Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services and I’d like to continue my barrage of questions. It was on the northern grad nurses and the Graduate Placement Program. She has indicated in Hansard something that really upset the students and I’d like to ask the Minister if she’s willing to apologize to the grads publicly in this forum and explain what she had meant by that. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated, there was a lot said and I tried to explain what I meant, but obviously I think I should go right to the source. What I would like to do is if they are interested in meeting me, I would like to meet with the class so that I can talk to them as a Minister about how committed we are to recruiting and retaining northern grads.
I was there when they were a first-year class, and four years later they are graduating and I want to be able to meet with them. I want them to tell me about their concerns. I will have my staff and HR people, if they will come with us, so that we can explain what options they have available, because I don’t think the communication on media clips here is helping the situation. I’m not going to presume that they want to see me, but if they are willing to meet with me, I’d be happy to meet with them perhaps after the session is over, given the schedule. Thank you.
I think that’s an outstanding offer by the Minister and I just do want to add when she had first met with the grads about two or three years ago, they were really pleased about the support that the Minister and the Department of Health and Social Services had for the grads. Once again, I’d like to get the Minister’s commitment that she will make the offer and will go over and meet with the graduate students this year. Thank you very much.
Yes, absolutely. I would even commit to the Member that his constituent who wrote to me, I will personally write her and ask her if I can come and meet with them. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
