Glen Abernethy

Mr. Speaker, diabetes is, from my understanding, on the rise across Canada. We are not unique. Our rates increase by about 200 people a year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The review, analysis and direction will be completed within the 17th Assembly. It might take a bit of time, but I will continue to work with the Member and committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think it’s important to finish the analysis first so we can figure out what the appropriate make-up would be. It may not be an LPN, it may not be an RN. It may be, it may not be. We need to do that work and we have committed and I have committed to do that work and sharing the results with the Member, so we can have an informed discussion on how we can provide quality care for the residents of Tsiigehtchic and the other small communities in the Northwest Territories.

Recruitment is ongoing on a regular basis for the positions we have in the health and social services system across the Northwest Territories. Every day we’re hiring nurses and other allied health professionals. The division that has suspended some programs is more in the planning area around providing incentives for Northerners to pursue careers, and we have provided significant numbers of bursaries. We have had programs like the Community Health Development Program and the intent is good, but we need to make sure that we’re getting value for money. If we’re spending money on bursaries and...

It actually includes a number of programs. Over the years we had given out a significant number of bursaries and there is limited data as to whether we were actually getting any return of service on those bursaries and whether we were getting good value for money, so we have continued the bursaries for those individuals that are in nursing programs and other allied programs now, so those individuals that are in are covered, but we have suspended any future intake until we have an opportunity to do a comprehensive analysis to make sure that we are getting value for money.

The Community Health...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that Bill 4, Health Information Act, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. We have a variety of different programs that are trying to start with prevention, Healthy Families, Healthy Choices framework, a number of initiatives geared to educating people about food. I have directed the department to work a little bit more on trying to get some more information on sugar, as brought up earlier by Mr. Dolynny, into that advertising, that prevention works. But we also have professionals in Yellowknife and in communities throughout the Northwest Territories who actually provide services to the individuals, including education and helping people make...

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, please, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “NWT Anti-Poverty Roundtable Final Report, November 28-29, 2013, Detah, Northwest Territories.”