Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and thanks to the Premier for that response. I am not sure I am going to ask the right party this question, but yes, when there are reports issued now about COVID cases, I have had to ask: are we actually routinely testing for the variants, or when a case is reported, does that happen as a routine course now? If that information could be added to the public health advisories when they're issued, that would be really helpful because I know it was even raised on CBC Radio by callers yesterday. I don't know who to address that question to. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. That is good to hear, that the mine is covering their own costs. Do we cover the costs and then bill them, or are they paying directly? How does that actually work on the ground? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 286-19(2), Main Estimates 2021-2022, with Health and Social Services. Mahsi.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that, and I look forward to getting that briefing, but I still think it should be made public somehow. In discussing ongoing wellness and mental health needs with some community leaders, there doesn't seem to be enough resources at the local level for planning and service delivery. Can the Minister describe what resources and services are available to communities for local solutions to mental health and addictions? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I understand that whoever is left in charge of the property, I guess the receiver, has to submit some plans to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board for remediation by March 31st. Is the department aware of the status of that work, and is there an expectation that it is going to be submitted and that we are going to review it and participate in that process? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

I want to thank the Minister for that. I know that she loves evidence and she loves making decisions based on evidence, so I appreciate that. Some of the more recent statistics during the ongoing pandemic paint a rather bleak picture of substance abuse, predominantly alcohol abuse, and overall health, mental health, and hospitalizations, family violence, child neglect. In June 2019, the Department of Health and Social Services released the mental wellness and addictions recovery action plan that the Minister referenced. Can the Minister tell us how this action plan is being adjusted to take...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Is there any funding in here for remediation work at Cameron Hills? I understand that the property is in bankruptcy and there is still a court-appointed receiver, but it is certainly heading our way. Do we record a contingent liability anywhere in the department for the remediation that is required there? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le President. The recent release of the Health and Social Services System 2019-2020 Annual Report paints a picture of many major health conditions and trends for the Northwest Territories. There are some positive outcomes shown, including a decrease in potentially avoidable mortality due to preventable causes, as well as those due to treatable causes; a decrease in the rate of children in permanent care; a decrease in the proportion of mental health hospitalizations due to alcohol or drugs; and a decrease in workplace safety claims.

However, the overall health of our residents...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Can someone just give me a rough figure? Like have 50 percent of these been converted now to fee simple title, or 10 percent, or 3 percent? Can I just get a rough figure of how many of these equity leases have actually been converted to fee simple title? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I move that the chair rise and report progress. Thank you.