Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I have a point of order.

The Minister has a point of order. Mr. Handley, what is your point of order?

Point Of Order

On page 278 of yesterday's unedited Hansard, Mr. Lafferty says: "I have to say the Minister is a total stranger to the truth." This comment clearly violates Rule 23(h) and (j). Rule 23(h) makes an allegation against another Member, House officer or witness and 23(j) is charging another Member with uttering deliberate falsehoods. Mr. Speaker, someone who is a total stranger to the truth, quite simply put, is a liar. I, at no time, have lied or misled the House as Mr. Lafferty has indicated in his Member's statement. Mr. Speaker, I ask that there be an apology and that this be withdrawn from the Hansard. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The point of order is in order and the honourable Member has brought it to the Chair's attention at his earliest convenience. Does anyone want to make any comment on this point of order? Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, the only comment I will make on it is I referred to the section and it is calling me a liar. I have had a look at what has happened in other parliaments in this kind of situation and find that others have certainly accepted this as a point of order. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Any comments? Does Mr. Lafferty wish to make any comments further to what has been brought to the attention of the Speaker? Mr. Lafferty.

Any further comment? I am not going to have a debate. If the honourable Members wish to comment, then we can do that, but we are not going to get into a debate. I have heard one side, I have heard the other side. If there is no further comment I am going to take this under advisement. The

Chair has the unedited Hansard. Mr. Handley, do you wish to make another Point of order?

Point Of Order

Mr. Speaker, yes, I will make another point of order. Without having read the Hansard, just on the Member's comments that what I say and what is the truth are two different things. I don't have the exact wording here, but in trying to explain himself, Mr. Lafferty just went on to give me grounds for another point of order. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. We will deal with that one when I come to it. I have to deal with these one at a time and I am dealing with this first point of order that's raised. If there are no further comments on this, no further debate on it, I will reserve judgment until I have reached the conclusion on it.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Finance for Canada, the Honourable John Manley, delivered the 2003 federal budget.

Mr. Manley presented Canadians with a balanced budget, the sixth in a row. In fact, before taking into account the Minister's contingency reserves, the federal budget projections show surpluses for the current and next two fiscal years.

The federal government's strong fiscal position also accords Mr. Manley the flexibility to announce a number of expenditure and tax measures -- investments in health care, in families, in research and education, in national security and in the economy. In total, Mr. Manley announced almost $6 billion in initiatives for the current fiscal year, and more than $10 billion over the next two fiscal years.

From a Northwest Territories perspective, however, the budget is a disappointment. Given the healthy federal fiscal position, given the billions of dollars available for investment in new initiatives, and given the fact that Canada receives the lion's share of the fiscal benefits of northern development, it is very disappointing that the federal government still cannot find its way clear to make the critical investments needed in the Northwest Territories. Beyond some resources for the federal government to increase its own capacity in the North, there is nothing that recognizes the unique needs of the Northwest Territories to prepare for and cope with resource development.

We have clearly identified what is needed. Our Non-Renewable Resource Development Strategy and our proposal for the Strategic Infrastructure Fund, Corridors of Canada, lay out the requirements for infrastructure, for training, for economic development funding, and for other necessary investments. We continue to be disappointed by the lack of federal response to opportunities in the Northwest Territories that would benefit all of Canada.

The federal budget does include a number of initiatives that will benefit all Canadians, including Northwest Territories residents. Increases in the National Child Benefit, including a new child disability credit, will benefit NWT families. New investments in housing, money for the environment and support for aboriginal languages are all steps in the right direction, and we hope that the needs of the NWT are included in these budget measures. The budget confirmed the additional dollars or health care that the Prime Minister committed to earlier this month. It did not address the special needs of the Territories. We are hopeful that the Prime Minister will address this shortfall in his meeting with Premiers Kakfwi, Okalik and Fentie later this week.

