Mahsi, Madam Speaker. My voice is getting better and I can now talk. I rise today to discuss the plight of our NWT dental therapists. It has been brought to my attention that many of the experienced dental therapists in the Delta/Beaufort communities have resigned. There are probably many reasons for their resignations but there is an underlying concern which impacts on all dental therapists in the Northwest Territories. This issue concerns the unresolved pay rate classification of dental therapists. In April 1988, dental therapists, as part of the EG group were transferred from the federal government to this government as part of the health transfer agreement. At that time, the new federal pay rate classification had not been negotiated for that particular group. To date, this government has not ratified the pay rate schedule. Consequently, dental therapists are being paid at a lower rate of pay than what they are entitled to. Madam Speaker, at the time of the transfer, federal dental therapists under the PSAC collective agreement had expired as of December 22, 1987. Subsequently, this government based its pay rate classification for dental therapists on the invalid and expired federal pay rate schedule, therefore, the pay rate classification schedule determined by the Government of the Northwest Territories for dental therapists on the transfer date of April 19, 1988, did not and still does not reflect an accurate pay rate classification level for dental therapists. It was the understanding of transferring dental therapists that once the new federal rate had been negotiated, a further review of the Government of the Northwest Territories pay rate would be conducted to assess further adjustments and retroactive pay for NWT dental therapists. Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue.