Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to speak about health and social services and staffing in my riding of Nunakput. For the past number of years, the Nunakput riding has experienced reductions in services and staffing. A number of other concerns are raised by my constituents, such as elderly patients traveling without escorts and the lack of translation services. Recently, Mr. Speaker, on my return to Yellowknife, I received a short memo from the Minister of Health and copy of the letter indicating the closure of the health centre in Paulatuk, from January 6th to the 9th, 2004. This concerns me as well as my constituents.

The Inuvik Regional Hospital may at times provide translation services. Plus, let's not forget the Inuvialuit. There are different languages, dialects. How can this be addressed to ensure my constituents receive proper translation services? Also, Mr. Speaker, escorts for elderly patients should be reviewed because our loved ones may not feel comfortable when traveling alone to an urban or city centre.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, these reductions in services and staffing cause great frustration both to the nurses, doctors and the public. So where do we go from here?

In closing, Mr. Speaker, again, I will follow up with the Health Minister on these issues sometime during the next session of the legislature. Thank you.