Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The medical escorts for 65 years and over for a patient, I think at least in our communities, the Sahtu, I think all the communities, any elder 65 and over should be having a support person there with them. They need the support, the family support. Going into the doctor or hospital sometime is scary; talking to the medical professional is scary. Leading them around Yellowknife here is scary in the cabs. They need support. I know the Minister says it's case by case, but I think it's really mandatory that anybody over 65 should have someone come down with them and escort them to the health centres here. We have some stories from the past of how the situation is looked at. Doctors come into our communities every so often, so we are making some pretty powerful judgments on who gets an escort and who doesn't. Who gives them that type of authority with that amount of time in the communities? It's really hard for me to sit here and say...I know they have that training in terms of keeping people in a medically healthy state, but saying you need to go to Edmonton or Yellowknife, I really think that elder should really have some support when they come here. I know elders when they come here have a hard time getting around. I think that is a benefit we should give to the elders to support them.

I do want to thank the Minister for really helping us out in the region on the travel of our elders. They give direction that the elders have a choice to travel on Canadian North on the big plane when flying from our communities rather than on the smaller aircraft because of the condition of the elders. So that was a good thing that you did for our elders. I think we just need to improve this system here. I know it is about the dollars. I know the situation with the federal government in terms of these benefits here.

I am making my plea again to the Minister at this time in the budget here. Thank you.