Kevin A. Menicoche

I raise the issue that a senior went into long-term care and is charged the full rate of $746 and he still has a house and a spouse to take care of. How is the department taking these types of situations into consideration?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am going to talk about the long-term care room and board rate increases that occurred April 1, 2012. I am very concerned about… [English translation not provided.]…that is pretty much all of their elders’ income support… [English translation not provided.] I truly believe that it is in the treaties that our health care is provided for, so I don’t know how our government is charging our Aboriginal elders rent increases for hospitals, even for people that aren’t elders that want to go to the hospital. Their health needs are taken care of by Health Canada, so when...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Just for confirmation then, the Minister is saying that the regional operations have not decreased by three positions.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I note on this page the reduction of three positions in the regions. Can the Minister explain that? Also, yes, if he can explain those.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. What is that new job in headquarters? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to deliberate Human Resources, Public Works and Services, and Education, Culture and Employment.

During my Member’s statement I spoke about the case that I’m talking about. He’s an Aboriginal elder. I know that in our treaties it says that health is going to be taken care of for our people. We do it many ways. The people that aren’t even elders get covered by Health Canada. Why are our Aboriginal elders being charged full fare at the long-term care centres?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up on my questions about the rate increases to long-term care room and board. It’s something that has been going on for awhile within Health and Social Services. I’d just like to find out a bit more about it and ask the Minister exactly what these charges are for and what they do with the money.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to continue on with general comments on the NWT Main Estimates 2012-2013 and also deliberate the departments of Human Resources and Public Works and Services.