Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, last week, the Minister of Health and Social Services responded to my question about a policy on mammography screening by saying, "A policy is not practical in an evolving field which may require rapid changes to medical practices."

Madam Speaker, it is distressing that the Minister's department seems not to have recognized that a growing number of jurisdictions are developing policies for mammography screening because the medical research proving the value of screening programs is, in fact, overwhelming.

Madam Speaker, broadly speaking, mammography has proven effective, particularly for women aged 50 to 69 and significantly reducing mortality. But only, Madam Speaker, where there is a policy which ensures uniform access to women. When there is a policy of providing the service in a coordinated, programmed manner for women without other symptoms of disease, more lives are saved in the most cost-effective manner.

Madam Speaker, the national workshop on the early detection of breast cancer has proposed that high quality screening be made available to all appropriately aged women throughout the country, including indigenous women and those living in rural areas through programs and dedicated screening sites. This recommendation has been taken seriously in other jurisdictions and, Madam Speaker, I think it is shameful that we, in the NWT, have not.

Madam Speaker, I will be posing further questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services this afternoon on this important issue during question period. Thank you.

---Applause