Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the headquarters organization and amalgamation, I would say that we're almost completed, that there is very little left. What we have to do now is determine how to work the two departments at the regional and community levels. That work still has to be completed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Who is doing the evaluation, or the work in trying to get the communities organized so they can amalgamate?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, the area where that particular function would be is in the community health area of the Department of Health and Social Services. As well, I have a number of other people working on it, primarily to get the so-called "show" on the road. The deputy minister is greatly involved with that, as well. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I'm very pleased by the response we're getting from the regions and from the communities. They certainly have been very actively pursuing the department to get things done. There have been several meetings in the various regions and with interest groups as well, to determine how we're going to accomplish the amalgamation and the planning for these two departments. It was my intention that we do further work in putting together a plan of action to go forward at the regional levels. I haven't been able to do that, Mr. Speaker, at this time

because I've not had the time to dedicate some clear thinking time as we've been caught up in some of the meetings that we are having, which have been important to attend. So I don't have anyone clearly defined and assigned to the communities yet.

I didn't want to have the regions put in a situation where one part of the consolidation would feel that they were the lead entity and one would feel left out. It was my intention, as soon as we get some free time, to go myself with the officials to the regions and work out a plan. I know that the regions themselves are thinking about it and actively putting down their thoughts on how we can shortcut some of the bureaucracy that generally leads to tying up this type of initiative.

Mr. Speaker, I do have a great deal of support from my Cabinet colleagues to try to get the region working towards consolidation. I know that the communities themselves would like to know when they can move on their own initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, we'll do the best we can. I know summer is coming, but we don't intend to slow down the process because where some regions would use a certain time of the year as being appropriate to them, I think we can organize our time and our initiatives with those regions in order that it can accommodate the greater number of people possible in those communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier advise us when she envisages the amalgamation process being completed?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, as we knew, there was a lot of work to be done and that would have to be done over this year; there are some pilot projects that will be undertaken. The time frame for completion, I believe, is December 1995 with everything in place by April 1, 1996. Thank you.

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