Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct that there was an initial survey conducted of needs assessment of persons with disabilities in the Northwest Territories. When it was pointed out that persons with mental health problems were not surveyed under the definition of a disability, a phase two needs assessment of persons with disabilities-mental health was undertaken. The department made a commitment to develop a second phase to the needs assessment to capture mental health information.
Consumer groups and non-government organizations expressed concern about the omission of psychiatric and mental health needs in the first phase of the survey, but a mental health needs assessment working group has been meeting since December 1999 to discuss the scope and methodology of this project. This will be launched soon, and this information will be compiled and analyzed. Thank you.