Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to congratulate Mr. Stanley Sangris, who has been elected as the new chief for the Jean Marie River First Nations.

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Mr. Sangris is no stranger to politics and has served previously in his home community. I wish him the very best in his new endeavours in serving his people, his community, and a special blessing to his family.

I took the time, Mr. Speaker, to phone Chief Sangris last night. Immediately he began by asking what this government is going to do about stockpiling the avian flu antiviral medicines, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

So I immediately conveyed to Mr. Sangris, "Since you went straight to work, I look forward to working with you on this and many other issues." As well, Mr. Speaker, he spoke about health, and that is very important to small communities like Jean Marie, and it has always been an issue for them, like the access to health and the delivery of health services. I look forward to working with Jean Marie on this and the many concerns that Chief Sangris has in his new mandate. Mahsi cho.

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