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

Mr. Speaker, if the Member is asking me to verify her contrary opinion, all I can verify is that it isn't that contrary. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, sometimes he speaks like a doctor, and now he's talking like a lawyer. Mr. Speaker, my question is very serious. I am raising questions that are being raised by my constituent who is having to induce a baby today because her family doctors are not comfortable in delivering babies here in July. The Minister is assuring the public that all the services are in place. I would like to know from the Minister whether he has confirmation from those family doctors that they have changed their minds in light of what the Minister has put before them. It's a very serious question, it's a clear question. Can you verify that?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a serious question, and I've been answering for the last number of days and I will answer it again. We have obstetrics coverage, we have pediatrics, we have anesthesiology, we have general surgery. My information is that yes, the GPs have confirmed that they will continue to deliver babies with that locum specialty coverage in place, should it be required. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I suggest that he verifies that fact again because I don't believe that's true. However, Mr. Speaker, I accept the Minister's position that he's going to fill these shifts and he'll pay what is required to do it. The important question that people have to ask is, is it going to cost us more to have locums than to keep the specialists? That is an important question. So I ask the Minister how much is the department paying for those who have been hired already -- because I'm assuming there's a contract there -- for the fee and the travel and the accommodation and associated costs for OBS gynecology specialists and the pediatric specialists that he has hired? How much is it, Mr. Speaker?

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

Mr. Speaker, on the issue of the coverage, I've stated in this House many times what the situation is. As Minister, the Member has questioned my veracity time after time suggesting that I should verify it because she has different information. Well, I stand by my words. I've indicated as well earlier in this House that should there be a requirement for locums, should there be, however remote, the possibility that all 12 specialists resign and we have to replace them with locums, then the money that's currently there for the salaries for the specialists will roll over and cover the costs for the locums. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Your final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is not what I was asking at all. Mr. Speaker, if he would just listen to my question. I am accepting the Minister's word that he has a contingent of locums available to provide expectant mothers and babies services. I want to know how much he's paying for it. So how much is he paying for the locums to fill in in case there is a vacancy? There is no question of fact there. I'm accepting his promise. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will restate the way this is going to be funded. If there is a requirement for the locums, it would be on the assumption that the current specialists have withdrawn their services and are no longer on the payroll, meaning that the hundreds of thousands of dollars per year per specialist will be available to cover the locums. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Time for question period is over. The chair recognizes the honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to go to item 6. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 6, oral questions. Are there any nays?

Thank you. You did not get consent. Item 7, written questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question I have today is for the Honourable Roger Allen, Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Minister, please provide a detailed 12-month accounting of all public funds provided to support the operations of the Somba K'e facility located on the Dettah Road. This accounting should include money paid to the organization, that's the Somba K'e board, or on behalf of the organization, including mortgage payments or any type of expense, as well as any in-kind contributions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to Opening Address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report that the Standing Committee on Social Programs has reviewed Bill 16, Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act, 2003, and Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act, and wishes to report that Bill 16 and Bill 17 are ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.