Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, (Translation) I want to talk about some tragedies that are happening in my community regarding health issues. In the last few months it is stated that we have a lot of TB in our region and it's especially affecting the elders in our community. In some of the small communities we don't have nurses working there, so those are my concerns. (End of translation)

In the Northwest Territories, between the years 2000 to 2004 our TB rate was four times the national rate. The Department of Health and Social Services says they are on their way to eliminating the disease. In 2001 the department committed to bringing the TB rates down to national levels by 2005. However, the department is only halfway to their target and has now pushed the deadline back to 2010, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, a few months back it was published in the newspaper that Tlicho is one of the hardest hit in the region of the Northwest Territories. The women and elderly are hit the hardest by this disease, a disease which is easily prevented.

Mr. Speaker, there needs to be professionals in small communities familiar with the treatment of TB and how it spreads. Someone needs to monitor the situation and make sure that people are taking their medications so that outbreaks do not occur, Mr. Speaker. In communities like Wekweeti they only see a public health nurse maybe once or twice a month, Mr. Speaker. Other communities like Fort Smith hire locums when they have a shortage, but this doesn't seem to be the case with Wekweeti, who has to go without proper health care, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I want to say that the health and well-being of my constituents is very important to me and I'm tired of seeing the disease take control of our people, ruining their lives and the lives of their families. In place of fantasies about roads to mines or overpriced bridges, we need to get serious and focus on the health and well-being of the people of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi.

---Applause