Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Inuvik demonstrated, if there's a will at the local level, the authority is there to make those decisions. They're to be commended for taking that proactive approach. As a government, we want to give the signal as well that we are encouraging and promoting that kind of approach. So there's nothing to stop the DEAs, as far as I'm aware, or the health authorities for that matter, to move on this. I just want to make sure on the health side that I give the ministerial encouragement that they need to deal with this issue. As I indicated, I'll be talking further with the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister commit today to provide all district education authorities the resources needed to investigate this problem so they have the knowledge in order to proceed with this idea, understanding the full pros and cons of this process? Would he commit to supplying the resources to investigate this at the district education level? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my opinion on this subject, there's not much need for further study or investigation. I think the evidence and information are clear. The question is the political will to act; to act at this level, to act at the community level, for the DEAs and the health authorities that are spending public money and dealing with children and people in their facilities to make the choice, the same as we do not sell cigarettes in those facilities, we don't sell alcohol in those facilities. We know that some of these foods that are sold, the pop with the 10 spoons of sugar and the chips that are high fat are not good. So, Mr. Speaker, I think we have all the information we need to make the decision. It's just time to start acting. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Before I go on, I'd just like to recognize in the gallery Ursula Harvey and her sister from Australia who is here visiting in Yellowknife. Welcome to the North and to the Legislative Assembly.

---Applause

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, further to my statement earlier today about the importance of the respite program in the city of Yellowknife; as I stated, there are many families that are benefiting greatly from having this service available, but it is also true that there is need for more. I'd like to ask the Minister, given that this program is quite young -- it's a little over a year old -- I'd like to know what the Minister has planned for this program and whether there are plans to expand that. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this was an initial one-year pilot

that was extended for another year. It clearly recognizes that medical respite, which was the only option in place prior to this pilot, was an important service, but it doesn't cover the very critical need for social respite for those families that are dealing with their own loved ones and family members that may require that kind of service so that the families can get a break. It's part of the concern and efforts we want to make to help families keep individuals in their homes as long as possible. So this has been extended. We're doing a review as we speak, but clearly the issue of social respite is one that is going to be fundamental for the work that we do in the future in trying to allow families to keep their loved ones at home and provide the support necessary to do that, as opposed to having to use facilities. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe the Minister agrees that it goes without saying that this is a very sensible, compassionate program, that goes a long way and it's quite cost economical, as well, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to hear that this has been extended for another year. I would like to know if the Minister could advise as to whether he's planning on spreading this pilot program to any other communities in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Speaker, that, as well, goes without saying, that this is a service that benefits all communities where families are dealing with loved ones that may require some kind of respite care so their families, as well, can get a break. So clearly we'd like to make sure that it's not just a Yellowknife issue to be certain, and we have to look at a better inventory, and, of course, the cost of this, when it's compared to the cost of respite care compared to the cost of facilities. It is cost effective, as the Member indicated. The issue is to be able to roll it out in a timely and affordable way. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm aware that, wherever possible, the Minister looks to provide programs everywhere in the territory. So I'm sure he's doing this too, but my question is there have been lots of announcements for federal funding in various areas. Has the Minister looked into whether any of the program money available from the federal government might apply to maintaining or expanding this program? Are there any connections with the federal government that we could tap into? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have a fairly long list of areas, as I've indicated in this House during the review of the budget, that we've targeted for the funding that we're getting through the northern health transfer piece. The part that is not clear yet or final is the CHT transfer, the Canadian health transfer dollars that are currently in the budget before Parliament in Ottawa. So, yes, we're going to look at the opportunities we have to maximize the use of the federal dollars, which will deal with long-term care and the waiting times and support to people in their homes. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister didn't list out all the items, because I think we're aware of the multiple nature of that area. Could I ask the Minister if he could commit to keeping this action item on the agenda and look for room, once the funding mechanisms are set out and it's made clear and if there is any opportunity for him to put this up there as a program that we can expand not only in Yellowknife, but for the rest of the communities? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this area is important. It's why we made the move from medical respite to social respite and, yes, it is on the agenda and I intend to keep it there. We want to look at the final results of the evaluation and look at how we can possibly expand this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Transportation. Recently I was traveling back to my riding in my home community and there's a young woman in Fort Simpson who has had some problems getting her child back. The airlines wanted to charge her full fare for bringing her children back to Yellowknife. Can the Minister direct me as to where I can get this addressed? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.