Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also have some questions relating to the activity description on page 6-8. On that page in the second paragraph, we note that ministry and corporate services is responsible for setting a system-wide framework for planning, governance, program and service development and resource allocation.

Can the Minister explain to me how ministry and corporate services relates to the Joint Leadership Committee? I really want to know who is in charge.

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Very clearly, ultimately, the Minister is in charge. The department is run on a day-to-day basis by the deputy minister and the staff that report to him. There is an oversight and ensured leadership responsibility that JLC provides. They meet formally four times a year and do monthly conference calls to look at this broad direction and initiatives underway, such as the action plan. Very clearly, ultimately in terms of the overall system, the Minister is in charge. Thank you.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. According to the terms of reference of the Joint Leadership Council, one of the points of the mandate is to oversee the implementation of any major reforms to the health and social services system. Oversee the implementation -- that sounds fairly hands-on to me. How does that relate then back to ministry and corporate services if this is the group that is going to oversee the implementation? What is the role of the department in terms of the JLC and the implementation?

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the board chairs, myself and the deputy comprise JLC. The department, with its functions and its responsibilities, carries out its day-to-day responsibilities plus the broad direction that is provided by JLC in terms of that strategic direction. Thank you.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess where I have some concern is that in our budget books, we are told that ministry and corporate services is responsible for legislation and regulation and policy-making. When I look at the mandate of the JLC and I see direction setting and recommending approval of system-wide plans and directing the development and implementation of cooperative initiatives, I am confused about who is actually going to be setting policy for health care in the Northwest Territories.

Is policy going to remain something that is determined by elected officials or is it one that is going to be set by the Minister in consultation with the JLC, which is made up of appointed people?

Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Chairman, legislation will, of course, be determined by this House. Policy will be set after due process and once we look at all the requirements and the various issues on the table with regard to specific policy in question, the JLC provides a broad oversight role. The department has legislative mandates, legal mandates that they will follow through on. As the Minister, I will ultimately be responsible for the policies and legislation that comes out of the department or before this House. Thank you.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am quite aware of what the legislative requirements are in terms of accountability for policy setting. I guess what I am looking for is an assurance from the Minister that policy will be set by elected officials and not something that is determined by him in conjunction with people he has appointed to boards.

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, as Minister, I am ultimately responsible for the department. As a Member of Cabinet, Cabinet always has and retains and it was crafted in such a way so that it was very clear that Cabinet has the responsibility, authority and the mandate to set the policy. The role of the JLC provides oversight and direction and brings the pieces of the system together so that they can look at these broad issues in a collaborative, cooperative way. It does nothing to undermine the authority and responsibility of myself as the Minister or Cabinet, or the role of this Legislature in terms of doing its job. It just brings an opportunity to bring what was somewhat disconnected pieces of the system together to hopefully work more collaboratively and cooperatively and effectively together.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Will the Minister table the terms of reference for the Health and Social Services Joint Leadership Council?

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I believe we shared them with the Social Programs committee, but I would be happy to table those terms of reference.

We will move on to detail, page 6-9, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I was wondering if I could ask what is driving the $500,000 plus increase in other expenses that we see here between the 2001-2002 main estimates and the 2002-2003 main estimates?

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, that is the legislative action plan and the work that is being done to try to fast-track three pieces of specific legislation and the two discussion papers.

Mr. Dent.