Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have been aware for some time, as in the previous question, that it’s been recognized that they have been working without a union since 2003. They have always been encouraged to come together and come to a conclusion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not going to go into details of what options are available. It would be almost like negotiating around the parties that are directly involved. That is not something I intend to do. We are, as a government, looking at all of our other options and the contract that is in place. As well, we are very aware that this involves another union that is at the table. They have agreed to, in the past, a different standard than what we have in place for our own employees. So all of these things have to be weighed very carefully as we proceed. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the process we have entered into for organizations that deliver programs outside of our own staffing situation, there is a process that is used by each department that would look at the services being delivered and if they fit our definition of forced growth and if they would be included, that’s department by department. I am not clear as to the process that was just implemented, if in fact they would fall into it. I know, for example, there was no inclusion for higher wages at this point because there was no agreement in place. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the process that is used is maybe I should have gone into a little more detail. Under the Canada Labour Code, certain actions are allowed for where, in this situation, ensuring that the clients themselves get the services they need, that takes priority for us. That is why we moved the clients that were in that facility to another location to continue with their programming. That is where we are at, at this point, and trying to encourage the parties to come together. Ultimately, from the Department of Health and Social Services’ point of view, we are...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is the first stage we are at with the situation that is happening on the reserve, is to encourage both parties to get back to the negotiation table and bring a successful conclusion to this process. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have to look at the existing cost of providing that level of service in the Northwest Territories with the existing contract in place. Ultimately, if the department is to continue this, we would have to look at other areas where we can come up with our savings or with additional money to continue this. That will have an effect on how we proceed with this as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I had stated earlier, I have signed off a letter going to the parties involved and urging them to get back to the negotiations. I can’t give a commitment in this House, as right now we are monitoring the situation hoping that a successful conclusion can be reached. So giving a timeline at this point is not something that I can commit to. Just for the record, as we have looked at the situation, I don’t believe it is a lockout. It is an arrangement that the employer has made with his existing workload. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, we can show the commitment we’ve made to try to secure our nursing workforce and make sure the environment they work under is a productive one, a healthy one and is satisfactory. Of course, the demand for services by the people of the Northwest Territories also has to be met. That’s why we have looked at a number of different options. In looking at the file now and working with the department, I believe we are trying to take the necessary steps to ensure we have a competent nursing force in place and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, what we have used for some time now as well as adapting those in southern Canada, the federal government, their legislation and through our own negotiation process in dealing with employees over the years, we do have a system in place that would allow for those who feel they are in unsafe conditions or rules aren’t being followed to address those. Of course, we have to use our existing system that is in place and the chain of command, as hard as that may sound, is something that is used. If there are...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fact is, right now we do have a contract with the society who is the employer and that has to be taken into consideration as we proceed. That’s why, at this time, the encouragement is for the employer and employees to sit down and conclude a successful negotiation. Ultimately I think one has to look at the Government of the Northwest Territories which is no longer considered the choice employer of the Northwest Territories as we have, for quite some years, gotten away from some of the benefit levels that past employees were accustomed to. That should...