Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I've had a chance to go through the Department of Health and Social Services' core services document. Mr. Speaker, it identifies core services, defines them, talks about what they are. It suggests that core services are intended to help all residents be healthy, and to lead long and productive lives in their families and in their communities. It defines, as I said, core services as those services and programs that are available to all residents in the Territories throughout their lives, regardless of age, sex, race, culture or location. That's very important, Mr. Speaker.

It then goes on to talk about how the core services are made available to territorial residents. It acknowledges that not all services are available in all communities. Sometimes you will have to travel to other communities or even outside the Territories in order to see healthcare professionals. But what it doesn't talk about, Mr. Speaker, are those who don't have third-party insurance coverage, and the fact that they may have to pay a co-payment to travel, they may have to take care of their accommodations while they're outside their home, they may have to pay for food so they can eat while they're away from home. Mr. Speaker, I think this is an issue that needs to be addressed. It's certainly something that many of us have been talking about for a number of years, since we were elected, Mr. Speaker. I had a chance to go back through some of the transcripts of Social Programs committee meetings and we've raised this issue with the Ministers a number of times. In fact, some of the most compelling arguments were made by the current Minister of Health when he was on this side of the House.

I've looked at the numbers of questions in the House. I've read a couple of articles written in newsletters. It really has dominated much of the discussion in this area over the last couple of years.

I was very happy to hear when Mrs. Groenewegen raised the issue in the House the other day in questioning the Minister, that the Minister has taken a proposal to Cabinet; this is something that Cabinet is looking at and analyzing. I think it's important for us to realize that people without third-party coverage are often employed in lower-paying jobs. They are working people, and they can't afford insurance and end up getting stuck with these extra costs. These are the folks we need to take care of, Mr. Speaker, so that there truly is equity. I urge Cabinet to deal with this, and deal with it quickly so that we can do something for these people before the time that we have in this Assembly is up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause