Thank you, Madam Speaker.
---Laughter
Mr. Speaker, continuing on a positive note, I would like to talk about an event that befell me last summer, following the Baffin regional consultations on the new social housing rent scale in Pond Inlet. I took a trip to Iqaluit, a beautiful area about 50 miles from Pond Inlet -- that is the other Iqaluit, Mr. Speaker. We travelled on the sea ice by snowmobile and when I got there, I was welcomed by Mr. Allooloo and his constituents.
On the way back, Mr. Speaker, I had a mishap. While manoeuvring past some deep cracks in the sea ice, I failed to notice that the heavy komatik I was pulling had gotten stuck on a piece of ice. The komatik stopped, but my snowmobile kept going. The rope stretched and my snowmobile stopped suddenly. I was thrown forward and ended up with a rather deep gash on my face when I hit the snowmobile. Dumb qallunaaq.
---Laughter
By the time we got into Pond Inlet, it was 7:00 that night. I called the health centre and explained the situation. I was told to come up right away. I was given immediate and careful attention from Theresa, the nurse on call, who very carefully cleaned the wound and then called on a visiting physician, Dr. Rob Driscoll, to assist with stitching me up.
Even though I had been out on the sea ice for seven or eight hours before I got treatment, the wound healed well and I have been left with a barely noticeable scar.
I was very grateful for the prompt attention I was given, even though I know my call interrupted supper after a long day of clinic for the health centre staff. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to relate this story, not because it was outstanding or exceptional, but simply because this is the kind of cheerful, prompt and quality treatment our people are accustomed to receiving from our dedicated health care professionals in our communities.
---Applause
Although there are always problems and things to be critical about in our health system and improvements that can be found, I want to thank the health centre staff in Pond Inlet for looking after me so well when I needed treatment. I want to state my belief that considering we live in a very remote part of the circumpolar world, we should still be grateful that we have a health care system that is second to none. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause