Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Sunday, the Run for the Cure was held in Yellowknife and approximately 750 people turned out to walk and run through the cold damp weather. Together they raised $90,000 to put towards curing breast cancer. Three quarters of that money has been tagged for a mammography machine at Stanton Regional Hospital. Mr. Speaker, that represents about half of the money needed to buy and install a new machine. On Friday, I asked if this government would take the initiative to start an early detection screening program and I was told once again, that it was the regional health boards' decision. Stanton Regional Hospital is just that. It serves the region. It has identified the mammography machine as a priority and is currently raising money for it.
The run yesterday provided about half the money that the hospital will need. A group of private citizens has undertaken fund raising for necessary hospital equipment because the government has not made replacing old obsolete equipment a priority. I would like to see this government take a pro-active leadership role in this issue. I would like to ask the government if it will provide the other half now that the region has clearly identified a need for this machine. Issues such as the early detection of breast cancer in a population whose cancer rates are on the rise, need strong direction and take charge leadership, not the wait and see attitude that seems to be prevailing with regard to this program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.