Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I have many concerns, as do the majority of the good people of Arviat and Baker Lake. Mr. Chairman, I find it very difficult, at times, to feel good about this government. At times, Mr. Chairman, I feel somewhat embarrassed.
Mr. Chairman, it is difficult going back to your communities and hearing the complaints and concerns regarding health care, social services, and so on and so forth. Mr. Chairman, the rules of the game here state that I have ten minutes to make my comments, and I can assure you that I do not need that much time to say what I want to say today.
Mr. Chairman, the 3,000 residents that I represent are very disillusioned with this government and also very concerned, as I am sure are many other Northerners. I find it very distressing that we are dealing with issues which are obvious to me with what looks like a lack of compassion and sensitivity, and in some cases, an almost total lack of consultation. These are the human factors that Mr. Roland spoke of. These are the indicators I think we will be judged on at the end of our term.
Mr. Chairman, in my community, there is a great deal of concern, as I have indicated and fear, regarding our health care. The issue of health care in the Keewatin has caused probably the greatest outcry in our region of all the issues. Albeit the Minister of Health has conducted an internal review, and is not felt that it has gone far enough. People are still living in fear.
The number of doctors that are required for our region and the number of doctors that are in place are very few. There is still no plan in place to ensure that health care, in its proper form, will be shortly. I raise the issue of the fact that there is a large number of residents who are waiting to be referred to specialists, and unfortunately that is not possible because there are no doctors to refer them. I am sure if the Minister looks into this, he could look into this point.
Mr. Chairman, as I have indicated earlier, all the people are looking for, is to be heard, listened to and to be consulted. They are not looking for big, fancy buildings or hospitals, just the basics to get by.
Mr. Chairman, the outcry that I have indicated regarding health, extends further than that. In the Keewatin, as of this date, we should have approximately 25 social workers for the Keewatin. That is to cover all the communities. Mr. Speaker, we have seven. That puts a few in Rankin, a few in Arviat and a few in Baker Lake.
When we speak of the health of our people and the future, again referring to Mr. Roland's comments, how can we expect to grow, move ahead, have healthy minds and healthy bodies and a positive future, when we do not have the basic tools to address the concerns and just the mere essentials of life?
Most of the comments and concerns which have been aired today, we all share. There is no need for me to regurgitate. My main concern is a lack of consultation. Mr. Krutko indicated that people were not listening. Mr. Chairman, that is my feeling. In some cases, they are not listening, and I am not sure, in some cases, if there is anybody home. That concludes my comments for now, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.