Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I want to talk about AIDS. In 1987, the federal government initiated a national AIDS program for AIDS prevention which went until 1991. Eventually, the Government of the Northwest Territories will receive some of the federal funding for the project contracted for a study of the AIDS prevention program in the NWT. This was part of the requirement for the receipt of federal funding.

I have raised the issue of AIDS many times in this Assembly during March 1993, Madam Speaker. The AIDS issue had been pushed by the Northwest Territories Health officials as a major health concern and they wanted to see some leadership on this issue. In fact, recommendation 1 in the report commissioned by the government reads, "We have to promote discussions in the Legislative Assembly which will bring AIDS and the need for a new campaign to the forefront." This is why I initiated debate on the AIDS issue at that time.

Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, there was very little debate and very little discussion. However, we passed a motion on March 31st, that the Department of Health develop policies on AIDS, as outlined in recommendations 3 to 6 of the review commissioned by the government.

In the absence of any ongoing system of evaluation of the effectiveness of AIDS programs, we will continue to be in the dark about this deadly disease. Madam Speaker, I shall be asking the Minister questions about this issue and she is aware that I will be doing that. Thank you.

---Applause