The budget did also include some measures of special interest to Northerners:

• • Two new 10-year infrastructure funds will be created --one a strategic fund, the other for municipal infrastructure. However, the funding available in the early years is small, and we do not yet know how the money will be allocated across jurisdictions;
• • The air travellers security charge will be reduced from $24 to $14 for a round trip ticket -- a measure that will directly benefit northern air travelers;
• • Federal corporate income tax rates for mining and oil and gas companies will be reduced over the next five years, to match reductions announced for other corporations three years ago. This measure will benefit the resource sector that is driving our economic growth;
• • The extension of the mineral exploration tax credit for an additional year will benefit the mining sector;
• • Additional funding will be made available for aboriginal business development;
• • And finally, $32 million will be allocated over the current and next two fiscal years to increase federal capacity to conduct environmental and regulatory assessment prior to the construction of a northern gas pipeline.

Unfortunately, there is nothing to address the needs of the other NWT governments to respond to northern development. We must continue to reinforce the message in Ottawa that investment in the Northwest Territories is a good investment and that our government, aboriginal governments and municipal governments need financial support to enhance their capacity to meet the demands of economic growth. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today is around the co-payment for medical payment. The co-payment is a $250 charge that patients now have to pay for each direction of travel when they have to travel for medical reasons. Mr. Speaker, this payment was instituted by the last government because of the cash position we were facing; the large deficit. Since that time, this government has found money to put back into education and health. So we have restored much of what we cut in the 1990s when it came to health and education, but the co-payment lives on.

Mr. Speaker, the impact is mostly on poor, sick people. Maybe not really poor people, but low income people. It's not fair. The requirement for a patient to pay part of their travel does not reflect on their ability to pay. Yesterday, the Minister said we could not deal with issues like the co-payment in isolation of the whole basket of extended health benefit services. Yet, when it was pointed out that he was dealing with the issue of Metis co-payments for extended health benefits outside the whole basket, he said he saw that as a separate issue. Mr. Speaker, is this really a separate issue? This government is increasing Metis coverage to 100 percent for extended health benefits because it is the right thing to do, not because of any constitutional requirement to do it, although the Minister implied there was a constitutional connection in his reply to Mr. Bell yesterday. Mr. Speaker, I think Members on this side of the House agree it's the right thing to do for Metis people and it's the right thing to do for all of our residents. This government should end the policy requiring people to make co-payments for medical travel immediately. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on January 27th of this year, elder Daniel Bouvier of Fort Providence passed away. He was born in Fort Providence on October 31, 1922, and was raised by Joseph and Celine Bouvier in Fort Providence and is survived by his siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. As a child, he attended the mission school in Fort Providence and like everyone else in those days, he attended school long enough to learn to read and write. He spent a lot of time reading and through reading he developed a good understanding of the English language. He was better known as Uncle Cap, and fluent in three languages; Michif, English and Slavey. He lived his whole life in Fort Providence. He had no desire to leave or travel out of his home community. The only travelling he did was to hunt, fish and trap in the immediate area. He kept a dog team and it was his main means of transportation to travel to his trapline and for all his supplies.

He was a humble man who did not have any interest in things of material value. He never sought recognition, attention or status of any kind. He believed the best things in life were free and he did not dwell on things he did not have. Mr. Speaker, Danny Bouvier was one of the greatest old time fiddlers along the Mackenzie, a title he deserved but did not acknowledge. In his own special way, he inspired his nephews who have become accomplished fiddlers. He played the real Metis style of music and he brought a lot of people happiness with his gift of music. His love for the fiddle was encouraged by his father, his brother and other relatives. His first fiddle was a homemade fiddle and although not a perfect copy, it resembled a fiddle and that was all that mattered.

