(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Baffin Regional Hospital was built in 1962 and since then no major renovations have ever been done. Even though the population in Baffin region has doubled, the hospital is 34 years old and needs to be replaced. It serves 13 communities and approximately 13,000 people. It is the only hospital serving the Baffin region.
It is not acceptable to have this project delayed or cancelled in the agreement signed March 31, 1988, the Territorial Government took over the responsibility of health services for the Northwest Territories. Also, in which, the federal government promised to provide its share of $25,000,000 for a new hospital to be located in Iqaluit.
Last year at the Baffin Leaders' Summit, in Iqaluit, last January, it passed two different motions to have this construction proceed, and the motions were unanimously passed.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my people in Amittuq, and other parts of the Baffin region I will keep this issue alive until we see some results in this greatly needed service for the Inuit in Nunavut.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--- Applause