Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today goes to the Minister of Finance, with regard to the changes that will possibly have to be made to the Liquor Act pertaining to gambling on licensed premises.

Mr. Speaker, I think the Minister may recall that there were some headline items in the early summer where some of the local establishments were banned from allowing raffle tickets to be sold in these licensed premises. I think we are all aware here about the necessity and importance of selling raffle tickets and buying them to raise money for all sorts of reasons. Since the Minister had indicated that he was directing his staff to review this and see how this can be rectified, I would like the Minister to advise this House as to the status of this initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, as the Member has noted, my department is looking at how to rectify this problem. They will be developing a proposal to amend the Liquor Act to allow limited forms of gambling in liquor establishments. These limited forms of gambling, such as raffles, meat raffles, would be conducted by service clubs or charitable organizations. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for confirming what he has already indicated and something I have already known. The Minister indicated in his letter to us that he was looking at legislative change but that he would have it available for the public by the fall, by the September session. We are two days before the end of session and we have not seen anything. I was wondering if he could give us a clearer idea as to his time line. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, given the workload of the department, I do not believe we will be able to have the proposal for Members to review during this session. However, I can assure the Member that we are working on it. We realize the problem it has created and the inconsistency between the Lotteries Act and the Liquor Act. We are doing what we can to resolve it and resolve it in a way that is fair to everybody. No, we will probably not have it during this sitting. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the workload of everybody here but I think the serious question that remains is the fact that under the Liquor Act right now, there is a question as to whether or not gambling is allowed. However, I understand that it is being allowed. We have a question as to whether or not it is an illegal act. Could the Minister comment on his opinion on that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Perhaps, Ms. Lee, you would be advised to rephrase your question, rather than ask the Minister his opinion? Ms. Lee.

Mr. Speaker, just to be clear, I am not asking for his opinion, rather what is he doing with the situation where people may be engaged in illegal gambling in these premises, since it is not allowed under the act? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct. There has been a long-standing practice where service clubs have allowed gambling in their premises. That has been in the form of Nevada tickets and meat raffles, as well as other sorts of raffles. This has been going on for many years.

Technically, it is a violation of the Liquor Act. We recognize it has been going on. There is not any great damage that has been done. We are working on resolving this issue to ensure that all establishments are operating within the law.

I was hoping to have a proposal ready for this sitting. I do not have it now but I assure you that we are working on it. Basically, the proposal we are putting forward, as I mentioned, is to allow limited gambling. I think that is satisfactory with the establishment owners. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Your final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if the Minister understands. I understand the situation here as well as he does and I get the feeling the Minister wants to make it possible for limited gambling to take place but the fact is that right now, gambling is not allowed under the Liquor Act. He is condoning illegal activities taking place in these premises. Is he not concerned about that as the Minister of Finance, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I certainly have concerns about it and if I receive complaints about it, then I will deal with it. In the meantime, we have operators who are complying with one act, the Lotteries Act, but in so doing, may not be complying with the Liquor Act. It is an inconsistency. It is a weakness in our legislation. We have to fix it as quickly as we can and my department is doing everything they can to get this resolved as quickly as we can.

In the meantime, I see no need to take any drastic action in terms of the way our liquor establishments are operating, unless someone raises a complaint with me. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the operation of the Hay River Community Health Board has been viewed by many as a government experiment in local control. Our health board was allowed to maintain a greater degree of independence in areas of staff retention and governance. Many of my constituents feel strongly that this experiment was a great success and that the community of Hay River has been well served by the efficient operation of the locally-focused board. Would the Minister please advise this House if he is in agreement with this assessment of the Hay River Community Health Board?

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. I will pass the question on to the Minister of Health. Rather than an opinion, perhaps his department would have a position on it, rather than himself. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree that the Hay River Health and Social Services Board has had a long and honourable history. It plays a key role in the delivery of services, especially in the South Slave. I accept that and I recognize that fact. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Hay River Community Health Board and the union representing its current employees, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, are both in agreement that a separate bargaining unit for employees has been an integral part of the board's ability to successfully meet the local needs and priorities of the community of Hay River. Is the Minister prepared to allow this status and relationship to continue so that the constituents can continue to receive the benefits from an arrangement that has worked so efficiently over the years? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.