I rise in this house today to update the residents of our province on our re-registration of the province�s Medical Care Program, known as MCP.

In May of this year our government launched the re-registration of MCP, asking all residents of the province to complete a re-registration form on or before March 31, 2007 to receive a new MCP card.

My department has witnessed a tremendous response to this initiative from the people of this province. Since May, over 80 per cent of the province has completed their re-registration forms. To date, we have received forms from over 420,000 people and over 240,000 new cards have been issued.

In his 2004 report the Auditor General found an estimated 80,000 more beneficiary numbers issued than there were residents in the province. By undertaking this initiative, our government will strengthen the monitoring of medical care claims to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries permanently residing in the province are able to avail of coverage under MCP. The end result will be greater accountability and fiscal responsibility to the people of this province.

The new MCP cards contain an individual�s name, gender, MCP number and birth date to provide additional security to ensure that only the person to whom the card is issued will be able to use it. In addition, the cards have an expiry date to allow the Department of Health and Community Services to periodically update the MCP database and provide an improved mechanism for accountability.

I thank everyone for their cooperation and patience as we process the large volume of applications. I also ask those who have not sent in their re-registration form to do so before March 31, 2007, when old versions of the MCP card will become invalid. Individuals may obtain a form by contacting their local MCP office, visiting www.gov.nl.ca/mcp or by e-mail at mcpreregistration@gov.nl.ca.