Thank you, Mr. Allen. Please be seated. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to briefly outline the process that the GNWT will undertake to formulate a response to the report from the Social Agenda Working Group.

The people of the Northwest Territories are our greatest resource. Continuing development of the North, whether it is social, economic or political development, is dependent upon the strength of our northern community. The social agenda report recognizes the need to develop a long-term plan to improve social conditions and to support healthy, self-reliant Northerners who can fully participate in the opportunities that the North provides.

The report is a result of the efforts of the Social Agenda Working Group. The report includes ten broad-based formal recommendations that apply to all levels of government and the non-government sector. As the lead in developing this government's response, I have formed an interdepartmental working committee to review the recommendations and develop a detailed draft response for review and approval.

While the working group's report includes multi-sector recommendations, the Government of the Northwest Territories can only respond to those items within its mandate and authority. Since many of the recommendations call for shared action and require a broader, multi-party response, we are committed to discussions with other parties.

Mr. Speaker, I intend to meet with members of the Intergovernmental Forum, the Special Joint Committee on Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs and the legislative committees to determine the best approach to take.

Mr. Speaker, even though we recognize there are fiscal limitations, there are things that can be accomplished within the existing resources of the GNWT. We can support projects that test new approaches, such as multi-year and block funding of wellness programs, integration of the interagency concept and one-window service centres, and cooperation with other funding agencies to integrate our approaches to project support.

The GNWT's response to the social agenda report will build on the linkages with extensive activities that are underway through existing GNWT strategies and initiatives, including the Health and Social Services System Action Plan, Active Living Strategy, Early Childhood Development Strategy, Housing Initiatives and the Seniors Action Plan.

We have many opportunities before us, Mr. Speaker, and with the support of this Legislature, I look forward to releasing a detailed public response to the Social Agenda Working Group's recommendations, and an implementation plan by early fall.

Our response will represent the GNWT's commitment, but we will continue to work in partnership with other levels of government and non-government organizations to advance the Social Agenda and bring about positive social change for the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Public Service, Mr. Handley.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, June 9th to the 15th has been declared National Public Service Week. As the Minister responsible for the Public Service of the Northwest Territories, it is my pleasure to recognize the contributions made by the men and women who make up our public service.

Every day we count on the energy, commitment and abilities of our employees to provide high quality programs and services to the public of the Northwest Territories. These services encompass everything from the delivery of health care and social programs to educating our children and managing our resources and maintaining our infrastructure. I am proud to say that our public service continues to be characterized by high standards of integrity, professionalism and dedication to service.

Mr. Speaker and Members, please join me in thanking the men and women of our public service for their outstanding work in celebration of National Public Service Week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The Chair recognizes the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Ministers' Statements 46-14(5), Social Agenda Working Group Report, and 47-14(5), GNWT Response to the Social Agenda Report, be moved into committee of the whole for discussion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. We have a motion. The motion is in order. All those in favour? Thank you. All those opposed? Thank you. The motion is carried. The Ministers' statements are moved into committee of the whole for discussion.

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of my colleague for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Floyd Roland, and myself, and with the concurrence of the respective families, I would like to take this opportunity to make my Member's statement in memory of the following three individuals from the Beaufort-Delta who recently passed away.

I am speaking of the late Lawrence Simon who passed away in Whitehorse in May of this year. He worked for the Council of Yukon First Nations as their board coordinator. Lawrence was adopted by the well-known and respected Gwich'in elder Sarah Simon. He is survived by his wife, Rosie Elias, eight children, and his maternal mother, Catherine Mitchell of Inuvik.

As well from Inuvik, the late Roderick Darryl Simon, also known as Kaliak, who recently passed away in a drowning accident. Kaliak just got on permanently with the Department of Transportation. Prior to that he worked for ISGL and Westwind Recreation in Inuvik. He leaves behind his wife, Erin Alunik, and two young children and his maternal mother, Dorothy McLaren. Kaliak was predeceased by his adopted parents, Sadie and Isaac Simon.

As well from Inuvik, Donald Charles Smith, also known as Danny. He was one of the early reindeer herders, a railway worker and a special constable. Danny is survived by his wife, Fabie, and eight children.

Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of knowing Lawrence Simon, Danny Smith and the family of Roderick Simon. I would ask this House to join me in sending our condolences to their family and many friends here in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Our condolences do go to the families. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to acknowledge and thank those students from Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk who took part in the Queen's Golden Jubilee Story Contest.