Mr. Speaker, Danny Bouvier was kind to all that crossed his path, whether it was an animal, a bird or a family pet. His love for nature was apparent and though his health was deteriorating, he did not dwell on it and did what he could to keep his spirits up. Mr. Speaker, we are all thankful for all the wonderful years with him, his loving and kind nature will always live in the hearts of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to bring attention to a matter that affects a very important segment of our population, that being our seniors. Mr. Speaker, as you are no doubt aware, our population is aging and with the aging process, comes the inevitable decline in our health. Very often, Mr. Speaker, our elders are required to purchase a number of prescription drugs. This can prove to be a very costly and time consuming process. Mr. Speaker, the issue of seniors having to pay upfront for their prescriptions has been raised many times with me by my constituents. For many years, Mr. Speaker, long-time employees of the GNWT have been given the option to retain their medical insurance coverage upon their retirement. Mr. Speaker, the process that the Department of Health requires from these same seniors is that they first submit their prescription receipts to Sun Life. Normally, Sun Life will reimburse the seniors for 80 percent of the amount of their prescriptions. This process, Mr. Speaker, normally takes several weeks and can sometimes be quite lengthy. Once the senior receives the reimbursement of 80 percent from Sun Life, the senior then has to forward their original prescriptions to the Department of Health in Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, the senior then waits for the Department of Health to reimburse them for the remaining 20 percent of their prescription cost. Again, this process takes several weeks and, in some cases, months. Mr. Speaker, this whole process is far too lengthy and cumbersome for our seniors to endure.

It leaves many seniors currently covered under the Sun Life plan to question whether it is really worth their while in continuing with the plan. Very often, Mr. Speaker, our seniors are faced with living on a limited income. Should they also be burdened with the added aggravation of waiting several weeks, if not months, to be reimbursed for their prescriptions? At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will have some questions for the Minister on this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I questioned the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development on the MOU that was signed in the Beaufort-Delta with the Gwich'in. Mr. Speaker, the Minister proceeded to answer me on pages 304 and 305 of unedited Hansard. I must say in the Minister's response, it goes to show how well land claims have worked for aboriginal groups. Because of those land claims, they have been able to settle agreements or get agreements like impact benefit agreements, access to negotiated contracts. In my constituency alone, the visitor's centre, the hospital and now the Aurora College all negotiated contracts into the millions of dollars. The Dempster Highway work guaranteed $2.5 million a year of negotiated contracts because they are a claimant group that has some clout now. Mr. Speaker, I would say that if I were working for the aboriginal groups, I would do the same to get the best benefit for my group of people that I could get. But I am not, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am a Member of a public government. When I ran to represent the people of Inuvik in the 13th Assembly, I ran saying I would represent everybody equally. That's why I have difficulty, Mr. Speaker, on this agreement that was signed. It is not equal. In fact, I am aware of the Inuvialuit, although included in the MOU, have had no discussion about this. So although they are included in wording, there has been no discussion with them how that would implicate or impact on how they do work. Mr. Speaker, there are many more questions about what impact this will have. What will it have on aboriginal companies that have built up a working criteria and equipment and a payroll if they don't fit the needs or the plans of the development corporation of the aboriginal group? What happens to them? Are they squeezed out of it?

Mr. Speaker, there are many questions that need to be clarified. The comment that an MOU is non-binding, again, if I were a representative of an aboriginal group and I signed an agreement that said I would have access to 50 percent of the contract value in that region, I would push to get that. So we need to find out from this government what really happens now with all the contracts that have been out there and all the negotiated contracts that are in place right now. I will be asking the appropriate Minister questions later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to make a couple of observations on yesterday's federal budget and I share, generally, Mr. Speaker, the disappointment of our Finance Minister Handley in that the North did not figure really at all in this budget. We are an emerging and an important part of Canada and I feel we deserve better.

Mr. Speaker, there are some contrasts in here. The federal government very successfully and very handily has managed to turn the fiscal deficit of this country around. Indeed, I believe it's looking at surpluses totalling $12 billion over the next three years. We, in the NWT, have to consider our options so carefully as we approach our own $300 million debt wall. Relatively speaking, Mr. Speaker, this is a huge contrast and is one that we should be able to strike a better partnership with the federal government on.

