Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Good morning. Orders of the day. Item 2,

Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Yes, thank you. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that a negotiated agreement has been reached with the NWT Teachers' Association. The NWTTA will submit the agreement to our teachers with a recommendation for ratification. Ratification results are expected by October 24, 1997.

The agreement covers the period September 1, 1996 to August 31, 1999. It contains all the provisions which were put in place on December 6, 1996. In addition, the agreement updates the northern allowance rates effective September 1, 1997 to reflect current cost-of-living differences especially in smaller and more remote communities. It also provides a onetime $1,500 signing bonus for teachers on strength during the 1996/97 school year.

The agreement contains a memorandum in which the GNWT agrees to strongly recommend to the Interim Commissioner and future government of Nunavut that the terms and conditions embodied in this collective agreement be continued as terms and conditions of employment for those employees located in Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, teachers are our employees and the educators of our children. They like most of our employees, are uncertain about their future as we create two new governments. We need to provide commitments and assurances to employees to make sure that both governments have the trained and skilled employees after division. That, Mr. Speaker, is one of the reasons why I felt strongly about a negotiated collective agreement, one that provides reasonable composition for our employees and labour stability as we work together to shape our future.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a MLA for the Baffin region, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the recent confusion regarding the financing of a new hospital for the Baffin region. Members of the Legislative Assembly from the Baffin region have been hearing many things, some contradictory regarding this issue and I have been very concerned.

For example, has $47 million been committed or is it $25 million? Why do Baffin residents have to pay for their hospital and other regions do not? What does 85 percent federal contribution mean in real dollars? Is the money for renovations or replacement of the 35 year-old hospital? Why has the board said no to private financing or have they? Mr. Speaker, I believe more than anything else all of the stakeholders were suffering from the lack of information and a clear understanding of the complex issues around the financing of the hospital.

I arranged for a meeting with the Baffin MLAs, the Minister of Health and Social Services and his staff in an effort to remedy this as soon as possible and avoid raising public concern unnecessarily. The Minister and his staff answered the many questions put to them by the Baffin MLAs. I also requested Ann Hanson. chair of the Baffin Regional Health Board to come to Yellowknife and meet with the Baffin MLAs to outline the issues and to clarify her concerns. I appreciate the fact that she responded immediately and came to Yellowknife on very short notice.

The meeting in my opinion was very productive. I believe this cooperative effort gave all of us a better picture of the issue and cleared up the misconceptions. We found common ground. After all, Mr. Speaker, we all share the same goal of getting a new hospital for the people of the Baffin region.

Ann Hanson and the Baffin MLAs will work together to prepare a letter to Minister Ng outlining the issues discussed at the meeting and confirm that the Baffin Regional Health Board remains open to all options for financing the Baffin Hospital. Ms Hansen will be discussing this issue when the foundation board meets on October 9th. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the MLAs, Mr. Picco, Mr. Ningark and Mr. Barnabas for helping on this important issue.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Mr. Speaker. Nine kilometres from Broughton Island is the Fox-5 DEW Linesite. Two kilometres from the community is DEW Line cargoing beach that was used by the DEW Line. These sites are of great concern to local people. A 1991 study of the area was done by Roads Rhodes Military College Environmental Science Group. The group found a lot of visible debris at the sites which needs to be cleaned up, debris that includes waste such as oil, scrap metal, storage containers and barrels. In addition, the group found several locations where there were high levels of PCBs and some of the PCBs were moving from the landfill area towards Davis Strait.

Mr. Speaker, this site being so close to the community of Broughton Island and the possible impact on local wildlife, the priority of this site needs to be moved forward. It is because of this concern that I will be bringing this issue forward during the oral question period. Thank you.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

The Member for Inuvik is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? Mr Roland, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last year I had asked the Minister for Health about breast cancer screening and availability of portable screening equipment.

This weekend there will be a walk here in Yellowknife and other communities to raise the awareness of breast cancer issues. Mr. Speaker, the north is experiencing dramatic increases in the instances of breast cancer. In a recent summary report produced by the NWT Breast Cancer Working Group should be prerequisite reading for all Members of this House. The report was carried out in 1996. Sixteen breast cancer survivors were interviewed. At the time of diagnoses the women were 30 to 64 years of age and the average age was 46. Participants represented the cultural diversity of the Northwest Territories, two Inuit, two Metis, two Denes, eight Euro-Canadians and two new Canadians were included in the group. In Nunavut and the Western Arctic, we have begun to see increased awareness of breast cancer and increased incidence of the disease. Many of the diagnosed breast cancer patients are left in the situation with an uninformed and nonsupportive environment.

