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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - While lead minister of the refocusing government committee Michael Miltenberger has come under fire as the board merger plan rolls out, noticeably absent from debate have been the ministers of the three departments - health, housing and education - included in the plan.

Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay criticized their silence and consistent deferral to Miltenberger on all questions relating to the merger.

"The government is undertaking this huge initiative which is going to impact the delivery of programs and services in health, education and housing and these guys don't say anything," he said.

"I would go so far to say that cabinet has them muzzled."

Miltenberger told Yellowknifer that ministers will speak to their departments but defer to him when talk goes to the merger plans.

Yesterday, the ministers spoke:

Housing Minister Michael McLeod:

On the input he's had:

"I sit on the committee that is dealing with this. Our work has been, first of all, to let our local housing organizations (LHO) know what is going on and they have been sent the consultation package and asked for some feedback. We are planning a get together with all our LHO chairs and managers on March 13 to have a round-table discussion."

On whether the plan works as presented:

"It's still a little bit early. We haven't formally decided on any model. We have 23 housing organizations across the NWT and we'd expect input from all of them when we look at a model going forward. It has to make sense. Don't forget, this is just a first phase."

On whether he supports merger:

"I think we all agree that 70 boards involved in delivering similar services in a jurisdiction the size of the NWT is probably a little too complicated and in some ways a little inefficient.

"I would expect we would need the support of the people of the NWT."

Education Minister Jackson Lafferty

On the input he's had:

"We've compiled information from all departments and I've shared my thinking, my knowledge as a minister of education with my cabinet to have a real general discussion on where we are going with this."

On the state of the merger:

"I think we have a lot of work ahead of us. We are compiling all sorts of information from the biggest departments. Health, housing, education: they are not small departments.

"The decision has not been made yet, whether to move forward or not.

"Even if cabinet decides to go ahead with this, we will need support from regular members.

"(Following April 1), we will decide whether we go forward with this or if we need to make some changes."

Health Minister Sandy Lee:

On the input she's had:

"I think it's a real misunderstanding out there that somehow Minister Miltenberger handles all this. I'm not formally a member of this board reform government committee but I have attended all the meetings."

On state of the merger:

"I don't know where people are getting their information but I think there is a little bit of jumping to a conclusion happening here. The most crucial thing people need to know is that April 1 won't be a date where you see things merging.

"This is a work in progress. There is nothing predetermined."

On Catholic school boards:

"I don't see anything we would do that would interfere with Catholic education in the territory."