Mr. Speaker, the anthrax outbreak this summer in the Mackenzie Bison Range was the largest we have experienced in Northern Canada.
At least one-third of the Mackenzie wood bison herd was lost and included bulls, cows and calves.
The outbreak was discovered during a routine surveillance flight on July 3rd when 128 carcasses were found at Mills Lake. The Anthrax Emergency Response Plan was activated as soon as these carcasses were found. An enhanced surveillance program was implemented and all carcasses were identified and treated by incineration and/or chemical disinfection in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines and the Anthrax Emergency Response Plan.
The active infection phase of this outbreak ended in late August. A minimum of 440 bison were lost to this outbreak.
Response teams worked very hard for seven weeks to dispose of the carcasses and ensure public health and safety.
At the height of the outbreak, about 120 people were working to deal with it. This included Environment and Natural Resources staff, contractors and more than 55 emergency firefighters hired from Fort Providence.
I would like to thank all those involved in this enormous undertaking: staff from the Department, the scientists, crews working in the field, and contractors. I would especially like to thank the
community and leadership of Fort Providence, who not only accommodated these extra people in their community but also supported our efforts to deal with the outbreak.
Mr. Speaker, wood bison are a federally listed species at risk in Canada. The herd now numbers less than 1,000 animals, meaning it is no longer considered to be recovered as defined by the draft national Recovery Strategy for the Wood Bison in Canada. In addition, Mr. Speaker, this disease-free herd is seen as essential for the Canada-wide recovery of the species.
Normally, anthrax affects mostly bulls; however, this outbreak affected many cows and even calves. The high loss of cows during this outbreak will affect calf recruitment in the herd for years to come.
Recognizing the severity of this situation, both the Wekeezhii Renewable Resources Board and the Mackenzie Wood Bison Management Plan Working Group have recommended closing all harvesting for at least one year.
In response, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources initiated a number of actions aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of this herd.
In August, all limited entry draw and outfitted tags were rescinded for this year. On October 5th, all harvesting was closed in wildlife unit R/WB/02, the area between Frank Channel and Yellowknife, which had been open to general hunting licence holders.
Over the fall ENR also began consultations with the Aboriginal governments and groups on reducing or eliminating all wood bison tags for the 2012-13 season.
Based on these consultations and in an effort to give this valuable resource every opportunity to recover from this significant setback, I am announcing today that I will be taking steps to close all harvesting of the Mackenzie wood bison herd for the current hunting season. This change will come into effect November 1, 2012.
Mr. Speaker, our actions in this area will not stop at closing zones and eliminating the harvest. Over the coming winter, ENR will continue to monitor this herd. In the spring of 2013, the department will also undertake a population survey of the herd. Information collected from these initiatives will be used to discuss potential future management actions with the WRRB, Tlicho Government, the Mackenzie Bison Working Group and other partners.
Mr. Speaker, we understand this places hardship on harvesters but the conservation of one of the few disease-free wood bison herds in Canada is a priority. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Mr. Speaker, on September 12th negotiations towards a Deline Final Self-Government Agreement reached a significant milestone. After many years, the negotiators have agreed on the draft text of a Final Self-Government Agreement and financial agreement. This achievement is important as it lays the basis for the parties to ratify the final agreement. As Mr. Yakeleya noted when this was announced last month, the move towards self-government complements the Sahtu Comprehensive Dene and Metis Land Claim and gives Deline the opportunity to make their own history.
Mr. Speaker, this government’s goal of a strong and independent North built on partnerships depends on the successful conclusion of land, resources and self-government agreements.
The Deline Final Self-Government Agreement is the next step in political evolution for the people of Deline. When completed, it will contribute to greater political autonomy and economic self-reliance. The residents of Deline will have decision-making powers over matters that affect the well-being of their language, culture and community. More importantly, the Deline First Nation government will be able to make laws that shape the programs and services that are important to the daily lives of their residents.
While a number of steps remain before the Deline Self-Government Agreement will be ratified, this milestone is an excellent example of partners working together and achieving results. Over the coming months, the parties will review the documents internally and decide whether to approve them. The next step will be for the negotiators to initial the draft Final Self-Government Agreement and financial agreement.
Mr. Speaker, once ratified, the Deline Self-Government Agreement will be the first stand-alone self-government agreement in the Northwest Territories. It will provide the Sahtu Dene and Metis of Deline the means to implement their Aboriginal right to self-government and strengthen their community, and create new business, investment and job opportunities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Ramsay.
