Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the statement from the Minister responsible for the Public Service celebrating National Public Service Week, and about how we count on the energy, commitment and abilities of our employees to deliver essential services. Given the dire situation in our health care field, I have to wonder if this government really means what they say when they say they value their employees.
I have to also wonder if this government is willing to show as much dedication and commitment as these workers are being asked to give to their employers and the public that they serve.
As we speak, Mr. Speaker, the health care workers are urging their fellow members of the UNW to reject the latest collective agreement. There is talk of a walkout by the workers at Stanton Hospital at noon tomorrow in protest against the lack of movement in improving benefits packages and working conditions.
Under this package that has been negotiated, we will not be able to attract any new health care professionals and chances are that we will continue to lose the workers we already have. We have a shortage in every area of health care delivery, Mr. Speaker. We have a shortage of specialists, a shortage of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists -- the waiting list is six months long, and yet we have a government and a Minister of Health who seem to be deaf to the voices of these people.
Mr. Speaker, I have to ask, what would it take for the Minister to understand that our health care workers are operating in a crisis mode? The closure of the ICU is not a small matter, Mr. Speaker. It is not where the elective work is done, or where people can go and take their time going there. This is where people go when they have a heart attack. Right now, we have the only intensive care unit in the whole Northwest Territories closed. The nearest place is Edmonton, or Fort McMurray, which we have already been invited to use. Our patients have already been sent there.
I understand that ICU and surgery have tried as long as they can to operate, and they have had to avoid a near disaster...