Mr. Speaker, elementary school students from across the NWT were invited to write stories about what they would show Queen Elizabeth if she visited their community. Four grade 6 students from Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk won awards.

Kate Ann Jacobson and Dana Panaktaluk tied for second place in the grade 4 to 6 category.

Ryland Anderson won third place and Nolan Felix received an honourable mention.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues in this House to join me today in congratulating these students and thanking their teachers as well for encouraging them to participate in the contest. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is the number one issue for Canadians and for the NWT, along with the rest of Canada. Talk to constituents, read the paper, look at the help wanted ads, health care is the number one topic and concern of perhaps everyone but the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Whether the Minister realizes it or not, the foundation of the NWT health care system is approaching a crisis. The Minister can reorganize the department and tinker with the board structure, but the foundation of the health care system, the doctors, nurses and allied health care professionals, may not be there to operate it.

The territorial government funds 60 medical physicians. Fifty-one are now staffed, Mr. Speaker. The NWT Medical Association advocates that there should be as many as 83 positions staffed in the NWT. That is 32 more than we have now. Whether we need 73 or 83, the point is that we are not even close to the number of our fully funded positions.

Mr. Speaker, recruitment and retention plans are not cutting it. Can the Minister substantiate that the medical system, whether it is here or in Tuktoyaktuk or Fort Smith, has the health care professionals that should be in place? What additional costs are we facing by not adequately managing the basics of our health care system? The Minister is quoted as saying that we rank up there fully well in terms of benefits and salary, but why is the intensive care unit at the Stanton Regional Hospital closing? Why are waiting times to see general practitioners increasing? Why does it take so long to see other health care specialists?

Many existing professionals are being called upon to do unreasonable overtime. There are limits in the number of hours that truck drivers or pilots can work. Is there a limit on the hours we ask our health care employees to work and still provide competent service?

Doctors are telling us that we are not going to attract new recruits or even MDs on even a temporary basis. While we do not have to be at the top end of the salary and remuneration scale, Mr. Speaker, we do have to look at where we sit relative to all the jurisdictions.

The Minister needs to focus efforts on immediately resolving the situation with doctors, nurses, and allied care professionals. Unless there is prompt action, the Minister can count on continuing questions concerning health care in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for the Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I wish to raise the issue of consultation and the impact it has on our communities when not undertaken properly and consistently. What is the meaning of consultation? How do we achieve it? What are our obligations to aboriginal communities when resource activity takes place?

Mr. Speaker, this issue was important enough to be recognized and considered by the Supreme Court of Canada. In that decision, the Supreme Court stated there is always a duty for consultation, for which the nature and scope will vary with circumstances. It went on to state that consultation must be done in good faith with the intention of substantially addressing the concerns of aboriginal people whose lands are at issue.

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to review a report entitled, Aboriginal Communities and Non-Renewable Resource Development, a report prepared by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. The report used the North as a case study because we illustrate the many complex issues affecting aboriginal communities throughout Canada.

The report touched on many issues, one being the importance of consultation in aboriginal communities. Four important principles for successful consultation were identified in this report, which I feel are important enough to bring to your attention:

1. 1. Consultation should occur early in planning;
2. 2. Parties' expectations need to be clarified at the outset;
3. 3. Differences in language and culture must be taken into account; and
4. 4. Adequate funding for aboriginal participation is required.

It is important that this government support our communities when support is requested on the matter of consultation. We have to take the issue of consultation seriously because when we do not, we hear and see the negative impacts it has on our communities.

With potential increasing resource development activities in the North and the impact it will have on our lives, our communities, our land and our waters, it is important and imperative that we ensure any consultation process consider these four principles.

Consultation requires a systematic approach that allows for full and effective participation by all parties. It is important that all parties in the consultation process understand the roles and responsibilities, and these roles and responsibilities should be clearly defined in order to avoid uncertainties.

When an imbalance of resources required to address issues must be considered, where necessary, adequate resources and support from this government must be made available in a timely manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about an issue that is looming in the community I represent. It is not something that is new but it comes around in cycles, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, economic booms have their own side effects and some of them are not positive ones. That is what we are finding in the community of Inuvik. It is in the area of housing, Mr. Speaker. As the business community has become very busy and as the market has tightened up, rents have increased and there has been difficulty for those trying to find accommodations in the community of Inuvik.

