Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fact is the way we’ve changed the service and it’s provided for now has worked. We managed to get into the communities when called upon. Yes, there are a number of communities, not only in the Sahtu but other regions in the territory, where a flight has to go out of one of the two centres. The way the RFP has been structured, we would have one plane situated up in Inuvik that would be dedicated to the service, as well as out of Yellowknife that would reach the other communities. So a lot of communities would have to wait for a flight to be dispatched...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, we have worked with the Department of Justice the potential impacts of these amendments, and our calculation, looking at the existing caseloads that we have out there right now, is about 120 to 130 additional cases at the existing level. We've worked with the Department of Justice; they're aware of that and feel that we are able to handle that and they would, as well, be looking forward into our business planning process if there is a concern in that area. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. With me at the table I have to my immediate right, Mr. Chuck Parker, deputy minister, Department of Health and Social Services; further to my right is Mr. Dean Soenan, director of child and family services; and to my left is Patricia Gall, legislative counsel. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to introduce Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act. The current act allows the Department of Health and Social Services to apprehend children under the age of 16 in specific circumstances where the safety of a child may be jeopardized, including the denial of proper medical attention. The proposed amendments to the act are required to meet constitutional obligations ensuring the rights of parents are protected and consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. These amendments will ensure parents receive a fair and prompt...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department has not raised this issue with me in this area. We will continue to work on the program we have established in partnership with the NGOs and health and social services authority. This specific area hasn’t been brought to my attention. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don’t have a specific caseload that all of our workers have in the communities across the Northwest Territories at this point, but, from the department’s perspective, we have invested quite a substantial amount of money over the last few years in trying to strengthen this area of mental health and addictions. For example, in 2007, as I had stated yesterday in a number of questions, 77 positions were added and funding of about $6.6 million through health and social services authorities to strengthen this area. That went towards community wellness...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the program, as it was set up and put through the process, is aimed at those communities that already, through the municipality, deliver services for ambulance. So that is where it is going to be focussed. The training aspect will be across the board for where we already have services. There are some communities, for example, that have services delivered through a health authority. Those will remain, as those are funded through authorities. This piece will go towards those communities that do deliver through the municipality and it is application...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that the Honourable Joe Handley and the Honourable Michael McLeod will be absent from the House today to attend the annual general meeting of the NWT Association of Communities in Norman Wells. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this area, indeed, is one where there will be additional workload. As we've stated through this process, that the department, through these amendments, will be held more accountable for their actions and we'd have to be prepared for that. The department has looked at a number of areas. For example, there's first the coming into force which, if passed, would be looking at January 2008. With that in mind, we're working to meet that date by revising the documents and materials that can be provided to families when children are apprehended, as well as...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the act, as we're amending it, would allow for the use of justices of the peace during the initial stages, and that's the apprehension hearing, up to a temporary hearing. After that it would be through a full judge process. Thank you.