Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. One of the key messages included in the pre-budget consultation report that your committee had the pleasure of introducing yesterday was about the importance of early childhood development programs. We all know that this is an upfront investment. When we make an investment in our children, it certainly pays off down the road.

A number of organizations, including the NWT Status of Women Council and Alternatives North, made note of the need for this government to continue to lobby the federal government for a fair allocation of childcare dollars to the NWT. Mr. Speaker, as the NWT Status of Women Council wrote in their submission, access to childcare is an essential factor in achieving economic equality for women, and in maximizing the potential of the NWT labour force. Early in their new term, Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government announced a $5 billion commitment for a national childcare system. It is my understanding that the federal government -- the Minister Ken Dryden -- continued to insist, though, that the Government of the NWT accept a per capita allocation of this funding. This is not acceptable.