Thank you. Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last night, like Mr. Ootes said, I attended the briefing presented by the NWT Medical Association. Mr. Speaker, the president of the association, Dr. David Butcher, Dr. Jim Corkal, Dr. Angela Carruthers and Dr. John Shillington presented on behalf of the medical association.

The wide-ranging, free-wheeling discussion was, I believe, informative and opportune for the Members. The recurring theme throughout the meeting was what is happening with health care, recruitment, retention of staff and the medical services direction of the government. Mr. Speaker, we are politicians. We are not medical professionals. I think everyone in this House realizes there are concerns in the area of health. As noted by the NWTMA, the advantages to the regionalization of services are increased responsiveness to local needs, local input into program development and local responsibility for the use of health care resources. The disadvantages of the regionalization process are the fragmentation of existing physical and human resources and disparities and access to health care. Currently the regionalization process has created a fear of loss of the quality of health care and a loss of public confidence in the health care system in general. Mr. Speaker, later today, I will be questioning the Minister on some of these areas. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking in Inuktitut. Mr. Speaker, as an aboriginal person I stand today in this House to state that I have been asking questions about NTI to find out what is happening with the process that they are doing. They have responded to me that those questions I have been asking are directed to the people who are aboriginal people and just for those that are entitled under Nunavut. However, I would like to state that I am an aboriginal person who is entitled to their land claims. I know my name is English, Barnabas, but I am an Inuk. I would like to state to NTI that I am a beneficiary. There should be an inquiry into them telling me that I am not a beneficiary. I would like to say to Josie Kusugak that I am also a beneficiary and for him to look in the list of beneficiaries. He will find my name there. Thank you. (Translation ends)

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too, rise today to speak about the health care system in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, I have been watching the Keewatin health issue for awhile now, listening and reading things. I had thought that it was a regional issue, but I now realize this could affect other areas as well, specifically this could happen in the west. I have read most of a report from the Nurses Association on attracting personnel to the NWT. I also attended a meeting with the NWT Medical Association last night. Mr. Speaker, these meetings confirmed my suspicions that perhaps things like this could happen in the west. The last thing we need or want is a general loss of confidence in the health system. Mr. Speaker, looking at that report from the nurses, it asked how can you attract people to the north and what is making people want to leave. What they had mentioned is exactly what we have taken away from them, lack of housing, lack of VTAs to travel back home, low wages because southern wages are comparable in some places, also lack of community support.

Mr. Speaker, the medical association indicated, as has been mentioned before, that our facilities and staff need to be certified so people know they have consistent medical services wherever they go. They also feel there should be core programs that are prioritized centrally, as well as some territorial-wide programs and standards that are set by a central agency which, of course, the boards could help set up and agree to. Perhaps their biggest message, Mr. Speaker, was that changes to the medical services that we provide should be to improve quality of programs and not to save money. Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to use the Keewatin situation as a wake up call and make changes now that are needed. Mr. Speaker, I reiterate, we cannot afford for the general public to lose confidence in our health system. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the last couple of years I have witnessed Members in this House stand and talk about some of the elders or statesmen in their communities, and they have had one thing in common. They had all passed away. I find that a little disappointing when the bouquets that are meant to go to people are not around to receive them.

I would like to change that. I would like to speak about someone who is very much alive in our community. That individual is the chief administrator for the City of Yellowknife, Doug Lagore, who came to Yellowknife in 1987 and has been the administrator ever since. I know Mr. Todd would probably take note when I mention that Mr. Lagore initiated pay equity in the City of Yellowknife in the early 1990s. He built a strong team through a difficult time. There was a strike when he arrived, and so he built a very strong team of management and an excellent working relationship with the union. Organizations that this individual is involved with; he is director of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators; he is on various committees of international city managers; he is the founding member of the Association of Municipal Administrators of the NWT; he is chairman of the Employee Benefits Program; he is also the secretary treasurer of the Arctic Winter Games Association and is vice-president of the Arctic Winter Games.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to introduce the mayor of Yellowknife, Mr. Lovell and with him, the gentleman who I just spoke about, Mr. Doug Lagore, the city administrator.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the three MLAs in the Keewatin region, I would like to recognize the mayors from the Keewatin, Steve Mapsalak, mayor of Repulse Bay; Louis Pilakapsi, deputy mayor of Rankin Inlet; Peter Kritaqliluk, mayor of Arviat and vice-president of NWT Eastern Caucus; and Anthyme Kadjuk from my riding, mayor of Chesterfield Inlet.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to introduce three important members of my staff from the Housing Corporation, Hunter Tootoo, Peter Scott, our managers from the Baffin region district office of the Housing Corporation. Sarah Flynn is the district director of the Keewatin. They are here today.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Welcome to the Assembly. Continue.

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although the honourable Member for Aivilik stole my thunder, I also would like to recognize and introduce my good friend and the fine mayor of Arviat, mayor Peter Kritaqliluk. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Kakfwi.