Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today, I am pleased to present the 2003-2004 Main Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services. These main estimates total $226.182 million and represent an approximate 13 percent increase in O and M expenditures compared to last year's main estimates. Of this amount, 73 percent or $163 million is provided to the seven health and social services authorities and a further $19 million is paid to out-of-territories health care providers.

Mr. Chairman, during the meetings with standing committee and in the Legislature last fall, we spoke about the human resource and financial pressures on our health and social services system. All Members of this Legislature talked about the importance of having a stable system that can provide services when they are needed.

I am pleased to say that considerable progress has been made in the last few months to address these pressures. Since the last session, I have released two human resource plans: a retention and recruitment plan for allied professionals, nurses and social workers; and, an interim health profession plan for physicians, midwives and the nursing profession. Together, these inject $9 million in new, ongoing funding to our system. These plans:

• • Begin to alleviate workload issues in the nursing and physician professions by introducing 42 new positions;
• • Facilitate the development of two new professions, nurse practitioners and midwives, in the NWT system;
• • Focus work on identifying appropriate types and numbers of professionals required to effectively provide services in various NWT settings;
• • Enhance professional development opportunities for our health and social workers;
• • Streamline hiring processes for hard-to-recruit positions;
• • Examine issues of compensation in the nursing and allied health care professions; and
• • Improve the level of educational support for students in the health and social fields.

In addition to these developments, Mr. Chairman, the NWT Medical Association has indicated its support for a new contract for general practitioners.

Mr. Chairman, together, these human resource developments represent significant moves to stabilize and strengthen our workforce. I should note that such change would be next to impossible to develop over the same time frame in another province. But this is precisely the kind of opportunity for change that I spoke about to the Legislative Assembly a mere five months ago. We are small enough to identify innovative solutions to issues and quickly act on them. I believe, Mr. Chairman, these investments will create a work environment that will retain our current professionals and attract others.

The Romanow report presents strong arguments for an increase in federal funding in the health sector. The report has created an opportunity for the Government of the Northwest Territories to pursue discussions with the federal government on funding that will meet our unique health needs and service delivery challenges.

As Members know, these discussions are still underway so there is no guarantee of what funding might come to the NWT. However, we remain optimistic that the federal government will recognize the service delivery challenges and funding needs of Canada's territories. I will work with our Premier and my colleagues to maintain the national recognition of northern health care issues we have achieved in the last two weeks in order to successfully conclude a funding arrangement with the federal government.

We must continue to do the work necessary to demonstrate what resources our system truly needs to provide high quality health and social services throughout the territories. This includes completing two tasks in the HSS system action plan, developing an integrated service delivery model for the NWT and completing a comprehensive human resource plan for the system. These two initiatives, slated for completion in the next six months, will help us define more precisely our resource requirements for a made-in-the-NWT health care system that matches need with service.

Mr. Chairman, these main estimates also include new funding for the government's response to the Social Agenda. This complements the funding being spent across the government to improve the health care of our residents.

Of course, Members are well aware of the work related to the Health and Social Services System Action Plan. Over the next few months, we expect to complete half of the 45 action plan commitments. This includes:

• • Distributing a self-care handbook and core services information to all NWT households;
• • Establishing a common approach to sharing expertise and specialized services within the system through collaborative service networks;
• • Implementing a standardized orientation for staff and board trustees;
• • Developing a common performance measurement and reporting system; and, developing a five-year plan that addresses health and social impacts relating to economic development.

Each of these accomplishments adds to the capacity of our system to provide high quality care, where and when it is needed.

Mr. Chairman, these activities are only highlights of some of the work being done by the department and authorities. The review of our main estimates provides an opportunity to discuss more of our work. I look forward to discussing our activities and answering the committee's questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.