Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the entire time of this short session, I have been working mostly on one issue and that is to get the two parties in the specialists' negotiations, the government and the doctors, back to the table. I have used the democratic process available to me in and out of this House to state my position, raise awareness and to keep the issue highlighted. I have both privately and publicly encouraged both parties to work for a negotiated settlement.

I want to take, in the most positive light, Minister Miltenberger's comments yesterday in this House that he was willing to look at any proposal that may arise out of a meeting of the Northwest Territories Medical Association last night. It is also my understanding that the Northwest Territories Medical Association is forwarding a proposal to the government negotiator and that it might have been done already this morning.

Mr. Speaker, we are aware that in any negotiation process there is a strong need for one-upmanship. In expressing that, feelings do get hurt and tempers flare for both parties. But I also know that both parties in dispute are very aware and appreciate the needs and interests of the people they serve and they must protect. Some of those people were in the gallery last night, coming and going, many of them staying until well past midnight. Many were seniors and pregnant women and other constituents concerned about this issue.

So as I leave this House, Mr. Speaker, I remain optimistic that both parties will have their concerns in mind in their deliberations and negotiations and that the two parties will do their level best to reach a settlement and that we will see this issue resolved in due course. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that I will be out of the House, but this issue will not be off my "to do" list and I will do everything I can to encourage and urge and help the process, because I do believe that not solving it is so much more costly in all measures than to settle it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause