Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are currently reviewing the status of the Community Constable Program. We do want to come forth with an action plan in the next several weeks to address the ongoing pressures that are stated by the Member here.

We do need a bit of time, but just to make the Member aware, we are continually working to find more effective ways of supporting this program. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for his response, however, I think there are agreements currently being signed and deals being made that are creating false expectations in our communities.

I would like to ask the Minister if he would ensure that the communities are fully aware of what they are getting into and what their responsibilities are, and that there currently is no money to cover wages.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Justice, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to refer back to the earlier question in support of the second question, the Department of the Solicitor General of Canada recently announced program funding in the amount of $135,700 to enhance the Community Constable Program.

It does include program development, consultation with communities and training of constables, and also support for increased wages. I am certainly prepared to communicate that through to the communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is very encouraging to hear that there are some initiatives in the works. My understanding of what the Minister has stated is that there are some dollars coming down the tubes from the Solicitor General for wages. I would like to ask my final question. When can we expect to see this program being implemented? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Justice, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we are trying to put together this action plan so that we may implement it for the new fiscal year in April, 2002.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was several millions of dollars. Thank you.

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

I am not sure if the Minister said $7 million or several million.

Thank you. Just for clarification, the Chair heard several million. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have recently been provided with some correspondence that the department will consider providing enhanced recruitment efforts for students entering the health care field, increased professional development opportunities for front line workers, in addition to standardized orientation programs, exit interviews, et cetera.

While I am encouraged by the department's efforts, I note that there is no mention of monetary rewards to the other allied health care professionals. Would the Minister please advise if his department will be providing a recruitment and retention bonus to all allied health care professionals in the form of monetary compensation, the same way that it has been provided to RNs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Before the honourable Minister responds to that, I would just like to remind Members that it is their direction that the Chair ask Members to limit the amount of preamble prior to the first question, shorter preamble for second, so...the honourable Minister responsible for Health, a short response.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member has raised some very good points about the downside of recruitment and retention bonuses targeted to a specific profession. One of the things we are looking at with the review of the recruitment and retention program is the whole role of these particular supplements. It is going to be dealt with through that process and will be part of the package that is going to be there with a comprehensive human resource strategy. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that under the Canadian Human Rights Act and equal wage guidelines that were issued by the Canadian Human Rights Commission, government must adhere to the standards of people paid for work of equal value. I have already stated that there have been studies done to show that there is at least 60 percent overlap in the skills between RNs and LPNs. Would the Minister please explain to this House how the government can apparently circumvent the equal pay guidelines and the Canadian Human Rights Commission by providing these recruitment and retention bonuses to RNs and not LPNs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the intent is to make such bonuses and supplements part of the collective bargaining process. The issue of the overlap with the LPNs and RNs and the need for nurse practitioners, because there are some things that they can do that doctors now do in small communities, is a very critical one in terms of sustainability and it is one once again where we are addressing as we move ahead as fast as we can with the action plan. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary...no supplementary? Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.