Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would hope that if there is another opportunity for the staff of that facility to get a job with the government, they could find it. That is one of the reasons that we have the staff retention policy; is to take advantage, or try and make sure that the government takes advantage, of the experience that we have within our staff. I would hope that we will find jobs for them in the not-too-distant future and not necessarily that we would have to wait some time.

In terms of the facility, if there is some department that comes forward with a proposal for reprofiling it, I would be happy to take a look at it. Of course, as with anything, we have to be able to justify the cost and the value for money spent for any program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question concerns the new Sahtu Health Authority. The Department of Health and Social Services was to implement the Sahtu Health Authority by April 1, 2004. As of yet, services are still being delivered out of the Beaufort-Delta region Inuvik office, and the North Slave region Yellowknife office. I am even more concerned when I look at the Health and Social Services web site that still lists the authority in the developmental stages. My question today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Could the Minister provide an update as to the status of the Sahtu Health Authority?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services remains unwavering in its commitment to work with the people in the Sahtu to establish their authority. We filled eight of the 14 positions that were identified in the Sahtu for administration and running of the health authority. Unfortunately, there has been an underwhelming response in terms of the actual structure and setting up of the board itself. That is a challenge yet to be met and dealt with, but we are continuing to work with the region. In the meantime, there are still transitory arrangements made with Inuvik to assist in the administration and delivery of some of the services. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand that it is a challenge to move the Sahtu Health Authority into our region. I will ask the Minister in terms of a time frame if he can see actually the Sahtu Health Authority being settled right in the Sahtu region where we can start making our decisions for ourselves.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, God willing and the creeks don't rise, this will be done in the foreseeable future. If we can staff the rest of the other critical positions and if there is a desire indicated by the leadership in the Sahtu in terms of their actual establishment of the health board, then that would help us to conclude this arrangement and transition from being part of the Inuvik region and health authority to a standalone authority in the Sahtu. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The time for oral questions has expired; however, I will allow Mr. Yakeleya to finish his supplementary questioning. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Much appreciated, Mr. Speaker. Did I understand the Minister to say God willing and the creeks don't rise? Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain to me and give me an answer for the people in the Sahtu? What are some of the barriers that are hindering the move to establish the Sahtu regional health board? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, clearly, in my mind, it is not because of lack of effort or lack of resources on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories. There has been a significant amount of resources identified for this, in spite of concern in some quarters that we are just setting up another level of government. We have positions identified. We have had trouble staffing them. There has been some difficulty in getting a clear indication or signals from the leadership in terms of establishing of the board itself. We continue to operate with the public administrator. Those are two of the key areas on the government side and the administration side that are there before us as challenges. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. A final, short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the Minister, would he inform the House as to some of the barriers that we have looked at in the Sahtu? A Catch-22 for us is the availability of accommodations for the staff in Norman Wells who want to fill the positions. However, it is very difficult for our staff people to be accommodated in that area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is correct; housing for staff has been an issue, but the marking initiative, phase one, saw five units moved into Norman Wells. I understand that there are eight units this coming year to assist with the shortage. Hopefully that will help in the staffing of these remaining six positions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The time for oral questions has expired. The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to request unanimous consent to return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Are there any nays? There are no nays. We shall return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. At this time, I would like to recognize a constituent of mine, Vital Abel. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you. I would also like to recognize a good friend of mine. It is good to see a reporter, Mr. Paul Andrew.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.