Thank you, Madam Chair.
I want to start by thanking the witnesses for being with us today to speak about technological innovation in health care.
My first question is for Mr. Thompson of the Assembly of First Nations. If I still have time after that, I will have a question for the Manitoba eHealth Program representative.
Realistically, given the conditions first nations peoples are living in today, would you say you need technology or, more importantly, decent housing, drinking water and affordable food?
Having visited some of these areas at the beginning of the year, I am clearly thinking about the situation facing the Attawapiskat First Nation and the price of food in the northern communities. People there have to pay more than $50 a kilo for roast beef, over $8 for a 2-litre carton of milk, $14 for a kilo of dry spaghetti on sale, and $20 for a cabbage.
I am not trying to say that meeting people's basic needs and encouraging technology and innovation are mutually exclusive. However, what do you think needs to be done to ensure that first nations have access to quality health care and a better quality of life? It is clear that prevention is paramount when it comes to health.
My second question is for Mr. Girard.
Why do you think Manitoba is further along in adopting electronic records than the rest of Canada?