Yes, Mr. Speaker. We have provided the updated information packages to the participants and the stakeholders who have been invited to take part in the conference in Inuvik. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Following up on this government's many statements declaring that our youth and our children are our most valuable resource, and the recognized importance of early intervention where children may be at risk, children requiring foster care are amongst the most vulnerable and defenceless in our society. The ability of foster parents to meet the needs of these children is dependent, in part, on the level of preparedness and knowledge of foster parents. What training opportunities are made available to existing and potential foster parents by this government? Mr. Speaker, it is a well known fact that many good homes are lost as foster parenting homes, out of frustration. I notice that recently the Yellowknife newspaper is advertising for more foster homes. I would like to know what the government's position is on training and preparing these homes. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In terms of a more defined training framework, I am wondering if the Minister, or his department, is aware of the Alberta model, which I understand provides training to foster homes. Then subsequently, when the training has been received, gives them some form of accreditation on a level of one to four, which would then identify them for appropriate placements in their home. I am wondering if the Minister is aware of that very structured training program in Alberta. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am questioning what kind of co-ordination there is for the resources in training amongst the various departments. I recently ran into a fellow in the Hay River airport, who advised me he had just been down there providing a workshop on abuse. I further checked with some of the foster parents in Hay River to find out if they had been invited to that presentation, and in fact they had not been. Is there someone in the department that actually co-ordinates the activities of someone as capable as this individual was, to make sure that everyone who deals with children that may be affected by abuse would be able to access and take advantage of such workshops and training?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister alluded to the extra dollars that were identified in the budget address under early intervention. Am I to understand that some of those dollars are going to be accessed, or could be accessed for additional foster parent training? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we need to encourage the mining and exploration industry. I was very pleased with the statement that the government agrees with and is committed to, collaborate with aboriginal organizations and the federal government, to pursue continued industry access to lands. Access to lands is a prime need for exploration and mining companies. I was also glad they see the need for a regulatory review identified in the statement this morning. The mining community needs that. Mining companies need harmonization of regulations and an efficient, single system. They also need land claims settled quickly and fairly, so mining groups can approach land claim groups. They need a data base for geo-science information, access to such a library infrastructure to house human resources and a trained workforce.

My concern, Mr. Speaker, is in several areas here, one being on the regulatory reform. I wonder if the Minister could tell us when the department will start working on regulatory reform. Secondly, how long this may take so that the mining industry can have some indication of what program is being instituted? Thank you.