Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to give my Member's statement in my own language.
(Translation starts) Mr. Speaker, today I would like to highlight a concern that constituents throughout the North Slave have brought to my attention. People are very concerned with the medical services available to them at home. While I am sure everyone in this room recognizes the great work done by the Stanton Regional Hospital here in Yellowknife, I am sure many people can also recognize the need for better medical services in their home communities.
In particular, seniors whose health is declining do not wish to leave their families and friends. It is hard for their extended family to make the journey to Yellowknife or Edmonton, especially in the case of a long-term illness. It simply is unaffordable and unrealistic. Therefore, patients miss the care and support that their families and friends can provide.
In the recently released report in the Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services, the panel stated that to help return communities to good health, we need to help them increase control over their lives. Earlier this week, I shared my constituents' overwhelming desire for help with addictions. We want better services in this area and in a number of areas related to health care.
Today, I would like to share with you the big picture of what we hope to achieve in the North Slave. We want to create a more responsive health care system. We want to create a multi-purpose building in Rae which could provide:
- • Services for mentally challenged people;
- • Services for people addicted to substances; and
- • Services for health care.
Ideally, a permanent doctor would be hired and around the clock medical services could be available. This is a big goal and will require time and energy to bring about. It is a worthy goal and one that I am personally committed to working on.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that I am looking forward to working with this government to find ways to make health care more relevant to the people it serves. Thank you. (Translation ends)