Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 9-20(1) asked by the Member for Yellowknife Centre on October 31st, 2024, regarding the staffing of doctor and specialist positions within the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority.

Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table a document titled Physician Vacancy Information by Position.

The Physician Vacancy information provided in this document outlines all staff physician positions including family physicians and specialists, their location, whether these positions are full-time equivalent or part-time, and the vacancy status of each position type as of September 30, 2024. When positions are vacant, every effort is made to have them filled with locum physicians.

Currently, physician vacancy data does not retain length of vacancy, however, some specialist positions have been vacant for five to 10 years. These positions may be vacant due to a variety of factors which include a mix of practice intensity, pay level, and lack of interest in working in smaller communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.