Mahsi cho, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a few comments and ask the Minister some questions on the apprehension rates of children in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Chairman, to answer my question of last year, October 24th of last year, the Minister's office had sent me some statistical information on the number of children in care of the Northwest Territories, Department of Health and Social Services. At that time, as of September 30th, 2002, there are 457 children in care.
Mr. Chairman, for a population of 20,000 people, 40,000 people in the Northwest Territories, that seems like a very high number. I would like to ask the Minister if maybe in a few words you can explain to me why there is such a high number of children in the care of the government. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.