Great Slave

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 43)

Mr. Speaker, this has actually come up a number of times, and I understand the frustration that residents of the Northwest Territories, in particular seniors, who are accessing our extended benefits have with respect to these lenses. Progressive lens and tri-focal lens are a common lens; it's a lens that many people use. In fact, it's preferred by most individuals. Unfortunately, in order to not have a two-tiered health system here in the Northwest Territories with respect to what we're providing by way of coverage, our extended health benefits match exactly what is offered through NIHB; and...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 43)

Mr. Speaker, in the Northwest Territories we have a Health Information Act that dictates how we protect an individual's privacy and share information with individuals involved in a circle of care, and there's certainly information that may not need to be sent out to a southern practitioner. It's usually done through the protocols that have been established that allows the information that's relevant to the particular situation that someone's going down for a doctor's appointment, so not necessarily everything would have to be sent.

In the Northwest Territories we have electronic medical records...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

I really want to say yes, but it really depends on the nature of the condition on which the person is presenting. If it is a condition where they need to see a GP, but they don't need to see a GP today or tomorrow or even next week, it could be rescheduled for their own community, for when the GP is coming in. If the individual is presenting with a more serious condition that needs immediate attention, it could be that they are referred to a specialist or a particular type of practitioner in Yellowknife. If that particular type of practitioner exists in Hay River, conceivably they could be...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we finalize all the details needed to move forward incorporating all the different components of the health system into one authority as part of health transformation, residents will be able to go anywhere in the Northwest Territories that they choose to go for health services. So, if we have residents in Fort Resolution who wish to see a doctor in Hay River, there's nothing stopping them from doing that.

We do encourage people to go to their local provider first. For example, somebody in Fort Resolution, if they're looking for health services, should obviously go to...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Mr. Speaker, when spending public funds, it's important that we make sure that we're spending funds effectively, getting bang for buck, that we're getting maximum benefit for every penny that we spend. We need to look at how we're spending the dollars today. We need to make sure that we're spending them appropriately. If possible, we need to reprofile our funds within the existing home care services to make sure that we are getting those benefits.

I can't say when we would be asking for additional funds because I don't know what degree or amount of funds are needed at this point. The normal...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, homecare services that are provided to individuals are based on clinical need or direction from a physician on the types of services that an individual will require. Conceivably, those can change over time. Without knowing the details of the individual case, I certainly can't answer why one individual might have a reduction in their services.

I would encourage the individual who has had the reduction to talk to their practitioner to see what can be done and whether or not the homecare that's provided is meeting the clinical needs of the patient. Thank you...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past few years there has been an increased understanding and awareness that in Canada there is a disparity between the health status of Indigenous people and other Canadians. Acknowledging this reality forces us to confront difficult issues, including the legacies of colonization and the residential school system, and the fact that mainstream institutions have often not served Indigenous people effectively.

We must confront these issues if we are going to change. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action challenge us to acknowledge that the...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake that Bill 13, The Marriage Act, be read for the second time. This bill sets out the rules for governing marriages in the Northwest Territories. It sets out eligibility, the requirements and the process for getting married in both civil and religious ceremonies. It also creates prohibitions and offences. Lastly, it provides for administrative measures such as the appointment of registration of officials, authorizes the making of regulations and, consequently, amends the Vital Statistics Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Mr. Speaker, with respect to services currently provided in Hay River, I believe those agreements are already in place; I will confirm that for the Member. As far as medical travel, medical travel will cover any of our northern residents if they are referred to a service in a different community. If they are referred to a service that is in Hay River, and it has to be a service that is in Hay River, medical travel would apply obviously. If the service is not available in Hay River, medical travel would apply to the point where it is available recognizing our protocols. Our agreements are with...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

We are in Canada. Regardless of where you go, as a Canadian citizen, to receive health services they are covered through reciprocal billing. In the Northwest Territories, if somebody from Fort Resolution made the personal choice to go see a practitioner in Hay River today, there is nothing stopping them from doing that.

When the system kicks in, whether or not somebody is going to get support, say through something like medical travel, it would have to be based on a referral. There is nothing stopping residents from Fort Resolution going to see a doctor in Yellowknife or going to see a doctor...