Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate to this House what measurements the Department of Health and Social Services has in place to monitor the budgets and fiscal affairs of individual health boards after the department has devolved the yearly funding allotment to the health boards? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we rely on information and feedback from the boards in terms of the accounting of the monies that they receive from us. This accountability for these financial resources is one of the things that has been identified in the terms of reference under the Cuff review and how that accountability towards the funds is something we are looking forward to recommendations on as a result of this review. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In light of the recent budget announcement, would the Minister know what funding increases may be going to the regional health boards to be targeted specifically to the area of family violence?

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Speaker, I am not able to provide that level of detail of financial information right this moment, but I will provide that to the Member. I also want to indicate that the department does agree that non-government agencies involved in family violence protection have been under-resourced and have not seen the kinds of increases that they have needed to keep up with the work that they have carried out in the communities and in the regions. This is something that the department will address with the Standing Committee on Social Programs under the family violence prevention streams of the addictions and mental health strategy, which we will be working with the committee on very shortly. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Groenewegen. Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister aware of how many facilities there are throughout the western Arctic that provide similar services to family support centres? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Madam Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there are 42 bed spaces available in the NWT as family violence shelters. The Sutherland House in Fort Smith has six beds; the Family Support Centre in Hay River, 12; the Inuvik Transition House, eight; Tuk Women's Shelter, four; and the Alison McAteer House here in Yellowknife has 12, for a total of 42 bed spaces for shelter for women and children.

In addition to this, there are also a number of safe homes, and we are aware of 12 safe homes located in four communities that are currently for women and their children who find themselves in a crisis situation. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement this afternoon, I have a question for the Premier, and I think it is timely because he has just returned from an international trade mission.

My question is, in light of his recent travel, could he advise this House of ways the government might provide support to local businesses, to NWT businesses, in fostering international trade, particularly in northern expertise and the region's cold weather technology and construction? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government has in previous years, through the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development in its trade and investment division, provided support to businesses to look at trade missions and to support ways to encourage business overseas for our companies in the NWT. We will continue to do that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that we saw some strong initiative from the government and the leader of the Chukotka region of the Russian Federation, would the Premier engage his offices in fostering and growing the relationship with this region at the diplomatic and political level? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, we will be very happy to support our northern businesses and work in partnership with the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, to do what we can through my offices to support such initiatives. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The inside of an airplane is probably the last thing the Premier would like to look at after such a long journey around the world, but I would like to ask the Premier if the government would consider initiating a trade mission not only to the Chukotka region, but to other circumpolar regions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These are suggestions that will be considered by the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, and I am sure they will take such recommendations and advice from the private sector and use their own contacts and expertise in this area. The answer is yes, we will consider them as they come forward from our officials. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.