Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I spoke of the vital role played by drug and alcohol addictions counsellors in northern communities. The cost of drug and alcohol addictions, as I said in my statement, is enormous, both socially and economically. Yet despite their importance, drug and alcohol counsellors are currently not legislated as a profession in the NWT. This means that the public has no assurance that the counsellors are certified, that they are meeting the professional standards, that they go through any regular process of re-examination or certification for their skills and competencies.

I would like to ask the Minister for Health and Social Services, what sort of qualifications do you require to be an alcohol and drug counsellor in the NWT? Thank you.