Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I cannot confirm if it is or is not the case. As I advised the honourable Member last week, I believe I said the management team had gotten on the ground early last week and had to evaluate the situation, I guess, to find out exactly what the status was. I said that the human resource issue was one of the priorities and the provision of services would follow shortly after that. So I cannot say right now what the delay is in starting negotiations, but I will check into the matter and report back. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr Speaker, can the Minister give us an update as to what changes or what additional medical services have been provided since the crisis or the near collapse of our medical services in the Keewatin? What changes have taken place since the issue was raised some ten days ago? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot report today on what changes have taken place. As I had indicated, I have not had the chance to get a report back from the team that was in Rankin Inlet. I can commit to getting that report today from them. I know the first thing they had to do, as I

indicated, was an assessment of what or was not happening and what had to be done in terms of steps of action to put things in place, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just assume that a lot of this work had been done with the report that the Minister asked for a number of months ago. I am sure that the Minister can appreciate that there are many nervous people in the Keewatin regarding their health care. I would ask the Minister if he could give us a date when we could expect to get his report as to the status of health care in the Keewatin, the number of doctors, nurses and so on, and when he can deliver this report to the House?

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I indicated I would get the report from the department today, and I will provide the status as soon as possible. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Mr. Speaker, I think what I am asking for is fairly straightforward. The Minister has already indicated that he is aware of how critical the situation is in the Keewatin and the fear that exists within the Keewatin people. I am asking the Minister for a date as to when the people of Keewatin can hear results of the report and what has been accomplished to date. Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I said I would try to do it as soon as possible. I will commit to trying to do it before the end of this week. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, it is ominous because if we cannot come to a negotiated arrangement and we let third parties mediate the decision, and if the decision is not affordable, there will be more employees in this government laid off and more services that are cut back. It is just that simple. What I have consistently said to everybody, to the public, to this House, we want to negotiate an affordable settlement. I am hoping that all parties will come to the table with the realization that is what we expect, nothing more, nothing less. I am hoping that the UNW will be back to the bargaining table, as they say, on February 2nd. Thank you.

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

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have indicated to our parties that I would like to see the issues dealt with and dealt with as quickly as possible. One is outstanding from ten years ago. At least I have said consistently I have made the overture to try and negotiate an affordable settlement. I would hope that on February 2nd, both issues will be on the table again. Thank you.

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

Mr. Todd.