Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

Mr. Speaker, just a note, just so we are clear, the bill was discussed in Committee of the Whole clause by clause and did receive unanimous consent in this Assembly from all Members.

As per our normal process, the bill did go to committee, who had an opportunity to do a thorough review of the bill. We did get a letter from committee expressing some questions around this particular issue. The issue is the ability of a minor to marry. The legislation requires that, if a minor does desire to get married, they must still obtain a marriage licence. To obtain a marriage licence, they must get...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

Mr. Speaker, clinical supervisors are also professional counsellors requiring the same level of knowledge, skills, and abilities typically acquired through a Master's level education, as I've previously indicated, similar to the counsellors. However, they are also typically senior counsellors who, in addition to the counselling education and experience, have often undertaken additional training in management or supervisory areas that allow them to have the knowledge, skills, and ability to provide that supervisory responsibility and/or leadership responsibility. So, yes, they both need to have...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

Mr. Speaker, the child and youth counsellor initiative was developed at the table of the Interdevelopmental Child and Youth Mental Wellness Action Planning Working Group, a group put together to help us lead this initiative. The work of this group was guided by the feedback of Northwest Territories youth, who expressed that they wanted access to specialized mental health supports to assist them in the very serious and very complex challenges they are facing. In addition, they spoke clearly and strongly about the challenges of living in small communities and feeling apprehensive about accessing...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the federal government implements its plan to legalize cannabis this summer, the Department of Health and Social Services, in partnership with other Government of the Northwest Territories departments and agencies, has already begun public education and awareness efforts.

Mr. Speaker, in late April, we launched our campaign in order to equip residents with the health information they need to make informed decisions about cannabis use. While all Northwest Territories residents will be provided with cannabis-related health information, groups that are especially at risk...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 28)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following 11 documents entitled "Follow-Up Letter to Oral Question 152-18(3): Homecare Services," "Follow-Up Letter to Oral Question 170-18(3): Privacy Breaches in Health Care Facilities," "Follow-Up Letter to Oral Question 179-18(3): Medical Travel," "Follow-Up Letter to Oral Question 187-18(3): Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy," "Follow-Up Letter to Oral Question 196-18(3): Youth Apprehension Policies," "Follow-Up Letter to Oral Question 199-18(3): Medical Travel," "Follow-Up Letter to Oral Question 225-18(3): Health Information Act," "Follow...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 28)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize a couple of people who are incredibly important to me. First, I would like to recognize my parents, J.R. and Loretta Abernethy, who are proud new grandparents. I would also like to recognize my amazing wife, Carolyn Smith. For the first time ever, I am incredibly proud to introduce my baby boy, John Russell Smith Abernethy, who has been with us for 30 days, 14 hours, 3 minutes, and 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 seconds. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 27)

As I said, I know that there are some unique situations in Tsiigehtchic, given, like I said, that they don't have an airport. During freeze-up and break-up, they are truly isolated. There is no road. There is no airport.

I would be happy to sit down with the Member and talk about options that we might be able to deploy here, but every situation is going to have to be unique. We have to make sure, you know, what level of service we can provide during freeze-up and break-up to the individual, and if that is something that there is a big concern about, an individual, and their particular care. I'm...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 27)

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to support our seniors to live in their own homes for as long as possible while ensuring adequate supports when they can no longer do so. I would like to provide an update on our continued efforts to make this commitment a reality.

As Members know, the government put in place a strategic framework, Our Elders Our Communities, which supports a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of our seniors.

Current work related to the seven priorities in this framework is ongoing and includes:

Planning for...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 27)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Follow-Up Letter to Oral Question 133-18(3): Chemotherapy Services at Stanton Hospital." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Tsiigehtchic is unique in the fact that it doesn't have an airport. If we did have an issue, medevacs are certainly more complicated. They certainly would be more expensive as a result of having to use a helicopter.

We do try to provide additional support during freeze-up or break-up by having a nurse in the community during those periods of time, but I do hear the Member. I would say that anything that we do would have to be on a case-by-case basis, and it would have to be determined based on risk, the issue that the senior has. I wouldn't say that every...