Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return

asked by Mr. Picco on February 6, 1998, legal requirement for contracting reporting.

The requirement to publish a list of payments to contractors which exceed $5,000 was a decision of this government and is not a requirement of the Financial Administration Act.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd, you can proceed with all three.

Thank you. On behalf of Mr. Ng, if I may, Mr. Speaker. There was a question asked by Mr. Roland on February 10th, with respect to custom adoption.

The Department selected a candidate for the post of custom adoption commissioner for Inuvik following nominations from the community. On February 13, 1998, the custom adoption commissioner training package was mailed to the candidate. The Minister will make an appointment once this person successfully completes the training package. This appointment is expected to be made in the near future.

Mr. Enuaraq on February 11, 1998 asked with respect to an elders' home in Broughton Island.

The Department of Health and Social Services supports the promotion of independence for elders by providing home care services which enables the elder to stay in his home community for as long as possible.

We recognize that at times the needs of elders become much greater than can be provided for by the family and the home care supports. Sometimes, it is necessary for the elder to move to a facility which can provide the necessary care.

As it is not economically feasible to construct long-term care homes in each community, we are promoting the use of regional long-term care facilities for such a service. In the case of the Baffin region, the facility would be the Iqaluit Elders' Home or for an even higher level of care, the Baffin Regional Hospital in Iqaluit.

We have consulted with the regional health care providers on the current status of the needs of the elders in Broughton Island. At this time, there are elders who are receiving minimal support services, such as medicating or supported living. We are pleased that the elders are successfully being supported in this way, enabling them to remain in their home.

Last, Mr. Speaker, if I may, with respect to a question asked by Mr. Henry on organ donor identification.

Some provinces use the driver's licences for organ donor information. In Alberta, the organ donor agreement is incorporated on the health care card. This system has been in place for the last three years and has not caused any confusion with other jurisdictions.

The Department of Health and Social Services are looking at the possibility of including organ donor information on health care cards. Currently, only 25 percent of the entire NWT population hold a valid driver's licence, whereas the majority of residents hold a valid NWT Health Care Card. This approach would provide greater coverage of NWT residents.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

The Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Ootes is correct. This is a frequently asked question, what exactly is the net take-home pay, et cetera, for injured workers as it relates to the YMIR. I will speak, once again, to the Chairperson, Joanne Deneron, of the Workers' Compensation Board, and see, as they have done in the past, if they can continue to explain, both to employers and workers, what the net impact of YMIR means, what the recent increase was and how it affects the injured workers. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Todd.

The current fiscal position of the Workers' Compensation Board is really a full credit to not only the management of the Workers' Compensation, but to the board of directors. I would only caution my colleague by saying that has only happened in the last four or five years. Prior to that, of course, they were in fairly difficult times because it is all contingent on how successful their investment policy is, what the markets are, et cetera, because they are not only in North American markets, they are in offshore markets. Their ability to compensate is based upon, in my opinion anyway, their fiscal positions, at least their investment side. The YMIR itself is a recommendation made by the board of directors to the Minister, who then has the House approve it. I have said on a number of occasions my preference would be that the board of directors would make that decision and it would require legislative approval. However, I know the board of directors meets or reviews the YMIR, as they do pensions and everything else, on an annual basis. I will bring the concern raised by my honourable colleague to the Chairperson and to the board later next week. Thank you.

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

Mr. Todd.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, as the Minister responsible, it has to be done through legislation. As Mr. Henry and others spoke about earlier last week, there is clearly a need to revamp the legislation that covers the Workers' Compensation Board. I have said that. Unfortunately, I have also said that our legislative agenda is choked. Certainly, right now, the board of directors provides the Minister with the recommendation, who then moves forward on legislation for the YMIR. I know the board does review YMIR as it does all its others, both in the accident and pension funds, on a yearly basis, based upon their need, financial ability, et cetera. Certainly, this board has acted in a fair and reasonable way. I do concur with my colleague the cost of living in this part of the country is very, very high and difficult to live on the kinds of net dollars that come about here. I would say, from my experience as the Minister for some time, there are a significant number of our injured workers who now, understandably so, reside in the south. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

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

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is it possible to break out the results by region and community? Thank you.