Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, late this summer, somebody in Yellowknife came to me and said they were having difficulty providing service, and they provide medical supplies in the Northwest Territories. They were concerned that they were getting the cold shoulder. So on September 21st, I wrote a letter to the Minister of Health and Social Services asking four brief and simple questions. As of today, I haven't had any response from this Minster. Before I put my questions to him, I have to point out that it's these types of businesses who are asked to support the hospital and the hospital foundation. They say they would love to support these organizations, but if they are not given the chance to bid on contracts, even if they lose them potentially, but not even given the chance to try, how can they afford to help support these organizations? This letter is almost a month old. When can I expect a response so I can tell this person who is trying to run a business in the North? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Referring to my Member's statement, I pointed out that there were more than 30 positions that have mushroomed all about pipeline preparedness. So millions of dollars are being poured into this. What, if any, is the strategy for the long term with respect to these pipeline preparedness positions, keeping in mind that this pipeline may never go through? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm concerned that there's no backup plan if the pipeline doesn't go through. Can the Premier tell me what will happen to this investment if the pipeline doesn't go ahead? Will we have any long-term plan for the benefits that we've been studying or thinking about?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier tell us today how much money, to date, this government has spent on pipeline preparedness? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we all know that the Premier's favourite subjects are devolution, hydro and, definitely, pipeline. So my questions that I'd like to ask today to the Premier are what actions this government will be taking, if any, to prevent Imperial Oil from backing out or postponing the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are some loud rumours out there that say Imperial Oil is seriously considering pulling out of the oil and gas project. The rumour mill says that, despite the potential $500 million that the federal government has put on the table, Imperial still contends that the demands from the access and benefit agreement negotiations are still too high. Imperial Oil has not budged an inch, and they are not prepared to offer any more to the claimant groups, from what I have heard. If something is not done soon, in my opinion, the current plans to establish a pipeline in the NWT will be in serious jeopardy, and put into a holding pattern for the next 30 years.

My concern is that this Government of the Northwest Territories has invested serious dollars into preparing for the pipeline. Almost every department has created at least one position in pipeline readiness and some of that in several positions. At last count, in the March budget, there were approximately 30 positions across the Territories devoted entirely or partially to the pipeline. This government has invested considerable people hours from the existing staff to investing heavily in the $1 million office in Hay River. MACA has doled out over $1 million of funding to communities to help deal with expected impacts of the pipeline, not to mention the money that has gone towards negotiations and pipeline agreements.

If this pipeline comes, Mr. Speaker, all of this money will have been considered well invested. If this pipeline does not come, this money will have gone down the drain. This government has already stated that without the pipeline, we will find ourselves in a serious financial situation.

So, Mr. Speaker, in closing, I am very concerned what will happen to the significant investment in establishing numerous positions and spending a lot of money on getting ready for a pipeline that is simply just a pipe dream. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's truly sad that we don't recognize forced growth, because the NWT Seniors' Society has been asking for a multi-year agreement for four years, and even back on February 25, 2005, the Premier said all they have to do is ask. Mr.

Speaker, would the Minister publicly commit today to the use of multi-year funding agreements, and look at ways to implement this immediately through either an advisory committee or task force that represents the needs that the NGOs are calling for? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell this Assembly whether any of the funding agreements with his department or authorities that are made with NGOs allowed for increased costs? I am making reference to heating oil, which has spiked significantly in recent days. During the course of their agreements, are they allowed to have increased costs reflected to the times? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have no idea what the heck he just said.

---Laughter

Reality, reality...I have no idea. I appreciate whatever that answer murmured out to be. I am going to ask another question, anyway. In recognition of the social agenda that was tabled in 2002, can the Minister tell this Assembly whether Health and Social Services requires their authorities in any way to fund multi-year agreements to work through the NGO process where appropriate? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.