The Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, the whole issue of the nursing staff at all the health centres is presently being looked at to see what is a fair number to staff the health centres. I have said it before in the House, but I will restate it again: the staffing of the health centres were taken over as is.

The plan of the department is to attempt, as quickly as possible, to continue to work toward establishing a formula for the number of people who would be at the nursing station. So we are actively pursuing that formula. In education, there is a formula for staffing the school system because of the high number of children, and I believe that it's only fair that we move in a similar direction in looking at the health units. At this time, it is difficult to do because the union negotiations are not yet concluded, and making any suggestions or changes is not really appropriate. So, once the arbitration is over, we'll attempt to try to bring that discussion forward so that the health centres can see a window of opportunity to have their concerns addressed.

We realize that at the present time there are float nurses that are available to spell people off; however, we know that's not

adequate. In some of the larger stations, as well, they are feeling that the growth of their communities has not been taken into consideration in terms of staffing of those units. As quickly as we can move in this area, the issue is in active consideration. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Thompson.

Madam Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish I could but I do not believe that the process that's going on right now will be concluded. Thank you.

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