Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This issue first came to my attention about three and a half years ago, when I travelled to the communities of Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte with the former MLA for the Nahendeh riding. At that time, I indicated that we would certainly be willing to have a discussion with Fort Nelson and the Government of British Columbia to put in place any protocols that would allow us to refer our residents from Fort Liard to Fort Nelson. At that time, I did say we would wait until we finished our negotiations with the Alberta government that we're currently updating our protocols on. Unfortunately, that has taken far longer than I had hoped. Last fall, I had a discussion with the department and got an update on both files. At that time, I did direct the Department of Health and Social Services to work with the Government of British Columbia and to speak to Fort Nelson to establish some protocols that would allow us to refer residents of both Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte to Fort Norman in British Columbia, which, as the Member said, is a two-hour drive away instead of a three-hour drive away and a two-hour flight away and then an overnight stay and then a return. We're interested in providing best health and best care to our residents, and I think this is an important protocol that we have to put in place.

The department has done some initial research and an analysis, and they will be travelling to Fort Nelson later in March. Hopefully at that time they will also be meeting with leadership in the community to try to determine the best ways to move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.