I have a return to a question asked by the honourable Member for Inuvik, regarding priorities for assisting abused victims. The Society of Friends Against Family Violence in Inuvik, is working towards the establishment of a shelter for battered women and children for the Inuvik area.

The society has received $2500 from the victim's assistance program, through the Department of Justice, to develop a proposal for this purpose. To date, the complete proposal has not been submitted to the Department of Social Services for review. Discussions with the society indicate that a proposal will be submitted requesting funds for the operational costs of a shelter. The department has not been asked to identify a building.

Further, the society has been informed that all funds within the family violence prevention program have been committed for the fiscal year. Should new funds be identified in the new fiscal period, Inuvik would be considered for funding.