Glen Abernethy

I know that in the 16th Assembly we did put a significant increase on taxes for cigarettes and in this budget we did increase the budget for loose tobacco, but as far as increased taxes on tobacco, I would certainly be willing to have that conversation with the Minister of Finance and see where we can go. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, investing in prevention, education and awareness, and early childhood development are priorities of the 17th Legislative Assembly.

On March 4th and 5th, the Department of Health and Social Services will host the Canada Northwest Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Partnership Symposium. The theme is Sharing Voices, Inspiring Hope: FASD in Northern Communities - Finding Solutions that Work.

Professionals and community workers will share information on innovative approaches and initiatives that are uniquely suited to northern communities and can both prevent FASD and improve the quality...

Just by way of comparison, it’s my understanding that every community in Nunavut actually has an RCMP detachment, which we don’t.

There are a number of things going on here, and I do hear what the Member is saying and I have indicated that we are going to review the ISDM to ensure that we are providing the right and appropriate supports in all of our communities. Right now the current ISDM services in communities doesn’t provide nurses permanent full time in communities with less than 250, but there are services that are clearly delivered in these small communities through nurse visits...

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak on the topic of child and family services. The 16th Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Social Programs undertook a comprehensive review of the Child and Family Services Act, highlighting the importance of this area and the need for fundamental change in how we do business.

While there will always be room for improvement in child and family services, I am pleased to be able to report to this Assembly some significant progress arising from the standing committee recommendations. But first I want to pay tribute to the social workers who provide...

I’m not aware of any program that we have that would allow private companies, businesses, to purchase or support their purchase of defibrillators or AEDs to put in their public places, but I will say earlier in her statement the Member mentioned Manitoba passing an act in 2013. Under the Manitoba act, owners of the designated premises under the act were required to install AEDs in all the premises. So, purchase and maintenance was the responsibility of the business or the organization that had the public space, not the responsibility of the Manitoba government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t believe that we actually have a policy requiring private industry or businesses or public places to have AEDs, but I do know that Yellowknife currently has defibrillators in the arena, swimming pool and other sport facilities. I also know that the airport here in Yellowknife has a defibrillator and, just for information, every health centre has a defibrillator and every health cabin in the Northwest Territories has an AED.

There is a federal program in place to help pay for defibrillators in arenas that any community with an arena can access. Thank you.

As I have indicated, there are a number of challenges, and as I have indicated, we are going to be looking at the ISDM. I will certainly be having discussions with the Members that are affected or who are responsible for the small communities. But there’s no such thing as a one-nurse station. In order to provide adequate coverage for on-call, for overtime and all those types of things as well as to make sure that there’s balance between the different professionals, we would need two. So, there are a lot of other factors that we have to consider, but we are going to review the ISDM with respect...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of factors that we utilize when deciding whether to employ nurses throughout the Northwest Territories. The Integrated Service Delivery Model sets out standards for community health staff across the Northwest Territories. But as I indicated, when asked questions previously, it is under review and we are looking for ways to enhance the services in our small communities. RCMP is but one factor. It is not the deciding factor by any stretch of the imagination. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. There is an extensive legislative list in front of the government right now, but if it is the wish of committee that this be undertaken, that we follow Manitoba’s lead with respect to AEDs, I’d be happy to listen to committee and take that forth to Cabinet. Thank you.

No. We can tell which GNWT facilities have them, but I couldn’t tell you what private facilities have them. Thank you.