Mr. Speaker, that information was just given to us the other day, and when the question was asked there was no indication when exactly that would be. Because of the volume of work and problems that were increasing, I guess they are trying to get closer to the people they serve. They couldn't give us a date or time when they would implement such a plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on March 28th regarding a policy for Ministers awarding sole-source contracts in areas outside of their ministerial mandates or responsibilities.

Mr. Speaker, there is no policy which permits Ministers to award contracts or authorize expenditures in areas outside their ministerial mandates or responsibilities. All government expenditures authorized by a Minister, including by means of sole-source contracts, are governed by the Northwest Territories Financial Administration Act and government contract regulations. Further direction is provided in the Financial Management Board's financial administration manual. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to comment on the provincial/territorial Ministers of Health meeting in Vancouver.

As Members know, the health system across the country is undergoing reform and undergoing change. The recent cuts to health care funding and the impact those cuts will have on our national system of publicly-funded medicare was the main concern of Ministers attending the meeting.

Because of this, there is an urgent requirement for the federal government to work collectively with the provinces and territories to define the level of health care which will be provided to Canadians, and to establish a strong partnership designed to maintain uniformity of health services across the country.

In addition to the issue of medicare, the Ministers also signed off the master agreement on the Canadian blood supply program. This agreement completes an initiative began in 1991 and provides an administrative framework for the management of Canada's blood supply.

Mr. Speaker, a number of other significant health issues were discussed at the meeting.

These include the management of health issues in a national context, a physician resources management strategy, the national forum on health, the Krever Inquiry and the growth of private health clinics in the provinces.

There was also discussion on the need for the federal government to take action to control costs in areas such as drug pricing and the need to identify and eliminate duplication between federal, provincial and territorial programs.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories intends to play an active role in the discussion on national health issues, particularly as they relate and impact on health delivery in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, today I will be tabling "Working Together For Community Wellness: A Directions Document," on behalf of the Ministers of the social envelope.

Mr. Speaker, northerners have said they need to have more control over health and social services programs. The community wellness strategy will give them more control. People in the communities know what their problems are, and they know how to solve them. Under the community wellness strategy communities will identify their own priorities and develop their own strategies for achieving wellness.

The document being tabled today is part of the ongoing work in developing a community wellness strategy. It will guide the government and the communities in their work to change the way health and social programs are planned and delivered. A completed community wellness strategy with a specific plan of action and implementation schedule will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly in the winter of 1996.

But community wellness will continue to be a government priority in 1995-96. A community action fund of over $3 million will be made available to communities and non-governmental organizations during this time. This money will help fund new and existing community wellness projects that cannot be funded through other programs.

The community action fund will be available only until the final strategy can be implemented, and will give priority to projects in:

-family violence;

-early intervention services for children and families; and,

-training for care givers.

Work on the final strategy will be ongoing in 1995-96. A working group drawn from the social envelope departments will coordinate strategy development. A community wellness steering committee of deputy ministers will oversee their work and continue monitoring other wellness issues. As well, regional community wellness conferences are planned for 1995-96. These conferences will provide further direction for the development of the strategy.

Working Together for Community Wellness:

A Directions Document provides our departments, the residents of the Northwest Territories and non-governmental organizations with a blueprint for the community wellness strategy. It is the joint effort of the departments of Education, Culture and Employment, Health and Social Services, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Justice, Municipal and Community Affairs, the NWT Housing Corporation, and representatives from community and cultural groups, aboriginal organizations, women's groups and non-governmental organizations across the NWT.

Hundreds of people have helped make this document possible by taking time to guide us in the right direction. Their input and collaboration made this new vision possible. Let us now continue in that direction and make that vision a reality.

Mr. Speaker, general release of the English and Inuktitut document will take place shortly. A French translation of the document is now under way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Yes, Mr. Chairman. There is funding allocated for them, upon request.

Mr. Chairman, they have been funded for one meeting and there is an allocation, but they have to request the funding.

Mr. Chairman, the Sahtu Regional Council, Keewatin Regional Council and Kitikmeot Regional Council. Those are the ones that are receiving ongoing funds as they are operational at this point. The other councils would be receiving money for two meetings per year.

Mr. Chairman, the NWT Status of Women Council is a separate organization that provides ongoing support towards women's issues in the Northwest Territories. Bertha Norwegian is a special advisor to me and she handles the grants program that goes to a number of agencies upon their requests. I can provide a list of those people who have accessed the grant program through the special advisor to the Minister.

Mr. Chairman, because of circumstances overloading my agenda, with issues in Tuk and the fact that I had to go to a meeting in Vancouver, I have not been able to sit down and reflect any further on this matter. Thank you.