Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that there is a major backlog in patient referrals and this in itself, I believe, would cause the Keewatin residents to be at risk. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minster is at this point in time, how many doctors are available in the Keewatin region? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not know the specific numbers at this very moment of how many physicians are in the Keewatin. As I have responded in the past to this question, it is a matter of accessibility of clients to physician services, and physician services are certainly available outside the Keewatin. I do not know on this backlog, of the nature of the appointments or the assessment would be for the clients, so I cannot say whether or not they would be at risk at this time. I certainly do not think that that would be the case otherwise they would not be in the region or in the community, they would be at the points of reference that would be able to provide them the services that they require, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question was how many doctors are now presently employed or working in the Keewatin? Will the Minister advise this House as to how often or on what basis his department or staff are checking the delivery of services in the Keewatin as a result of the major concern and fear that now exists in the Keewatin as a result of these changes?

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are certainly not on a basis monitoring the situation. If the situation arises where there are some concerns and the honourable Member has brought up the potential for possible backlogs. I will have my department check with the Regional Health Board to see exactly what the status is of the physician services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Steen.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under our community empowerment initiative, MACA is bringing forward this proposal to the mayors at the request of the mayors interest. Thank you.

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

Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is not a regional government we are creating, it is a coordinated approach for transfers to take place to the communities in the Keewatin Region. This is a better way of doing business with the communities. It is at the proposal stage. It is not a regional government because it does not have a law making authority. They are not making laws, they do not have the authority to do that, so it is not a regional government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Steen.

Ms. Thompson.

Mr. Speaker, the reason for this is that savings due to opportunities for a more efficient program delivery and reduction of duplication at the local level would be realized through this proposal. There should be net savings and all savings realized that would remain with the community governments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question period is over. Item 7, written questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the community of Broughton Island has contacted the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development many times in the past year. The community would like to have the renewable officer transferred through community empowerment. Requests have been made for a draft transfer agreement and actual costs for the position for the past three years. Correspondence from the community shows that the information has been requested at least four times in writing, since last October. When can the community of Broughton Island expect the following: a draft transfer agreement for the renewable resource officer and actual costs for the last three years for the position of renewable resource officer to be forwarded to the community? Thank you.

Thank you. Written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, report of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Legislative Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Programs has reviewed Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Companies Act and Bill 22, An Act to Amend the Corrections Act and wishes to report that Bills 21 and 22 are now ready for committee of the whole. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Mr. Arlooktoo.