Debates of March 16, 2004 (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. There is a lot of pressure on our funding for health services in the Northwest Territories and one large-ticket item is medical travel. Certainly, the GNWT is probably a fairly significant customer to the major airlines here in the Northwest Territories that travel south, and probably not as significant as we used to be in relation to industry but certainly still very significant. On Northbeat last night, they’d indicated that in Nunavut, the Minister of Health had negotiated with First Air and Canadian North a reduced rate on the basis of guaranteed business. So one airline will get 60 percent guaranteed of the medical travel; one will get 40 percent. On that basis they were able to offer a significant reduction in the costs that will probably save the Government of Nunavut several million dollars over the next five years. I would like to ask the Minister, Mr. Miltenberger, if this is something that has ever been canvassed with the airline carriers here. Thank you.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 10-15(3): Medical Travel Arrangements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that there were discussions in Nunavut, but it is not an approach that we have taken to date in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 10-15(3): Medical Travel Arrangements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister have a ballpark figure on what we would spend on medical travel, excluding that portion which is emergency medical travel which requires specialized equipment and aircraft? I just want the general, mainline carriers. What would we spend in a year on medical travel, approximately? Thank you.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 10-15(3): Medical Travel Arrangements

Mr. Speaker, the broad figure for medical travel, which I don’t have broken down in my mind, but I know the ballpark figure is about $10 million a year. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 10-15(3): Medical Travel Arrangements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated that approaching the airlines with some kind of a proposal for a certain amount of business, sharing the business is not an approach that he has chosen to take. I was wondering with an expenditure like $10 million if this isn’t something that he might consider visiting that subject with the airlines. Thank you.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger

Further Return To Question 10-15(3): Medical Travel Arrangements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will commit to contact my colleague in Nunavut. As well, I will talk to the department about it and, as well, commit to discussing the issue in Cabinet to see what the possible broader implications may or may not be to the overall travel industry. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 10-15(3): Medical Travel Arrangements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, I would not be supportive of anything that was detrimental to the airline carriers and I understand that is a very fragile business as well, but they do offer savings on an ongoing basis, things such as reduced rate seat sales, reductions for pre-booking a certain amount of time, also special rates for seniors. Does the department and the people in medical travel who make these arrangements on behalf of patients take advantage of at least those kinds of offerings that are made by the airlines? Thank you.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 10-15(3): Medical Travel Arrangements

Mr. Speaker, when we do medical travel we attempt to be as frugal as possible, as effective and efficient as possible. Oftentimes medical travel is booked on short notice so we don’t often get the benefits of long-range planning. We do attempt to be as careful as we can be. Thank you.