Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a few comments to the budget. You know, I was hoping to see, once again, staffing for nursing in this budget. I haven't seen that yet, but I know the department is doing a good job in that department. I'll just mention the community at Tsiigehtchic really appreciates when we do have the nurse during freeze-up and break-up. Really, the community comes together and welcomes whoever comes to the community.

One thing: during my last constituency meeting someone brought up a great idea which I will be doing a statement later during session on, but, you know what, they recommended that we have someone in our hospitals similar to a counsellor but more there to help the patients, to help communicate, whether it's the doctors or the nurses. You know, a lot of patients really have a challenge to communicate, whether they're elders or even middle-aged people in the communities have a hard time to communicate with strangers, and I think that that's something we really seriously need to look at in the future. You know, someone solely dedicated, whether it's in our regional offices or in our community offices.

Even a pilot project was what they were thinking of doing, and I'll have a little more information on that later during session, but I think that's a great idea. Also, more supports. You know, Members brought this up a number of times over the last few months, is many of our smaller communities have been really hit hard by suicides, mostly our young people. We really need more supports in that area. Just recently over the holidays we had one in my riding. You know, it's very difficult for the families. Two years back we had the same thing happen in our family and you know there needs to be -- whether it's a help line, or who knows. A lot more supports in this field. You know, even today it's surprising that we're still having these sort of things happen in our communities, but we do need to make sure we support those in need.

Ambulance services. I know it has been sort of put aside to MACA, but I think it should be a joint working relationship between departments. I know they are working with the community at Tsiigehtchic with a pilot project there, and I look forward to the outcome or the beginning of that. That's about it for now. Thank you.