Mr. Speaker, I think the honourable Member said it herself earlier. Under our system of law with regard to criminal charges, there is the presumption of innocence. This means that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. I would suggest the same, Mr. Speaker, with regard to civil litigation. The Member is presuming the end result in questioning the qualifications of a physician who is subject to a lawsuit.
Mr. Speaker, I am told that doctors with significant practices extending over periods of years, and in Dr. Covert's case it has been 10 or 15 years, as a matter of course are involved in litigation with patients. This is not at all uncommon in the medical profession. It is an occupational hazard. Medical specialists are routinely involved in five, 10 or 15 lawsuits in a year. They are insured and prepared for that.
Mr. Speaker, for the Member to suggest that one lawsuit means that a physician in the Northwest Territories is guilty of malpractice, and should be seen to be incompetent and therefore incapable of judging his peers, is simply not fair. Doctors are regularly involved in this kind of lawsuit and it is often settled or dealt with in a routine manner. It is improper for the Member to suggest that it reflects on the competence of that physician to serve the public in the medical Board of Inquiry.
I reject the imputation of guilt and incompetence which the Member is suggesting, especially since the litigation has only been commenced and has not been concluded. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.