Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members will recall that I previously called for a public inquiry into the quality of health care in the Northwest Territories. It is now apparent that there will be a Ministerial Forum on Health and Social Services in the near future. Mr. Speaker, my constituents may be wondering what is the difference between a public inquiry and a ministerial forum. A public inquiry can compel witnesses to appear and can cause documents to be presented to the Inquiry Board. A ministerial forum cannot force anyone to testify or cause any documents to be produced. The recent Minister's Forum on Education gives a clear indication of what is wrong with the education system in the Northwest Territories. It is, Mr. Speaker, the same thing that is wrong with health and social services in the Northwest Territories. There is not enough money to meet the demands being placed on the education system and there is not enough money to meet the demands being placed on the health and social service system.

So, what will we get out of a Ministerial Forum on Health and Social Services? Probably the same thing that we got out of the Minister's Forum on Education, 40 or 50 recommendations on what can be done to improve the system, in which 30 or so do not involve the expenditure of any money. The Minister will then stand up in the House and say, we can implement the recommendations that will not cost any more money, but the recommendations that call for increased spending to deal with the crisis cannot be implemented at this time.

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that a ministerial forum will be able to address the true crisis that affects health and social services in the Western Territory. The crisis is a lack of money to deal with program shortfalls. However, I do believe, Mr. Speaker, that a ministerial forum does have the role to play in defining the future of health and social services in the new Western Territory. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.