Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Health and Social Services and are related to the Member’s statement I made earlier today.
In the last couple of months I have talked to a number of recent mothers who have utilized the midwifery services in Yellowknife. I’ve got to say that every one of them was extremely pleased with both Yellowknife Health and Social Services for putting in the program and the sole midwife who is in Yellowknife providing the services. Her dedication and her expertise are excellent.
The problem I have and that some of them have brought to me is that she’s alone. She’s on call virtually every day. She’s got no time off. She’s willing to do that, but I’d worry that at some point she is going to become burned out. To be effective
— as effective as that great program we have in Fort Smith — we really need two midwives in order to share the load.
I’m wondering if the Minister could tell me today: when will the Minister be establishing a second midwifery position in Yellowknife Health and Social Services?