Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to recognize the people that are in the gallery. I would like to thank you for coming today. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.

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Item 7, oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said in my Member's statement, my questions today are going to be for the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, the Minister of Health and Social Services.

As I said in my statement, Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the challenges which face this particular ministry and the many things which are affecting our ability to deliver quality health services to the people of the Northwest Territories. But we have a very urgent situation in Hay River which will not be addressed by some of the long-term solutions and initiatives that are being looked at by Mr. Miltenberger's department.

We have people who are being turned away from the medical clinic. The staff that we have there right now is very quickly beginning to feel the effects of the stress of being worked beyond their capacity. I am afraid for the well-being of our residents as they need health care services and are not able to access them. I would like to ask the Minister what kind of temporary, short-term help he could offer Hay River in this very dire situation. Is he aware of how many doctors there are there right now? Is he aware of the status of the facility in Hay River? I will have further questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware somewhat of the situation in Hay River. I have talked to the honourable Member. I have been in discussions with the board chair. I have instructed the department to take a look. We initially talked about the human resource issue. We need to look at why possibly there is such a high turnover rate and if there are some underlying issues. Subsequent to that, I have also received some correspondence through e-mail from concerned people in Hay River. We are moving as quick as we can to take a look at this.

I understand, as well, that the board in Hay River will be meeting. At the break, I am going up to have a talk with the board chair as well as with the deputy minister to make sure that we stay on top of this situation. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister how many doctors are available in Hay River today, as we speak. My understanding is that we have at least one that is off, perhaps, on maternity leave and perhaps another one who is unwell themselves. I would like to know how many doctors are on call in Hay River right now. Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this particular moment, right now, I can't tell the Member exactly. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Hay River is the second-largest community in

the Northwest Territories. We have a well-equipped and modern health care facility. If there are not enough doctors there right now, what means does the Minister have at his disposal to address that? Could he redeploy health care professionals from other jurisdictions to alleviate the immediate crisis in Hay River? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the first thing, as Minister, that I want to do is get the most current and complete set of facts that I can. If there are shortages -- I have no reason to doubt that there aren't -- we will work with the community and the board and keep the Members involved. We will work out a system to provide the services and work to get the resources that are needed wherever we have to look. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister to intervene with whatever measures he feels possible in the short term to address this. I realize he is talking about meeting with the board and some other types of long-term solutions, but I believe that we have a very immediate problem in Hay River. I would like him to, as Minister, intervene in that situation and use whatever resources he has at his disposal to ensure that the medical needs of the people of Hay River are covered. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is very clear about her passion and concern about the community that she represents. I want to assure her that I, as Minister, will be taking all of the steps necessary to make sure that nobody's health is jeopardized for situations that may have ties to human resources issues or lack of personnel. Thank you.

Item 7, oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I informed the House two days ago, my intention is to table that report as soon as possible. I am expecting to have it by March 31st, but if I don't have it in time to table on the last day of this session, it will be tabled in the session we have in May and June.

Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a question for clarity for myself and other Members of this House. How does the Minister draw up a budget for his department in the absence of that report being tabled in the House? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the report doesn't contain information that isn't already included in the audited financial statements of this government. The finances are audited by the Auditor General, so there's no question as to whether or not the funds have been expended at this point. The report is tabled as supplementary information for the Members and the public. Thank you.