Mr. Speaker, there should not be any stigma attached to the disease. If this government would help with information and support breast health awareness programs as asked and recommended by the Northwest Territories Breast Cancer Working Group, then we will have made some progress. In Canada a women dies of breast cancer every 90 minutes. Mr. Speaker, if breast cancer is detected early, the five year survival rate can be more than 90 percent. The problem here, Mr. Speaker, is that since my questions on screening equipment last year in this House, very little has been done. Mr. Speaker, I was not aware of the issues surrounding breast cancer until a constituent came to my office in Iqaluit last year and explained the problems, loneliness and lack of community-based counselling. It was heart wrenching and the ignorance I felt about the disease is too wide spread. It was after that I asked about the screening equipment in this House that could help with early detection.

The report made by the NWT Breast Cancer Working Group has made several recommendations and later today, I will be asking again the Minister for Health for an update as to the progress the department and this government is making on this most important issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about Student Financial Assistance. Mr. Speaker, recently many college and university students went back to school. I am asking our esteemed colleagues across the hall to ensure that those students can continue going back to those colleges and universities by maintaining the current rates of student financial assistance and, in fact, increasing them in some places.

Mr. Speaker, the current assistance we provide to students is only a portion of the actual cost of attending university or college. Tuition rates, book allowance and travel costs seldom cover the actual amounts students have to spend. I am concerned that the appointment of a task force by the Honourable Charles Dent, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, means that this government is looking to cut funding levels. The report has not been tabled yet, but the task force conducted public hearings on potential changes to Student Financial Assistance. Many students do not have other sources of income other than summer jobs to help pay for a year of food and shelter. Older students with families who are trying to better their education are often hardest hit. Students who struggle to pay their way can find themselves with bad credit ratings when they cannot pay all their bills.

I must warn against comparing the Government of the Northwest Territories Student Financial Assistance Program to other jurisdictions. The opportunities for northern students to take courses close to home is quite limited. While the Aurora and Nunavut Arctic Colleges are filling roles, many students still must travel thousands of miles from home to study at university. Not only are their travel costs high, but the cost of trying to stay in touch with family members is also high. The Members of this current Assembly have identified education as the answer to many of the north's social problems and unemployment rates. Providing adequate student financial assistance is an investment in the north's future and as someone much wiser than I once said, if you think education is expensive, think of the cost of not .supporting education. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year, Mr. Speaker, I brought forward to this House an information item dealing with pride. The source of my pride was my constituency. To me, Yellowknife South is the best place to live. It really is great. So great, that six of my honourable colleagues choose to reside in my constituency last year. This year, two more of my colleagues, the honourable Member for Hay River and Nunakput have seen the light and decided to join us. Welcome.

Mr. Speaker, why do so many from our Assembly want to live in the riding of Yellowknife South? Is it because of excellent schools, good roads and easy access to retail stores? Is it that they feel well represented in this Legislature Assembly?

--Laughter

We must, because, eight of us live there. Perhaps, my honourable colleagues have just liked each others company. For the Premier and the honourable Members who have not realized that Yellowknife South is the best place to live, we are waiting. What is the matter? If half of the Cabinet and one-third of the honourable Members have chosen Yellowknife South to live in, why have not the rest of you? I wonder, Mr. Speaker, since I represent one-third of the Members in this House, can my title be changed from honourable Member to Yellowknife South party leader?

--Applause

For those honourable Members who have chosen to live in Yellowknife South, I will continue to represent you in the Legislative Assembly to the best of my abilities. For those of you who have yet to make the move, what are you waiting for? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to talk about the growing issues across the north. A number of communities are currently participating in exploring the advantage of setting up community justice committees. Over the past weekend, myself and a number of Rae-Edzo residents had the privilege to participate in a workshop hosted by the honourable Premier's home community of Fort Resolution. This workshop gave us all a great insight as to the working of the community's justice committee and the reaction from the community. It was very well organized. We had a number of frank discussions with elders and youth alike. I believe that this type of system can work and is working in most communities. I hope that our Justice Department and communities work together to ensure to get the most benefit available. I would like to say that it takes a lot of hard work and perseverance and dedication by the committee, but the benefits are there. To end, I would like to thank the community of Fort Resolution for the excellent opportunity to learn and participate in the workshop. Keep up the good work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Members' statements. Are there any further Members' Statements? Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on a point of order. For Members' information on Member's statement 417-13(4), Relocation of Federal Civil Servants. On October 2, 1997, the unedited Hansard on page 2307 and 2308, the Member Mr. Ootes stated, "You will recall the reason for the motion was because Cabinet was pursuing only the mineral, oil and gas functions. In the motion, Ordinary Members asked this thrust be expanded."

