Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I'd be interested in getting that information. Just maybe one last question on this is before making a switch: what formulary might be used? Is that something that the Minister and staff would bring to the Social Development Standing Committee before making the change? I would hope that the answer's going to be yes. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

I know it is a special day, and I am really feeling the love from the other side of the House. Can the Minister, though, commit to consulting with Regular MLAs on GNWT positions and negotiations on federalprovincialterritorial agreements?

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I'm going to let the Minister personally deliver that good news to a couple of constituents who have already shelled out of their own pockets for progressive lenses. Look, okay, good thing. How do we change that crazy system, like where we don’t find out about these things? There are things that we've been trying to change for years. I personally know medical personnel who will shell out of their own pocket because of the ridiculous turnaround times or what's covered or not covered. How do we get a critical mass to change that ridiculous system? Sorry, there's a little bit...

Merci, monsieur le President. I, too, would like to recognize a constituent in the gallery, Jacq Brasseur. She is one of the delegates for the Daughters of the Vote group here in Yellowknife that's working with Equal Voice Canada. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Well, it's good to get this out now. I think there's going to be a number of unhappy people but, look, I do appreciate that this is moving along even if it's at a snail's pace, but good that it's still moving. I don't think this is going to keep some folks very happy, but I appreciate the responses from the Minister and his deputy minister. Thank you. That's all I've got for now.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that detail from the deputy minister. I think I heard her say that the department is prepared to look within, internally, for the money to actually implement the program. Is another option to actually bring forward a supplementary appropriation? Is that something the Minister is considering? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. When I tried to raise this earlier, in the main estimates, I was told to come back here. I want to ask the Minister and his staff about midwifery services. I think the last time I asked about this he said that they had hired some consultants. I am not sure exactly what they were doing, but can the Minister give us an update of where we are with the territorial midwifery service and particularly with regard to service here, in Yellowknife? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So I think I heard the Minister say that he is personally interested in trying to push a national pharmacare program. Is that the position of the Government of the Northwest Territories? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I could bank some quips there, but I won't. The only reason is because we are having some greater efficiencies in purchasing drugs, no other reductions or efficiencies being found there? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Human Resources.

Can the Minister provide the latest available information on the status of public services staffing, specifically the number of full-time indeterminate positions vacant each month to date in the 2016-17 fiscal year by department or agency, and:

The number of active staffing actions to fill vacant indeterminate positions in each of these months;

The total number of hours and costs of overtime paid during each of these months;

The total number of hours and costs of overtime paid during each of these months in positions where...