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.