Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Members' statement I spoke about the cuts to the CBC. Can the Minister of Education and Culture tell this House, what measures will this government be taking to bring our concerns with the announced cuts and reductions to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to the federal government and to the Board of the CBC? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister Responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions, supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I am very pleased that the Minister for Heritage for the federal government is Sheila Copps, who of course is very familiar with the North, having been in Iqaluit several times.

I wonder if the Minister could make public to this House or maybe by letter a copy of any correspondence that goes to the Minister of Heritage, because I am sure individual Members would also like to lobby on behalf of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It is a most important issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Oral questions, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We as a government are totally committed to the affirmative action policy that is in place by this government, I would like to make the Member from Hay River aware of that first off. When we go out recruiting, we look in the north first, we look at the people that are available. Some of the senior management positions in this government require very unique skills and we go through a process of looking for those people in the Northwest Territories. If we cannot find them in the Northwest Territories, now we go south. If we cannot find them in Canada then we will go any place else in the world to find them. But we will find the right people for the job, to make sure that all northerners have the benefit of having the right person in the job. Thank you.

Oral questions supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Morin

Thank you Mr. Speaker. We did advertise in the NWT and then we did advertise nationally. Six candidates were interviewed for that position. We recruited the best candidate available and then you direct appoint him through Cabinet. That is how the process works. It is on my recommendation. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services concerning the special foster care rates. There has been a concern with the reduction to special foster care rates for foster families. I am wondering what the impact of this reduction has been on foster families and maybe the Minister could update the house on exactly what has happened with the reduction in the special foster care rates.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue was raised prior to the reductions coming into place. I had an opportunity to meet with some of the Foster Parents in the Yellowknife area who conveyed to me their concerns about the reductions that we were planning to put into place. I have made a commitment, our staff are working with the Foster Parent Association right now to analyze the reductions that are being proposed, to work with them to try to come out with an arrangement, hopefully, that will meet our needs as far as obtaining some reductions throughout the Foster Care payments that we expend and trying to meet their needs and not drastically impacting their rates so they can continue on providing this valuable service to us, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions supplementary. Mr. Picco

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker the families that do take in children, especially special needs children under Foster Care is very important asset to this government, and to the people and to the communities of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I understand that because of the reduction some families now have had second thoughts. Maybe the Minister could inform this House exactly what the status of the number of families now that have actually withdrawn their services since the reduction, if any, of the Foster Care rates and maybe an indication from the Minister what or how many intentions from these families about reducing or withdrawing their services because of the reduction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not have the specifics right now on what families have withdrawn or are considering it, at this time. I mean we will have to measure that when it does come about or if it has I will certainly find out and advise the Member accordingly. Thank you.

Oral question supplementary. Mr. Picco.