Caitlin Cleveland

Mr. Speaker, mining has always driven the North's modern economy. When I was growing up, you were most likely either the kid of a mine employee or of a public servant. Today, mineral resources and the public sector are driving our territory's workforce and cash flow. Although the NWT is rich with opportunity, mineral exploration is stagnant. Natural Resources Canada estimates that mineral exploration in the NWT fell 54 percent over 2020, and while all mineral spending across Canada dropped during COVID-19, the NWT fell from the seventh highest in ranking across Canada down to the 11th.

Mining...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. That makes me happy to hear. I think that it's important for us to have fulsome conversations about things that are important to us. We talk a lot about addiction. We talk a lot about after-care. We talk a lot about FASD and front-line service providers. A lot of that is found within that budget. I think it would be nice if it was not something we had to switch to go find and that it was all together in the main estimates process. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I am wondering if the Department of Health and Social Services is currently negotiating with the federal government in regard to a new agreement to increase NIHB travel subsidies for the Northwest Territories. The reason I ask is, in November of 2020, Nunavut was successful in increasing their support for medical travel to the tune of $20 million, so I am wondering if we can expect the same wonderful, wonderful announcement in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you. I appreciate that. I just wanted to make sure that no assumptions were being made there. My next question is in regard to the Metis Health Benefits. I am wondering if the Minister knows how many people are covered by the Metis Health Benefits.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I would imagine that there are some people who are in very stressful circumstances right now if they are having to isolate routinely. I think of people who are travelling down south for cancer treatment and are going on a regular basis or they have kind of regular specialist's appointments that they are having to go to. That would add a whole new level of stress to their family. I asked a similar question the other day, but I am wondering if the Department of Health and Social Services is looking at the cost of bringing up physicians for common ailments that...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I am wondering if the Minister knows the rate of people, on a monthly basis, who are travelling to Edmonton who end up having to self-isolate in Alberta because they were on a COVID border or they have symptoms coming home. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I'm wondering if the disabilities fund includes any funding toward FASD diagnostic in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. My next question is in regards to the workers that work in the long-term care facilities, especially with the personal support program. It's a great program, and one I definitely fully support. I think it's great for people to be able to help care for family members. I believe the program at Aurora College is 10 months long, where they can go, get training, help care for seniors and people who are important to them in their life, and I am definitely supportive of that. One thing that I believe Ryerson does is: if you're taking a nursing degree through Ryerson...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. As the number of seniors within the territory increases, especially over the next decade, we might see more people, similar to staff at Avens, interested in participating in long-term care throughout the Northwest Territories. Is the Department of Health and Social Services reviewing the amount of financial assistance that it provides to non-government supportive living for seniors? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Thank you. I just wanted that clarification. My next question is in regards to the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care agreement. I understand that some of that is found within the respites one, but under the revenue stream, it shows that there is almost $8.5 million coming in with that agreement. I am wondering if the Minister can speak to where else within the budget that money falls. Thank you.