Mr. Speaker, a great deal of progress is being made with the federal government in our work on the social agenda aimed at improving the social well-being of our residents. The efforts of our Cabinet Ministers ensure that the federal government remains constantly mindful of the needs and perspectives of NWT residents.
On June 8th and 9th in Toronto, the Honourable Jane Groenewegen, Minister of Health and Social Services, and the Honourable Jake Ootes, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, attended a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial social services Ministers. Ministers Groenewegen and Ootes were there to ensure that the NWT's interests were represented in discussions on the National Child Benefit Program, the development of the National Children's Agenda and disability issues.
Through her participation in the federal-provincial-territorial councils on social policy renewal, the Honourable Jane Groenewegen, Minister of Health and Social Services, has been working to ensure the consideration of aboriginal involvement in national social policy initiatives.
Working jointly, the Departments of Education Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services are developing an action plan and Financial Management Board submission to pilot specific early childhood development projects. Although only very limited federal funding is available for such initiatives, we are hopeful that outcomes from the Canada Health and Social Transfer negotiations will allow us to expand our efforts in this important area.
The GNWT, working in conjunction with all provinces and territories, has called for the full and immediate restoration of CHST funding to 1994-95 levels. In addition, all provinces and territories have requested that Ottawa include an appropriate escalator in this funding to reflect growing costs.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Jane Groenewegen, has been working over the past few months with her counterparts towards this goal. Although the details have yet to be finalized, I am confident that the outcome of these negotiations will be positive.