Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the non-insured health benefits is a federal program providing additional services for aboriginal people. We, the Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Health and Social Services contract out the delivery of those services on behalf of the Medical Services branch of Health Canada. Our term of the contract expires March 31, 1997. Medical Services branch had been in discussion with some of the aboriginal groups about the possibility of the aboriginal groups taking on the contract for delivery of these services directly. Our position was that there would be no problem with that. We were supportive of that.

The one cautionary advice that we gave, was the fact that there was a ceiling on the amount of the dollars that are available under the program. There was an administration requirement for reporting expenditures under the program to Medical Services branch. Where there were some economies with the GNWT having two individuals that administer the entire non-insured health benefits for all aboriginal people throughout the Northwest Territories, there were individual aboriginal organizations trying to take it on on a regional basis.

I understand the Baffin at one time was looking at it. It is my understanding they are not as active on this now, but the Keewatin Inuit Association was the most proactive recently. They have had some meetings with myself and their MLAs in trying to further this pilot project in trying to assume the responsibilities for delivery of the contract. We are supportive of that. It is our understanding that the federal Medical Services branch may be reconsidering their position right now, on whether or not to go ahead with any pilot project or turning it over directly to the aboriginal groups, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.