Richard Edjericon

Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you, Minister, for your answer. I'm just thinking about the deficit again, but I'm just thinking the budget overall is you know, we got a pretty big budget here of $610 million plus. I'm just thinking about the three P initiatives in terms of commitments. Going forward, I know that we're building that new hospital and then the renovation of the old hospital, etcetera. I just want to know, I guess overall, is that going to the binding of this budget the government's those projects long term, what are the I don't know if you could speak to it or not but I...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to come back to the deficit that was mentioned by my colleagues earlier. Going forward, though, this next fiscal year we're going to be you said the 189. But overall, I just want to know, like how do we what are your management plans to deal with this deficit, I guess, going forward? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to revising the honorarium policy for traditional knowledge by doubling the base rate in addition to increase the base on inflation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Well, that's hard shoes to fill in. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Anyways, I just want to mention that in regards to my Member's statement earlier about honorariums, I'm just thinking back in 1999, when I was a chief for Yellowknives Dene First Nation and back then our band councils were given $250 a day. And since then, 24 years later, you know, I'm sure the rates have gone up. But anyway, the current rate of honorarium is set at $250 a day and was last updated in 2009. Inflation has increased by 32 percent since then, not to mention our economy's being hit with the global recession and global...

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Minister, for that clarification. But we got 33 communities in the Northwest Territories, and we don't have a lot of government jobs in our communities. So, you know, I'm so it makes it really tough for constituent members in our communities that really need the care and services of the healthcare card that we have. But I just wanted to maybe let the Minister know that if I think you know, if there's a way we could take a look at the medical travel policy and maybe have a thorough review of this policy so that I know it's a tough job that...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to talk a little bit about some of the issues I have in my riding. I've been as you know, I've been dealing with the majority of my calls are coming from my constituents are medical travel and housing. And this year has been overwhelming. I just wanted to share a story with you about a member a constituent member who went south from Fort Resolution to go visit family. And when he got south, they were there for a few days and then he had a massive heart attack. And he had to be hospitalized in Edmonton at the Royal Alex Hospital. And anyways, he got the...

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you, Minister. My next question will be is that in regards to contract services for $844,000, can you maybe just elaborate a little bit on that, on the breakdown of that because I don't see it in here. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Maybe if I just had another question. Can the Minister explain to me about the on page 190, in terms of chargebacks. Can you just maybe just touch a little bit on that and so I understand it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister. So I guess I look forward to meeting with you and the Minister and to have that discussion as well. And I think that at the starting point, you know, at the bare minimum, based on inflation costs, you know, we're looking at probably maybe $500 a day for honorarium. But, again, it's something that we need to talk about and review. So I guess the Minister would be able to respond to this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the GNWT recognize the value of traditional knowledge of Indigenous people in creating public policy because it's not very clear to me based on this policy. The question to the Minister. Thank you.