Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I and my colleagues recognize that the current funding structure for the shelters has led to some challenges and some inconsistencies. Last year, I did direct the department of Health and Social Services to examine and work with the shelters to identify some of these immediate pressures. As a result of this work, we were fortunate to receive $120,000 in new funding to offset the increased operating costs of family violence shelters across the Northwest Territories.
When I met with the shelter network in 2016, I also committed to exploring the potential for a more equitable funding formula. At that time, I indicated, give us a little bit of patience, work with us. We will be in a better position to start discussions in August 2017. That has not occurred yet. We have had some initial work done. We have been working on some preliminary information with the shelter leads, but we have not begun the negotiations around a funding formula yet, and we will not be getting that until August at the earliest. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.