Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair,

I am here to represent “Supplementary Estimates (Operational Expenditures), No. 3, 2015-2016.” This document proposes an increase of $19.9 million in operations expenditure for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. The most significant items in the supplementary estimates are a total of $16.4 million for the Department of Health and Social Services for funding for increased program costs, including $6.7 million for costs related to adults and children in care in southern facilities, $6.3 million for costs associated with NWT residents being provided hospital and physician services in other jurisdictions, $1.8 million in costs related to costs for extended health benefits and Metis health-benefit programs, and $1.3 million for costs associated with the Medical Travel Program; $3.3 million in funding for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, due to increased client uptake in the Income Assistance Program. That concludes my opening remarks.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.