Thank you, Mr. Speaker. November is Diabetes Awareness Month and today, being the 1st of November, I would like to

dedicate my statement to this topic. I would like to, as part of my statement, canvass the situation here in the Northwest Territories.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it produces. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, stroke, heart attack and, ultimately, early death. The latest available statistics for the Northwest Territories are several years old, but it is safe to say that at least 2,000 people have been diagnosed with diabetes

and more than 200 new cases are diagnosed every year.

Among NWT seniors aged 60 and up, the rate of diabetes is over 20 percent. In 2007-2008 the NWT rate of diabetes was actually lower than Canada’s but, unfortunately, we are catching up.

There are some reasons for this. As a population, we are eating less vegetables and fruit than we used to. The decline is documented from 2003 to 2008 at the same time that Canadians, on the whole, are eating more fruits and vegetables.

Our lifestyle is changing. NWT residents are also exercising less. According to the Health department, in 2009 only 41 percent of our population exercised enough to maintain or improve their health. Exercise is a great help in controlling diabetes. I only say this to underline that knowledge is the key to manage diabetes.

I am very happy that there is a lot being done in Hay River on that front. We recently had the Hay River Adult Health Fair and another will soon take place at the Chief Lamalice complex at the K’atlodeeche Reserve. There will also be a full day workshop on the reserve on the 14th focusing on

healthy practices, medication and ways to prevent diabetes.

In town the Centennial Library is hosting a video night on November 27th showing Sweet Success

with Diabetes: Laugh and Learn with Mrs. Pudding. It will be followed by an information session.

Hay River schools always encourage healthy eating for our students and there will be information booths in our two main food stores on November 17th and 24th .

Many thanks to all the organizations and volunteers who are promoting a healthy lifestyle and teaching us how to live in a way that prevents diabetes.

I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services during question period.