Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, basically by developing the programs in conjunction with our partners, the Boards that deliver the programs. To have some consistency in how we outline the program and how we work it through the system and integrate. If it is not available at a local

level, if it is not available at a regional level, to make it available at a territorial level ,Madam Chair. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I would take the responsibility to ensure the coordination of this type of a program takes place, as long as the boards think it is a priority within their service areas as well, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. My question to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I indicated that according to the information I received that the Keewatin is supposed to be staffed with approximately 25 Social Services staff people ranging from Class 1 to Class 5 I believe. The information I received with that is that at this point of time there are only 7. A recent recruitment program is only indicating that possibly only 2 more will be added to these numbers. Can the Minister confirm this and explain if that is the case, why?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have not heard if that is the case. I am not doubting what the Member is saying. I think I would have to get it checked out and see if that was the case and see what we could do to try and alleviate that situation if it were true. Thank you,.

Thank you, Madam Chair. My information as I indicated states that this is the case. Would the Minister agree that with these numbers I received in the last 2 days, the recruitment program that has been under way has only resulted in 2 new additional staff people, and that there is also a number of staff people that are presently hired that really do not have the proper certification or the certification that is in the Class 4, Class 3? Would the Minister agree that is this is the case, that this would be considered a fairly serious situation for the Keewatin people?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess it would depend a lot on the extent of the vacancies if that amount of vacancies were to be in the Keewatin, then certainly it would be an item of concern. We would have to take the appropriate action. I would like to say that historically Health and Social Services, Social Workers in the professions have been high demand and a high turnover area because of the demands of the job, not just in the north but throughout the country. It is no different than some of our health care professionals. All the front-line workers that are under these demands and pressures overgo significant turnovers at different stages at different communities. But like I said, if it is the case, then we will see what we can do to move some resources possibly or if it is required, from other regions or from the department to beef up or shore up the needs until we can assist the boards in filling the vacancies. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, would the Minister try to shed some light on this very issue in relationship not only to the social services workers, but also to the health professionals, local nurses and so on? Historically it seems that the Keewatin has had a problem in recruiting and maintaining these type of staff. We know it is a problem in the north for the most part, but we seem to be for the most part hard hit on an ongoing basis. Can the Minister indicate why this may be happening in particular in the Keewatin area where these services are in great demand?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, it is not just the Keewatin that is in that situation. As I indicated for the front-line staff, the front-line health care workers, social workers and particularly those are high turn-over areas and historically high vacancy areas throughout the Northwest Territories just based on the demands placed on individuals working in our communities. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Minister is aware of the present concern in the Keewatin regarding health care. It has been debated and talked about in this House over the last number of weeks and in some cases, months. There was a request for a public inquiry into the concerns and the services for health related programs in the Keewatin. This request for a public inquiry was turned down. As a result, the Minister in all due respect did at least go to the point where he requested an internal review by members of his own department. Madam Chair, some of the areas of the

recommendations indicated that the Minister would immediately be given the status as to the number of doctors in the Keewatin that are available now. I believe this is approximately three weeks ago that this report came out. Can the Minister advise the Members as to what is the status today? How many doctors are in the Keewatin at this date?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, it is my understanding that we have one resident full-time physician right now. They still have access through telephone consultations with the physicians in Churchill and in Winnipeg. There are plans under way for a full-time recruitment. They have secured contracts for three full-time physicians, starting at different times. It is my understanding there is one on staff now. There is one starting in November and another one committed for start in March of 1998. They also have locums available and signed for different various terms for coverage. It is summarizing the information that I have recently received from the Keewatin Health Board. In November they will have two MDs the entire month and a third for half the month. In December they will have four physicians available for the entire month and a fifth for half of the month. In January they will have four physicians for the entire month. That is a three month future needs assessment they have outlined to me. A physician supply they have outlined to me. Thank you, Madam Chair.