Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, the exercise that I referred to is part our planning for amalgamation with the Department of Social Services. It is a massive exercise, and it will take months to complete. Thank you.

Oral question, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to extend question period today.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Question period will be extended. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you colleagues.

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Health. It is in respect to the terms of reference that the Minister has given me a copy of, for the public inquiry on the Fort Smith Health Centre.

In reviewing the terms of reference one of the questions that came to my mind, and I would like to ask the Minister, is what process did he use in respect to formulating these terms of reference? Recognizing that the former board members of the Fort Smith Health Centre are the ones who have the best understanding of the long standing administrative problems.

Can the Minister indicate to this House the process that he used in formulating these terms of reference? Thank you.

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, the terms of reference were prepared under the direction of the deputy minister of the Department of Health in consultation with the Department of Justice. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister, has he said that it was formulated with the Department of Health, the Deputy Minister and the Department of Justice.

I am wondering whether he has taken into consideration, to even ask his presently appointed public administrator if he had any input into these terms of reference, or did he make them totally with departmental officials from Health and Justice? Thank you.

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker. I really do not know to what extent officials in the Department of Health consulted the public administrator or other persons, but I am informed that Mr. Ellis was asked for his input.

Mr. Speaker, generally speaking it is unfortunate that these terms of reference are not before the House yet. I will table them today. Generally speaking, I think Members will find that the terms of reference are broad ranging. They are designed to capture the concerns that were expressed over the number of weeks by the Member for Thebacha in letters, questions, and Member's statements. When the terms of reference are tabled later today, Members will see that it is a very broad ranging terms of reference, which will cover all the areas of concern expressed by the honourable Member privately, and publicly, to myself. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is ironic that it has always been the discussion, particularly when I refer to it, and think of the Strength at Two Levels report the request of ordinary Members to always be in the process of developing terms of reference, and recognizing that only the department officials from Justice and Health were asked along with Mr. Ellis for the development of the terms of reference.

I would like to ask the Minister even though these terms of reference have not been tabled in the House there is nothing in this terms of reference that refers to the Minister, and his Department of Health. I would like to ask the Minister why did he not ensure that the public inquiry examine his own responsibilities, and relationship with the health board? Thank you.

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, with the greatest respect to the Member, her assertion is not correct. I think that the inquiry clearly includes an examination of the role, and responsibility, of the Minister of Health. For example, section 4.7 refers to a review and critical analysis of the events and process leading to the resignation of the board of management. The appointment of the public administrator and the establishment of this board of inquiry, all involved the Minister of Health.

I think it is certainly very clearly contemplated that the role of the Minister of Health in those events, will be examined by the board. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, the board of inquiry looks at the board of health in relation to legislation of the Northwest Territories that includes the legislation which establishes the Department of Health and spells out the role of the Minister.

All of those statutes and regulations of the Northwest Territories relating to health are clearly within the mandate of the board of inquiry, and will clearly be available for examination. As I say, Mr. Speaker, I think that the terms have a very broad range and I certainly do not expect, as Minister of Health, that I will escape scrutiny under these terms of reference. Thank you.

If I could caution Members, the two Members have been discussing a document that is not in front of this House, that other Members do not have in front of them so the other Members may not be aware of the background and details of the document.

If I could ask Members in courtesy to other Members, if they could perhaps not proceed with any more questions on this particular document until the document is in front of the House, so all Members have the opportunity to know exactly what the Members are discussing. Oral questions, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Premier in the absence of the Minister of Economic Development and Finance. Mr. Speaker, co-ops in the north play a very important role in terms of economy and hiring native people.

Many years ago I worked for the co-op for five years and most of my family members work for the co-op. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, the co-op is the biggest employer in my community and I think that goes for most small communities across the territories. Now my question is, Mr. Speaker, what has this government done in terms of enhancing the request made by the Arctic Co-op to develop credit unions in the territories? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, to give the question credit and not half answer it, I will take that as notice, and come back to the Member.

Oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Safety and Public Services when he intends to respond to a written question that was asked by myself on September 22 requesting information on September 28. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.