Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A number of the Members of the committee were of the opinion that this was a program that was needed by a number of people in the Northwest Territories. I think the committee would have probably been in favour of a mandatory program, but it has to do with the Charter of Rights -- I believe -- making that kind of program mandatory.

We can't refuse to provide social assistance to people. I think what we can do is try and make sure that this sort of program is made readily available to them and that all encouragement is provided for them to take the program, if the need is demonstrated. But, I believe we would be contravening the Canadian law if we tried to make such a program mandatory.