Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the state of sexually transmitted infection, including HIV/AIDS in the Northwest Territories. As Members know, the Northwest Territories has the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections in Canada. This is particularly troublesome, not only because of HIV infection, but if an HIV/AIDS virus is introduced into small communities where the rate of STIs is already high, there is a good probability that this deadly disease, for which there is no cure, Mr. Speaker, could become a major heath and social problem; this at a time when our health care suffers from frequent gaps in staffing at our health centres, with the number of nurses and doctors that we need.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Department of Health and Social Services has developed a strategy to deal with STIs and has significantly increased resources to regional health authorities to establish public health units. For this, the department and GNWT is to be highly commended, Mr. Speaker. However, despite all of these new resources and dedicated work of our health care professionals across Northwest Territories who have been trying to lower the rates of STIs in communities, the rates have continued to remain very high compared to a decade ago. I believe that this is because STIs are not just health care issues, but a community issue as well, Mr. Speaker. This is a community dimension to a problem that cannot be addressed by traditional medicine approach to STI prevention and treatment. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Mahsi.