Thank you. Members' statement. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. My question is directed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. In Pond Inlet in June, 1997, hunters who were temporarily employed took some students out on a field trip. There were 11 students, along with the five hunters and their teacher. They got stranded on some ice and got carried away from their travelling equipment. They lost their snowmobiles including their sleds and tents. They had to leave everything behind. Mr. Speaker, it is estimated that each adult individual lost at least $10,000 worth of hunting and camping equipment that they owned. The hunters did not endeavour the trip on their own as they were employed by the Education Department to take the students out. Can the Minister give us an update as to what has happened since their safe return? Has the department received any claims for coverage for their loss and, if so, are the hunters being considered to receive compensation for their equipment? I would appreciate an immediate response from the Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I shall be speaking my native language. My question will be directed to the Minister of Housing Corporation, the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo. Last year, Mr. Speaker, there were a number of houses that were occupied through the public housing arrangement. Last year the rent scales were not increased and this was good for the tenants. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister of the Housing Corporation is, the houses that are being rented by the tenants, do we expect the rent scale to remain the same or do you anticipate an increase in their rent? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

The Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year the housing rental scales occupied by tenants was reviewed and we put an end to any further increases at that time. However, I can say that we are close to finalizing the review and we will make a decision in the next week or so as to what we want to do with the rental scales. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister for NWT Housing Corporation. I have a supplemental. Perhaps the Minister can indicate to me as to whether there will be an increase and, if so, will they be applied in different levels to the tenants, but will the rental increases be uniform across the territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Mr. Arlooktoo, I heard two questions.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am afraid I cannot answer the questions in detail at this time, but I can say, however, that when we readjusted the rental scales a year ago, we tried to make them uniform in all the communities. The only differences being the cost of living and the fluctuation of the food basket rates, Mr. Speaker. Those were the only factors that we had to consider in applying the rental scales. Once I receive the information, I will make an announcement to the MLAs in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in reference to my earlier statement on the NIHB. My question will be addressed to the Minister for the Department of Health. Was our Department of Health aware or privy to discussions surrounding deletion of the approximately 640 over-the-counter drugs and prescriptions being dropped from the NIHB? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Non-Insured Health Benefit Program is administered by the GNWT on behalf of Medical Services Branch of Health and Welfare Canada. It is a specific program for aboriginal peoples throughout the country. I can say that some discussions on the changes took place, but those discussions took place directly between Medical Services Branch, the Health and Welfare Canada officials and the aboriginal organizations who received the benefits on behalf of their constituents. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, are the drugs that are no longer available under the NIHB that have been and can be replaced by substitutes readily available in the north? Has the GNWT checked to see if this is, indeed, the case? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak on specifics on every individual item that is listed and whether it is or is not available. Suffice it to say, I think the pharmacies in the Northwest Territories do stock quite a number of drugs for dispensation. I cannot answer that question because of the level of the detail that the honourable Member is asking about. Thank you.