Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if anybody heard my Member's statement today but I will take a chance and ask questions on it anyway.
Mr. Speaker, this government has devoted countless resources to the very worthwhile endeavour of literacy strategies for residents of the Northwest Territories. The Minister stated on February 23, 2001, with regard to literacy, "Literacy contributes directly to a higher quality of life for individuals. A key goal of this government's vision of educated Northerners making responsible personal choices for themselves and their families."
Mr. Speaker, I could not agree more. The agencies delivering literacy programming in our communities, our libraries, for example, need to be provided the resources to deliver programs to eradicate illiteracy. Would the Minister please indicate to this House if our libraries throughout the North have been provided with an increase in their budgets for 2001-2002 due to an increased emphasis on literacy in the North? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.