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.