Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, today I am pleased to introduce the main estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services for the 2002-2003 fiscal year. The department is requesting a total of $199,282,000. This represents a 9.4 percent, or $17.12 million increase over the department's 2001-2002 allocation. Just over $147 million or 74 percent of the budget is allocated to health and social services authorities.

The department's budget request is allocated to five main areas of activity:

• • Program delivery support, $24 million, which provides a system-wide focus and assistance in the delivery of programs, both by the department and by the authorities. Supports include recruitment, training, systems development and support, as well as the administration of health insurance programs and authority operations;
• • Health services programs, for $103.5 million, include in-patient and out-patient care, public health, chronic care and physician services, which is largely delivered through health centres, public health clinics, physician clinics, hospitals and insured facilities in southern Canada;
• • Supplementary health programs for $13.4 million, which are additional benefits provided to NWT residents in accordance with various policies, and includes extended health benefits, Metis health benefits, indigenous health benefits and medical travel benefits;
• • Community health programs for $50.1 million, which are aimed at developing community wellness through health promotion activities, a range of services directed at children, including early childhood development, and family services to adults; and
• • Ministry and corporate services, $8.1 million, which provides systems, leadership and development planning, policy and legislation, monitoring and evaluation and administrative support.

Cost implications of the Health and Social Services Action Plan 2002-2005 are not included for the most part in the main estimates. The 45 actions outlined in the plan are focused on improving services through better coordination, collaboration and planning, primarily within existing resources. However, there is recognition that the implementation of the plan will require some investment. Detailed implementation plans, including associated costs, are being developed and any resource requirements will be incorporated into the business planning process.

The department is proposing to invest over $9 million in several important areas during the 2002-2003 fiscal year.

Improving child protection and family support services, through the addition of ten child protection workers and enhanced training;

• • Continued implementation of the early childhood development initiative, $1.7 million;
• • Standardized physician contracts, $1.46 million;
• • Fully funded medical clinic operating costs, $1.4 million;
• • Accelerated development of new and revised legislation, $500,000;
• • Enhancing communicable disease control, $320,000;
• • Enhancing access to cancer screening, $270,000;
• • Development of an on-call centre, $250,000; and
• • Supporting enhanced telehealth programs, $200,000.

In addition, $1.5 million is being invested in providing enhanced education and training opportunities for health and social services workers throughout the system. Support is being extended to all categories of front-line health and social services providers, not only doctors, nurses and social workers.

Forced growth of $8.1 million has been added to meet the increased costs of providing existing services. This is largely attributable to an extensive effort this past year working with the authorities to identify forced growth pressures on a system-wide basis.

Mr. Chairman, people of the Northwest Territories are our greatest resource. Continuing development of the North, whether it is social, economic or political development, is dependant upon the strength of our northern communities. As we continue our efforts to promote economic growth and prosperity, we are also working with our partners, including representatives of aboriginal governments and non-government organizations, to establish a social agenda that will provide a framework to affect change and improve the quality of life of our citizens.

The programs and services offered through funding of the department are an essential part of our social safety net. They are oriented to support healthy, self-reliant Northerners who can fully participate in the opportunities that the North provides.

The proposed budget for the 2002-2003 year will strengthen current activities and help Northerners to work towards their goals. I welcome the opportunity to answer any questions Members may have as you consider these main estimates. I also would like to take this quick opportunity to say hello to my wife, since she is going to be catching a plane and this is probably the only time I am going to see her this week. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.