Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unless you live in a small, isolated community such as Sachs Harbour, most people will never know what it’s like to not have regular access to a doctor. In the Nunakput community of Sachs, residents have been without a doctor since October or November. That is five to six months ago. That is a shame on this government.

The Inuvik region has not been able to fill their doctor positions and the shortage has affected all areas and communities. I ask this government during shortages such as these, why it is always the small, remote communities that are left out and not getting their fair share. We all know how fast medical conditions can progress. Even after only one or two months, the situation could mean a matter of life or death. Our community health centre staff and nurses are working very hard in trying to ensure the best medical service that they can provide.

Elders especially have difficulty travelling to regional centres. Elders need to have regular checkups, even when things seem to be going well. Elders need our commitment to provide consistent, continuous, and adequate medical services.

This government needs to get serious about medical services provided all across the Territory and not just the regional centres. This government needs to ensure that the shortages of experience in the small and remote communities aren’t always bearing the brunt of it. This government needs to vote resources to ensure all the problems, such as administrative policies and procedures, are not hindering the medical administrative staff from providing the services that are desperately needed.

I will have more questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time.