Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One of the department's biggest challenges is meeting the needs of northerners who, for one reason or another, cannot live well on their own. The challenge lies in balancing resources between institutional facilities on one hand, and home care and related projects on the other.

There are some cases where individuals need to be cared for in institutions, such as homes for the elderly or handicapped. But there are many cases where the best option is for the person to stay in their own home, in their own community, with support provided by a home care program.

Also, because our population is so small and scattered, we have to be careful when we commit large amounts of capital to building institutions. Committee Members noted the example of the new elders' residence in Deline; it is standing vacant most of the time.

This reflects two issues the committee want to highlight. First, the department should try to provide home care wherever possible, both to better meet the needs of northerners who require care but need not be institutionalized, and to save money over the high costs of institutions. As part of this concept, the government must continue to work with the federal government to address the problem of inadequate housing. Often, elders who could be served by home care are forced to move into institutions merely because their housing is inadequate, poorly heated, or poorly constructed. Second, when institutional facilities are planned, the department should exercise prudence and caution. New institutional facilities should be designed to be flexible. If a new building turns out not to be needed as an elders' residence, perhaps it can be used for other purposes.

The committee has noted the Minister's commitment to establish pilot home care projects. Committee Members welcome this initiative, as it is quite an important one, and look forward to the results of these projects.