Mr. Speaker, once again I am rising in this Assembly to speak about the inequities of our NWT health care system. Our health professionals do a fantastic job meeting our northerners’ needs. However, like me, they also have trouble comprehending the logic of what is covered and not covered by NWT health care. I raise the issue of constituents with a child born with club feet who were told that the government would pay for all surgeries needed to correct the condition, but the government would not pay for the required braces needed between the surgeries. I am pleased to say, through the generosity of residents, particularly Ekati Crew F Recovery/Processing Plant, Grace Ann Fitzpatrick-Crouch, Wayne Scheelar, National Car Rental, Nancy Magrum and Dennis Bevington, our MP, they have donated enough money to get this little girl the next medically required braces, Mr. Speaker. This should have never had to have happened, and I want to make sure that every time my constituent’s daughter needs new medically prescribed braces they do not have to rely on northern generosity. Generous people should not be picking up the tab for something that the government is responsible for, Mr. Speaker. Doctors have stated, without adequate braces, all the good work done by surgeries will be undone.

This is an absurd situation. This government must acknowledge the responsibility and pay for the required braces. According to the department, it has been at least 12 years and maybe even longer since the specified disease condition schedule in the extended health benefits policy has been amended. Clearly there is a need to review this policy more than once every 12 years. I note that there are many other conditions on this list that people are born with that are genetically prone to developing cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and even spina bifida. These include a number of congenital conditions. Why is this congenital club foot not on the list? I am talking about what is right. I am talking about the department and the program that needs to find less bureaucratic ways and more empathetic ways to help the needs of our northerners. There needs to be less worrying about what other jurisdictions are covering and more worrying about ways that we can find a method to help our northern families, Mr. Speaker.

In closing, I will be following up with the Minister on this issue because I want my constituents to worry less about where the money’s coming from and more about their daughter specifically. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause