Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke about the challenges of medical travel, and I have some follow-up questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Yesterday, the Minister said that the department does not track flight cancellations, rescheduling, rerouting flights as part of the medical travel for people who are going out for appointments and that. Will the Minister direct his staff to start doing this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With NWTHSSA getting the quotes back to the department, is that information going to be shared with committee? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Minister for that answer. The question comes down to: when we are talking about "capacity," are we talking about mental capacity, or are we just talking about age capacity? Sometimes, you have to be 14, 16, or is it mental capacity we are talking about?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I understand that chemotherapy, depending on the cancer, goes back and forth, you know, down to Alberta. I guess, fortunately or unfortunately, my constituents who seem to have it were able to do it in Yellowknife. That was the big thing, as they recognized the service that was here was great. They said nothing but positive stuff about it. Then when they went down to Edmonton, they didn't see any difference. They didn't see any difference in service and that. They were informed that it was going to January; now, we're looking into April, so when can the department...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up some questions with the Health and Social Services Minister in regard to the comment he said in regard to lawyers: does each child who is apprehended, do they get appointed a lawyer all the time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I can't hear you. I think I was listening to hard country music, so my hearing is going, too. I wanted to ask you about chemo. Is this the section on it? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Minister for that answer. Like I said, we had some challenges in trying to find out information with youth who are involved with the department. Can the Minister please tell us what policies are used to deal with youth who are the ward of the department? In other words, if the department has to step in and take the child, what policy is in place to ensure the parents, legal guardians, grandparents are informed of any decisions and/or issues that involve the youth?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to thank the committee for allowing me to sit in. I was not an alternate nor was I a member of the committee, but they allowed me to sit in and provide my viewpoints on this. First and foremost, I have to say that this bill with the amendments is appropriate. I think the Minister has been willing to work with the committee and made positive steps.

I guess I have to make it very clear. These are lotteries for the recreation and sports community, which has a primary focus on youth. That has to be really very clear on that. I totally support that arts needs to be...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the Minister and department looking at that. I understand the process, and I totally agree with you, and it could not happen sooner. I honestly believe, if we could get it going into the next year's budget, it would have a huge impact. Like I said, in my riding I know in one classroom that there were three or four who have been diagnosed, and it's kind of a different range within autism, and then FASD is huge across the territories. So I would just encourage the department to look at implementing it next year, and I can guarantee I will be supporting...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past fall I ran into a very unique situation. A youth was sent out to a treatment facility where there was an incident. After a number of phone calls between me and the family, we brought the situation up to the Minister and the department for their help. To the department's credit, there was quick action taken and they were on top of it. Unfortunately, the process that is usually used to share what happened did not work this time. There seems to be a huge void when it comes to youth in care. It seems that nobody could sign the consent form, leaving a...