Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to, first of all, congratulate you on your successful bid to the office of the Speaker and my colleague from the Kitikmeot, Kelvin Ng. Congratulations. I would like to thank the Members who voted for my colleague and thank the Members who ran for the Cabinet position.

Mr. Speaker, Taloyoak, formerly Spence Bay, has been endeavouring to establish a birthing centre as a service to expectant mothers in that vicinity; namely, Gjoa Haven, Pelly Bay and Taloyoak. Mr. Speaker, we all know this requires very careful consideration especially when we are dealing with an issue of potential medical complications to expectant mothers and unborn babies.

Mr. Speaker, what benefit do we expect from a facility such as a birthing centre? Perhaps we can cut costs by not sending pregnant women away from home. Of course, this is not the main issue in this case. Mr. Speaker, the issue is, let us give some freedom of choice to pregnant mothers, if they are so inclined to do so. Mr. Speaker, the concept of building birthing centres in the regions is of very good merit. There are experienced midwives who are aboriginal people who have given birth in camps, without the help of medical practitioners. Mr. Speaker, during the appropriate time, I will be asking the appropriate Minister some questions about this issue. Thank you.

---Applause