Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, I am quite aware that the cuts have taken place with the management. That's what I'm talking about. I'm talking about a specific case that was on the radio yesterday, broadcast territorially. I have a letter right now with me where a person who is making $53,000 a year and now, because of the wage cuts and reductions to benefits -- that person was actually in a staff house -has to get social assistance for food for $418 a month or an amount close to that; so, that's their case. If the Minister isn't aware of this case, my question then to the Minister would be will he direct his department to actually look into the potential and actual number of employees who are and will be applying for regional income support from Social Services because of said wage reductions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, the need is not hypothetical. It has been demonstrated. Will the Minister direct his department to find out exactly ... Because of the wage reductions, we know what they're going to be, we know what the rollbacks are. Can the Minister inform this House, inform his department, will the department look at the potential of the people who will now have to go on to social assistance to get income support because of these cutbacks? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will endeavour to supply the information to the Minister after the sitting. My final question concerning this: Has the department of income support been approached? Does the Minister know of his officials? Has he talked to his officials in the regions and whether they have been approached for income support? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services and it's in relation to personal care facilities for seniors. I have had several calls from concerned seniors that the rent at the Aven senior citizens' home is going up to $712 a month. It had always been my impression that people would be able to maintain a minimum of $200 a month from their pensions. Can the Minister verify whether this is true or not? Will seniors be able to maintain a minimum of $200 from their pension funds while living in these personal care facilities?

Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, the intent is the individuals at the personal care facilities will be able to retain a disposable income of approximately $200 a month. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister make this public knowledge somehow so that we can ease the minds of the senior citizens out there who may feel they may not be able to live in these personal care facilities?

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The departmental staff have advised the operators of the personal care facilities. However, if there is further clarification required, I will direct the departmental official to undertake that. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, the previous government made a commitment to help build a health centre in Gjoa Haven. The people of Gjoa Haven were under the impression that a new

health centre was going to be built in 1994-95. This is 1995-96. The health centre has not been built in the community. There are a number of reasons why the community wishes to acquire a new health centre in Gjoa Haven: the population is over 900; there aren't enough examining rooms in the present health centre; the structure is very old; and, there is an aging population in the community. Finally, Mr. Speaker, we need to improve the health of the people of Gjoa Haven to an acceptable level. Will the honourable Minister honour the previous commitment of the government to build a new health centre in Gjoa Haven? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will have to check into the prior commitments of the last government, particularly the Health and Social Services Minister and see what commitments were actually made. I can tell the honourable Member that we are aware of the situation in Gjoa Haven. Unfortunately, last fall when there was a preliminary technical assessment done by Public Works and Services, they had recommended that a renovation could take place. Because of that, the Department of Health and Social Services downscaled our financial forecast for that project. As it stands now, there was a more detailed assessment undertaken as of March. We just got the report from the Department of Public Works and Services on that. It is now recommending a new facility. Of course, a new facility is a significantly higher financial demand than a renovation. We are going to have to deal with that issue in the immediate future. Thank you.