Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In the last two days, Mr. Speaker, the issue of parity or at least some degree of fairness in wages and benefits for NGOs that deliver programs on behalf of our government has been a bit of a topic here. It's interesting to note some evolution in that issue, Mr. Chairman. I would quote from Hansard of February 23rd from a comment that the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Health and Social Services, said in regard to a question about wage parity. The Hansard record says of the Minister, "I don't recollect when the time was that there was automatic increases given. It must have been in another century because it's not clear in my present memory when that was. "
Mr. Chairman, I would also like to quote briefly from a letter, correspondence received from the executive director of the YWCA. She offers correspondence from July 13, 2001. This may or may not have been under Mr. Miltenberger's watch as this Minister in the previous Assembly, but it is very illuminating to see that this letter advises that, "With the Department of Health and Social Services' assistance, we have been successful in obtaining additional funding to provide a 3.8 and 2.5 percent increase in salaries and a two percent increase in O and M. We are pleased to be able to provide some financial recognition for the important work your staff carries out in the community."
Mr. Speaker, from what the Minister said a few days ago and what came forward under the Yellowknife Health and Social Services authority directly attributing the department's willingness to support our NGOs, there is a considerable difference in the Minister's statement and position and what this department has actually done. I am going to be asking him to account for that difference when we get to question period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause