Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, November is National Diabetes Month. With an aging and less active population across North America, and I think we are included in that in the NWT, diabetes is becoming a more costly and serious problem for all health care systems.

It is estimated that four to six percent of the population have type 2 diabetes, Mr. Speaker. The Canadian Diabetes Association says that for every person who has diabetes, there is another who goes undiagnosed. Many people who have type 2 diabetes are not aware of it.

Some questions that I suggest asking are the following:

• • Are you 45 years of age or over?
• • Are you overweight, particularly around your middle?
• • Do you get enough exercise?
• • Are you aboriginal?
• • Does your brother or sister or a parent have diabetes?

If you have checked two or more of these, you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Having these risk factors does not mean you will get diabetes, but the risk increases. The advice, Mr. Speaker, is that we should all have our blood sugar levels checked at least every three years.

There are two important points to stress, Mr. Speaker. Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. Its onset may be delayed through healthy lifestyle choices, including a healthy diet, weight control, exercise and reduction in stress. Diabetes can be managed through proper monitoring, testing and lifestyle; eat properly, get enough exercise and do not smoke.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the Stanton Diabetes Education Program, which is conducting screening and outreach programs in communities in the NWT, starting with Fort Simpson beginning on November 14th, which is World Diabetes Day.

Mr. Speaker, I would especially like to compliment two constituents of the Great Slave Riding, Mary Deans and Mabel Wong, who are making their own contribution to this awareness effort. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause