(Translation) Thank you for the response from Health and Social Services. There was another question. I think I asked a two-part question. Some of them have to go to school in the communities. I know some parents have not been able to access these monies. I know one person who has a disabled child who has to go to school and has to be transported to the school. Are there any funds available for bussing in the communities so that these students can go to school? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This question is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Even though there was a response earlier to a question about this, I brought up concerns last year about disabled people. We have quite a few people who have disabled children and many of them are now not small children. When the disabled are unable to look after themselves, someone has to take care of them.

The Minister said that facilities would be provided to care for the disabled. My question is, is there any money available through the department for their care, or for their parents to get assistance for the additional expense of taking care of disabled children? Are there funds available for assisting families who have disabled members? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to say briefly, with regard to this department...First of all, Mr. Chairman, I would like to say that I think all the Members know that I have been pursuing the Quebec hydro project that is being proposed, for quite some time. I have not forgotten this and I would like to pursue it some more.

It is very important that the environment is not destroyed and that we should do everything in our power to prevent a disaster in the environment. Whether it be in the west or whether it be in the east, I think the environment is very important and we have to protect it. Our ancestors lived off the wildlife that environment provides for, and I think that we have to protect the environment.

Looking at the future, I feel that the proposed hydro project in Quebec has to be watched properly to make sure that the people are involved in the environmental assessment review panel. I think that it's very important that we know how the people who are doing the project are going to proceed with their construction of the hydro project. Whenever there is something that could destroy our animals and our land, we have to have plans in the future to provide for the people. We all know that we have to produce those kinds of energy and that we have to be paid royalties. If not us, then our government.

Mr. Chairman, I feel this is very, very important for me, especially with regard to the Quebec hydro project that they're proposing. I will be pursuing this continuously, as long as I'm a Member of the Legislative Assembly. I just want to make sure that there isn't going to be negative impacts when Hydro Quebec is constructed, or anything for that matter. Whether there's going to be oil or gas exploration in the Northwest Territories, the environment has to be protected. Even though we know that this can generate revenue, we have to be very protective of the environment. I just wanted to make a comment in this regard, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have mentioned before under Members' statements, and I also raised a question to the Minister of Renewable Resources, with regard to the radios; this has been a concern to my constituents. The Minister responded that he would check with the federal department who looks after issuing the licences for these CB radios. Did he get a reply? Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, it is at the discretion of the community and social worker whether social assistance will be issued by voucher or cash. Do I understand that it is at the discretion of the social worker? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I made a Member's statement about social assistance recipients. Now, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Social Services about the procedures for converting cheques to cash, especially for people with children. They only convert a small amount. There are responsible people out there who do not misuse these funds. What are the reasons for making just a certain amount cashable? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under Members' statements, I would like to say that in the north, we have people receiving social assistance from Social Services. Recipients are able to cash their cheques. People would like to know who made the cheques cashable. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions regarding where the authority to cash welfare cheques came from, if there are policies regarding social assistance and how it should be dealt with. I will be asking a question of the Minister in this matter.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. In Sanikiluaq, the people are serviced by the health boards of the Keewatin region. I understood that they had plans to make changes so that they can have medical services provided by other regions. What has progressed since the last time I brought up this issue concerning medical services in the Keewatin? They also get their social services from the Baffin region. What changes can we expect as far as the amalgamation of the departments go? Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just for clarification, the Minister indicated that there will be some increases and also some decreases in social housing. The Minister indicated that there will be a decrease to $1 a year rent for those people on social assistance. I just want to get further clarification on that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.