Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that, technically speaking, the department still holds the hiring and the termination functions for CEO's although recognizing the move that we have towards empowering and putting out decision making to the regional health and social services boards that we have them undertake a lot of the recruitment process and the recommendations of hiring and firing so that they can be more fully involved in that process of hiring their CEO's, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what type of circumstances would have to occur before the Minister or his department would step in and intervene in this type of situation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess it would depend a lot on the circumstances. Obviously, if there were blatant issues about incompetency or misuse of board funds or possible abuse of powers that individual might have, it may necessitate myself as the Minister stepping in to deal with those circumstances, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past several weeks we have heard a lot of talk about problems with the health boards, calls for resignations, and so on and so forth. I guess, to date, those circumstances did not warrant the Minister or the Minister's department to step in. I am wondering now, Mr. Speaker, after hearing the Minister, just now, talk about the different reasons he would see to come in, how would he find out about these occurrences about monies maybe misappropriated or other explanations that he gave? How would he find out about those things if, indeed, the board, through this community empowerment initiative, has rights and responsibilities? How would his department find out about it? Would it be after the fact? How long after the fact, would it be too late? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, obviously, it would have to be an issue that was there. It would be pointed out either by an individual, an ordinary citizen, a member of the staff, MLAs or others. Certainly, if somebody were to get into those kinds of difficulties, it would not be a one-time event. It would be over the course of a duration that would flag it as far as attention goes that would raise the issue and the necessity, possibly for us to step in and, quite frankly, take a look to see if the circumstances were true and, if it were so, to take remedial action, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, anyone health's is a major concern and, I think that has been expressed in the Northwest Territories in different regions of the territories over the past few weeks. I know that each independent board has to have an audit. I wonder, for example, does the Minister have people from his department

that actually monitor the health boards, if they go into each region to see what is happening, do they do cursory checks, do they have checks and balances in place to make sure that the operation is running according to regulations set out by the Minister? Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, the buck has to stop somewhere and the buck stops at the Minister's door. I am wondering what the Minister has been doing to follow up on these concerns. Does, indeed, his department follow up on these concerns with somebody from his office or someone from a regional office? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, boards are required right now to have independent annual audits. Of course, we get copies of those audit reports. We also request and receive regular financial information from the boards. As I indicated in an earlier response, we recognize that we have to go a bit farther than that, in that we have to set up a monitoring and assessment provision within the ministry in respect to some of their operational aspects, as well as, the financial aspects. So, it is something that we are actively pursuing right now, quite frankly, based on some of the actions of boards in the past and some of the circumstances that led us to make this decision, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister for Health and Social Services. Recently, we received copies of letters from the medical association and the dental associations from the Northwest Territories and, also Alberta concerning their concerns on changes to non-insured health benefits for aboriginal people. Could the Minister indicate to this House the changes that are being proposed to the non-insured medical benefits for aboriginal people? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the non-insured health benefits program is through Medical Services Branch. It is a federal program for aboriginal people throughout Canada. Our government, as you know, currently administers the program on behalf of the federal government who sets all the terms and conditions of eligibility for access to those programs. I do not have the specifics of exactly what the proposed changes are. I do recall seeing those same letters on some of the potential changes, but from what I understand and my recollection, Mr. Speaker, basically Medical Services Branch, Health and Welfare Canada is trying to tighten up some of the regulations. The concern is that there is more of a bureaucratic process to receive pre-approval on some of the benefits before professionals are allowed to provide those services, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister know if this would entail less services for people? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can anticipate that the last time changes were made on the criteria for non insured health benefits by Medical Services Branch, it was in respect to the dental programs. What they did, at that time, was make longer eligibility requirements before you could replenish some of the benefits under that program. I will, in this case, check into the matter to see exactly what the proposed changes are and advise the Member. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister indicate whether these services are available for Northwest Territories residents when they travel into the provinces. Thank you.

Mr. Ng.