Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, Mr. Martin was committed to an early date in 1996 to have this new proposal in effect. Let's say maybe he wasn't committed, but he suggested it. But, I think at the last meeting, he indicated to us that he wanted to progress on the issue. So there is no hard and fast deadline. He did make it quite clear that his government, when they were running in the election as Members, had indicated that their policy would replace the GST. It was something referred to in the red book, and he made it quite clear to us that one way or another there are going to be some changes. There's no hard and fast deadline, but certainly resolution on the part of the Minister to change, rename, replace or restructure this particular tax. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

The Minister referred to consultations and working closely with the government of the province of Alberta. I'd like to ask the Minister, since we share in common with Alberta and, I believe, the Yukon, the distinction of not having a sales tax, does that mean we are working closely with Alberta because we have the same interest in preserving a situation where citizens are not subjected to a sales tax? Thank you.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, at the meeting, Quebec threw out the suggestion that there could be regional rates, to which Alberta replied, in the west there is already a regional rate between Alberta, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon and that regional rate is zero. So they're working with us and consulting back and forth. When western Finance Ministers meet, we discuss the issue of what our respective positions are. Yes, there's quite a bit of consultation and, of course, there's very little to react to until such time as the larger issue, which is how do you deal with those provinces that are going to experience a shortfall...Until they get past that issue, they won't be dealing in total with us. But we are consulting, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, the plan is to have two respite care pilot projects which are being proposed for 1995-96. They'll be in the Fort Smith, Fort Simpson and Baffin regions. The pilot projects would provide care up to a maximum of 20 hours per week through adding extra staff to existing home maker and coordinated home care programs, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of MACA. There were quite a few hamlets that had a deficit. What is the forecast with regard to these hamlets in the coming year? What will their budgets be like? Could she advise the House on this matter? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. There were quite a few of the hamlets and the communities...I will provide the Member with documents regarding the hamlets' budgets, if he wants them. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ng.

First of all, I'd like to commend the Minister of Housing for his work and efforts towards reinstating federal funding for housing because I think the announcement he made today is indicative of the hard work and efforts he has made. I'd like to ask the Minister, with respect to funding for elders' residences, if he feels that is one of the priorities of the

Housing Corporation. Has his department addressed this? Thank you.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Funding for elders' residences falls under the responsibilities of the Minister of Social Services. They have to find the money and then we, as the Housing Corporation, design the buildings and work with the communities and elders in the design, to see that it meets their needs. I do agree with the Member, elders' facilities are a priority of most communities. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'd like to ask the Minister, would the responsibility for elders' residences include basic facilities and not extended care facilities? Would that still be with the Department of Social Services? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Housing Corporation supplies units into the community on need and all need is treated equally, whether you're an elder or a single person or whatever. It's not just for elders. So our allocation process is based on need in the community. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'd like to ask the Minister, if there's a need identified in the community, how would he correlate with the Department of Social Services to address this need? Does he meet with the Minister to discuss these matters? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Morin.