The costs of providing childcare in the North are clearly higher than in other parts of the country. The Government of the NWT has been working closely with other territories to hammer out a deal with Canada that would provide adequate base funding to make a real difference in providing this critically needed programming in the North. We have seen the federal government recognize our unique health challenges, such as with the Health Care Accord reached last fall. The Early Learning and Childcare Agreement that has been in place in this government since 2001 serves as a framework for the strengthening of licensed programs for children.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that our Minister, Charles Dent, will be in Ottawa this week to meet with his territorial and provincial counterparts, as well as Minister Dryden from Canada. I would urge Minister Dent and this government to continue to press the federal government to fund childcare programs in a manner that recognizes the higher
cost of providing these services here in the NWT. Anything else is not acceptable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause