Richard Edjericon

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for your comments and your ruling. At this point, Mr. Speaker, I represent my community, and I've listened to a lot of people speak and the issue that's in front of us that we're talking about is near and dear to a lot of people in my constituency and at this point, Mr. Speaker I could talk a little bit more about the issue but at this point I am not able to apologize. Thank you.

(audio) Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Licensed practitional nurse or LPNS requires far less training and resourcing to effectively deploy in small communities than registered nursed or nurses practitioners. These positions can effectively enhance home care services and restoring services expectation in Fort Resolution and other communities.

Will the Minister expand licensed practitional nurse positions at community health centres to ensure home care services are available in our communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is she willing to make a commitment to a full policy review and report back to the House in 120 days? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm speaking to the Point of Order.

My Point of Order that was raised by Minister is to talk about my comments made on looks like on May 9th. This interview actually took place, the majority of the residents of the Northwest Territories have listened to those that interview. And I have received a lot of calls from my constituents in regards to those comments. So I'm not sure where we go from here, Mr. Speaker, but I'm only conveying what's been said by my constituents. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Health care in small communities. On May 16th, 2022, Northern News Services published a leaked email exchange between myself and the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Services. It is regrettable sorry, regretful that this private communication was revealed without the benefit of context. And for that, I am sorry.

It is important that consensus politicians, we uphold ourselves to the highest standard and conduct that ensure the greatest amount of respect for our colleagues, especially so when we do disagree on issues.

Mr. Speaker, all that being said, I must now...

In favour.

(audio) Mr. Speaker. Just so I'm (audio).

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Medical travel has been found to be lacking in supporting the needs of Indigenous people in the Northwest Territories. The Minister and her department has spoken about the need for noninsured health benefits for the First Nations and Inuit, a reform to improve outcomes. I agree with the Minister but that this is an area of federal jurisdiction.

Will the Minister commit to additional resources to the medical travel assistance to cover off any shortfalls in NIHB benefits until permanent changes are made by Ottawa? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member's statement I made earlier today, my constituents, and most people in the NWT, know that our health system is in a crisis. Yet our leadership appears more interested in doing some damage control in the media than looking inwards to make policy changes to improve patient outcomes.

Mr. Speaker, my first question is health care in small communities require policies to take into account the unique circumstances for primary Indigenous population that have needs defined by race, geographically, and culture.

Will the Minister of Health and Social Services commit...