Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the recruitment and retention of medical staff in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke about the state of the medical services in the NWT and the fact that we had met with the NWT Medical Association who had indicated that our greatest resource is our staff. Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time the medical association has brought this up. They had sent us a lengthy document last year in which they indicated how difficult it was to recruit and retain doctors.

Also, the nursing association recently sent us a letter and they attached a survey they had done with their nurses. In it they indicate that nurses are dedicated professionals who try to do a good job and are committed to their work and patients. The cost of living, the isolation, the long working hours, the stress and the housing situation are the main reasons why nurses refuse to relocate in the north. Experienced nurses choose to stay in the south where they are able to live a normal life. Better pay and benefits would go a long way to getting better nurses who want to stay and be part of the community. Nurses need to be kept up to date to be marketable or just to be competent at their present workplace. Providing ongoing educational opportunities and a proper orientation would go a long way in retaining nurses.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is very important as these professionals are indicating that we need to be able to recruit and retain staff. Changing medical staff means inconsistent medical services. This affects the general public's confidence in our health system. Mr. Speaker, later today, I will be asking the appropriate Minister questions in this area. Thank you.