Mr. Speaker, another irony is that our own resource development activities which, we could argue, are happening in some part in spite of federal ideas and regulatory frameworks are moving ahead as never before. Our royalties are increasing as these developments mature, but our own revenues are not increasing accordingly. Mr. Speaker, while there is a great surplus at the national level, we, in the NWT, have both a fiscal and a social deficit. The impact is growing in our housing, on our community and transportation infrastructures and in the wellness of our people. We are told there are opportunities for us in this federal budget, Mr. Speaker, but we have come up empty handed in the last couple of years on other opportunities that were before us. The Minister of Finance has mentioned Corridors for Canada. The opportunity, Mr. Speaker, that I would really like to realize someday, is that the NWT is a real part of Canada, earning our fair share of the wealth, paying our way and seeing the North really as part of Canada's just society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to speak on the discriminatory nature of the medical travel co-payment. Some of our residents are being required to pay out of their own pocket. This is a topic that has been discussed a lot in this House, especially over the last few days, without a satisfactory response from the Minister. As I understand, Mr. Speaker, this fee of $250 was introduced a few years back to curb apparent abuse of medical travel but this has become a revenue raising scheme for the government that has resulted in a very unfair outcome. It is so unfair because in practice the arbitrary application of the policy has the government engaging in a discriminatory and punitive action against the select few who fall through the cracks and this has to stop, Mr. Speaker. For example, Mr. Speaker, I know of a case where a very normal delivery in Yellowknife resulted in a medevac because of a shortage of nurses that very night. Her neighbour, who happened to have a normal delivery at another time, would not have to pay the fee. This is about luck, Mr. Speaker, and it is arbitrary, unequal and unfair and discriminatory and it is wrong. My colleagues from Hay River, have pointed out the unfairness of having to pay the fee when they have to travel to Yellowknife for regular services that are normally available in Hay River and I agree with that too. The discriminatory message this policy is sending out does not end there. Mr. Speaker, based on what I know, what I hear is this: if you are working for an employer that gives you insurance, you are the lucky one, then you don't have to pay. If you are Aboriginal, you're the lucky one because the federal government will cover you. If you are a Métis Aboriginal, you are the lucky one because the territorial government will cover you and you don't have to pay. But if you are self-employed and have no private insurance, too bad so sad, you are the unlucky one and you have to pay. Never mind that you don't have sick leave benefits and have to pay all the other incidental costs, too. If you are employed in a low paying job and have no private insurance, too bad so sad, you are the unlucky one, you have to pay. Mr. Speaker, I would suggest to you, policy treatment based on luck is arbitrary and should not be tolerated. The Minister is well aware of this gap in the policy but he refuses to take any action and it keeps on snowballing. He keeps on mixing it up with a comprehensive review that he has been engaged in for the last 14 months and he says he needs to study it more. Mr. Speaker, there is no reason for further delay. My constituent needs to travel in very short order. Mr. Speaker. May I request unanimous consent to finish my statement? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is no reason for further delay or further study. My constituent needs to travel in very short order, I need an answer for her and so far I don't have a good reason as to why she has to pay when she can least afford it. I ask for the Minister's action on this now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to take this opportunity to recognize two deserving constituents of Yellowknife South, Mrs. Ruby Trudel and Mr. Wilf Schidlowsky. Both, Mr. Speaker, were awarded the Queen's Jubilee Commemorative Medal last fall. As you know, like all the rest of my colleagues, I was invited to recommend deserving individuals in the constituency for consideration for their long standing work and commitment to improving the lives of fellow residents. It was my pleasure to recommend these two constituents. It was because of their outstanding work in the community, which has been very easily recognizable, that I easily thought of them.

