Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there is a procedure that takes place which involves counselling. All patients requiring and seeking an abortion at the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital first receive counselling from the attending physicians and nursing staff in regard to the procedure. They are also informed by the physician and the nursing staff that the procedure is performed without a general anesthetic, and the reasons for these standards of care are explained to the patient so that they know, and also they have an opportunity to sign a consent form.
Further, Mr. Speaker, if a person is apprehensive, there is medication given to a patient. There is no patient receiving an abortion without their consent and without the care that is needed for that particular type of a procedure. There is no way that the hospital does this type of procedure against the will of an individual. They are informed first of all that it is not a practice that will be done without an anesthetic, or if the patient requests an anesthetic, they will receive it.