Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last month the Canadian Blood Services advertised for nominations to its inaugural board of directors. This board is replacing the Red Cross as the main supplier of blood and blood products in this country in the wake of the tragic AIDS and hepatitis infections of the 1980's. Developing a new national blood supply system follows the release of the Krever report last year. We have a chance to place a northerner on the board of directors, someone who is familiar with the unique health care needs of

this vast territory. This appointment is very important to us. So often, national organizations do not have representatives from the north. Our concerns are often overlooked by boards more accustomed to big city demands. Our health Minister is one of the people charged with developing this new system.

Provincial and territorial Health Ministers are receiving nominations for suitable candidates for the new board. A successful nominee will have to have broad knowledge of health and blood related matters, sound judgment, superior problem solving skills, strong leadership and an ability to work as part of a team. It will fall to the board to make the new blood services operation a success and there will be a lot of work involved in getting it going.

The new board will be charged with making sure a tragedy like the one investigated by Mr. Justice Krever does not happen again. Northerners have a lot to contribute to this board. We were fortunate that few of our people suffered through the tainted blood scandal. Yet, we are well aware of the difficulties of delivering high quality care under adverse conditions.

I have nominated a constituent for the Minister's consideration, and I encourage others to add to the list so we may be assured of northern representation on this national agency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.