Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The department has certainly been making the authority aware of the fiscal challenges that we're having and the demands that the authority is putting on us financially. Right now, we know that we're running about a $60 million deficit. We know that's going to increase. One of the major, well, I wouldn't call it the major driver, but certainly one of the drivers is overtime. The territorial authorities, CEO, board chair, board, and senior management have had a number of discussions about what they need to do to help control these costs. To make sure that they, frankly...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we had some money in the budget last year for transition into the new hospital that was a one-time funding to help us through the transition period. It is now gone. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is the right section of the budget, and it falls under the line item "therapeutic services." Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, our supplementary health benefit programs are intended to mirror the benefits provided by NIHB exactly. That is the extended healthcare benefits, the indigent health benefits, and the Metis health benefits. For us, in these areas, Alberta Blue Cross does administer our supplementary health benefits on our behalf. We do provide to Alberta Blue Cross our NIHB fee schedule. We give that to Alberta Blue cross every time it is updated, which is about once a year. We gave the most recent updated schedule in February of 2018. Alberta Blue Cross moves and acts on that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's too bad the red light didn't stay on as I was sitting down after I answered that last question. I said the child's lawyer in the last response, when I was actually meaning to say was the children's lawyer, which is actually a position that exists in the Department of Justice. It was created to provide support to youth so that their voices could be heard, whether it's through a family law case going through the courts, but also for Child and Family Services. To make sure the child's voice could be heard when necessary, they can access the child's lawyer. That wouldn...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, quite honestly, our first priority has really been the patients who were affected, and helping them understand what's changed and make sure that they are getting the care that they need. As we get closer to rolling out, we'll certainly be rolling out some information on what's changed and what's improved so that residents are informed. That will absolutely go to committee, as well.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a point of clarity. I mean, there's a significant amount of work we have to do here to control costs. As we move to a single authority, we were always very clear that this isn't about saving money, but we do believe strongly there's an opportunity to have better control of costs, control of growth, and an opportunity to make sure that we're getting maximum value for dollar, and spending it appropriately. It doesn't necessarily mean savings. It means efficiencies and opportunities to make sure the money is going to the right place to give us the best services possible...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I hear the Member's concerns and I'll certainly raise those with the department for a discussion moving forward. The increase in this area is for enhanced rehab services for children, which includes a speech language pathologist and occupational therapist, an audiologist, and an admin, but these are designed and being put in place as a result of the Early Childhood Development Action Plan, so not focused on the clients that the Member is referencing. These positions won't necessarily increase the number of trips to Hay River, but I hear the concern. I recognize it. I'll...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I have had the conversation with my FPT colleagues, as well. They obviously would like to see it happen as a result of the Daniels case. We are in a slightly different position, given that we are already expending money in this area and they are not. We are the only jurisdiction in the country that provides NIHB-equivalent services to Metis people. I just remind the Member the case wasn't just about healthcare. It was about Metis services and all that. We are just a part of that. We raise it all the time, and so do the other PT ministers. Thank you.

With Building Stronger Families, which is our new approach on Child and Family Services, our first priority is really to try and keep families together and not result in apprehension situations. We have already started to see a decrease in the number of apprehensions, more voluntary agreements, more mediation, and fewer families being taken apart. However, yes, from time to time, we will still need to bring children into care.

Our work is directed by the Child and Family Services Act and all of the relevant standards within. Our focus is obviously in the best interest of the child and...