The question is out of order. The Minister cannot confirm or deny a media report. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. Mr. Speaker, over the past year there has been a fiscal windfall by the federal government in UI premiums. As we know, Mr. Speaker, the cost of doing business in the north is quite high. Some provincial jurisdictions are moving toward asking the federal Minister to decimate that money into the hands of employers and jurisdictions. I am wondering, Mr. Speaker, what the position of the Government of the Northwest Territories is on the surplus on the EI Fund and have any discussions taken place between our Minister and the federal government with regard to this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been considerable debate by both provincial and territorial colleagues with respect to what some would say is real and some would say perceived huge surpluses in the UIC budget. No consensus has been reached with the federal Minister on what course of action the federal Minister should do and how it impacts upon provincial and territorial jurisdictions. It is still very much in the discussions stages at this time. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess the Minister has confirmed that he has been involved in the discussions. I am wondering, could the Minister inform this House and the people of the Northwest Territories what the position of the Government of the Northwest Territories is on this surplus in the EI Fund? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On issue of this magnitude, Mr. Speaker - and that was the point I was trying to make in my earlier response - we are trying to work through with our territorial colleagues, for example, in the Yukon and some of our provincial allies, and what would be an appropriate position we would take which would meet our needs and some of the provincial needs. At this time, that has not been clearly defined. We are still in discussions and the negotiation stage. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that the finance Minister has a good working relationship with Mr. Paul Martin, the Federal Finance Minister. Will Mr. Todd be bringing this issue up with Mr. Martin in his very soon meeting over the course of the next few weeks? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

That is a very important national issue, as I am sure my colleague knows, and certainly, I would be only too happy to bring them up and share them with Mr. Martin. My only point that I am trying to make is, you need to try and reach a consensus and gather some support on these issues. Therefore, you need to give us some flexibility as we move forward in negotiations. Certainly, it is an important one and we will deal with it expeditiously and report back to the House.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, the federal program for aboriginal people, continues to be in effect, but as I have indicated in the past in this House, they review their lists of eligible drugs and medications that can be used for services.

Sometimes, when they make amendments to those lists, they fail to notify the pharmacists and physicians in a timely fashion. Sometimes, the physicians are not given the notice prior to the pharmacist getting it and it causes some problems where a physician may continue to be prescribing a drug that is not on the qualified list. In that instance, the pharmacist may charge because it is not a qualified drug under the Non-Insured Health Benefits listing, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is the Medical Services Branch of Health Canada who runs the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Ng.