The question has already been asked and answered. Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like I said yesterday in the Legislative Assembly what the new vision for the Western Territory is for a strong central government and a government that works in partnership with aboriginal governments. Also, the Member is well aware we are presently at different negotiation tables and we are negotiating. We know for sure that we have to have a government that represents all people in the Northwest Territories in setting standards and enforcement, accounting

and making sure that citizens have the ability to move freely throughout the Northwest Territories. As well making sure that our citizens whether they are aboriginal or non-aboriginal all continue to enjoy the same level of services we have today.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is absolutely correct. In order for northern residents to continue to enjoy the levels of services and programs we have today the central government has to be able to tax people and redistribute wealth. We cannot move ahead with blinders on. We have seen the experience of southern Canada. All you have to do to see what happens in southern Canada is walk into one reserve that has oil and one that does not. You will see clearly what the problem is with that system. We believe strongly that there should be a strong central government that has the ability to redistribute wealth throughout the regions in the Northwest Territories and the communities, so all of our residents enjoy the same level of services we have today. That does not say that aboriginal governments do not have the right to tax as well. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we speak today our staff are working on a communication strategy and as well, as part of that strategy we believe that we should be out in basically the majority of the communities in

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Morin.

Mr. Speaker, we have made it very clear that as we move ahead after April 1, 1999 in the new Western Territory, we want the same level of services. We also want want an affordable and workable government. That does not say that yesterday what we said in this House is that we recognize the inherent right of aboriginal people to govern themselves. In order for aboriginal people to express their inherent right, they have to have choices. They have to make those choices. If they choose to take a parallel system, that is completely up to them. That is their choice, their inherent right. What we are saying is we prefer a partnership arrangement. Everybody should make their decision with the clear facts on the table. That is most important. The clear facts have to be on the table so their people fully understand what their leaders choose. We as well, if partnership is our choice, we have to go and talk to the people and say these are the reasons we think partnerships should work. Aboriginal governments, the MLAs, the leaders in the community all have the responsibility to put the facts on the table. One thing is very clear to me, Mr. Speaker. Regardless which way the aboriginal governments choose to go, I want to see a clear path from the start to the end, and where we are going to end up, in the end. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had spoken about the Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation and its efforts to raise money for equipment, including a CT scanner, which is used to diagnose and follow up on various forms of diseases of internal problems such as cancer and for determining the cause for stroke and traumatic injuries. I also indicated in a typical year over 17,000 patients from communities outside of Yellowknife in the western Arctic and Kitikmeot region, are seen in Stanton. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if he has been approached by the Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation to inquire about assistance for obtaining a CT scanner?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Stanton Regional Hospital and the Stanton Foundation, I guess on two different fronts have approached both myself through Members of the Foundation and through their Chairperson, Ms. Ehaloak on the issue. In addition, they have also presented a proposal to my senior staff within the department. At this time, there are some questions it has raised. We have asked for some economic substantiation on some of the savings and the increases in the quality of service that are being projected, prior to reaching a final decision on this. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate how soon he expects to receive this information from the foundation? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.