Jane Weyallon Armstrong

We know that when this access Whati transmission line goes through, we know that it's going to lower the cost of electricity in the community. So I know Gameti were expressing interest as well. They wanted to see if it is possible to extend the Whati transmission line on to Gameti and from there to the Snare Hydro. I did ask that question before. Is there any way that we can, you know, include Gameti, you know, to extend the Whati transmission line to Gameti and then, you know because they want to have they want to have the same benefit as Whati. So that was their interest. That's what they...

Thank you. With reference to Whati transmission line, the completion date is 20262027. Can we get an update and the estimate cost of the project? Thank you.

Well, that's good to know, that there is something in place so then this can be extended to other Indigenous organizations as well or Indigenous government.

What supports are place for single parents who require medical treatment in the south with young children who they can't leave behind? Can the Minister commit to making young children eligible travel companions for people travelling south for medical care? Thank you

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are about 6,000 Government of the Northwest Territories employees. Over 3,000 positions are located in Yellowknife. We can only assume roughly one out of four, or one out of five people, are employed by GNWT. In the Tlicho communities and other small communities, we see what limited GNWT jobs that the majority of residents are eligible for only those benefits covered by noninsured health benefits.

Minister Green, can you please explain why the GNWT provides healthcare service for employees that is different from the healthcare service provided by the nonGNWT...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the people in small communities with a Government of the Northwest Territories job, there is one level of healthcare service, and for nongovernment employees, there appears to be another level of healthcare services.

Mr. Speaker, we have two systems of medical travel in the NWT, one for GNWT workers (where hotels, car rentals, and daily food expenses are covered more than enough expenses) and another system for nonGNWT, people largely covered by noninsured health benefits. The healthcare service is considerably different for residents who receive healthcare...

Yes, thank you. Yes, I know that nothing can be done without consulting, you know, with any so you have to do a lot of there's lots involved, I am aware of that with planning to have this project, if it ever gets approved or, you know, if it ever gets on the agenda. So I am aware of that. And the deputy minister did mention North Slave region, you know. Here I keep saying it, we're not part of North Slave region. It would be nice, you know, just to identify the Tlicho region itself, then I would we would really know what is being, you know what are the projects that's going to be you know...

Yeah, thank you. I did say it before, we all know the mine will be closing soon and there's going to be an influx of mine workers without jobs. So we did say that and I note Tlicho government or Gameti were expressing interest in that as well to have allseason road. And so because there's going to be a lot of workers with class 4, class 3, or heavy equipment operator. So they did ask about that. So I just want to ask the Minister if that plan is in place as well, you know, for future discussions and if there's any studies done on it and how much would it cost.

Yeah, if she can answer my question. Thank you.

Thank you can the Minister detail how much GNWT employees contribute to health benefits and how much the GNWT pays?

So what this means is that the GNWT's employees are treated better than the members of the public. So that's what it's saying. So, Mr. Speaker, I hear from constituents in my ridings how difficult it can be to navigate the healthcare system while on medical travel. Will the Minister commit to hiring people to work with and support Northerners as they navigate the healthcare system while out of the territory? Thank you