Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have some questions today for the Minister of Health and Social Services. I would like to ask some questions of the Minister of a situation that occurred over the summer that caused me some concern. It was a communication issue.

Here at the Assembly we have communications protocols. We have a number of protocols, and communications is one of them. Usually they work. It gives Members from both sides of the House advance notice of things that are going to be happening.

I’m referencing the appointment of a new chief executive officer for Stanton Territorial Hospital. The fact that we hired a new CEO prior to the current CEO leaving was a really good thing and I was very pleased to see that, but I was extremely surprised that the press release announcing the hiring of Ms. Fitzgerald arrived to Regular Members at the same time that it went to the general public. In my mind, the Minister of Health and Social Services is ultimately responsible for all health authorities, for staff and so on. I have to assume that he surely knew that this announcement was coming. My mind then goes to why were MLAs not advised, if not all MLAs, at least Yellowknife MLAs, at least the Standing Committee on Social Programs.

I would like to ask the Minister what is the process for a health authority, whether it is a health authority with a board or a health authority with a public administrator, what is the process for them to communicate the hiring of their most senior employee to both the public and to the Minister? Thank you.