Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, even in those circumstances where the heart may have stopped beating, donations can still be made because corneas, bones, muscles, pancreatic and nerve cells, for example, can survive for a limited time after the body stops breathing and the heart stops beating.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians overwhelmingly support the idea of organ donation. In a 1999 Angus Reid survey of more than 1500 Canadians, 81 percent were willing to donate any organs, or certain organs, for transplant at the time of death but only 65 percent of Canadians have ever discussed the idea of organ donation with a family member. In most parts of Canada, families make the final decision on organ donation, even if their loved one left a signed consent.

Mr. Speaker, it is important that northern citizens are made aware of and have the opportunity to participate, contribute and support this health care issue. Northerners, I believe, want to be part of this and our friends need us to be involved.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the Minister of Health and Social Services to make residents aware of programs like this. I would urge the Minister of Transportation to provide an avenue for them to participate by implementing a policy allowing NWT residents to indicate their willingness to participate in the organ donation program by signing their drivers' licences or health care cards to indicate that they do wish their organs to be used. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause