Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on December 8, 1993.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, MLA for Thebacha, asked me to consider reinstating the Alcohol and Drug Board of Management. There have been a long series of questions on this matter and I know that it is a serious issue for the Member.

However, it is also a serious issue for me, as the Minister responsible for the program. I think it is time to clarify my position on the board's existence in an honest and straightforward manner, so all Members will understand my position.

I think the board did good work since its establishment, however, in answering the Member's questions on this issue, I have to consider the overall financial and policy framework of the department. Social Services is entering an intensive planning period from now until the fall of 1994. We will require a great deal of advice from Members, interest groups and Members of the public. At this point, reinstating a board to provide specific advice on matters related to alcohol and drug abuse, would detract from the overall planning and consultation effort. That is one reason why I am reluctant to consider reinstating the board.

However, Mr. Speaker, the most compelling reason is financial. This board costs $50,000 per year to operate. In our current financial situation, that is a lot of money. The Special Committee on Health and Social Services has identified a wide variety of initiatives, which will require a substantial budget increase from my department. As an example, Members have been questioning me throughout this session about why I have not increased the wages of alcohol and drug workers. The capital review of the department's budget identified serious concerns about the lack of money for elders' facilities. The department does not have sufficient salary dollars to provide relief and support to the community workers.

These and other pressing financial demands mean that I have to be diligent to make sure every dollar we spend is well-used for the benefit of all northerners. With these concerns in mind, Mr. Speaker, it would not be responsible for any Minister to take money away from a program delivery to fund an advisory body. Therefore, I am not prepared to reinstate the Alcohol and Drug Board of Management. On the other hand, I am prepared to listen to the views of Members on this issue, it if is the will of this House, that this board should be reinstated, despite these considerations, I will make every effort to do so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.