Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a good friend in the gallery and I would like to speak about midwifery.

Heather Coakwell arrived on Sunday. She’s here in Yellowknife to deliver her third child. She’s here three weeks before her due date. Her husband, Jason, is in Hay River keeping food on the table, working hard. He’s waiting to get a call to fly over or drive over for the delivery. Their two daughters, Keira and Danika, are waiting in Hay River to hear the news on their new brother or sister. They know that they will have to stay with grandma while mom and dad are gone. But Grandma Rourke has no problem with that and is happy to have the girls visit for a few days, maybe even a week.

I’m happy to see Heather here today, but my story is an example of the difficulties that expectant families from the communities have to deal with. The stress of childbearing is difficult at best, and the families have challenges being away from home, the stress of earning an income, and family members worrying about how the big day will happen.

The Coakwells will not be together for this special day. Heather’s co-workers at the Hay River hospital and other friends will not be close on this big day as well. This is just a shame. Heather was born in Hay River but her three children will not be.

I would like to see the Department of Health implement midwifery sooner than later. The department has studied this issue. Midwifery is recommended. Now we need to find a way to implement it in the NWT. We need this essential service in the communities.

Good luck to the Coakwells. I hope it’s a boy.