In case, Mr. Speaker, there is a lapse in memory, all Members of the Legislative Assembly will recall that the government had briefed Ordinary Members' Caucus on ourselves pursuing the transfer of federal employees to the Northwest Territories prior to this motion being raised in the House and prior to Mr. Ootes making his Member's statement. So, it was a thrust that the government is already pursuing so there may be a slip in memory, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Mr. Morin, you do not have a point of order. You do have a point of debate, but we do not have that on the order paper. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

I would like to recognize Peter Hope and your friend, Mr. Nahanni. Welcome to the Assembly. Mr Roland.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department has been active in this area. In fact, the working group on breast cancer screening had completed a report on the development of guidelines for the implementation of breast cancer screening programs. That information now has been disseminated and those guidelines and recommendations are now provided to the boards from the department. It is expected that there will be implementation working groups at the board level to deal with how to implement breast cancer screening programs for their service areas, Mr Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr Ootes.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe in response to that question and the same response this year, the boards have the say in outlining what their capital needs are. They may have other priorities that they deem within their service area, as far as addressing the needs of their health centres or their hospitals under the board's jurisdiction. We are certainly not opposed, non-supportive of having a portable mammography machine available if the request comes forward as a priority of any boards. They have to take into consideration, of course, the cost effectiveness of that equipment and the service that it is going to provide for the residents, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated the government is addressing the problem by developing and implementing breast screening programs with the providers, the deliverers of the health care services in the territories, our boards, our partners. In respect to the capital requirement of the specific portable mammography machine, if there is a request that comes forward and they feel it is their priority to initiate that type of equipment for their service, then we will be supportive in looking at assisting them to that effect. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once again the department has developed and is in the process of assisting boards in implementing breast screening programs. It is up to the boards to set the priorities for the service. If individual boards have different priorities that they would deem necessary to deal with to improve or enhance the service within their areas. If they see that breast cancer screening is one of those priorities, then they will act on it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to follow-up on some questions just related by my honourable colleague from Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, has the Minister of Health reviewed the summary report by the Northwest Territories Breast Cancer Working Group? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, no I cannot say that I personally reviewed the report. I know members of my staff, the working group on breast cancer screening, have had an opportunity to review it, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After this session, I will give a copy of the report to the Minister. Will the Department of Health and Social Services, in cooperation with the Northwest Territories health boards, provide training to all Northwest Territories' physicians and community health nurses to include information on breast health issues? I guess I should give some examples in how to obtain clinical breast examinations, how to instruct others in doing breast self examinations which is called BSE and the importance of screening mammograph.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will have to wait and see what the regional implementation teams would recommend in respect to the services, the training, literature and support that they will require before we would take it to the next step, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, in my constituency one of the concerns raised by a couple of people afflicted with this disease was that information was not available in aboriginal languages or in plain language. I wonder if the Minister would recommend to the health boards, and with financial contribution because it costs a lot of money to translate the information, material to make sure this information is available. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, certainly it is important that people understand in their own language and comprehend services and prevention measures that might be available to them, so certainly we will be supportive of that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, I think the Minister, in a territorial health-wide issue like this, should take the lead and be asking the health boards how they will be dealing with this issue. I wonder if the Northwest Territories' Department of Health and Social Services will work with concerned groups to initiate and support a Northwest Territories' breast health awareness campaign? Will he direct his departmental officials to work with the boards to do this? Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly we would be receptive to any proposals that may have to deal with development and implementation of a breast health awareness campaign. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Honourable Mr. Kakfwi. Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. As I mentioned in my Member's statement this morning concerning Fox-5 DEW Linesite, nine kilometres from Broughton Island, Mr. Speaker, we know by reading the cleanup plan that was put out by the Department of National Defence. According to that cleanup plan, Fox-5 was not scheduled until the year 2000 to start the cleanup and finish up the cleanup by 2003. To the residents of Broughton Island, knowing that PCB is spreading gradually, my question to the honourable Minister is, can his department make every effort to put forward the start of the cleanup before the year 2000? Thank you.

The Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Supplementary. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the honourable Minister mentioned that it is responsibility of federal government. It has been in the news that the federal government, which is the Government of Canada, made an

agreement with the Government of the United States and have assumed responsibilities for the cleanups. It is of concern that residents of the north were not privy to these negotiations.

Can the Minister give us a progress report on any negotiations that may be going on between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada dealing with the cleanup of abandoned northern warning sights? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

My question will be directed to the honourable Minister Thompson, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. As you know and other Members of this House, I had concern on community empowerment since last year and I believe this is a significant priority to this government. I believe it is the right for the communities to accept more responsibilities and authorities for the future wellness of our communities and our residents. My constituencies of Grise Fjord, Resolute and Arctic Bay have shown a great deal of enthusiasm towards community empowerment. In doing so they feel there has been a problem in transfer of jurisdiction to the hamlet. My question is, can the Minister please tell me why the community of Arctic Bay received a total of $76,000 when the program was transferred in April, 1996 and today received less than the same position in just one year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government liaison officers were transferred to the Baffin communities in April, 1996. I understand that the Baffin regional office paid the Baffin communities at the same level for April and May as was paid in the 1996/97 fiscal year, rather than at the reduced rate which was reflected in the collective agreement. In June an adjustment was made to recover the over payment and that is why the community feels they have been wronged, That is the explanation for that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the honourable Minister for responding. However, I know that my community of Arctic Bay is receiving less funding for GLO position. I would like to know from the honourable Minister what she is going to do to correct this situation.

Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MACA will be working with the Department of Executive and Financial Management Board to find a solution to this situation for the Member. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to point out to my honourable colleague, I now have two able assistants, the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo and the Honourable Charles Dent. I welcome them to the fold as they say in this difficult issue of the creation of two new territories. It is my intention later on next week to table a document that will show, hopefully, to the territories and politicians like yourselves and others, a pragmatic, practical approach to put in the essential ingredients, the essential services that are going to be required to get two new territories up and running. In this report that I intend to table later next week, it also identifies some of the shortfalls, if you want, with respect to some of the transitional costs. It also tries to allay some western fears in respect to the need for a table to discuss incremental costs and ongoing transitional costs for a Western Territory as it unfolds. I am hopeful that we will get some buy in this transition plan because I fundamentally believe that it does provide a blue print for the initial steps that are necessary to ensure that we can celebrate on April 1, 1999, as our Premier frequently says. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I want to ensure my honourable colleague, it will not be the blind leading the blind. I believe once we table this document that it is and we instructed them to write it in a manner that is understandable to the public at large and to ourselves. I think that it has been designed and the writing style is a very pragmatic one. I am hopeful that most people will be able to understand it. However, we will have a communication strategy and we will have a number of executive summaries of this report and we intend to, as we have been this last week, be talking to all the parties. Yesterday, I finished a briefing with Mr. Natsiq Kango who is the Secretary Treasurer of NTI. We have had a number of briefings with the Interim Commissioner's office. I have spoken to both federal Ministers, Mr. Martin and Ms. Stewart on the document. We presented the document to Caucus. This afternoon, we are going to go through a detailed review of the document with the Nunavut Caucus. We need to do exactly the same thing with the public at large. We are developing that right now to ensure that everybody fully understands what we are suggesting in this transition plan.

If I may this morning, I would like to have the opportunity to stress to everybody, it is exactly that, a transition plan. It is not a complete blueprint for division. It is not a complete blueprint for the two new emerging governments. That is up to the two new emerging governments. It is a transition plan to put the essential bureaucratic services in place so that on April 1, 1999, we can have two functional governments. The transitional plan is going to require some buy-in by all the partners. There is no question about that. I am hoping that we will have a healthy debate about it in this house later on next week and the following weeks as we move forward in this session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker I think that is a good question and it is one that has been asked by everybody across the territories, is there going to be fairness, equity and transparency in the process. I want to assure my honourable colleagues here there is going to be exactly that. There will be fairness, equity and transparency in the process. In my discussion with Mr. Martin last week, I wanted to get his support as I have said consistently for two formulas with respect to the gross expenditure base. I am reasonably confident and I am reluctant to say today whether he will agree or not agree, but I am reasonably confident he understands the need for this approach. I am hopeful that in the next week or so I will be able to get an affirmative response from him. When I do, I will announce that in the House. I have a great deal of respect for the Finance Minister of Canada and a great deal of respect for when he tells me what he is going to do. He will do exactly what he says he is going to do. The issue of two new formulas, if that is what my colleague is alluding to, and the need to establish an appropriate gross expenditure base based upon the kind of new governments that we see emerging is critical if we are going to get fairness, equity and transparency in the process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

