Thank you, Mr. Braden. Madam Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Member mentions some of the presentations that have been made by the department, to date, to Caucus and to the standing committee and certainly I can speak for our department that early childhood development is a very key priority.

As we have shared with Members, the potential impact on the life and well-being of a child, of a person, can be so significantly impacted in those first six years. So I can speak for this department and I can speak for myself that it is a priority. The department is working cooperatively with the boards, other departments and jurisdictions and the federal government, as was previously mentioned, to coordinate and implement early childhood development programs for children, family and communities. I am sure that in my briefings with the department I know that this is an issue that is very near and dear to the deputy's heart as well, and perhaps she could add to that.

Thank you, Madam Minister. Ms. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Ms. Ballantyne. Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That answers my question. Has the department been able and made any attempt at re-profiling shifting the balance, even of internal resources, to at least start to put some more emphasis in early childhood development?

I think the answer basically is no, not yet. I was very impressed with the evidence and the information that the department has provided on early childhood development as a way, at least through government, to really make a difference in the health and the future success of the population. So I would certainly encourage the department to continue to emphasize that. I think it is one of those long term things that if we are able to make those investments now, the returns will be many. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With 22 seconds to go I give you the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. General comments. The Chair recognizes the Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Madam Minister.

Thank you. I am going to refer that question to Ms. Ballantyne. Thank you.

Ms. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Ms. Ballantyne. Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Madam Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I do not think the business plans will identify new funding for drug and alcohol programs, however, with the money that is provided to community and regional health boards for community drug and alcohol treatment or services, there is latitude within that allocation if the community decided that they wanted to undertake a lands program.

I agree with the Member that certainly there is a lot of merit to youth bush camps and healing programs which do take place on the land.

If that became a priority of communities and they communicated that to their respective boards, I think we could see an increase in that type of programming.

You had referred to something to do with the Department of Justice. Again, I think that may come up when you review the Department of Justice as to where we are going to put our priorities in terms of spending money for treatment. As we know, the cost of incarcerating people is extremely high. I believe that is something that will be looked at when you visit the Department of Justice. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Madam Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, what we could do is forward the Member's comments and concerns on to the Dene Nation. If there was a formal communication received from MLAs that they would like to see this funding redistributed for a number of groups, that $143,000 could potentially be reprofiled and spread out. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. The Chair recognizes the Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I received a phone call a few weeks ago from a constituent who had been talking to her family doctor on a visit with her kids. She came away from the meeting with significant concerns about what was happening at the emergency department at Stanton Hospital. I know we have heard a lot about the doctor shortage. I wonder if there is anything in this interim appropriation that we can point to that the department is hoping will resolve the doctor shortage in the Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Madam Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, there are initiatives underway that may be able to provide some relief to the physician shortage and people's ability to book appointments to see physicians. Primary health care is the first level of contact with the health care system where health services are mobilized and coordinated, promote health, prevent illness and care for common illnesses and manage ongoing health problems.

In November 1999, the department approached the Northwest Territories Medical Association and proposed entering into discussions with all key stakeholders to explore the development of a coordinated primary health care model for Yellowknife, Dettah and N'Dilo and other outlying community service by Yellowknife physicians.

The purpose of that was to see if there may be a way to expand on the use of nurse practitioners who have the same kind of credentials that community health nurses have in the communities where they are the primary contact for people in the communities and whether or not this model could be transferred to the larger centres. The nurse practitioners would act in minor cases. They could provide the service. When they could not, the patients would be referred to places such as doctor's clinics, or if necessary, the emergency facilities at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital.

So yes, the discussions have been ongoing with various stakeholders. This is an area that could relieve some of the pressure on physician services in Yellowknife at this time. Thank you.