Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As my colleague, Mr. Testart had said today, we're talking about health care and the survey we had discussed as well as the actions and desperate needs our citizens are suffering from. As noted by MLA Testart, we held a joint town hall, a conversation with the community, Mr. Speaker, around health care. It was desperately needed. The Minister of health was invited but declined and suggested a different date almost three months hence from the inquiry of when could you be available. Unreasonable scheduling I considered, but it is what it is. My good colleague in conversation said hey, let's offer more flexibility. We waited a week for a further response. And, Mr. Speaker, lest we forget, a nonresponse to come to a meeting is still a response.
But peculiar as that may be, Mr. Speaker -- and it is in its own way -- almost two weeks after our health care town hall discussion, she attended another Yellowknife MLA's meeting. I'm not suggesting anything bad. I'm just saying coincidence; I think not. Now, if she had attended our town hall meeting, the Minister would have seen firsthand, Mr. Speaker, the Baker Centre was filled to the brim. There was not a seat available. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, I'd hate to call out the centre, but they were almost at fire capacity with enthusiasm, great people, respectful people, wanting to share their stories. They wanted to be heard. They had passion. They had problems. But they wanted to be part of the solution. There were stories to tell, I tell you, Mr. Speaker, deeply personal journeys that describe the trial by ordeals as they struggle to get help from anyone.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister would not have heard our professionals our terrible. No, she would not have heard that. But rather she would have heard great adjectives about these great teams. The only colourful adjectives used, Mr. Speaker, were "fantastic", "wonderful", "kind", and "caring", all perfect elements of our health care systems and the professionals that serve it so well.
It was a tough crowd, Mr. Speaker. Why? Because we had seniors who demand answers. And certainly, they do, Mr. Speaker. It was a passionate crowd. Mr. Speaker, some of their stresses were about availability of seeing a doctor, the referrals that never seem to get referred, the referrals that get re-referred, the questions and treatment by locums who get referred to another locum and then get followed up on a locum. You know, the passion of getting to know your doctor is impossible.
Later this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, I'll table a summary of our findings, and we'll have a further discussion as the week goes on, including today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements.
