Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a very difficult question to answer. Again, I'm not trying to be evasive. I have met on three occasions with Treaty 8 representatives and have encouraged them to be participants in this process. They view their relationship with the federal government differently than claimant groups with claims. It would be difficult for me to say whether they are onside or not onside. I know they've come to the meetings in an observer status and I've certainly appreciated that and I've extended my appreciation to them for that.

They're attending the meetings as observers, which I'm encouraged by. They've made it clear to us that they have a special relationship with the federal government which they don't want the accord to encumber. So it's very delicate. We're trying to find a delicate balance in the language of the accord that will one, satisfy this public government; and, two, not impinge upon the negotiations that are under way with the federal government. I guess that would be the best way to explain it. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister may feel it is a delicate situation but I don't think it is a delicate issue. I'm just asking whether or not they support the accord. Recognizing that Treaty 8, as the Minister stated, is only an observer in the process -- they don't even want to be participants in the process to give the government support for the northern accord -- I would like to ask the Minister again, has the federal government stipulated that all aboriginal organizations have to support this government in order to acquire a northern accord? Thank you.

Minister Todd.

The federal government has indicated to me, in my discussions with them, that I should make every attempt to seek broad-based support for an accord. That's what they've indicated at this time. I don't believe they have said one group or another would have a veto, but I believe they have said it is incumbent upon us to reach broad-based support for this accord. A genuine expression of the politics of inclusion is what we're attempting to achieve in the round-table discussions we're having with the key leadership of aboriginal groups. Thank you.

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

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that discussions have begun already with key stakeholders in the sport system, and a public

discussion paper is being prepared to be presented to Cabinet for review in early May of this year to form the basis for further public consultation, with the expectation that a final report will be presented to the Cabinet by the end of September on the evaluation of our government's involvement in recreational games. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not positive whether or not there's a policy currently in place but I know there are provisions in place, through the former Minister and former Cabinet, in the amount of $50,000 specifically to address the North American Indigenous Games, as a result of the concerns that were brought forward by the Member at the last session. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will make a commitment to take a look at whether or not there is a policy in place. If not, we will look at it. But, I would like to say that it has to be looked at in the overall context of all the major games being reviewed by the department. You can't just look at one in isolation of all others, because one impacts upon the other.

Final supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not sure I can make that commitment, given the resources that are available in this session. The department has to look after issues that have been brought forward here. But, I will endeavour to see what time frame it can be done in and get back to the Member on that. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This question is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Even though there was a response earlier to a question about this, I brought up concerns last year about disabled people. We have quite a few people who have disabled children and many of them are now not small children. When the disabled are unable to look after themselves, someone has to take care of them.

The Minister said that facilities would be provided to care for the disabled. My question is, is there any money available through the department for their care, or for their parents to get assistance for the additional expense of taking care of disabled children? Are there funds available for assisting families who have disabled members? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.