Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Nakimayak. Next, we have Mr. O'Reilly.

Thank you, Ms. Green. To the motion. Ms. Green.

Thank you, Ms. Green. To the motion?

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. To the motion. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Next, we have Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What is being done to address chronic staff shortages that severely limit healthcare and treatment in small communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

How is it decided where to send nursing staff, and what priorities are set?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Residents of our smallest communities know all too well about the struggles to staff our health centres. It is common for services to be unavailable when they are needed. Unplanned trips to Inuvik can be the result, as well as delays and care or treatment. In Fort McPherson recently, the health centre was only able to provide essential services for emergencies and urgent cases for a whole week. The news gets around the community, and it makes people reluctant to seek the care they need.

I am concerned about the safety of this system. Sometimes, the first symptoms of...

The Minister touched on this a bit earlier, but I will ask: what is the vacancy rate for nursing staff in the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member's statement, I have a few questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. As I mentioned, we have had shortages of services in the communities that I represent, and I would like to ask the Minister: what is the cause of staff shortages in community nursing centres, such as Fort McPherson and Aklavik? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.