I was recently contacted, Mr. Speaker, by someone who was given notice that their rent would rise or go up by approximately $500 a month come September. Mr. Speaker, that is a huge increase for someone in a one-bedroom apartment. It is these kinds of messages that go out. It seems like the community is successful and everything else, but with the housing market tightening up, we are having more and more of a difficult time keeping professionals and keeping long-time residents in their own units. Those who were able to take care of themselves and support their own needs are now going to be in the position of having to go to Education, Culture and Employment for income support to find out if they could qualify, for example, for hardship allowance.

I do not think any intention was out there for success to bring this kind of impact to any communities but, Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of the Housing Corporation to find out if there are any things in place that would protect those who find themselves in a rental market from increases, and what is there for them to look at when these things come around? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is not everyday I get to rise and make a good news statement but today, I will make a good news statement.

It is my distinct pleasure, Mr. Speaker, to have attended and taken part as the emcee for the 9th Annual Hay River Play School Auction held in Hay River on May 11th. Mr. Speaker, the parents of children attending the Hay River Play School have undertaken this event for the last nine years in order to raise funds for a new building for the Hay River Play School. The present building was in deplorable condition and the state of the building was causing the parents grave concern for safety reasons.

Mr. Speaker, the Play School Auction this year raised approximately $21,000. This is truly a testament to the hard work of all of the parents. My sincere thanks also go out to the numerous citizens and businesses of Hay River who donated goods and services to the auction.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, it gives me great pleasure to publicly thank the Honourable Roger Allen, Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, for his department's generous donation of two housing lots in Hay River to the Hay River Play School.

-- Applause

These two lots were made available so they may build a new building to house the play school.

Mr. Speaker, this has been the dream of the play school parents for a number of years. The parents have single-handedly raised tens of thousands of dollars towards this initiative. With the equity in the existing property and building, they will be able to reach their goal. I am pleased to report, Mr. Speaker, that plans are currently underway for the new play school and construction is to begin this summer. This is very welcome news for Hay River, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to commend the parents of the Hay River Play School for their diligence and conviction in seeing this project a reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the statement from the Minister responsible for the Public Service celebrating National Public Service Week, and about how we count on the energy, commitment and abilities of our employees to deliver essential services. Given the dire situation in our health care field, I have to wonder if this government really means what they say when they say they value their employees.

I have to also wonder if this government is willing to show as much dedication and commitment as these workers are being asked to give to their employers and the public that they serve.

As we speak, Mr. Speaker, the health care workers are urging their fellow members of the UNW to reject the latest collective agreement. There is talk of a walkout by the workers at Stanton Hospital at noon tomorrow in protest against the lack of movement in improving benefits packages and working conditions.

Under this package that has been negotiated, we will not be able to attract any new health care professionals and chances are that we will continue to lose the workers we already have. We have a shortage in every area of health care delivery, Mr. Speaker. We have a shortage of specialists, a shortage of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists -- the waiting list is six months long, and yet we have a government and a Minister of Health who seem to be deaf to the voices of these people.

Mr. Speaker, I have to ask, what would it take for the Minister to understand that our health care workers are operating in a crisis mode? The closure of the ICU is not a small matter, Mr. Speaker. It is not where the elective work is done, or where people can go and take their time going there. This is where people go when they have a heart attack. Right now, we have the only intensive care unit in the whole Northwest Territories closed. The nearest place is Edmonton, or Fort McMurray, which we have already been invited to use. Our patients have already been sent there.

I understand that ICU and surgery have tried as long as they can to operate, and they have had to avoid a near disaster...

Ms. Lee, the time for your very important statement has ended. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue with her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may continue, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that the Minister has to do more, that the health care system cannot wait for him to implement a health action plan in the year 2003 or whenever. The time is now and I expect action from him. I will be pursuing questions with the Minister on this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Minister. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. I am sure they will be able to appraise my French. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to welcome to the gallery two people from Tuktoyaktuk, Mr. and Mrs. William Nasogaluak. William and his wife, Eunice, are the previous owners of Canadian Reindeer Limited, the only commercial reindeer herd in Canada. William is also a past member of the Tuktoyaktuk Hamlet Council. I wish to welcome them to the gallery.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the university student I have working out of my office this summer, Jeremy Jaud, a Yellowknife resident. He is going into his final year of university and he is a nationally ranked swimmer and an invaluable asset to the office. Thank you.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. Although they are not here in person, they are here in spirit. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Thank you for coming to your Legislative Assembly. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following on my Member's statement, I would like to know from the Minister of the Housing Corporation, what is in place today that would help those who find themselves in rental situations where they have concerns that their rents are going up by too much? Is there anything in place at this time that they can go to or check into? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In our research, we are finding that there are no legal statutes that govern rent control in the Northwest Territories. We understand there are certain statutes in other jurisdictions, which we would like to take time to review. This question came upon us suddenly. We are not prepared because in our consultation with the numerous developers in the high impact zones across the Northwest Territories, the developers are saying not to interfere with rent scales. That is my reply, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand the Minister's situation of not having a lot of information when it comes to rent control or something of that nature. What I am looking for at this time is, is there anything in place, existing today that individuals can check into to find out how they can work with either landlords or this government to lessen the impact on themselves? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not aware of anything specific. I believe the Tenant Relations Act may have some components in it that would try to circumvent the increase in rents. I believe that the relationship is normally between the landlord and the tenant. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. No further supplementaries? Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue the Member raises is a very controversial one and one on which there is a lot of debate. I agree, social passing means keeping students with their peers regardless of them having achieved the grade level. That is not good. Also, holding them back has proven not to be good either, and we find a lot of students who are held back for a long time never really catch up with their peers again. They are doomed to most likely drop out of school.

