Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to speak about health care costs and the large deficits that are occurring across the various health authorities in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I know full well that Stanton provides service and backup to other authorities. It only stands to reason that the deficit there would be the largest.
Mr. Speaker, since 2007, we have approved appropriations in this House earmarked for the deficit at Stanton to the tune of $18 million. The deficit at Stanton for ‘09-10 alone is $7 million. Mr. Speaker, at the end of this current fiscal year, in March of 2011, this deficit is proposed to come in near a number that I hope to get out of the Minister later in today’s proceedings.
The Minister likes to pull at the heartstrings of the Regular Members and the public by saying, well, we can’t cut services. Health care costs are rising all over the country and it’s as if the Minister and the department are saying, how dare you question us, we’re looking after the health and well-being of the public.
Mr. Speaker, I understand and appreciate the challenges that the department and the Minister have, but my belief is that if we do not fix the system, the ongoing red ink is just not going to be sustainable, and it will ultimately force future governments into cutting valuable programs and services to the public. We will undoubtedly jeopardize our ability to look after the public if we do not take action now.
Since 2003 nothing has changed and no one seems to be listening. I’m not pointing my finger, Mr. Speaker, at Stanton alone; I’m pointing my finger at the Minister, who has failed in her three years at the helm to do anything about it.
Mr. Speaker, given what is at stake, the very well-being of the health of the public and residents here in the Northwest Territories, we need to ensure that we fund health authorities appropriately. We have to have a system in place that will best allow us to manage increasing health care costs. Mr. Speaker, we must collect on outstanding debts. Accounts receivable cannot continue to be a foreign concept to the Minister, the department and this government. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
