Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Braden on June 6, 2001, regarding coordination of government services for the disabled.

On May 6, 2001, I confirmed my commitment to providing support to the NWT Council for Disabled Persons' request for a partnership process to develop a disabilities framework for the Northwest Territories. Such an initiative is in keeping with the national vision on disability issues as described in In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues (1998) and the recently published In Unison 2000 Report.

An initial planning meeting on the matter, chaired by the deputy minister of Health and Social Services, was held on May 31, 2001. At this meeting there was agreement that a multi-dimensional framework needs to be developed that includes a vision and principles that clearly define the goals and how to achieve those goals.

The initial partnership will include the Departments of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, the NWT Council for Disabled Persons, the Yellowknife Association for Community Living, the YWCA, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Dene Nation. Other stakeholders will be invited to participate in later stage activities as required.

A follow-up meeting is scheduled for late June 2001 to finalize the draft terms of reference to formalize this process and identify work to be done over the following months.

The desired outcome of this integrated approach is the ability to determine priority areas for improvement, and to fill gaps in services for all persons with disabilities in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.