Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the research project the Member refers to could have been funded by the Science Research Board, which is a territorial board. This study could be undertaken and it is possible it could be done without the knowledge of the department. Certainly within the department, there is a very comprehensive registry of various types of cancer throughout the Northwest Territories. There is research that could go on outside of the department, which we would not necessarily be aware of unless we were advised.

The Member refers to a letter to the Inuvik Regional Health Board. If we are not cc'ed on there, it is possible this could take place without our knowledge. Perhaps there does need to be a better linkage or communication mechanism on research projects such as this so our department can be informed to follow up, if nothing else. It does have an impact on the services we are required to deliver, but we are certainly not the funders of this type of research at this time. Thank you.