Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d just like to follow up on my questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to our elders that are in long-term care facilities paying a fee and, of course, there’s an increase coming up on June 1st. However, I just want to speak more particularly about the Aboriginal elders that are in long-term care.
Our treaties dictate that our health is taken care of by the federal government. So I’d like to know if the Health and Social Services Minister has looked at this. Has his officials looked at this aspect of it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The rates for long-term care in the Northwest Territories are by far some of the most reasonable in the country and they are not a service that is covered under treaties. Thank you.
Thank you very much. I’m confused. Health is in the treaties. So I would just like to ask the Minister once again, has he had dealings with Ottawa that lead him to say that statement, or what’s his approach or strategy towards Aboriginal elders in long-term care facilities? Mahsi.
Thank you. This arrangement has been in place for decades now and the costs are heavily subsidized by the Government of the Northwest Territories to keep the rates where they’re at. There hasn’t been an increase in many, many years. But as it pertains to the question from the honourable Member, this service is not one that’s covered under a treaty or any kind of medical coverage through the treaty or non-insured health benefits.
Thank you very much. I don’t know; I would actually have a real good look at it. So I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, is he willing to at least look at that through a legal opinion and present that perhaps back at the House, because I believe that this certainly is in our treaties and we all know it is. With that there, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to know if the Minister is willing to do something like that. Mahsi.
Thank you. I would be happy to provide the Member with a note that would lay out the position of the government when it comes to this particular service and we can have further discussion at that point if he wishes. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Your final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just as a final question I’d like to know how much revenue is the government making from all of our seniors in the long-term care facilities, if the Minister can provide that to me, as well. Mahsi.
Thank you. I don’t have the number of the money that’s generated from the modest charge for long-term care facilities, but I will as well in the note to the Member add the cost that we do spend and the revenues, and the Member will see that these programs are heavily subsidized, with good reason. I mean, we made a choice, we want to give the elders in the Northwest Territories the best care possible at the most reasonable cost and I believe we are doing that, but I will share that information with the Member, as well. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
