Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour?

---Laughter

All those opposed? The amendment is defeated.

---Defeated

Now to the motion. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. Mr. Zoe.

Okay, the amendment is in order. To the amendment. Mr. Gargan.

I think most Members did say that the traditional healing methods must not only be recognized but also funded. I think the Members will generally be happy with that motion.

To the amendment. Mr. Pollard.

My understanding is that the amendment is going to delete "and incorporate into our system of health and social services." Am I correct, Mr. Chairman?

Yes, that is what I heard, delete "and incorporate into our system of health and social services." Mr. Pollard.

Might I suggest, Mr. Chairman that the word "and" might have to be inserted in between "recognized" and "funded."

There has already been an amendment to this recommendation. The mover could withdraw his amendment and make a new amendment later. To the amendment. Are you ready for the question?

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is defeated.

---Defeated

Now to the motion. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Are there any further comments? Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Chairman, traditional and medical methods can work together in a number of areas. Childbirth is one of these. Many women want the option of deciding how and where to deliver their babies. Options include the use of midwives and other local resources in addition to regional hospitals. Women should be able to make an informed choice between these options. Adequate information should be available to assist women in making these decisions. Women's groups should be part of the process to develop legislation needed to achieve this goal.

Mr. Chairman, just for clarification, we had a fairly lengthy discussion in regards to this and basically a woman's option now is very limited. Midwifery is not considered with our government and there are many women that have to go out of the community. We basically put these options forth in the preamble, indicating that there should be other local resources in addition to regional hospitals. If a woman's choice is to have her baby at home, if a woman's choice is to have her baby in the community, in the hospital or health centre, then that's the choice of the woman. I think the point we are trying to get across to the government is let the women have the ability to make the choice prior to the delivery of their babies.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there were 18 of us in my family, 15 of us were born out there somewhere in Denendeh with no assistance. In a lot of cases, even my mother, didn't have assistance in those deliveries. My mom would be recognized in the community as a midwife, so would my sister. The problem is that even though we recognize it and women should be able to make an informed choice, the choices are not always there to determine that and the technology is not there. Women are still going to Edmonton or to Montreal to have their babies because of the possibility of complications. I'm not an expert in that area. I have never talked to my mom or my sister about this whole area so I can not honestly say that I'm an expert on it. I appreciate that it should be recognized but once again it must fit into the system in order for it to be recognized. I have problems with that.