Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate one of the only elders here, Mr. Evaloarjuk's birthday. He was born on February 18, 1937. I would also like to celebrate the birthday of my colleague, Mr. David Akeeagok.

--Applause

Thank you. Happy birthday, Mr. Evaloarjuk. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, back when the Minister of Finance made his budget speech, I had made a statement and asked questions in regard to the homeless in Yellowknife and other parts of the Northwest Territories and in answer to my questions, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, indicated that he would be willing to work with a group or groups in order to help rectify the situation. As well the Minister of Housing had indicated that he would work with the other Ministers in the social envelope to try to address this situation. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to report today that there is such a group in Yellowknife working on this problem. They are called the Front Door Society. The Front Door Society, was formed about a year ago and their long-term mandate is to seriously look at the homeless on a larger scale. There are many unanswered questions that society needs to look at such as the impacts that division and decentralization will have. They are also doing a survey to determine the actual number of homeless people in Yellowknife and what services are already available to them. As well, to look at the availability of lands within the city, which ones would be best suited for a facility and what the costs will be. Obviously, it would be nice to if they could get a donation of land from the city or one of our senior governments.

The Front Door Society's goal is to provide a rooming house for hard to house people within the City of Yellowknife. Their challenge is to provide supportive housing that recognizes residents as individuals who value their independence and that facilitates and supports choice in people's lives while developing and supporting a community of residents. The society is in the process of getting a charitable organization status so they can provide tax exempt receipts when they receive donations. Mr. Speaker, the society has already had meetings with all interested parties, meaning those who provide services to people in need, particularly the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services as well as the City of Yellowknife and of course we have to bring in the citizens of Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, doing it this way makes it truly a solution that comes from the community. The society's next step, Mr. Speaker, is to make a presentation to the Yellowknife City Council of February 23, 1998 at which time they will be discussing their proposal. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have two returns to oral questions. The first one asked by Mrs. Groenewegen on January 21, 1998

Further to your question posed to the honourable Minister Antoine, I am pleased to provide the following information.

There is provision for organ donation through the Critical Care Unit at Stanton Regional Hospital in Yellowknife. An Alberta organization, the Human Organ and Procurement Exchange Society (HOPE) supplies the funding and personnel for organ retrieval procedures at Stanton. HOPE also organizes organ transplant services in Alberta and coordinates with similar organizations across Canada and the United States.

There have been requests to include an organ donor agreement on NWT drivers' licences. Instead, the Department of Health and Social Services is going to look at the possibility of including this information on health care cards. Health care cards are more widely held by NWT residents than drivers' licences. With the creation of two new territories, health care cards will be redesigned. The department is actively pursuing the idea of incorporating organ donation information on the new health care cards.

We should remember that signing a card does not guarantee organ donation. People should discuss their wishes with their families. It is important that families know their loved one wants to be an organ donor, as the next of kin always have final approval of any organ donation.

The second return to oral question Mr. Speaker, asked by Mr. Picco on February 3, 1998.

A comprehensive review, by the Medical Services Branch of Health Canada, of the non-insured health benefit (NIHB) drug benefit list has been ongoing. The purpose of the continuing review is to ensure that the drugs on the list meet current needs of NIHB clients and that they reflect current medical practices as new information emerges about both the old and new drugs.

While coverage of some drugs will be limited or discontinued, a significant number of drugs continue to be added to the NIHB formulary on an ongoing basis.

The decision to add or delete any drug is made only after careful consideration. The particular needs of NIHB clients, the safety of the drug, the accumulated scientific research and the availability of better alternatives are all factors that are weighed in deciding which drugs remain listed. The revised drug benefit list will contain approximately 6,000 items which ensure that comprehensive drug coverage is available to all NIHB clients.

In cases where doctors want drugs that are not on the list for their NIHB clients, they are asked to complete an exception drug request form explaining why that particular drug is needed. Coverage will not be denied for any drug for which there is a legitimate medical need.

The updated drug benefit list was distributed to all NWT pharmacies, physicians and health centres in September, 1997. As well, letters were sent to chiefs, First Nations, Inuit associations, medical associations and regional health and social services boards.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe I already informed the Member that they had been distributed. There was a question about where they were distributed. I committed to having that information available for committee of the whole, review of the budget and I do have that information but not with me right now. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is a government-wide problem. It is my understanding these computers purchased are year-2000 compatible. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are no plans to change anything. The boards will continue to be the program service delivery agent in their service areas. We will continue to provide support to them as much as possible. In fact, to strengthen some of the support mechanisms, we have to provide as much assistance as possible to the boards. Thank you.

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

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, most definitely. It is the whole intent of the establishment of boards that they would be more accountable and responsible to the people they have served through direct representation of people that are within their service areas, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.