Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, round 2; I think I figured out my problem.
Risk aversion is the tendency of people to prefer outcomes of low uncertainty to those of higher uncertainty. In the case of COVID, where the end result could be widespread disease and death, it's completely understandable that the aversion to risk would be very high. In the beginning so much was unknown; therefore, the ability to take any risk was non-existent as governments reacted to the onslaught of information that was changing by the minute. As COVID has continued, our knowledge of the disease, its transmission and effects has grown exponentially and as a result one would think the tolerance for risk would be increasing, but I think we all know this isn't the case.
As we go into our second year of lockdowns, travel restrictions, and separation from loved ones, COVID fatigue or burnout has become our reality. People are still worried about their families and friends; however, the worry is now shifting from whether they will contract the disease to concerns over their mental health. With the loss of personal freedoms and a tanking economy, already on the brink before COVID, we are facing increasing mental health issues in the North. Our people were already struggling with poverty and addictions. Now, with the vaccine not leading to the promised reopening everyone was so looking forward to, I am concerned people are losing hope. Friends I have never known to struggle before are clearly struggling now.
As a Regular Member, I have been very frustrated with trying to navigate the onslaught of information, and misinformation, around the pandemic. Planning has appeared to have been very reactive, not proactive, and clear communications non-existent. My constituents and other residents reach out to me for clarification, and I have no more information than they do. Often they appear to know things long before they are ever sent to me through official channels.
We need proactive planning with clear goals and dates if and when statements, thresholds and criteria with key triggers and subsequent results. We ask questions in this House of the Minister regarding the CPHO only to be told the office is independent of HSS. As a Minister, I worked with the BDIC and WSCC to understand and communicate their work to regular members. Something that is not happening in this case. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.