Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have become aware of this discrepancy in the fee schedule that exists between what is paid to dentists in the Yukon and what is paid to our dentists here in the Northwest Territories.

This has been brought to our attention by the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Dentists. This fee schedule is not sufficient and it is causing problems in the practice of dentists here in the North, and it is making it difficult to recruit dentists who want to set up a practice here. It also makes it difficult for them to sustain themselves in their overhead, when they are here, if these fee schedules are inadequate.

I am concerned with the stance that has been taken by the federal government on the provision of dental services and I do believe this has the potential to undermine the ability of our residents to access dental services as providers find it increasingly difficult to justify the services when revenues are not keeping pace with the costs.

I have been in touch with the dental association. We have set up meetings between a representative from Health Canada with them, and we will continue to monitor this and I think that we should expect no less than what they are prepared to pay for people under a similar program in the Yukon Territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.