Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, part of this money that is being requested is to ensure that there are standardized levels of competency amongst child protection workers who do work with children and families that are stressful and high risk situations.

Certainly there are a number of contributing factors to families who find themselves in situations. The Member is correct that quite often, alcohol does play a role.

One of the other items that will be coming up under the early childhood development initiative, talks about parenting and family support. I just want to restate that when child protection workers work with families, removal of children from the family is always viewed as a last resort. We have a statutory obligation to protect children at risk. Every effort should be made to keep the family together and to support the individuals as a family unit.

We feel that with the additional training and support that will be offered to the front-line workers that, with the additional positions that have been added, the ten new social workers, there is going to be more time available to work with families in dealing with some of their issues. Thank you.