Thank you, Mr. Speaker and welcome back. Mr. Speaker, on Friday past I had the opportunity to attend a health-related meeting in Rankin Inlet that was arranged by

the Rankin Inlet Hamlet Council and also the Keewatin Inuit Association. Also present, Mr. Speaker, were Minister Ng; Minister Thompson; my very good friend, Mr. Todd. Mr. Speaker, approximately six months ago, I called on the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories to conduct a full independent inquiry into the activities and operations of the Keewatin Health Board. Mr. Speaker, this request was refused, hence here we are today with a crisis in our health care industry. Mr. Speaker, the region is full of fear and a health care system that has failed the very people in the Keewatin it was to serve and protect. Mr. Speaker, recently the Northwest Territories Nursing Association conducted a survey regarding the feelings and concerns of Keewatin nurses. Here are some of the points that were brought up by the nursing staff.

- There is no incentive to stay in the Keewatin in the nursing field.

- There is a lack of honesty and integrity amongst the Keewatin Regional Health Board's senior management.

- There is lack of a recruitment plan, lack of training and opportunities for growth.

- There is basically no support for nurses from the Keewatin Regional Health Board.

- There is a shortage of medical supplies.

The last point of many that were registered is that the KRHB is a dysfunctional and terrifying organization which creates fear, panic and emotional fear in most of its employees.

Mr. Speaker, out of the total number of nursing positions in the Keewatin, today there are approximately 40 percent that are vacant. I am sure, Mr. Speaker, there are good reasons and logical reasons for some of these vacancies. None the less, this is not acceptable. Mr. Speaker, there is another issue that is not visible or not as visible, but equally as important and that being the shortage of social services practitioners. Mr. Speaker, again the number of practitioners. Mr. Speaker, I seek to conclude my statement.