Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman and honourable Members, the Department of Health's capital budget for the 1992-93 fiscal year reflects a commitment to improved service planning. Increased emphasis will be placed on renovating health facilities to extend their useful life span. Better use of the existing health centres will also be sought through periodic reassessment of service use and service requirements. Redesignation of all or parts of facilities will be made on the basis of these assessments. This approach continues the direction taken by the department in recent years.
During the fiscal year 1991-92, renovation projects were completed at the Inuvik Regional Hospital, Iqaluit public health unit, and H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital. Renovation projects were also initiated for the Baffin Regional Hospital and the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital, with a completion target for 1992-93.
Mr. Chairman, as Minister of Health I am recommending the funding which is necessary to continue a sound capital program for the NWT health services system. Key elements of the 1992-93 budget provide for: 1) the completion of essential renovation projects; 2) improved computerized financial and health information management systems; 3) improved health technology assessment; 4) improved facilities for school-based dental services; and 5) the development of a strategic plan for health service delivery, with specific attention to the future role of health facilities serving regional populations. I am requesting capital funding in the amount of $5.699 million, which includes the carry-over from 1991-92 of $1.591 million.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my opening remarks. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to present my first capital budget for the year 1992-93. I would like, at this time, to seek your permission to have a briefing on the Department of Health, as the House had sought earlier, which includes a glimpse of the past initiatives, of the present, and some of the direction that the department is taking. This may be done through the support of the deputy minister and the assistant deputy minister.