Mr. Speaker, I realize that a lot has happened in two days' time. This was brought to my attention yesterday morning. It was about 8:30 when I first heard this on the news, and like everyone else, I was shocked by the story that I heard about the woman in lqaluit. At the earliest opportunity, which was about half an hour after I heard this, I directed the deputy minister to look into the matter, I have not been able to ascertain whether or not, at this point in time, there was any change in procedures or anything different than would normally be conducted.
Therefore I was not able to have anybody issue any specific instructions, other than to be assured that medication to relieve pain, either through general anesthetic or partial anesthetic or else through intravenous or pills to assist in the suppression of pain, prior to and after the procedure, was available. I was assured that this was part of it, and I have not issued any other instructions dealing with medication because I am assured that this is available, at the doctor's discretion. However, I learned subsequently from the news stories that there may be some discrepancies between what one comment is and what another is and that is why I have asked the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Board to conduct this review to assure the public, that in fact, people are receiving quality treatment for this very traumatic procedure.