Thank you, Mr. Voytilla. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the area of primary and acute care programs, expanding a little further on what Mr. Dent has been discussing in the area of forced growth, I look at some numbers here and, maybe it is just how I interpret it or my math compared to Mr. Voytilla's math or the Department of Health and Social Services, for example, to provide funding for a third internal medicine specialist for associated support staff at Stanton Regional Hospital, $420,000. Then when you look at it again, the Stanton Regional Health Board, when you look at just forced growth funding of $915,000, when you look at standardized physician contracts in the Northwest Territories of $1.4 million, not all of that would be accounted for Stanton. I agree. However, a large portion would be because of the amount of doctors here.

When you look at the $1,413,000 below that, again to deal with the clinics purchased here for the primary health care services delivery model in Yellowknife, one can argue that is a separate area, but, in fact, that has an impact on how things are carried out, how those physicians work for other residents in the Territories. It is hard to separate.

However, when you add those up, for example, just trying to isolate the one for Stanton, my numbers are over $1 million and whatever portion is out of the $1,460,000 that would go towards Stanton.

If, for example, you did not address the $420,000 for an internal medicine specialist, we would see a larger deficit, is the way I would see it. So are we, in fact, by this supplementary appropriation, dealing more with some of the ongoing problems that we have heard about in the past number of months, rather than dealing with new initiatives. Is that a correct interpretation on my part? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, first of all, let me just say that none of the $1,460,000 goes to Stanton. It is all for the other hospitals.

Are we dealing with an ongoing problem, as compared to new initiatives? I suppose you could say that we are because this same problem has been going on for a long time.

That $1,460,000 goes, roughly, $379,702 to Fort Smith; $755,594 to Hay River; and $499,419 to Inuvik. The Yellowknife Board actually loses $574,290.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is a breakdown of the $1,460,000. When I look at, again, the numbers; $420,000, the $915,00 that has been identified as a historical base funding shortfall, 1997 to 1998 and 2001 to 2002, is over $1 million. Is that correct? In fact, are we expending more on an ongoing basis? If we did not address this funding at this point, we would in fact be looking at an additional $1.3 million, let us say, of deficit.

Just another one, Mr. Chairman, the simple fact that as we look at it, the Minister stated this has a long history, but according to what Mr. Voytilla stated to Mr. Dent, in 1997-1998, 1998-1999 years, the budget had an accumulated surplus of some $300,000. This shortfall we are talking about is in fact in the last year, pretty well, year and a half, maybe two years. In 1999-2000, there must be some identifiable situation that has come around to suddenly increase this and turn things around totally. If we can get some information on that. How will we address that so that next year, or in three months time when we come back for the fall, for example, addressing another supplementary appropriation to deal with these shortfalls?

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, there has been a turnaround in the last few years. As Mr. Voytilla pointed out, some of these boards were in a surplus position until last year or the year before that. How are we ensuring that we do not continue to see this happening? That is what the Department of Health and Social Services is working on with the boards to ensure that we do not have a trend going on here that continues to demand more and more money.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. The Chair will recognize the clock at 6:00 p.m. and will rise to report progress.

The House will come back to order. Item 20, report of committee of the whole. The Chair recognizes the honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, and Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2001-2002 and would like to report that Bill 3 is ready for third reading. Mr. Speaker, I move the report of the committee of the whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Do we have a seconder for the motion? The Chair recognizes the honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? Thank you. All those opposed? The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes the honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to Item 13, tabling of documents.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 13, tabling of documents. Are there any nays? There being no nays, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to table page C-13 from today's News/North, Monday June 11th edition.

Thank you. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 21, third reading of bills. Item 22, orders of the day. Mr. Clerk.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Again, congratulations on your 21 years of clerkship. I understand from certain information that you may almost be the longest serving Clerk in Canada. This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, June 12, 2001, at 1:30 p.m.

-- ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 6:07 p.m.