Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to acknowledge the courage of Ms. Ellen Hamilton of Iqaluit. Ms. Hamilton is a woman who was taken into Stanton Yellowknife Hospital for a therapeutic abortion. She was subjected to unreasonable and unacceptable levels of pain and discomfort as a result of hospital surgical procedures. Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely offensive that any woman should have to endure the sort of experience which Ms. Hamilton was subjected to.
Mr. Speaker, there has been a concern that women all across Canada have too often found themselves feeling as though professional people have failed to treat them properly or listen to their wishes. This, I believe, is a reflection both of the arrogance which underlies much of professional community and of the way society undervalues women's ability to make their own choices.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that Ms. Hamilton took a bold and courageous step when she came forward to disclose her mistreatment at the hands of the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital. This is not only something that happened to Ms. Hamilton. The Status of Women has received a large number of comments from other women who have felt abused by the procedures employed by the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital when performing abortions. I applaud these women for coming forward. I think it is important that they should feel supported and understood in raising their concerns.
I may say that I am dismayed by the way the hospital board and its medical professional personnel seem to be more interested in denying the significance of these reports in trying to justify the procedures, questioning the accuracy of women's statements and hiding behind the veil of their professional jargon and positions. Instead, they would be better advised to listen to their female patients and to put their energies into correcting these problems, rather than being defensive about them. It think it is important that the women of the Northwest Territories should feel comfortable in standing up to southern trained professionals...