 3, Members' Statements. Item 4, Returns to Oral Questions. Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Social Services. Mr. Speaker, prior to attending this session I had the pleasure of travelling to Gjoa Haven and Spence Bay. In Spence Bay I had a meeting with the local appeal committee. One of the dominant issues at this particular meeting was the welfare assistance to needy clients. People of Gjoa Haven and Pelly Bay are concerned about the inconsistency of giving out payments to recipients throughout the N.W.T. The issue being that people of Pelly Bay and Spence Bay are paid $50 in cash and the rest in vouchers. I would like to ask the Minister if this is the policy of the government throughout the territories? Thank you.

Mr. Patterson.

I will have to take the question as notice, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Question has been taken as notice. Item 5, Oral Questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Health. Under the Medical Profession Act, last fall the Minister of Health appointed Dr. Covert to be the Chairman of the Board of Inquiry. I would like to ask if Dr. Covert is still the Chairman? Thank you.

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Covert was not appointed recently, he was appointed years ago for a period of time as the Chair of the Board of Inquiry set up under the Medical Profession Act. He still occupies that office. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, it has been my understanding that the Chairman has been accused of malpractice. I would like to ask the Minister if he still intends to allow Dr. Covert to be the Board of Inquiry Chairman and take on the responsibility? Thank you.

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I am aware of a law suit that stems from an incident that occurred many years ago that was recently activated concerning that particular physician in the Northwest Territories. I am sure the honourable Member would agree that the commencing of

litigation, criminal or civil, should not be a reason to make a judgement about the liability of the person subject of that law suit. I certainly have not made such a judgement nor would I hope that the honourable Member would make such a judgement in advance of the conclusion of the litigation. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, on the same topic but it is somewhat different, I have a question for the Minister of Health supplementary. I asked an oral question on September 11, in which the Minister finally responded by correspondence dated November 17, 1992. However, in his correspondence he attached copies of the letters to Dr. Covert as the President of the Board of Inquiry. Under this particular area he indicated "under the Medical Profession Act I have appointed you President of the Board of Inquiry regarding the Report of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan's review of medical services at the Fort Smith Health Centre. Your appointment is effective from today, September 2, 1992." Why now is the Minister stating this appointment has been in effect for five years? Thank you.

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, as I understand the legislation, the panel is appointed which is available to be activated should there be a complaint under the act. What I am telling the honourable Member is Dr. Covert had been appointed in the capacity to head that panel for some years. What my letter did was refer a specific matter to him and activated the panel for the purpose of holding an inquiry. His appointment predated that specific action as did other members of the panel as well. It is a matter of activating a panel that was in place. That is what the appointment did, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister confirm for me and my constituents that Dr. Covert will maintain his position as the Chairman of the Board of Inquiry under the Medical Profession Act even though he continues to have a malpractice suit against him? Thank you.