Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am returning to a question asked by Mr. Todd on February 13, 1992, development of a region-based dental service and travelling orthodontic program in the Keewatin. Mr. Speaker, on February 13 the honourable Member for Keewatin Central asked me to reply to recommendations that he had tabled in the House this past December. Mr. Speaker, all the tabled recommendations which were attached to a letter received by the Department of Health from the chairperson of the regional health board have received careful consideration. Some of the matters in the tabled document had been raised in correspondence to which the department had previously replied. In addition, a letter summarizing the department's response to the regional health board's recommendations was sent to the honourable Member and to the chairperson of the Keewatin Regional Health Board on February 17.
In my letter of February 17 to the chairperson of the Keewatin Regional Health Board, the Department of Health provided some suggestions on how the board might further its planning of region-based dental and orthodontic services and identify some of the issues which must be addressed. The department's director of dental services is willing and able to assist the board in developing service planning.
In summary, Mr. Speaker, I would be pleased to support the board's planning initiatives in these areas provided that they can be planned and implemented collaboratively with the Department of Health in a cost and service-effective manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.