Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, this is something that we're committed to, and I'm happy to say we've actually had some success in this area. Success that even I didn't actually anticipate that we would see this quickly. Although Hay River is technically not in the Health Authority because of the issues that have been discussed already, through memorandums of understanding and agreement we are acting and they are partnering as if they are.
One of the benefits we had out of that is, although K'atlodeeche was traditionally in the Deh Cho as far as health services, Hay River has been working really hard with K'atlodeeche and the Hay River Authority to make sure that they're extending some of their services in the community. We got really lucky; we had a doctor who was willing to leave the hospital and actually go across the river, across the river in wintertime and around the bridge in the summertime, and actually spend some time in the community providing services directly to the residents of the community.
In a single authority this was something we were never able to work out because of, you know, this is my employee and that's your employee, but under this model we were able to make it work, and I think that's the type of successes we need to continue to build on. There's always some concern it might be incumbent-related, but we've proved that we can think outside the box and find ways to work together to provide services.
We also have a member of the K'atlodeeche Reserve on our authority in Hay River, which means they're actually having some insight and advice on how to expand those services into their community.
There are some good aspects of our healthcare system, there are some bad aspects of our healthcare system, but I think we're moving in the right direction and we finally have tools in place that allow us to make these changes that I think you and others have wanted to see for years. Thank you, Mr. Chair.