Mrs. Ruby Trudel was recognized for her contribution to breast health and breast cancer awareness, not only in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, but indeed across the North. Seeing a need to educate women in the North about breast health and breast cancer, she dedicated a great deal of her time for this cause. As a result of her commitment, Mr. Speaker, she has been involved in helping develop a great number of resources that are now being used across the North. Mrs. Trudel's tireless dedication and personal commitment to breast cancer is recognized by women's groups across the NWT. She is a dedicated volunteer to the cause and has provided countless women with support, especially women who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wilf Schidlowsky, known by many affectionately just as Wilf, has been a long time resident of Yellowknife and a life long educator in the city with the Catholic schools, for approximately 40 years, Mr. Speaker. After having formally retired from teaching a few years ago, he never left teaching and remained involved in education by providing trades skills as part of a life skills program taught at St. Patrick High School in Yellowknife. His work with students has stretched far beyond the classroom by helping students to be successful both in school and in their lives. Former students of Mr. Schidlowsky can attest to his personal dedication and his commitment to them. The knowledge and skills and ethics he passed on to his students were true gifts to many. Through his teaching, Mr. Speaker, and his guidance, he has helped many students who would otherwise have fallen through the cracks if he had not been there to offer help and guidance.

I would like to ask my fellow colleagues today to join me in recognizing these two constituents and thank these two constituents for their personal contributions to the betterment of our fellow citizens. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize, first of all, my loyal constituent Major Karen Hoeft. With her today is Major Holly Patterson from Toronto. Major Patterson is secretary for candidates. She works in leadership development for the Salvation Army in the Canada and Bermuda territories. Welcome.

---Applause

With weather like this, I bet you wish you were doing the Bermuda section. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I outlined in my Member's statement, our seniors that choose to retain their private health care coverage upon retiring from the public service are having to go through an extremely complicated process to seek reimbursement for their prescriptions. They first have to make applications to Sun Life which includes filling out forms, taking photocopies for themselves in case their forms get lost in the mail or whatever, of all their original prescriptions. They then wait several weeks for reimbursement from Sun Life. Then they have to fill out another set of forms for the Department of Health to get another copy of their prescriptions because Inuvik will only accept the original prescription, and calculate the 20 percent of the GNWT portion including the Sun Life reimbursement exemption and then send the whole package off to Inuvik. Would the Minister please state exactly why these seniors have to wait until they receive reimbursement from Sun Life before they can make application for their reimbursement from the GNWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can acknowledge that the process does indeed appear to be cumbersome. But also the seniors' action plan which is being overseen by the departmental working group and the NWT Seniors' Society has identified the whole issue of seniors' benefits and how they are applied and how they are accessed is one of the things they've asked to be addressed as part of the supplementary health review. That issue will probably be dealt with in that context. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear that the department is reviewing this issue. What kind of time period are we looking at? When can the seniors expect to have some movement on this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On this particular process issue, I will check with the department and see if there are ways that we can look at some kind of immediate relief. If it's just a process issue that can be realigned, if there are broader policy issues or other reasons, then I will report back.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister aware of the number of forms that have to be filled out and what type of forms they are? My understanding is that certain seniors don't even put in for it because they have a hard time filling out the forms. Will this be part of the review of this whole process? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My dear mother who lives with me is very diligent about pursuing every entitlement she has under this system and she, as well, has muttered numerous asides about the paperwork. So, Mr. Speaker, I am aware of it somewhat and, yes, we will be checking on that.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister also acknowledge the fact that by these seniors continuing on with their insurance coverage through Sun Life after retirement that they are actually saving the government money because the government is actually responsible for 100 percent of the prescription if they don't have insurance. So I would think it's in our best interest to do everything we can to shorten the timeframe for these seniors to get reimbursed for their prescription. Again, could I get the Minister to act quickly on this for the sake of our seniors?

