Good morning, Raymond. I take the liberty of calling you Raymond because we once had occasion to have a smoke together.
I'd ask you Mr. Guptill and Mr. Lalonde to not answer as if you were politicians but to get to the crux of the issue as quickly as possible.
I'm concerned about youth services. Clearly excellent service is provided to young people living in and around the major urban centres such as Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver. But what is being done for our young people in the far reaches of Abitibi, Medicine Hat and Elliott Lake? This is a problem.
The reason I use the example of Abitibi is because I come from that area. You are very familiar with this region of Quebec. Flying from Montreal to Rouyn-Noranda costs more than going from Montreal to France. It takes at least eight hours by car to go from Montreal to Rouyn-Noranda. So a young person from Abitibi can't go to Montreal for medical treatment and come home all in the space of one day. And yet, these people are entitled to these services.
Here's my suggestion, and I'd like you to comment on it. In your statement, you said that some psychologists work with you in some cities and towns. Why don't we know about them? I'd like to have a list of these offices.
When Dr. Biron made her presentation before us, she said that the majority of Quebec's psychologists, and those from elsewhere in Canada, know little or nothing about the problems associated with post-traumatic stress, that they need better training, and so on and so forth. She acknowledged that the plan that I'm putting forward made sense, that is to hire a psychologist or two on contract so that they can look after people in these regions and also make it know that the service exists.
You need to bear in mind that young people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder are basically ashamed to admit that they have mental health issues. People are macho and tough when they are in the army. Asking for help with some sort of psychological disorder is a lot harder than seeking treatment when you need your hand or arm amputated or you suffer from some other physical problem.
Could you elaborate on your plan for the country's regions?