Debates of May 28, 2004 (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, I understand that Health Canada has an office in Ottawa that administers non-insured health benefits for the people in the Northwest Territories. My question to the Minister is has there been any discussion in terms of the GNWT and the federal government for moving that office to the Northwest Territories?

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 168-15(3): Moving Health Canada Office To The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have had discussions with Minister McLellan before she moved from her portfolio, with Minister Pettigrew, about the possibility of moving those people from the northern secretariat who administer programs in the health area on behalf of the people in the Northwest Territories to the North. At this point they are only discussions, but the intent across the board is as we look at devolution in talking with DIAND and in talking with Health Canada is to have those services and programs that are administered by federal civil servants as close to the people they serve as possible, which would mean to the North. So, yes, there have been discussions. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 168-15(3): Moving Health Canada Office To The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's good to hear that there are discussions happening. I would like to ask the Minister a more specific question in terms of what guidelines this government may look at in terms of having these services moved to the Northwest Territories. It's a crying shame that in today's day and age that is operating out of Ottawa, whereas the Government of the Northwest Territories is looking at becoming more administrative as a territory. I would like to ask the Minister of some timelines that we could possibly see some actions where these services would be transferred to the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 168-15(3): Moving Health Canada Office To The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this issue has been on the government agenda for many years. In fact, my recollection is the federal government itself did a review of the positions that could be moved north and there were a substantial number, but the federal government decided not to move on that, the main rationale being that the public didn't really want to move out of Ottawa and other southern jurisdictions where they currently did their business. It's not an option that was given in '67 when they moved the capital north, but it was the one that the federal government used.

Mr. Speaker, this is going to be an ongoing issue as we discuss this. There are no set timelines. It's on the table as an ongoing part of discussions with the federal government. I know on the health side we also want to look at the supplementary health benefits and exactly how non-insured health benefits are provided. Is the vehicle of the federal government the best way to do it? We are now a program administrator. Should there be discussions through this supplementary health review to in fact look at a possible different arrangement which would see that program fully taken over by the territorial government, is one possible suggestion. There are a number of options out there that are going to require our attention over the coming months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 168-15(3): Moving Health Canada Office To The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the delicate discussions happening with Health Canada in terms of the northern secretariat being moved to the Northwest Territories. I would like to see this government take some leadership of some of the positions of some people who do not want to be moved to the Northwest Territories. We have enough qualified people in the Northwest Territories to take on those positions. Once and for all we should be able to say, if it's part of the discussions, that we have qualified people in the Northwest Territories. It requires some delicate negotiations, however, I think this government needs to take a stand in saying that we have people here ready to take over those positions if people in Ottawa do not want to move. I would like to ask the Minister if he would look at this strategy in terms of having some commitment to having this office moved here and not having the negotiations held up because a few people in Ottawa do not want to move to the great white Northwest Territories.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 168-15(3): Moving Health Canada Office To The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories, like the other 12 provincial jurisdictions will all be getting their lists ready for post-June 28th when we know who in fact the government in the land will be at the federal level. So I can assure the Member that the issue he has raised in this House is one that is on our list and we will be moving on that when we, once again, know who the government of the day will be at the federal level. Thank you.

Colleagues, I would like to direct your attention to the presence in the visitors' gallery of a Grade 5 class from St. Joseph's School and their teacher, Ms. Chiasson. I would like to welcome you to the Legislative Assembly. I know you received a little tour of the House, and I would like to welcome you back. So welcome to the Legislative Assembly.

---Applause