Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on a more subdued note, Mr. Roland spoke about this being Nursing Week and I would also like to make some comments on that. I want to begin by also recognizing and thanking all our nurses for their dedication and professional commitment to the health care system in the Northwest Territories. We have often heard visitors and even residents within the territory comment that our health service workers are outstanding. We have many nurses who have been providing care in our communities for 20 to 25 years. That sort of commitment and continuity is of tremendous benefit to everyone. As a front-line profession, the trust and working relationships established by nurses is crucial to the health of our communities.
The vacancy rate for nurses in the NWT is between 25 to 32 percent, I understand. That compares with what is considered a normal vacancy rate of 7 to 9 percent. The turnover rate in the nursing profession is not an isolated problem, nor is it to the territories. Similar turnover is being experienced in the teaching profession. Some of the circumstances, of course, contributing to the high turnover have to do with wages and benefits, but also with stressful working conditions. Nurses need to be better recognized for the important and crucial role they serve in our communities.
--Applause