Tom Beaulieu

The Member is right; there has been a backlog as a result of not doing the elective joint replacement surgery. What we are doing is we are approaching Edmonton, the ones that are emergency situations. Some of the emergency situations are maybe what the Member is describing are possibilities. Although Edmonton, too, also has some on the waiting list. So that is our backup plan, but realistically our objective is to get the operating room back operational. Thank you.

We are hoping that it doesn’t require a lot of additional dollars to recruit doctors, but the intention is to try to recruit doctors in all the authorities across the North, but we’re doing what we can. The difficulty has not been the money; the difficulty has actually been getting doctors to those locations. Many doctors that want to come to the Northwest Territories have a desire to work in Yellowknife. Thank you.

I move, seconded by the Member for Monfwi:

WHEREAS Rule 85 requires the Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations:

Mr. Michael M. Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho;

Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. Daryl Dolynny, the Member for Range Lake;

Mr. Alfred Moses, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake; and

Mr. Norman Yakeleya, the Member for Sahtu;

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed to the...

Yes, the Department of Health has a process of recruiting. We have budgets that we work with the Department of Human Resources to recruit physicians across the North. As is the standard for recruiting anyone in the NWT, we have that money to recruit doctors.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a couple of people. There’s no one in the audience from Res or Lutselk’e, but I’d like to recognize my sweetie, Monique Marinier, and also my cousin Alfonse from Whati.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

I’d just quickly like to thank the constituents of Tu Nedhe, Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e. Although I was acclaimed, it was due to the large support that I received from the people in both communities as I went around to the communities, both communities several times over the last four years and essentially I guess almost campaigned for four years as my style was to go out and visit the people. It seemed the people responded well to that and I got, from what I see, almost unanimous support in the communities. So I’d like to thank...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a motion on the appointment of two members to the Human Rights Adjudication Panel.

WHEREAS Section 48(1) of the Human Rights Act provides for the establishment of an adjudication panel composed of at least three persons appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS Section 48(5) of the Human Rights Act provides that the members of the panel hold office, during good behaviour, for a term of four years, with the exception of the first members appointed;

AND WHEREAS the appointments of two of the adjudication panel members...

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Social Programs would like to report on transition matters.

As the 16th Legislative Assembly draws to a close, the Standing Committee on Social Programs continues to monitor a variety of important issues and initiatives. Through this transition report the committee wishes to highlight areas Members believe will require continued attention in the 17th Assembly.

The Standing Committee on Social Programs is comprised of five Regular Members of the Legislative Assembly. The committee’s role is to consider the following with respect to the departments...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I will be addressing the elders of Tu Nedhe in my language.

[English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The committee has done preliminary research on special courts across North America where accused persons with mental health issues are diverted from mainstream courts and corrections systems. The goal is for program participants to take responsibility for their actions, and receive treatment and support to deal with their conditions. The results are encouraging, including lowering rates of reoffending among diversion participants. The committee’s research has been forwarded to the Ministers of Justice and Health and Social Services for consideration and further work.

Alon...