Mr.
Speaker, I thank the
Member for the question. As I indicated to the Member from Nunakput yesterday, we are experiencing a very unusual situation, even within the context of the shortages of doctors and health care professionals we normally face.
This month two doctors were on scheduled leave, and the other two decided to move elsewhere to practise. Right now we are operating with about 50 per cent of our normal complement of doctors.
We are actively searching to fill the positions by locums so that we can provide the services. Beaufort-Delta made a choice of not being able to have the doctors visit communities, but we continue to provide services through the nurses in our clinics, who are able to be in touch with the doctors.
This is a very serious situation. We are aware of that, and we are working hard to fix the situation.