Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to give a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Fred Koe on October 6th. I would like to provide further clarification on my responses to the questions raised on October 6th by Mr. Koe concerning the Government of the Northwest Territories role in the federal government's new health strategy.

The federal government plans to spend some $243 million over five years on the national strategy to deal with urgent health priorities of First Nations and Inuit. Three main program areas will be addressed: mental health crisis management, solvent abuses and home care nursing.

The department has had discussions with the federal government on this initiative. The outcome has been positive in that the NWT will be eligible for funding. The exact amount of the Northwest Territories allocation, how the money will flow to the NWT, as well as the program parameters will be made known to the NWT in the next three to four weeks.