Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health. We all know conditions are deplorable in first nation communities.
Now we have the Cross Lake First Nation in Manitoba declaring a health care state of emergency. Conditions have reached a critical point. There is a shortage of equipment, too few nurses overworked to the point of burnout and infrequent doctor visits.
The community has called on the World Health Organization to intervene. It is requesting a fully staffed field hospital from the Department of National Defence.
Do aboriginal leaders have to call on the army or will the Minister of Health provide immediate assistance?