Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise again today to speak on the issue of the training of aboriginal northern nurses. I talked to the Minister after the House and hoped this would be a matter that was taken care of, but it appears that it has not.

I understand the Minister did call the constituent in question, but the assessment I received was that it was friendly but non-committal comments.

Mr. Speaker, this issue is not just a personal, detached situation. This is a very important issue involving someone's life. I come into this House with this issue as a last resort. We have worked with the department and the officials to try and bring a satisfactory resolution to this particular issue. I raised it yesterday and hoped that at that point, it would be taken care of.

However, I was told to do what I will, and that was basically the response I received. I stand here again today to point out that the department has lapsed $800,000 in the recruitment and retention program. The Minister indicated yesterday, and I quote from the unedited Hansard, "I am not certain as to what kind of latitude a Minister has to reprofile and reallocate funds."

Mr. Speaker, the Minister will be appearing before this House with a $170 million budget. I would hope she would get the kind of orientation she needs to be able to make these assessments. This is a small issue compared to the multi-million dollar budget we are talking about.

The Minister does have the ability and latitude to deal with this issue. It is clearly a retention issue. I asked many weeks ago in writing to the Minister, how many aboriginal nurses receive such support? I have not received a response to date.

I raised it in the House again yesterday. Once again, the Minister put me off.

Clearly, Mr. Speaker, in this House, it has been pointed out that the human resource policies of this government are in disarray. Health and Social Services, in this instance, seems to be suffering from the same malaise.

Mr. Speaker, given the response I have received in this House, it would almost appear that, when it comes to recruitment and retention, the Department of Health and Social Services has obtained public money from this Legislature under false pretenses.

I think it is a sad commentary, Mr. Speaker, on the government's stated commitment on retaining and training northern aboriginal nurses. I will be asking the Minister once again if she can resolve this issue. Thank you.