David Ramsay

Obviously this isn’t a new problem. It was a problem in the time I’ve been here, almost seven years; just over seven years. It was a problem two years ago when the Minister came forward with a plan to address it. She says there’s a plan being worked on today. How am I supposed to believe that the Minister and the government can come forward with a plan that’s workable? The one that she brought forward two years ago, they haven’t done anything with. In fact, things have gotten much, much worse.

When is this plan the Minister speaks of going to be presented to the Standing Committee on Social...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to speak today about a trend that is developing in the decisions that are being made in the delivery and provision of health care services at Stanton Territorial Hospital.

My colleague from Great Slave spoke yesterday about the relocation of the medical travel offices out of Stanton; only a small 8.5 by 11 sign posted on the door, no more face-to-face interaction, no transition plan, no communication plan, and it lacks any cultural sensitivity whatsoever. This is completely inexcusable. How exactly are emergency medical travel situations going to be dealt with...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure has reviewed Bill 9, An Act to Amend the Tourism Act, and wishes to report that Bill 9 is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’m not sure how officially the report got to us today. We did receive it and I’m not at liberty to discuss that report right now. Obviously it’s not before the House. However, what I want to ask the Minister is: Is that report the gospel according to this Cabinet? Is this Cabinet going to entertain parking the proposed changes to supplemental health until next fall when rightfully it can become an election issue here in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions today for the Minister of Health and Social Services. I guess I’ve got some great concern over some comments that the Minister made at her constituency meeting where she talked about the proposed changes to supplementary health. In fact, one of the quotes that the Minister made at that meeting was that portions of that plan would be implemented in November. That’s two weeks from now.

The report from the working group has just come forward recently. I’d like to ask the Minister what exactly she is referring to. What exactly is going to be implemented in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker It is a pleasure to be back amongst my colleagues here in the House and I’m looking forward to working with all of you towards a productive fall session.

Mr. Speaker, last evening I hosted a Kam Lake constituency meeting at N.J. Macpherson School, and I’d like to thank all those that attended and shared their thoughts and concerns with me. Mr. Speaker, it is my job and responsibility as an MLA to listen to my constituents and to the public and then raise those concerns here in this House.

Mr. Speaker, I can’t possibly do justice to all the issues that were brought up last...

WHEREAS the Elections and Plebiscite Act provides for the appointment of a Chief Electoral Officer who has the responsibility to exercise general direction and supervision over the administrative conduct of an election and enforce, on the part of all election officers, fairness, impartiality and compliance with the Elections and Plebiscite Act;

AND WHEREAS Mr. David Brock was appointed by the Commissioner on September 7, 2010, as Acting Chief Electoral Officer until October 21, 2010;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that this Legislative Assembly, by virtue...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 18, 2010, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that this Legislative Assembly, by virtue of Section 5 of the Elections and Plebiscite Act, recommends to the Commissioner the appointment of Mr. David Brock of Yellowknife as Chief Electoral Officer for the Northwest Territories for a term of four years commencing October 18, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the recommendation of the committee is to look at shelving the proposed changes to the supplementary health benefits in the Northwest Territories until next fall when it can become an election issue, is that something that the Minister could support?

I was wondering if the Minister could outline for the Regular Members here and the public -- obviously there are going to be questions and concerns stemming from the release of this working group’s report -- what process is going to be followed that is going to allow questions and concerns for Members and the general public to be addressed by the government before anything is implemented.