In spite of that, the department has done a number of things to try and address this problem. I can go to the detail on some of them if the Member likes. We have a School Improvement Pilot Project. We have done a lot of work on early childhood education, both in working with parents and young children to give the young children a good start. We are dealing with class size issues and also looking at our high schools. I would be prepared to go into some detail on all of these if the Member wishes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

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

Mr. Speaker, in Education, we do not even use the term social passing. We try not to think of it as just social passing, but more one of trying to keep students where they are comfortable with their peers.

First of all, on FAS/FAE, we do have support for inclusive schooling. That support this year has gone up to 15 percent as it is worked into the formula. We have increased the support to help with students who are having difficulties learning. A lot of our classrooms have classroom assistants and other supports, special needs teachers as well, to help the teachers.

We also require the teachers to report back to the parents accurately on what grade level the student is working at, regardless of which classroom they are sitting in. If someone is 15 years old and only reading or doing math at a grade 3 level, we want the teachers to be honest with the parents and tell them exactly where the student is performing at.

We are working with our teachers to make sure they have a full range of skills in the school wherever possible and also, all the specialized program support they can get their hands on to work with those students.

The amount of money that has gone into helping children improve in school has increased considerably. We have also lowered our funding from the department to the schools down to using a formula of 16.5 students per teacher. That will go down to 16 next year.

There are a whole range of things we are doing as a department to try to help those students who are having difficulties working at a grade level appropriate for their age. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not familiar with the program in Alberta that the Member is referring to. It might be a special program. In any school system, what we do in the school has a big impact on the children. Also, the activities and things that the students are involved with in the community have a big impact. It takes both the community and the teachers to work together in order to have a successful student.

I am not familiar with the program in Alberta and how they deal with those issues, but as part of the mandate of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, we do look at the family and try to work with the family to be able to deal with those issues. Often there are social issues that cause students to either leave school, be sent home from school or suspended from school, or whatever things might be happening that make learning impossible.

I would be interested to know more about the school in Alberta and what their successes are. We do have a school improvement pilot project that is intended to look at things like that. School education authorities can apply for funding to try out some of these new ideas. If the Member would share with me the name of the school and what its programs are, I would be interested in giving it to the education authorities and telling them to give us a proposal on how they might improve their school similar to the Alberta one. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I personally have not had a chance to be in contact with industry with regard to education specifically. I do know that the department has been working closely with industry for a number of years now at the college level in particular to try to design our program to fit the needs in industry.

We are also looking at the school improvement program, the successful schools project and a number of other initiatives to see if there are ways that we can make our schools more successful. Success means students going on to further training and jobs, so that ties in with industry.

We have been doing a lot of work on adult basic education. We are doing some work with youth employment. There is a whole range of areas we are working with. I am not familiar with the detail of each of these specific programs right now, but I will assure the Member that we will continue to work with industry. If there are ways of improving that, then we will do it.

I have personally been involved with community mobilization, for example, the young people who run an organization called Nexus, to do this and draw that link between industry and young people. I find a lot of those initiatives through the private sector are the way that we have to take a lot of our schools. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I talked about the importance of community consultation when it came to resource development or resource activities, and stated that it was imperative that four principles be recognized when dealing with community consultation: that consultation occurs early, that expectations are clarified at the outset, differences in language and culture are taken into account, and adequate resources and funding are in place.

