Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on October 31, 1994, the Honourable Nellie Cournoyea responded to my written question about a policy, on mammography screening for the NWT by providing statistics showing that the number of women having mammographies in the NWT compared favourably with five other provinces that have screening programs.
Mr. Speaker, the implication from these statistics is that there is no need for the NWT to have a breast screening policy because even without a policy, we still have roughly the same percentage of women having mammographies as provinces with screening programs.
Later today, I will table that documentation as an interjurisdictional survey. At the same time, I will retable the Minister's return to written question so the Members may compare the two.
Mr. Speaker, on December 15, 1992 the federal government announced the federal breast cancer initiative, totalling $25 million over five years. One of the initial activities was the National Forum on Breast Cancer. The forum's primary purpose was to recommend, to the health care community at large, priorities and directions for future action in four main areas: breast cancer research; prevention and screening; treatment and care; and, support and advocacy of, and networking by, women with breast cancer.
Mr. Speaker, all 10 provinces and the Yukon took part in that national forum. The NWT was the only jurisdiction absent, even though the federal government offered to cover expenses for an NWT representative. In addition, the federal government committed $20 million over a five-year period to the Canadian breast cancer research initiative. This money is to provide funding for a broad spectrum of research relating to the prevention, early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, as well as the treatment and care of people living with breast cancer.
Currently, Mr. Speaker, membership on the Canadian Breast Cancer Screening Initiative Committee includes representatives from Departments of Health in all 10 provinces and the Yukon territory. I understand the NWT is still not participating, the only jurisdiction in Canada not in.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.