Mr. Speaker, it is a question asked by Mr. Ningark on February 22, 1995 regarding a birthing centre for Taloyoak.
Earlier this month, in response to a letter received from the mayor of Taloyoak, I recommended that the Kitikmeot health board proceed with the development of a proposal for a midwifery project, either as a community or regional initiative, and submit the proposal to the deputy minister's office for review and consideration. Once this proposal has been received and reviewed, we will be better able to determine how the government will be able to support the centre.
The department is currently working with the Keewatin Regional Health Board to evaluate the Rankin Inlet birthing project. I think there are some valuable lessons to be learned from the pilot project. The evaluation is expected to be complete in the spring of 1996. This will give us time to review the request from Taloyoak in relation to the results of the Keewatin pilot project. At that point, a decision will be made based on the economic and practical viability of community birthing projects. A major factor in the decision, Mr. Speaker, will be the availability of sufficient funds to adequately support the project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.