Mr. Silver: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to rise today on behalf of the Liberal caucus to pay tribute to National Nursing Week. This year’s theme is, as mentioned: “Nurses: With you every step of the way” — and it could not be more accurate. This week, we pay tribute to the many contributions of nurses, emphasizing just how important nurses are to every stage of life. Nurses play a vital role in our health care system and are often the first persons we meet and, sadly, the last people we see on our journey through life.

Each of us has a story about how a nurse has positively impacted their life — from comforting them or loved ones through tough times to making effective and efficient decisions that can save a life. Nurses are the front-line staff, working long hours, dealing with a variety of patients and sacrificing their time, energies and sometimes their bodies because of their commitment to the well-being of others.

Mr. Speaker, Yukon’s nursing community is a strong and dedicated group and the rural nurses are no exception to that rule. Our specialized nurses have worked long hours and have to travel to see patients in many communities each week. They often go above and beyond the expectations of their job because they want to see results and ensure the health of those they care for. Our nurses are passionate and they’re empathetic, even when it comes at their own expense. We want to recognize National Nursing Week and I would like to say a big thank you to all of Yukon’s nurses and also to the Yukon Registered Nurses Association. They provide the backbone to our health care system and to our communities as a whole.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.