Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, nurse-to-patient ratios measure the average number of patients assigned to each nurse in our hospitals. When those ratios become too high, workloads become less manageable, compromising the quality of care and even threatening patient safety. High nurse-to-patient ratios not only compromise care, they also take a serious toll on our nurses, creating a cycle that worsens staffing shortages as burnout drives them away. Overwhelmed nurses must decide what patients receive timely care, leading to chronic stress, exhaustion, and a feeling that they cannot provide the quality of care they passionately want to deliver. Excessive overtime only accelerates this burnout, forcing nurses to work longer and take less time to care for themselves.

Research shows that whenever nurse-to-patient ratios are high, they identify understaffing as the reason they consider leaving their jobs. Many transfer to less demanding settings, while other nurses leave the profession altogether. Recruitment also suffers as new nurses are far more likely to leave frontline practice within their first one to two years.

Here in the NWT, recruitment and retention are the Minister's top priorities, yet our vacancy rate stubbornly remains among one of the highest in the country. The facts are clear why. This government's half-measures aren't breaking this cycle of burnout. The Minister often points to staffing problems across Canada as if they are beyond our control, but it's time to look to the solutions provinces are already implementing. Emerging evidence shows that mandating minimum nurse-to-patient ratios strengthens staffing, increases recruitment, and improves quality of care.

British Columbia is leading the way. In 2023, their government signed a memorandum of understanding with the BC nurses bargaining association to implement minimum ratios, and evidence shows that hospitals with improved staffing are already seeing real benefits. Now that we have a proven solution to turn to, it is time for this Government to spare no effort, mandate reasonable nurse-to-patient ratios, support our nurses, and empower them to deliver the standard of care that Northerners deserve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.