I want to ask my question to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. I would like to ask, can he tell me what the department's policy and process is for community consultation when it comes to resource development in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know if the Minister could tell me, further to the policy, if there are any resources, be they financial or human, that are earmarked to assist communities. Are there any programs or identified funds for communities to take advantage of to deal with resource development, or is it ad hoc and the department gives it to whoever, first come, first serve, or whoever seems to need it the most? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my opinion, the funding for resource development for communities to access is kind of hit-and-miss, ad hoc. It is really a problem in the communities where we need expertise, resources and advice.

I would like to ask the Minister, would his department be willing to enter into standing agreements with forums that could do just that; provide research and do the advising to the communities, providing them with resource development information in a timely manner? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger. He was recently quoted in a newspaper story about the health care situation that everything is in hand here, we are taking care of business in difficult times. Indeed, times are difficult, especially when we see our neighbours in the Yukon, who have increased funding for physicians to the extent of 43 percent.

My question for the Minister is, what is our competitive position in recruiting doctors and nurses today relative to other jurisdictions in Canada? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to first point out that I am the Minister of Health and Social Services, and that means the entire system from the 60th parallel right up to Holman.

Mr. Speaker, I indicated to the press last week that we are in a competitive position. That we are in, it is my understanding, the top 10 percent when it comes to nurses. We are competitive, though not at the front of the class, when it comes to doctors.

Mr. Speaker, I want to point out at this time, as this House is sitting and we are in the capital, there are currently union agreements being ratified and there are negotiations with doctors underway. I am not in a position, nor do I think it is appropriate, to comment on issues relating to that particular process. It is clear that there is some unhappiness at Stanton but there is a ratification process underway as we speak, and I think we should respect that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Indeed, I too want to respect any bargaining positions and situations that are going on out there, but my question is really in relation to our ability to attract and retain professionals. I would perhaps pose another related question, and hopefully one that the Minister can respond to. This is in relation to the number of doctors that are funded in the Northwest Territories.

Currently, we fund 60 positions, about 51 of them are staffed. My question is, given that we could recruit to our fully funded allotment, is that number adequate to fulfill and sustain the multitude of needs that are on our doctors and our medical professionals today? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, clearly if we could attract and recruit additional line doctors that would fulfill our complement, that would be a singular accomplishment and it would help to ease the stress on the system.

Mr. Speaker, we are also in the process of recruiting nurses. We have some graduates coming through the system this year, approximately nine, I understand. There are nearly 30 in the final year for next year. We are also actively recruiting in all of the other allied health professions.

Mr. Speaker, if we could fill those positions that we have funded, it would be, in my opinion, a singular achievement and would help relieve the stress and burden on the system. Are 60 doctors adequate? The Medical Association would say that we need possibly another 20 to 30. That is a number that is very high, in our opinion. We are close on a comparative basis and our initial goal is to just try and get our full complement staffed, which we have already funded. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In relation to the overall cost and budget area, there are discussions underway with our partners in the Capital Health Authority in the Edmonton area. We rely on this organization to supply a number of the specialty services that we cannot fulfill here. Can the Minister advise on the status of those negotiations and our continuing reliability on the Capital Health Authority? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are close to a final agreement with the Capital Health Authority. There are some final details being worked out. I have been informed that we do have a long history and a good working relationship and a contractual arrangement with the Capital Health Authority. I am fully confident that we will be continuing that relationship. It has not been renegotiated since 1996, so we are trying to be as vigilant and diligent in terms of the costs as is possible. We fully anticipate that we will have an agreement in the next few weeks. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we had quite a bit of discussion in the House about the Business Incentive Policy. We have heard that Cabinet can waive the Business Incentive Policy when it suits them and that they did this because they think they are going to save money. They are not going to change their mind about this. That is what we have heard to date.

That being the case, it would appear that there is a new policy now that the BIP can be waived at the discretion of Cabinet. Seeing as this door has now been opened for this case-by-case, ad hoc consideration of application of the Business Incentive Policy, I would like to ask the Deputy Premier if Cabinet will now entertain other proposals to waive the BIP to save money. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It would seem that the Cabinet does have the discretionary ability to waive the BIP when it involves taxpayers' dollars and they can save money. That is what they have been telling us. Why would they not consider other applications to waive the BIP where it would accomplish the same thing? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are elected to represent our constituents here in this Legislature. Is the Deputy Premier saying he would not allow or would not have the various Ministers responsible for departments bring forward such possible decision papers to Cabinet on behalf of their departments? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Antoine.