Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Government of the Northwest Territories is acting as a contractor for the federal government in delivering non-insured health benefits. In doing so, the Government of the Northwest Territories pays the full cost upfront, then invoices Canada. Apparently, they do not always pay the full amount.

There is $700,000 still outstanding to the territorial government from the federal government. There is another $800,000 in disputed billings which has since been agreed to. You have to wonder how we got into this situation in the first place, Mr. Speaker. Maybe it is time to turn the non-insured health benefits responsibility back to the Hudson's Bay Company, employees of churches and RCMP who handled this in the 1950s.

Since the rules have changed to the national Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, our government is paying the price. The contractual arrangements obviously have some flaws. The program is to provide benefits to status Indians and Inuit, a fiduciary responsibility of the federal government and the federal government is short-changing this government. The federal government is not living up to its responsibility.

According to a Health Canada report, the department is ensuring First Nations have ongoing input into the management and benefits. The focus is to transfer programs to First Nations and Inuit control. Perhaps the time has come for that to happen. I will ask some questions to the Minister responsible during question period.

--Applause