Mr. Speaker, the oil and gas industry has been at the heart of our economy for many years. As one of our enduring industries, we have always recognized the need to work not only with the companies that want to tap into our vast resources but also with those who live and work in the regions so that the economic benefits remain exactly where they should: in the North.
This past September, representatives from industry, government, Aboriginal organizations and corporations, community leaders and small business gathered together in Norman Wells for the Sahtu Exploration Readiness Session. The two-day workshop was an opportunity to discuss and identify the best ways to capitalize on the opportunities in the region over the coming years. We talked about the many opportunities and possible challenges related to Sahtu development.
We also heard from industry. They shared their experiences working in the region last winter and their plans for the increased exploration this upcoming winter season.
I attended this session, along with my colleague Mr. Norman Yakeleya, and we were both pleased with the level of engagement. We are confident that the people of the Sahtu are well aware of the challenges that lie ahead. They are ready to roll up their sleeves and do the work needed to ensure this coming winter exploration season goes smoothly for everyone.
We are continuing our work in the Sahtu as it moves into this new development phase and we will continue to work together to translate the potential in the Sahtu into jobs, investment, business growth, training opportunities, infrastructure development and growth for our communities and Aboriginal corporations.
The prospect of long-term, sustainable economic development in the Sahtu and the potential for spinoff benefits for other regions is a reason to celebrate. Consultations are underway with stakeholders to address any concerns that could limit future progress. The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is working closely with other departments to ensure development takes place in a manner that brings economic benefits to our residents, while protecting the environment. We are, for example, working with other regulators and industry to ensure that valuable baseline information is collected in the area during exploration. In addition, we are working with these partners to explore the possibility of launching a regional study to help ensure developments are undertaken in a manner that considers the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area.
While we focus on the activity in the Sahtu, we are not forgetting that vast untapped resources remain in practically every part of the NWT. In particular, interest in the Beaufort Sea continues to grow, and this region will also be a focus of exploration activity in the coming years.
The economy of the NWT had always relied heavily upon development of its vast resources. As we prepare for the day when we will have the authority to make the decisions that affect us, we must take bold steps to work towards creating the sustainable economy that will position the NWT as one of Canada’s primary economic engines for years to come. This will strengthen and diversify our economy, a key goal of the 17th Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Education, Mr. Lafferty.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is dedicated to providing relevant curricula and improving educational outcomes for all students of the Northwest Territories.
At the Truth and Reconciliation Commission meeting in Inuvik last year, Nunavut Minister of Education, the Honourable Eva Aariak, and I committed to developing a comprehensive curriculum on the history and legacy of residential schools. We developed it in partnership with the Legacy of Hope Foundation, through much research, interviews with residential school survivors, archived materials and collaboration. This past spring we piloted this program in eight schools in the NWT and Nunavut.
Earlier this month we launched the new curriculum to nearly 70 teachers from the NWT and Nunavut as part of a three-day in-service. This included a keynote address from Commissioner Marie Wilson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, sessions with residential school survivors, discussions on the role of the teacher, and the supports in place with the Healing Drum Society and Health Canada.
The new residential schools unit comes with a full collection of teaching resources that helps students and teachers explore the policies and historical context of colonialism that supported residential schools. Students will learn about the positive and negative impacts that residential school experiences had on many people. They’ll talk about the opportunities for reconciliation and healing that are needed today.
I want to thank all of the people involved in developing the materials for this course. They were on display earlier today. I hope you all had a chance to see them. The curriculum coordinators developed these materials with an eye to sensitivity and care for this very complex issue. We were gratified and astounded at the wide coverage the launch of this important curriculum generated. Mr. Speaker, there is obviously not just a northern desire to set us on a path of reconciliation and healing, there is a national one.
Mr. Speaker, as students, teachers, families and communities explore the residential schools curriculum, this will herald a new beginning in understanding, collaboration and healing. The principles behind this curriculum support this government’s Aboriginal Engagement Strategy, and will give students throughout the NWT and Nunavut a better understanding of our collective history.
In that spirit of new beginnings, we are also celebrating the opening of the new school in Inuvik. On October 10th, East Three School was officially declared open. This is an unprecedented building project in the GNWT’s history.
It provides a superior learning environment for the nearly 700 primary and secondary students. The learning experience is infused with regional culture. This is a facility where students and the community can feel comfortable and at ease. The school was built to stimulate both younger and older students, and each wing has a distinct personality, meeting in the centre with a gymnasium and shared library. To enrich the students’ experiences, there are Smart Boards in every classroom, a wireless network throughout, and multiple computer labs, giving students access to the best learning tools. With student-centred and differentiated instruction practices in place, we look forward to improved outcomes and achievements. I’m proud to say that the school was completed and under budget.
