Mr. Speaker, a couple of things: I don't understand the implication that there is some conflict here. Yes, I am the MLA for the Yellowknives, but I am also the MLA for a good portion of Yellowknife city. So where is the conflict? I have responsibilities as an MLA on both sides. Mr. Speaker, I just don't understand where this is coming from. Mr. Speaker, any of these kinds of situations we want to be careful with. I assure the Members of this House that we are very, very diligent in ensuring that we are not getting ourselves into situations where we would be perceived to be in conflict. In this particular case, I don't see where the conflict is. I am on both sides.

Secondly, Mr. Speaker, that responsibility of granting access to do geotechnical work is something that is within the Minister of MACA's authority. It has nothing to do with me as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs or as Premier. It's in his authority and he did what he has authority to do. He consulted with the city as was expected. I don't understand where this is coming from. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Obviously this is a very contentious issue with the City of Yellowknife. I would just like to ask the Premier, given the fact that it's so contentious, why would he involve himself in this? Why wouldn't he just step aside? Thank you.

Mr. Handley has a point of order. What is your point of order, Mr. Handley?

Point Of Order

Mr. Speaker, under section 23(i), the Member is making an allegation that I was in conflict here somehow. He is implying some false or hidden motive on my part. Mr. Speaker, this is clearly a point of order.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. To the point of order. If no one has any comments to make on the point or order, I will take the point of order under advisement and report back to the House. Thank you, Members. Item 7, oral questions. Item 8, written questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Can the Minister provide a list of how many teachers have been hired from southern Canada by each education district since 2001?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 8, written questions. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to seek unanimous consent to return item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Are there any nays? There are no nays. We will return to item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Indeed, welcome to the House. It's always nice to see young people observing the proceedings of the House. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I note a former constituent in the Deh Gah Elementary contingent as well, Ms. Diana Pellisey. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Again, if anyone in the gallery has not been mentioned, welcome to the Assembly. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, replies to budget address. Item 12, petitions. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Before we go into that, by the authority given to me as Speaker, by Motion 2-15(3), I hereby resolve the House into Committee of the Whole to sit beyond the hour of adjournment until such time as the committee is ready to report progress, with Mrs. Groenewegen in the chair.

I call Committee of the Whole to order. We have a number of items before us today in Committee of the Whole. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight wishes to consider Bill 19, Appropriation Act, 2005-2006, specifically the Department of Health and Social Services.

Is everyone agreed?

Agreed. Then we will proceed with that after a brief break.

---SHORT RECESS

I call Committee of the Whole back to order. Mr. Miltenberger, for the record, would you please introduce your witnesses.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have with me Mr. Dave Murray, the deputy minister of Health and Social Services; and Warren St. Germaine, the director of financial services. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. We're now on general comments on the Department of Health and Social Services. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't have a general comment, but some questions on his opening statement. Can the Minister update the House on the federal funding that was announced last fall and how much of our budget for the upcoming fiscal year still depends on the details of where we can spend this money? So could I just get the Minister to give us an update? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.