Mr. Speaker, the information that I have here in terms of the status of the Inuvik Regional Health Board's proposal call for orthodontic services is that they have made their selection and have identified who they will be awarding the contract to.

However, the honourable Member is correct in saying that they are presently awaiting the authorization to purchase the equipment that would be necessary to have the orthodontist do the work out of the Inuvik Regional Hospital. Mr. Speaker, that is in the process and, hopefully, that will be resolved very shortly.

As Minister responsible, I perhaps slowed the process down a bit because I wanted to make sure that was the best possible deal that we could get given that there was another service available for dental care in Inuvik. So, I am now satisfied that the best choice was made and will move as quickly as possible to get the necessary paperwork to have the authorization completed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the process for determining some of the issues, such as the Nunavut Implementation Commission is doing, hopefully will be through the CDSC process, where the groups of the west have to determine, with the Members of this Legislative Assembly, the types of structures being advocated. That, too, can be put into the mix of needs and requirements for setting up the second territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for your tolerance. With regard to the set-up of the structure of government, it's the responsibility of the Nunavut Implementation Commission to set up the structure and advocate the placement of certain areas of administrative responsibility and identify needs. This government has an internal joint committee that continues to track and work with NIC to make sure we're working out those particular expenses and planned timetable so we can make sure that the federal government is also involved in setting those timetables. Through my office, we're continually in contact with the federal government to keep track of this working relationship.

It may seem a bit skewed bemuse of the number of people who are involved; however, my office is trying very hard to make sure we're tracking all the decisions that are being made. We are trying to be involved, informative and provide the necessary information and research to determine the possible implementation costs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, there has been at least three studies done to evaluate the possible incremental costs of division. However, the actual costs are difficult to determine because, at this time, the structure of government has not been determined. On behalf of all the residents of the Northwest Territories, in trying to make sure that the programs and services continue and people receive those programs, the Government of the Northwest Territories, on a continuous basis, continues to try to make sure that the federal government keeps at the top of their list of priorities their obligations for funding for incremental costs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, although there are varying assessments about what that cost is and will be, it is still the position and understanding of Northwest Territories Government that the federal government will bear the incremental coats for division. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, these discussions have been renewed in order to plot out some strategies for next year's budgeting. I would suggest that when the Minister of Finance is available -- because he has been doing that work -- it would be more appropriate to defer the question to the Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I believe right at the moment we're exploring all possibilities of trying to live within our means as a government. The Minister of Finance and the system are beginning to look at budgets for the future year, recognizing that we will have a significant shortfall. All options are being explored and some of the options are just that: options. We are looking for workable solutions to the problem. In the next while, there will be lots of rumours about rumours, I'm sure, Mr. Speaker. Because, in exploring those options, we are putting together research papers on what other provincial jurisdictions are doing and what types of options we have here, including the possibility of trying to conclude a northern energy accord so revenues will accrue to Northwest Territories residents.

There isn't anything we're overlooking and, certainly, if anyone has any wonderful ideas about how we can either accrue more revenues and do a better job with our financial situation, recognizing that there are programs and services which are necessities for people and we have to try our best to make sure those programs and people aren't suffering because of program cutbacks. Mr. Speaker, every avenue possible is being explored. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance is presently out on a telephone call with Mr. Ron Irwin. Regarding the question, Mr. Speaker, there have been no indications that the NWT government is planning to impose a sales tax. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table two documents. Tabled Document 103-12(7), Department of Health and Social Services organizational chart.

Tabled Document 104-12(7), Annual Report on the Implementation of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement, July 9, 1993 to March 31, 1994. Thank you.