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member has my commitment. We will be transmitting this concern as well to the seniors, but the staff listening to these proceedings are making notes and will be following up on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the House I asked the Minister of Health and Social Services if he would consider waiving or even possibly reimbursing people who've made medical co-payments for travel to Yellowknife for physiotherapy services. He did say that he would consider that. If he considered it and it is a favourable response, what is the process for communicating that to the Hay River health authority so they could enact that decision? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Member outlined, if I consider it and if we agree to move on the Member's request, as she has requested, then very clearly we would be doing this in consultation with all the authorities and it would not be just specific to the Hay River health and social services authority. So we would have a range of discussions and would be, in the final event, putting the whole matter in writing so that the action is clear, should that be the course of action that's taken. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, specifically related to Hay River, as the Minister pointed out yesterday too, there would be funds expended for wages and benefits, salaries for a physiotherapist. The position is vacant right now. Theoretically, the money that would be spent on a physiotherapist should be building up somewhere unless it's been redirected. So this is a specific situation for Hay River because theoretically they should have the money available to undertake this, so how difficult and how big a review is he going to have to do in order to make a decision on this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue is one of precedent and looking at a situation where in that particular instance, it may seem very clear but if it's a situation where somebody has a broken leg in Yellowknife but has to be sent south because we don't have the capability or the staff here, is that another situation of possible reimbursement? So we have to look at the implications, but it shouldn't take very long. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I wanted to know again with respect to process, does the Minister have the ability to direct the expenditure of those funds, which should be accruing in Hay River in the budget, for a physiotherapist? Can those funds be spent on something else or are those funds still being held for physio services? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, whatever decision is done that would require more funds or the expenditure of funds in a way that wasn't intended if we could do it from within, if that was the course of action, we would attempt to do that. As the Member has pointed out, on the face of it, there are clearly unexpended salary dollars sitting there. So in terms of a bottom line, we know the resources are there, that some money is being spent to send people to Yellowknife for medical travel. The salary dollars are there. So that's one of the factors we will consider as we look at this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister know what happens with those funds that have been budgeted for physiotherapist services if they are not expended on the salary and benefits for a physiotherapist? Do those funds lapse? Do they become discretionary money for other things? If they were intended in budget for physio services, can they just be spent in this different way? It makes perfect sense to me for medical travel without any policy change. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the authorities have significant latitude on how they spend those funds that are given to them for a provision of the services in their regions and communities. So, if you look at the project that we had at 13 percent, that most authorities, with exception of a couple, are always facing difficult fiscal realities and trying to make the dollars they have meet the needs. The issue of putting whatever dollars that are in the authority budget to use has never been a problem. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is also for the Minister of Health and Social Services and it is in regards to the co-payment medical travel. The co-payment that I have been pursuing for the last couple of days, Mr. Speaker. A lot has been said but as I indicated in my statement, I am still unable to give a good explanation to my constituent as to why she should pay when she can least afford it. So what is the Minister's answer to that question?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is, at this particular point that is a policy of the Department of Health and Social Services that is on the books and has been on the books for some time. That is why the department and authorities are still in the position of carrying out and following through with implementing our policy. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we just kind of went completely backward because the Minister at least showed his indication and his knowledge of the problem in this area and he has shown more motivation to take action and now he is telling me that this is just the way it is and it is just going to have to be that way. Can you not see the discriminatory and arbitrary nature of this and the government should not be engaged in such a practice in the name of money? Can you not see anything wrong with that, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member initially asked me why her constituent would have to pay. I was just stating the fact in the reality of what the policy is at this point in time. Am I aware of the concerns? Do I see it as an issue that needs addressing? Yes, I do. Having taken steps to attempt to deal with that within the context of the other supplementary health benefits we provide as a government, yes, we have. Are we committed to coming back with a plan? Yes, we are. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Mr. Speaker, his standard answer is that he's studying things, he's coming out with a plan, he is looking for blue chip information, you know that sort of worked 14 months ago when he became a Minister. Is the Minister not aware that we are running out of time here, that he doesn't have time to study for the next six months on what to do? When is he going to take any action to the things that are being raised here? When is he going to come up with answers on this thing? How long is he going to study it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Merci, Madam Lee. