John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, that was a conscious decision. It was decided that in order that there be perceived to be no overbearance by the Department of Public Works in order that it could be an open process where anybody could say anything they wanted and not have to be worried about being argued against or anything of that nature, it was decided not to have Public Works there. Although, any information that would be required at those meetings would be provided by the department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Ballantyne, supplementary.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand partly the rationale because it would be unfair to have civil servants, especially middle level civil servants, embroiled in political discussions, and that could happen. On the other hand, Mr. Speaker, there is a problem at the end of the day because the government will see the complaints and the concerns through the prism of a consultant, not having anyone there to actually get the flavour and the details of the discussions. So my question to the Minister is how is the department going to be able to handle that at the end of the day if, in fact, they don't have the full story and they don't respond to the full range of concerns? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, obviously that is a concern that we might miss something along the way. But there are written submissions that are being made where the department will be able to read them verbatim. We have some

faith in those facilitators; that they are going to be able to give us the information as it was provided at the meeting. There is opportunity and there is opportunity being used to directly contact either myself or the department. I realize the danger that's there, but we think that if we're conscious enough and we pay attention to the information that's delivered, we will be able to make a wise judgement on the information provided.

If it does look -- and I take this commitment on personally, Mr. Speaker -- when I review that information, the thing that I'm hearing politically and the concerns that we've all heard through the last three years and the concerns that have been raised on the floor of this House, if they are not being addressed or if that's not the reflection, then we will look at another process to make sure that those concerns are addressed, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Ballantyne, supplementary.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you. I appreciate the Minister's response. If I could make one request to the Minister, if he could commit that, at some point during the process, the Minister would be prepared to meet with at least a representative group of business people to hear first hand from them what their concerns are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, I would be more than willing to do that. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you know and what has been reported to the House previously, when the pilot project was commenced in Rankin Inlet -- and I must say from peripheral looks at this particular issue, it looks as if the Rankin Inlet birthing project has been a success, Mr. Speaker, but I'm not an expert, so I will wait for the expert's opinion on that -- we said at that time that once the project was under way and there could be an analysis done, that we would do that. I believe that is almost completed and we should have something this year.

I believe the Minister of Health has said that once we have looked at those numbers and proven out the pilot project, we would certainly be willing to look at other areas of the Northwest Territories where the communities want that particular service. The Member who is raising this has been vocal about this on the floor of this House, and I'm here to tell you that we are very aware of his concern and his request and I'm sure it will be given top priority, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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