The way I heard it, this question is still related to the previous questioning and three supplementaries. At this time I will allow Mr. Patterson to reply. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I think the honourable Member said it herself earlier. Under our system of law with regard to criminal charges, there is the presumption of innocence. This means that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. I would suggest the same, Mr. Speaker, with regard to civil litigation. The Member is presuming the end result in questioning the qualifications of a physician who is subject to a lawsuit.

Mr. Speaker, I am told that doctors with significant practices extending over periods of years, and in Dr. Covert's case it has been 10 or 15 years, as a matter of course are involved in litigation with patients. This is not at all uncommon in the medical profession. It is an occupational hazard. Medical specialists are routinely involved in five, 10 or 15 lawsuits in a year. They are insured and prepared for that.

Mr. Speaker, for the Member to suggest that one lawsuit means that a physician in the Northwest Territories is guilty of malpractice, and should be seen to be incompetent and therefore incapable of judging his peers, is simply not fair. Doctors are regularly involved in this kind of lawsuit and it is often settled or dealt with in a routine manner. It is improper for the Member to suggest that it reflects on the competence of that physician to serve the public in the medical Board of Inquiry.

I reject the imputation of guilt and incompetence which the Member is suggesting, especially since the litigation has only been commenced and has not been concluded. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister how he expects the public to have confidence in the Medical Profession Act regarding the professional peer reviews ability of this particular president, and of the process, when he is willing to allow his decision on appointment to stay in effect?

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Covert is qualified, according to the laws of this Legislature, and the Medical Profession Act, to sit as the president of the Board of Inquiry. If I were to arbitrarily decide because of questions in this Legislature that he was somehow unfit, Mr. Speaker, it would be extremely difficult to find another physician in the Northwest Territories who would be willing to serve in such an atmosphere of politicization of the quasi-judicial process. Secondly, I think we would have to scrutinize anyone else who was asked to serve whether or not there was any litigation past or pending which might be a bar to him serving or continue to serve. In effect, Mr. Speaker, I think it would go to the very ability of the Medical Profession Act to establish medical boards of inquiries.

This kind of a precedent would make it impossible for us to establish a board of inquiry, at least with physicians from the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Supplementary, Member for Thebacha.

Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. It is no wonder that people have many questions and concerns about our health care system. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister reconsider his decision of the appointment he made since it was brought to the attention of himself as Minister, that the president of the Board of Inquiry is currently under a medical malpractice suit? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

I am prepared to reconsider it, Mr. Speaker, thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Mr. Speaker, about a year and a half ago there was a position open in Fort Providence for an economic development officer. We have had the person from Hay River working as the economic development officer for some time, but this position has been transferred to Fort Smith. We have had interviews which were not acceptable.

The government has gone further by suggesting that the money for the position be allocated to the community, and the community can decide whom they wish to select. I would like to ask the Minister how soon this allocation will occur in order for the community to get on with their economic future?

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I think we have been talking to Fort Providence already. I will ensure that it is done immediately. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, one of the problems which the community is having with regard to the position is whether or not the PY allocated to the community would work for the territorial government, or would the community be giving direction to the individual once he or she is hired?

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, in this kind of situation where the community is contracting with us to deliver services to the community, the community itself would be directing the activities of the person they choose. What we would be asking is that they also fulfil and carry forward any programs that we have for that particular community. The direction would be from the community, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Gargan.

I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Social Services. Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister announced in his Minister's Statement an increase to the alcohol and drug workers. Quite frankly, the workers are quite

excited about it. How soon does he anticipate this increase to happen and would it happen before or after Christmas?

Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the increase will depend on the approval of a supplementary estimate by the Legislature. I think the amount is $750,000. Once that is approved, Mr. Speaker, my department will work as quickly as possible with the groups that are funded under the Alcohol and Drug Program throughout the Northwest Territories to adjust contributions to reflect the increased support to worker's wages. I should explain the proposal is that the increases would be retroactive to April 1 of this fiscal year. Mr. Speaker, if the supp is approved in a timely fashion, we will immediately have the authority to begin reworking those contribution agreements to provide the support. I think the Member is suggesting that it would be nice if it could happen before Christmas and I will endeavour to do so. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Gargan.