Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week there was a lot of talk about heart in the House. Today I would like to speak about a group of people who open their hearts every day, that being foster parents. Mr. Speaker, in a perfect world, every child would grow up in the loving and caring arms of their parents. However, sometimes that just is not possible. Across the north, foster parents fill this important role for many of our children. They open their homes to children whenever they are needed. As of December, 1996, about 280 children were being cared for in 140 foster homes. As a government, we try to support the efforts of foster parents. I believe that we could, and should, be doing more. Foster parents are provided with a modest allowance to cover the cost of caring for each child. This allowance ranges from $24 per day, depending on the community's cost of living, and the special needs of the child. Fostering is not easy and foster parents need support. Social workers have the responsibility of providing support to foster parents. Some regions also have designated workers to provide general support.

Mr. Speaker, it takes a special person to open their heart and home to a young person who needs them, maybe for a week, for a day, for a year. I would like to say thank you to all the foster parents across the Northwest Territories for all they do for our children and for this government. Later, I will be questioning the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to the training provided to our foster parents.