Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Ms. Pat Thomas of the NWTTA. It has been a while since I have recognized her, so I would like to welcome her today.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member is aware, we have been working diligently with the communities and our fellow colleagues in addressing the critical issue of home ownership.

We have taken it a step further to try to define what is equitable in terms of home ownership. We are presently in the process of trying to revise some of the older programs the Member referred to. I feel we can accomplish that in the next six months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement today, I outlined the concerns that were brought to my attention regarding the reimbursement of extended health benefit expenses. I indicated that this was not only a problem for the constituents of Yellowknife South, but for all residents of the North who are eligible for extended health benefit coverage.

However, it is apparent that this problem is specific to persons who have other insurance plans, and who do not have 100 percent payment coverage. I would like to follow up with the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services on this matter.

Could the Minister advise this House if she is aware of the financial problem constituents with other insurance benefits face when purchasing prescription drugs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a matter of fact, I have had a similar concern raised to me by a constituent in a very similar circumstance where they have a chronic illness that requires expensive medication and prescriptions to be purchased each month. The Member is correct. When the extended health benefit covers 100 percent of the prescription costs, then this is direct-billed to the government. Where it is shared and there is co-payment from the constituent's insurance coverage, which may be through their employer, then the constituent is expected to pick up the 20 or 30 percent out of their own pocket and be reimbursed for that. The good news is that under the extended health benefits program, someone with a chronic illness can be reimbursed 100 percent.

As to why the 20 or 30 percent residual amount cannot be direct billed to the government, I am not sure of the reasons for that and I do know that there is a delay period whereby the constituent is out of pocket for this. I would certainly be willing to look at ways, if it is possible, for this to be addressed and if not, if there would be ways of expediting reimbursement payments to constituents. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that the Minister has mentioned that this can be hundreds of dollars per month and that there is a delay, would the Minister commit to working with the Northwest Territories Pharmacy Association to look at how to best deal with this matter? This may include online billing. I am wondering if she will commit to work with the Northwest Territories Pharmacy Association. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this process for reimbursement is something that is laid out by policy of the Department of Health and Social Services. I think the first place I would have to take this to is the department to see if there is some alternative way of direct billing for this. Certainly, if such a change was agreed to, then we could undertake it. The secondary step would be to deal with the pharmacies with the change of practice and have it direct billed if it is possible to do it. I do not know what the reasons may be that would preclude that from happening. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to then thank the Minister for looking into this internally to see what the department could do. I think we have a serious problem here when our constituents have to be out of pocket for money we know they will be reimbursed for. I would like to thank the Minister very much for looking into this.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. There was no question there. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board. I would like the Minister to inform this House of the timelines for the completion of the review that the Public Utilities Board had underway, but was cancelled because of problems with the contract. When does he anticipate that the contract will be let? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In response to the question yesterday, I had stated to the Member that hopefully we will be able to conclude the study by the end of June. That is the latest information I have for the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate whether there will be an opportunity for public involvement and consultation in this process, given that it affects the rates and delivery of power across the Northwest Territories and the regulation of that power? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, from what I understand, there is a process to allow the public to have input. To what degree, Mr. Speaker, I would not be able to answer that at the moment. Thank you.