Mr. Speaker, there is a big problem in rural areas with the numbers of physicians and nurses.
They are not specifically money problems. There are equipment problems. In some northern hospitals the equipment is inadequate to meet the needs of patients and physicians alike.
There are other problems too. I toured Saskatchewan two weeks ago, and 50% of physicians come from South Africa. There are no more Canadian doctors in northern Saskatchewan. There are huge problems.
Is there a solution to the recruiting problem? People do not go up north. Those who practice in very difficult areas should be adequately compensated. I agree with the member, there are huge problems in rural areas.