Thank you, Madam Speaker. Good afternoon. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to advise this House that, with the support of affected health and hospital boards, the Department of Health has signed a letter of understanding with the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) in Edmonton. This is the first step in a process which will result in the development of an organized support arrangement for the NWT health system in the western Arctic and Kitikmeot.

Preparation for the arrangement included discussions with board chairs, executive directors and professional staff members of the Fort Smith Health Centre, the H H Williams Memorial Hospital, the Inuvik regional health board, the Kitikmeot health board, Stanton Yellowknife Hospital and the Mackenzie regional health service and included a recent visit to Royal Alexandra Hospital by board representatives.

Briefly, the primary objectives are:

1. To formalize the status of the Royal Alexandra Hospital as the principal referral centre for residents of western Arctic communities, as well as the Kitikmeot and as the facilitator for access to services provided by its partner institutions and agencies in Edmonton; and,

2. To provide support arrangements for the department, health and hospital boards and health professionals in the NWT, in the interests of improving the health of and health services for NWT residents with the aim of providing services as close to home as possible.

The signed letter of understanding forms the basis upon which a formal agreement can now be developed. This will require the active involvement of boards on a joint steering committee to guide the process. I have asked the deputy minister of Health to expedite the creation of a steering committee with representation from Stanton Yellowknife Hospital, the NWT Medical Association, the Department of Health, the affected health boards and Royal Alexandra Hospital and to proceed with the development of a formal agreement. Madam Speaker, I might add that there may be other people we'll consult with in that process.

In the interim, the Royal Alexandra Hospital will create an administrative unit to deal with NWT health service requirements and make specific support arrangements, including additional efforts to meet the language and cultural requirements of aboriginal residents.

Royal Alexandra Hospital supports the inclusion of NWT representation on the governing board of Royal Alexandra Hospital and on any successor board that might be created.

The department believes that this initiative has the potential to secure and improve health services for NWT residents who must be treated in Alberta, while supporting the maximum use of NWT resources. Thank you, Madam Speaker.