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services is moving on a whole host of issues and initiatives and has been for the last 14 months with doctors, nurses, training, long-term care, alcohol, drug, mental health, family violence, this is one issue that has been identified as a problem. The whole issue of supplementary health benefits has been identified as a problem. The programs we have are patchwork that have evolved over the years. This one particular piece continues to be an irritant for my colleagues across the floor. We are going to address that and we are going to do that as quickly as we can. We are going to do that in conjunction and consultation with the Social Programs committee. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With all due respect, this is not a personal issue on my part. It is a public policy question. It is a question about something that is highly discriminatory and arbitrary, and totally based on pure luck as to whether or not you pay this $250 or not. As it is now, the only people who pay it are the ones who can least afford it. The government is raising $1 million plus on the backs of these people and this is wrong and he doesn't have to include it with a basket of all the other stuff that he is working on. It needs an answer now so why can't he act on that? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't argue with the Members. In a passion plea, in articulation of the problem, we are going to deal with it in a careful way. That is the commitment I have made and that is what I am going to follow through on. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my Member's statement, my question is directed to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and again around the MOU that was signed by this government. Mr. Speaker, as I stated in my Member's statement, there are many questions left out there on what this MOU is intended to do. Mr. Speaker, the Minister, in response to my question in unedited Hansard on page 304, responded to me and gave me a lot of examples of what is happening now in aboriginal governments and development corporations. The examples you gave me, existing right now, are very positive and I think it shows go well for those aboriginal companies that have been able to get these contracts where they've joined to bid on the big contracts but, Mr. Speaker, my concern is on the small people. The people in communities that built companies that don't have a huge payroll but now are at a disadvantage, it seems, by this MOU. So, I would like to know from the Minister, what is this government going to do to insure that we take care of our residents in our communities when it comes to contracting? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister is saying that a team will go up and meet with the Gwich'in and discuss how this will be implemented. I would like to know if they will be meeting with the Inuvik Chamber of Commerce as well to further discuss this and show what impacts it might have.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as well with this hopefully the Minister will have information as to what impacts this will have. For example, if the company has a guaranteed 50 percent and they are allowed to bid on the other 50 percent, the people who are only able to bid on work who don't have guarantees are going to be competing with others and have to make sure they sharpen their pencils, but if someone already has a 50 percent guaranteed workload, they don't have to sharpen their pencil as much and they seem to already have an advantage on another company. So hopefully as he explains this, he will show how that might be mitigated and what will be done for those other companies who don't have guarantees. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister also inform us as to what is going to be included as 50 percent contract value? For example, we know there has been a contract signed with the Gwich'in on Dempster Highway work that equals almost $2.5 million a year guaranteed and any other work after that is bid by other companies. So, is that going to be included as part of that 50 percent guarantee? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. It revolves around my statement earlier today on the subject of medical travel co-payments. Right now, Mr. Speaker, we have a three-tier health benefits program for supplementary health benefits. The status Dene and Inuit people have full coverage paid for by the federal government. Metis people now have 80 percent coverage and that is soon to be rising to 100 percent paid for by this government. The balance doesn't enjoy the same level of coverage. How does the Minister justify a three-tiered approach to supplementary health benefits in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My colleague has identified one of the reasons we are taking a look at this program and we want to do it in a comprehensive way because there are inconsistencies in a number of areas. We want to look at the whole program and make improvements that are necessary and address some of these fundamental flaws. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister said he didn't want to deal with things in a piecemeal basis, but we have piecemeal in response to the Metis coverage and are doing the right thing there. Co-payment came in in the late '90s as a result of our fiscal crisis and was solely brought in as a means to raise money. Now that we have started putting money back into health and education, why will the Minister not deal with this irritant to our constituents right now?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.68

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister, I am setting up a process to look at this in as careful and speedy a way as possible to consider all the factors and make sure that we don't leave any revenue on the table that the federal government may be currently putting into the system. We have our own fiscal realities to face. So I am acting on it in a...(inaudible)...manner, in my opinion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister keeps talking about the money we get from the federal government. If it's over $1 million, it means there are thousands of $250 cheques that we are getting back from the federal government. Thousands of them! Mr. Speaker, will the Minister present in this House a fiscal accounting of where that money is coming from? That $1 million that he claims is coming from the federal government on the medical travel co-payment?