Thank you. The Minister responsible for Resources. Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd, on the implications of acquiring a diamond valuation sorting facility for the north. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, we heard several Members including myself on the issue of diamond valuation and sorting facility for the north. My colleagues, Mrs. Groenewegen from Hay River, and Mr. Ootes and myself from Yellowknife, all spoke on this issue. It may have appeared that this call for a facility in the north is a local or regional interest. My question to the Minister is, is this a local issue or does it have territorial implications? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, no. I want to assure my honourable colleague that this is a major policy issue in relationship to the way in which Canada is going to determine in the north our tax royalty regime as well as if you want the secondary benefits derived from this industry that is very dynamic. As I said earlier in my speech, I do not think we want to be treated any differently or our desires are any different than Mr. Tobin's are in Newfoundland with Voisey Bay. I think he is going through the same issues. If not, as he wants to ensure that he gets for his constituents the kind of levels of revenues that is due an area like Newfoundland, I think we are no different. We are saying we have got a major project on our doorstep. It has territorial-wide implications in respect to our fiscal position. It provides us for the first time, as long as I can remember, if we do this right and if our partners, the federal

government, agree to do it right with us, it provides us with an opportunity to be less dependent than we have ever been in the past. I want to remind everybody and I am sure I do not need to, but I have to remind the territorial population this is one diamond mine. There maybe others to come. My honourable colleague is correct. This is not a small regionalized, localized issue it has territorial implications both now and certainly for the future when the two emerging governments will occur on April 1, 1999. Thank you.

Oral question. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the appropriate legislation is put in place by the federal government - and you will note that I said when and not if -- can the Minister please indicate what the next process will be in the establishment of this facility? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd

Our focus right now, Mr. Kakfwi in particular and myself, as I said many times in this House is to get the federal government to recognize the diamond sorting valuation and I want to stress that diamond sorting and valuation must be done in the Northwest Territories and must be done off site. I heard yesterday that the new spin from BHP is well, we are going to do it on site whether we like or not. That is totally unacceptable. Let me say that loud and clear. First of all we have to ensure that in the diamond regulations, they are currently being developed, if you want as our former colleagues, Mr. Avison, used to say the rules engagement are now being developed. We hope that he will be developing partnership with us. Certainly Mr. Kakfwi's department and my own, Finance, have been intimately involved in trying to influence if you want how these regulations will occur. We have not yet seen what the final regulations will be. We have insisted that we be an equal partner in this process. I think it will be premature by me to say it this time what the next step will be. Our focus has to be to ensure that we get into regulations and work with our federal colleagues in developing an appropriate course of action and Mr. Kakfwi's office has been very active in this side of things. Hopefully we will come to a satisfactory arrangement to satisfy both Canadians and southern Canada and more importantly northerners in northern Canada. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister have any indication from the Minister of DIAND, Minister Stewart, as to when the draft documents of the mining regulations will be ready for the Government of the Northwest Territories input? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

No, at this time I do not have an indication. I know that it is currently being worked on. I believe so and there is some discussion underway with industry and hopefully with ourselves. I think we are reasonably entrenched in the process. I would hope that the partnership, cooperative arrangement that we currently have with the federal government would be maintained.

I know that we have cranked up the stakes lately, and I think it is important that we do that. I would hope that the federal government would see that we have a legitimate point of view that we are either a legitimate partner in the process or we are not. I am fairly confident Minister Stewart recognizes that we need to be a legitimate, equal partner in the process and as we move forward. I am trying to develop public policy Because that is what this is all about, as to how the diamond industry operates in Canada and how we can reap the benefits, if you want, and ensure that the industry has a reasonable playing field that they can make the kinds of dividend payments that they expect to ensure there is some stability for the shareholders and they can continue to invest in this part of the country. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, in a recent report the Minister conducted regarding the Keewatin Health Board and the Baffin Health Board, he indicated that there will be a cost benefit and analysis conducted regarding the major changes that would take place to the Baffin Health Services. My question to the Minister, did the Minister also request that a cost benefit analysis be conducted regarding the major changes to the services in the Keewatin? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the recommendations, a cost benefit analysis on the Keewatin changes was not one of the recommendations. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.