Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In keeping with the theme, Mr. Speaker, people in the Northwest Territories, especially people in the smaller communities, do not have access to medical services that most people take for granted. Just keeping a doctor's appointment often means a trip by airplane, a long drive, a boat across a lake or a snowmobile in the winter months. We have come to accept this as a way of life, Mr. Speaker.

What we also accept as our way of life, Mr. Speaker, is that families help each other when they are in need, especially in times of great sickness. Many of my constituents are elderly, and I am sad to say that over the past several years, many have passed away after suffering with cancer and other illnesses. Mr. Speaker, most of these people were sent out to hospitals and some have never returned. It is sad to know that in some cases, they did not have their families with them.

I understand, Mr. Speaker, that travel is expensive and that the health care system must be sustainable. However, Mr. Speaker, is it reasonable or compassionate to expect people to leave this world alone? The current medical travel policies do not provide for non-medical escorts for compassionate reasons, Mr. Speaker, yet I heard complaints from my constituents that sometimes, one family is denied an escort and another family is allowed more than one.

While there may be reasons for such approvals, Mr. Speaker, on the surface, it appears that some people are being shown favouritism. I will be following up with questions to the Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause