Thank you, Mr. Arngna'naaq. Item 3, Members' Statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two returns. I have a return to an oral question made by my colleague, Mr. Antoine, yesterday, regarding the water/sewage service subsidy program in the village of Fort Simpson. The Executive Council has approved amendments to the water/sewage services subsidy policy which will extend the coverage of the policy to all towns and villages, including the village of Fort Simpson, effective April 1, 1994.

Similarly, there are no time frames imposed on injured workers, dependents or employers in which to file an appeal. The delays in the appeals tribunal hearing cases is regrettable. However, they do not violate the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act, the rules of the court, or the charter. Nevertheless, the board and the appeals tribunal are concerned about the length of time taken to hear appeals. In an effort to streamline the process, a proposal from the appeals tribunal chairman, Mr. Jim Bourque, is before the board of directors at their meeting this week.

This proposal would allow the appeals tribunal to sit full time for a six month period, in an effort to resolve the backlog of appeals. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is the return to a question asked by Mr. Koe on November 9, 1993. It concerns a memorandum of understanding. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health is collaborating with health and hospital boards and the

Northwest Territories Health Care Association (NWTHCA) on the development of the memorandum of understanding (MOU). A joint steering committee consisting of representatives from the boards, NWTHCA, and the department is guiding the process.

Western Health Planning Associates were awarded the contract in May, 1993. The consultants have met with key stakeholders from the health and hospital boards and the department. Background materials and a framework for the draft MOU have been developed by the steering committee. These consist of a preamble, explanatory notes, a core agreement, appendices relating to specific board agreements, references to legislation and other details.

The steering committee will meet in December 1993, to review progress. The draft MOU is scheduled for completion January 31, 1994, and will be discussed at a meeting between myself, the board chairpersons and the department in January.

I would be pleased to provide the honourable Member with additional information as it becomes available. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the decision to take the action that the previous Minister took was the previous Minister's decision. The Cabinet was not involved with the decision, as a decision. We were fully aware of the course the Minister was taking. The Minister made the decision. We did not make a subsequent decision at Cabinet. We were informed of the course that the Minister was taking. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to quote the Honourable Nellie Cournoyea from page 45 of the unedited Hansard of Thursday, November 18. Her answer was, "Mr. Speaker, the decision and the option chosen was by the Minister of MACA who sought the advice of Cabinet." I recognize that the former Minister of MACA made the decision to close the town of Iqaluit, but it was upon the advice of Cabinet, according to the unedited Hansards.

Therefore, I would like to ask the Premier why was it not part of the advice -- that she stated in the House, according to the unedited Hansard -- to tell the local MLA about such a significant decision made by one of her Ministers? Why was it not part of that advice when they were discussing this issue? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, although the Minister may have sought the advice of Cabinet, the Minister made the decision on the course of action he wished to take. It was taken for granted that the Minister would inform the MLA or the people who are involved with the action. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, supplementary Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the decision was significant and no doubt it may have been that the Cabinet and the Premier took it for granted that this decision would be relayed to the local MLAs. However, we now know the local MLA was not aware of the decision until a week later and it appears there must have been a severe communication breakdown somewhere in the process. So, I would like to ask the Premier, on significant decisions to close down a town, is there not a process in her Cabinet to ensure local MLAs are advised of such decisions. Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, to our knowledge the Minister was going to inform the MLA. We admit that there was a communication breakdown and that the MLA was not informed probably soon enough and we apologize for that, Mr. Speaker. We acknowledge that there was a communication breakdown, and both the former Minister and myself apologize. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Speaker. I want Members to be aware and especially you, Mr. Speaker, that I know the rules of this House do not allow us to

ask for discussion which took place in Cabinet meetings, but I'd like to ask the Premier, in addition to the advice of Cabinet to close down a town, was it also the advice of Cabinet not to inform this MLA for Iqaluit. Thank you.

Madam Premier.

(Microphone turned off)

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, with reference to the decision to dissolve the council of the town of Iqaluit, my question is to the Premier. Mr. Speaker, is it true that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs advised against dissolving the council of the town of Iqaluit? Thank you.

Madam Premier.