Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can give that assurance, certainly. It is a very dramatic step to get into that type of an enquiry type of situation and as you know, there would have to be serious circumstances to warrant having that happen, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

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

Thank you, it is good to be back. People must have missed me the last couple of days. In respect to the Sahtu health care services, the last Minister of Health and Social Services chose to bring to Cabinet a decision paper that outlined where the Sahtu communities went for their health services. Specifically, it was decided at that time, Fort Good Hope and Colville Lake residents had the choice of going to Inuvik or Yellowknife for their services. People in Norman Wells, Deline and Tulita were asked to be referred to Yellowknife for their services. Thank you.

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

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, generally Cabinet or Ministers will adopt or operate on the basis of former Cabinet decisions. Ultimately, each Minister has responsibility under specific statutory instruments, legislation, outlining their authority. I use for example, my case as Minister of Health and Social Services under the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Act, I have the authority to establish boards of management. I have the authority to delegate to them the authority to control health facilities, health programs and

services within that area which is scooped out, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in a circumstance like this, I can be guided by a Cabinet decision, but I do not have to go to Cabinet because of authority that is invested in me under the statutory instrument. I can, of course, have the option of going to Cabinet to seek the overturn of a former decision if I deem that would be necessary or if I wanted to get some Cabinet direction or guidance on it, but ultimately, no. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would have a couple of options. As I indicated, I could put forward a new decision paper to Cabinet to reverse the former Cabinet decision or I could exercise my authority as I indicated under the legislation and basically, not consult with Cabinet in implementing or supporting any changes that may have been inconsistent with former Cabinet decisions. Mr. Speaker, by doing so, I would be exercising my authority by implying to amend or repeal the former decision. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow my colleagues and ask the questions to the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, the Minister just returned from a meeting with his provincial, territorial and federal counterparts on health. My concern today Mr. Speaker is, why was it decided not to help, financially, the Hepatitis C sufferers? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is a serious, complex issue. There was a decision actually by provincial, territorial and federal health Ministers to work toward providing a financial assistance package to Hepatitis C affected individuals. The issue, quite frankly, I have to be careful because there is some sensitivity in negotiations going on between the federal government and my provincial and territorial colleagues in respect to who is going to contribute what toward this program and what are some of the perimeters of the program that may be offered, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during these negotiations and meetings, what is the position of the Northwest Territories government on this issue? Thank you.