Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been much comment in the media about the shortage of doctors. I have heard from my constituents that they are concerned about that, in particular the impact that may have on emergency services.
As we heard last week from the deputy minister of Health and Social Services as we were reviewing the interim budget for the department, this is an issue that affects not only Yellowknife. We heard that because of the shortage of doctors, they can no longer travel to the outlying communities. That has reduced the number of clinics that are being held in the smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, we recently heard the government announce there was an agreement made with the Alberta Medical Association on locums for doctors for communities outside of Yellowknife.
This is good news for the communities, because it allows doctors from the other communities to take extra training, or to take vacations. But Mr. Speaker, there is no such agreement for within Yellowknife. There is no deal for locums here.
While I understand, as the deputy minister said last week, that there is no crisis right now, I am concerned more doctors may decide to leave. Then where would we be?
Mr. Speaker, Northerners want to know that this concern is being addressed. We heard last week the first step, according to the department, is to stabilize the doctor situation. Mr. Speaker, I encourage the government to do more than just stabilize the situation. I want to know the government is working on a plan that will deal with the shortage of doctors in Yellowknife. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister questions on that issue this afternoon during question period. Thank you.