Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's always the aim of the NTHSSA to fill all funded position vacancies first with permanent staff living in the territory and, where that's not possible, to try to attempt to hire recurrent locums. The work of the primary care reform is to match primary care needs of the communities with access to the right providers to meet those needs. And as needs change, like aging population, chronic disease burdens, mental health conditions, practices change, expanded scope of providers, new technologies, the mix and number of people to deliver that care will shift...

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to making long-term care accessible for seniors and elders whose needs can no longer be met at home. We recognize the importance of helping residents remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible. However, when home and community care services are no longer enough, long-term care plays an important role in providing necessary support.

We continue to enhance home and community care services so Northwest Territories residents receive the support they need to stay safe and as healthy as possible at home. At the same time, we must also plan...

If the Member is asking me to do another constituency tour, yes, I will commit to doing that; however, the dates we can work -- our offices can work together with those dates. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, exactly what the Member is talking about, this -- in the last couple years, the community wellness and recovery addictions funding is specifically to application-based from Indigenous governments or groups in the community that can apply for any type of programming that they want to offer in their community. And as it is right now today, in the Member's riding, the Gwich'in Tribal Council has received $303,000 from that fund and the -- they've -- also the Tetlit Gwich'in Band has also received $24,200 for that fund for this fiscal year. As well as there are...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned with the physicians, we aim to fill all funded nursing vacancies. But as we continue to refine the models of care and move forward with primary care reform, we'll be in a better position to ensure that staffing reflects the needs of the community. And as I mentioned in this House many times, changing in the small communities, nursing has changed over many, many years. So whereas before when I started in my career 20 years ago, the nurses in all of the Beaufort Delta when I used to be able to be on the phone with them, talk with them in the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize a page from Inuvik Twin Lakes, Katalena Ciboci-Raymond who is here with us this week. And I'd like to recognize my deputy minister who is here in the capacity as part of the St. John Ambulance and her dog Kit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, I'm more than willing to always go in and speak with the community members; however, when it comes to the area where if they want community-based programs that are -- those funds have been requested by the Indigenous governments to go through this process. So what we do as the GNWT, provide mental health supports. There is a counsellor position in Fort McPherson. There is addiction support that's provided through this program. There are -- you know, and if there's discussion between the Indigenous groups in that region and my office and my staff...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, GNWT regularly tracks current and historical retirement rates as well as current retirement eligibility and retirement eligibility in the next five to ten years as it reflects in the GNWT public service annual report. The NTHSSA also tracks staffing levels throughout quarterly vacancy reviews. Managers are asked to identify any current or anticipated vacancies within a six-month timeframe to support proactive recruitment, minimize service disruptions, and facilitate smooth transition and handover periods. And I can contest to that because I used to do that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the discussions that I'm having with NTHSSA and the public administrator, this is some of the work that I would be expecting them to do. I know that the public administrator has met with the medical association. I know that they are scheduled to meet with CAN. I know that, you know, there is ongoing work that he takes part in the town halls hearing from frontline staff. He works directly with NTHSSA. You know, with the PA for Hay River, this is the work that they're doing, as well as the Tlicho. You know, there is a lot of work that is going on...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to remind all residents NWT family violence supports are available for all residents, and that includes elders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.