Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, Hay River has taken steps to try to address the issue of the homeless in Hay River. Mr. Speaker, this is a serious issue throughout the North and one that we must address. I would like to commend the Hay River Friendship Centre for their willingness to take part in a program to try to resolve this issue. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and Minister Allen in recognizing this problem and their willingness to make funds available to address this problem.

Unfortunately, attempts in setting up the homeless shelter in Hay River have gone sour with regard to process and location. Could the Minister inform me if he has taken an active role in this Hay River issue in trying to find common ground acceptable to all concerned? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I have taken a personal interest in the ongoing issue of the homeless in Hay River. I can advise the Member that we will continue to consult with not only the NGO who took a vested interest in the project, but also with the Housing Corporation officials and we will continue to work with the community in trying to achieve some levity for this problem. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be willing to come to Hay River and meet with town officials to address this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am more than willing to travel to Hay River and I will also bring along the president of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation so we can sit down and begin to work out some of the procedures that may eventually lead to addressing the homeless issue in Hay River. Thank you.

Merci, Monsieur Ministre. Le question supplémentaire. Supplementary question, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is always nice to see involvement from residents and concerns whenever a project has taken place in a community. I would like to ask the Minister if the residents' views will be taken into consideration when dealing with this issue further? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I would like to also engage the honourable Member for Hay River South to be available for the consultation process so we can start with step one and lead to a conclusion. I think it is important that not only the public be involved, but also the municipality where they will continue to show their support and the NGOs who are really the thrust to getting the homelessness program underway. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Allen. Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is not so much a question, but a general comment. I would like to thank the Minister for his willingness to participate in this issue and I look forward to working with him on it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services and it is with regard to the statement I made earlier about breast health. I think it is general knowledge that breast cancer, while it can be fatal, is easily treated if it is diagnosed and detected early. I understand the group that put the kit together will be proposing a breast wellness clinic where women could go in and have training on how to do the personal breast exam and do it right, so that early detection can be possible.

I wonder if the Minister would be willing to instruct her staff to be receptive to such a proposal and work with them on this important initiative? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we really do appreciate the very invaluable work of NGOs when they turn their efforts towards things such as the breast cancer awareness kit that Ms. Lee spoke of today in the House. If they require the assistance of our government in terms of their clinic or further work on this it would probably be directed through the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Board, but I know there is support for NGOs through the board. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, might I ask the Minister whether she has had an opportunity to have a demonstration of this kit and take a look at it and what the group is doing with this kit? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I have not had a chance to see this kit and to have a briefing on the work that is being undertaken by this association, but I would certainly welcome the opportunity to do so. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, may I ask the Minister whether or not she is aware of any initiative, strategy or policy to deal with women's health and in particular breast health? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.