Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have heard a great deal in this Legislative Assembly, since the beginning of this session, about the need to invest in early learning and childcare programming. The Report on Pre-Budget Consultation, prepared by the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight, discussed, in some detail, the needs in our communities with respect to these programs.

When the Prime Minister addressed his caucus last May, he made special mention that Canadians across the country were eager to participate in a national childcare system built on the principles of quality, accessibility, universality and developmental. The three northern territories fully support these principles and are anxious to participate fully in a national system on that basis.

Like most Canadians, northern residents welcomed the federal government’s commitment to provide funding to enhance the early learning and childcare environment. The promise of funding to achieve a national vision is exciting. It was our intention to utilize this funding to focus on increased training opportunities for childcare workers and increased eligibility for parents wanting to access day care subsidies.

This week, I attended the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Social Development meeting to discuss the early learning and childcare negotiations with Minister Ken Dryden. Unfortunately, our negotiations with Ottawa have been very disappointing. Despite our significant efforts to secure an adequate funding arrangement, the federal offer remains unchanged and, therefore, unacceptable to the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut governments.

To participate fully in this program in a way that ensures we can provide a level of comparable service to our residents, the Northwest Territories needs funding based on the fiscal reality of delivering programs and services in the North. The federal offer, as put forward by Minister Dryden, based on a per capita allocation, is woefully inadequate and is based on a lack of understanding of the realities of northern life.

Mr. Speaker, the position of the Government of the Northwest Territories on this issue is consistent with the approach we have taken since the inception of this Legislative Assembly two years ago. We believe that this program should be provided on a base plus basis, similar to other federal programs.

Mr. Speaker, without a funding agreement that provides an adequate level of funding, residents of the Northwest Territories will not see the same level of improvement in early learning and childcare that will be seen in other parts of the country. Mr. Speaker, this is completely unacceptable.

Mr. Speaker, the government will not accept an agreement that means our residents will not be treated the same as other Canadians. It is clear that we have gone as far as we can to resolve this issue with Minister Dryden and his officials. The next step is for Premier Handley to raise this issue with Prime Minister Martin at their next meeting. We are hopeful that the Prime Minister will take steps to resolve this issue so the children and families of the Northwest Territories will receive the same level of service as all other Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the support of, and advice from, the Members of the Legislative Assembly as we work to resolve this issue. Thank you.

---Applause