Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the motion on the floor that asks for non-medical escorts to accompany patients on ground and air ambulance and highway rescue vehicles and also a policy for this, one of the areas is for significant safety reasons, emergency medical transport do not support non-medical escorts to accompany patients. In emergency medical transport, the priority is to provide care to the patient. This is not intended to be insensitive to the family or loved ones; however, it's important for safety reasons. Emergency medical transports are unable to accommodate non-medical escorts. These vehicles and aircraft are designed to prioritize lifesaving care, and medical teams must have the space to respond quickly and effectively to any changes in a patient's condition during transport.

During a briefing with Standing Committee on Social Development in July 2024, we discussed the work that was being undertaken at that time to determine options to consider for the escort compassion reasons. This work is underway as part of the improvements being considered for medical travel. I plan to offer an update to the committee on this work early in the new fiscal year.

The area of analysis is planned in phase 2 of the work plan. Once completed, the results will be shared as is committed through the plan to modernization medical travel. A policy change to increase the number of non-medical escorts will significantly impact our system's boarding home and capacity. It would also mean increased costs. The work is underway. We'll review options and impact, including financial impacts, and make recommendations for considerations as part of the business planning. We must continue to ensure that the public funds that we have is done and that it is focused on the delivery of essential health services with a limited budget.

Mr. Speaker, as this motion makes recommendation to the government, Cabinet will abstain from this vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.