Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to make the case for midwifery legislation in the Northwest Territories. The last research I have seen, Mr. Speaker, showed that we have a much lower number of positions per 100,000 people on average than the rest of Canada. We know we have a high birth rate. We have a situation in the Territories where many mothers are forced to go to regional centres to give birth, often a very routine procedure and something where travel like this is probably unnecessary, Mr. Speaker.

In the Northwest Territories, we have had a long history of midwifery, but for one reason or another, we have gotten away from the practice. I think it was the 1970s that it started to fall out of favour. Given that we are moving to this primary health care model -- as I understand it, this will allow for multi-disciplinary teams working in cooperation with positions -- it seems to make sense to again look at midwifery.

We do not have legislation in place currently, but we do have a policy that defines the conditions and the minimum standards that should be involved with midwifery. I think these were developed in conjunction with the community birthing project in Rankin Inlet that was set up in 1993, Mr. Speaker.

An evaluation report released in 1996 demonstrated that midwives can provide safe, high quality comprehensive and culturally appropriate services within a multi-disciplinary team.

It seems to me that it makes sense for us to look at legislation and move this to the front of the list. I know we have a lot of other priorities, but it seems like it could certainly save us a lot of money. We know we have a hard time attracting doctors and when we are able to attract doctors, a hard time getting them to stay. I know there are insurance issues to be worked out, but I hope the government will take a lead role in pursuing midwifery legislation. I will have questions for the Minister today in question period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause