Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister did say yesterday that she signed off on this decision. She is taking ultimate responsibility for having made the decision. Again I would ask, was she satisfied that this initiative was looked at in some detail? Has she satisfied herself of that?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I was the one who was responsible for final approval of those decisions on the privatization initiatives. I was satisfied with the advice that was provided to me in the preparation of those communications to the chair of the Stanton Board, Mr. Elkin, before forwarding that correspondence. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. According to section 38.02 of the collective agreement between the UNW and this government, the employers are required to "provide information, including the rationale relevant to the work that is being reviewed for the potential of contracting out." If this was followed as part of the whole detailed process that the Minister is confident was followed, will she please table that rationale in this House?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the initiative came forward from the Stanton Board and the senior staff at Stanton. We would expect that all authorities, policies and regulations would be adhered to. Due to the delegative authority and autonomy of the boards, I would have to check to ensure that it would be proper for me to provide that rationale in the House for tabling. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the collective agreement between the UNW and this government is not between the UNW and the hospital board. It is between the UNW and the Government of the Northwest Territories. If that is set out in that agreement, then this government must make sure that was followed.

I am asking, and I will ask again, will the Minister table the rationale that was provided pursuant to section 38.02 of the collective agreement between this government and the UNW?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said, I will have to check with the department and the board on that, so I will take that question as notice. Thank you.

Thank you. That final question has been taken as notice, Mr. Dent. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a very good question and an issue that we have been aware of, Mr. Speaker, once we looked at some of the areas of costs that could impact individuals. We just completed a survey, Mr. Speaker, to look at the increase in food prices across the Territory and we are looking at some changes in our program. We also are taking some time to look at the impact of the taxes that may come in to see what kind of impact it will have. At that point, we will look at additional changes if warranted. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are going to, on an annual basis, look at reviewing the amount of income support that is supplied in relationship to changes that may take place, Mr. Speaker. I cannot guarantee that we will increase prices because it does depend somewhat on the impact of those increases and the percentage of increase it will cause, and certainly we will keep that mind. We have been thinking along that line. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Before I ask the honourable Minister to respond, I just want to caution the Member to be careful in the line of questioning here. You are going pretty close to some issues that are on the agenda for later today. I have allowed considerable latitude and I will continue to do that, but it is just a caution. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, we have just completed a survey and are looking at some changes, Mr. Speaker. The Member has a very good point. As increases are impacted upon people here in the Territories -- what area, how are we responding -- we will certainly be sensitive to any increases that come in. I cannot guarantee, though, Mr. Speaker, that we can react immediately to that because I think we have to look at this on a more regular basis and on a more consistent basis rather than reacting every time some increase comes in. Certainly I understand what the Member is getting at and we are prepared to look at this on a regular basis. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Your final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.