Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Madam Speaker, I heard reported on the news this morning that the Minister of State, the Honourable Ethel Blondin was given specific responsibilities by Mr. Axworthy for consulting with aboriginal peoples in the social security reform. I'd like to ask our Minister of Education since we have a majority of aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories, but since social services are largely delivered by the public government, who is it we are going to be dealing with in the federal government as far as consultations on social security reform? Is it Mr. Axworthy or Ms. Blondin? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Minister who is in charge of the income reform generally is Mr. Axworthy who we have been dealing with directly. Ms. Ethel Blondin-Andrew has been assigned specific responsibilities particularly with regard to pathways to find a solution in that particular area. We have raised a concern about the manner in which that particular program is being administered in the north and have advised Mr. Axworthy with regard to our concern. Both Ministers are involved, but Mr Axworthy is the lead Minister in this particular area.

---Applause

Thank you. Final Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Madam Speaker, I have heard criticism of the federal Minister's paper, that it consists of a number of generalities rather than specific proposals. I'd like to ask our Minister, Madam Speaker, his consultation process which has begun with the release of the paper, Creating Choices; is that designed to lead to specific concrete proposals which we could then present to the federal government in contrast to the generalities? Thank you.

Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes. It is intended to do that. It is intended to give, as the honourable Member has indicated, a northern perspective on solving this particular problem. In my view, I think we're leading, in many respects, across the country from some of the initiatives we've undertaken. I think what you'll find is that the people of the north will be more responsive and more supportive in terms of trying to reorganize the income support programs so that it makes people in the communities more productive and more responsive in contributing to their community.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. I'd like to ask the Minister if he will commit to addressing the needs of the residents of Bathurst Inlet with regard to their housing?

---Applause

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will make a commitment to work with the Member to help solve the housing problems in that area. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Thank you. I'd like to ask will he attempt to address the issue before the matter of the sea lift next year?

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will work with the Member to try to address the issue prior to the sea lift next year. Thank you.

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

Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.

Madam Speaker, the plan to the extent we've done, has been completed but it hasn't gone through the process at this time for consideration at Cabinet. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Consolidation Of H&SS