Mr. Speaker, at this time, the dialogue that has taken place has been with the Ministers of Health across the country and with some of the coordinated working groups across the country on what would be the best approach in dealing with this very critical, sensitive issue. We have not, at this time, had a request from any group, whether it is the Council for Disabled Persons or other groups, that this was a topic they wished to discuss. There has not been any indication that this is a topic that people felt that they would want brought into a workshop or a seminar at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister aware whether the NWT Medical Association, the NWT Registered Nurses' Association and the Public Health Association of the NWT, have taken any type of formal position on the termination of life support and the issue of physician-assisted suicide? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge I am not aware that there has been any position take by these various professional groups that the Member is referring to.

Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Because of it being such a difficult topic to discuss, that is why the issue was not brought forth. Will the Minister ensure that any discussion of these issues, in the event that they do come up, will involve a wide range of community organizations and advocacy groups, including those societies that speak out on behalf of disabled people of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you. Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that there can be no question that it would have to be a very broad-based discussion. I will certainly make a commitment that if any momentum does take place in this regard, that it does take in consideration of a broad base of people who will be involved in those discussions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

The Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can say that the responsibility will remain. However, I do want to say that there are a number of questions with regard to the tasks that have been assigned. In terms of the review of the department itself, we are trying to determine whether or not there are additional responsibilities -- whether it be labour or any additional responsibilities that are presently being undertaken by others -- which can be assumed by the rental officer. But that is a management decision and we are not at a point yet where we can say one way or the other what the responsibility will be.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

I would like to ask the Minister, is there or was there a review done on the role of the rental office?

Mr. Nerysoo.

I must say, Mr. Speaker, I am not certain if there was a review. What is being done is a review of the workload and the tasks that are carried out. All managers are asked for advice on those particular matters. That is why we have managers in the departments, to determine whether or not the roles and responsibilities that the staff are carrying out are such that the resources that we are providing are necessary, or for that matter, the tasks are not to the extent that they wanted. The other thing is whether or not there are other duties that they can assume. That is generally how the review is taken.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

The rental office doesn't have a very big budget. We have gone through tremendous changes in our housing programs, our social housing programs and our privatization of government housing programs, so there has been a great need for the services of the rental officer in all the communities. I would like to ask the Minister, are there any plans to enhance the budget of the rental office to enable the staff to travel to more communities and hold hearings in the communities rather than holding them here or holding them by telephone?

Mr. Nerysoo.

At this particular time, no.

Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi. I would then like to ask the Minister, are there any proposed changes to the way the rental office is to be funded?

Mr. Nerysoo.