We sincerely acknowledge the work of many people in this project:
the Inuvik Capital Planning Committee, comprising town representatives, the Beaufort-Delta District Education Council, the Inuvik District Education Authority, the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation;
the Public Advisory Selection Committee to Name the New School;
our colleagues at Public Works and Services;
the architects, Pin/Taylor Architects; and the contractors, Dowland Contracting Ltd.; and
the staff and students of the school, who have been active participants in ensuring this school meets the needs of the entire community.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First I want to offer my condolences from the Sahtu region to the young man’s family up in Inuvik. We certainly offer our prayers to that family. Also to another resident of the Sahtu that passed away last night, Mark Collier from Norman Wells. We offer our condolences to the whole family in Norman Wells.
I talked with the elders a couple of days ago. I want to thank my colleagues for allowing me to take a couple of days off to attend the funeral in Fort Good Hope. The elders talked to me and said we need to take some time to help one another. That’s the way of our culture. Our culture says to support the family.
I want to thank the people also on behalf of the Grandjambe family, the people of Inuvik who helped donate a lot of good food to the community of Fort Good Hope. I just want to do this before I start my Member’s statement.
People in Fort Good Hope had approached me while I was there and they’ve been telling me that the health centre up there is quite busy and sometimes when they go there, the people are being turned away. They are being asked not to come back, or they’re being given aspirins or pills and not really getting checked out. Even one elderly lady in Good Hope, I asked how she was and she said, my leg is sore and I keep going to the health centre but they keep sending me away. Now I don’t want to go back to the health centre anymore because I don’t like to hear that word no.
We know that our nurses are working extra hard, but we also know that they’re the only health care centre in our community and they should be taking an extra step to check them out and make sure they’re okay, rather than give them pills or any type of medication and send them away. Our doctors don’t come regularly. We don’t have the type of service that we have in the larger centres where we take it for granted that our doctors are here.
In the small communities they want to know if they can get the same type of health care and have our people there, especially the elderly people, not be turned away. Have the nurse check them over, look through the medical charts, make sure they are okay and if they have to go to a larger centre, send them out. A lot of our elderly people are saying that the health service is not up to par and they want me to ask the Minister if this could be changed.
During my oral questions I will be asking the Minister of Health questions on these health issues.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Snow is on the ground and the land and waterways are freezing up. While some of us may grumble about the onset of winter, there are many of us that are celebrating. Snow is a playing field for many Northerners. The Yellowknife Nordic Centre is just such a playing field, and many Yellowknifers are waxing their skis to get going once again in the sports of skiing and biathlon.
This Saturday the Yellowknife Ski Club is kicking off the new season with the Annual Snow Show. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the chalet will be a hive of activity as people sign up for programs, get advice on equipment, bid on silent auction offerings, buy some goodies at the bake table and get real steals on used skis.
This year, 2012 Olympian Denise Ramsden will be at the Snow Show to share stories of road cycling on the streets of England this past summer, and of growing up in Yellowknife learning to ski on our trails and speed skate at our arena.
The Yellowknife Ski Club has over 570 members and it’s the largest sport and recreational club in the NWT and the largest volunteer-run recreational facility in northern Canada. For 45 years the club has been maintaining ski trails, providing facilities and programs, and helping kids learn to ski.
The Ski Club offers programs for all ages and for all skills and abilities, from the youngest bunny rabbit to master skiers. The Ski Club has something to offer for everyone.
This Saturday the many dedicated coaches and program coordinators will be on hand to answer any questions and explain their programs. Events include competitions and social activities such as NWT Ski Day in February and, a first for Yellowknife, World Snow Day in January. I challenge everyone to make this winter more active and to get outside to enjoy our great outdoors.
But why dwell on this? The fact is that our communities thrive with the support of community groups such as the Yellowknife Ski Club and all those active community groups across our territory. Our families benefit, and I offer a hearty thanks to those groups and leaders for providing these great services.
The board of directors of the Yellowknife Ski Club asked me to invite all Members and the community to attend the Snow Show at Yellowknife’s Nordic Centre this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., and I know Denise would enjoy an opportunity to say hi to all as well. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last summer I was very fortunate to attend a Relay for Life here in Yellowknife and I ended up walking for a bit there. While I was walking for the cause, I ended up upon this booth where we had some volunteers that were looking to sign up volunteers for donations of stem cell donors. I was very fortunate. I did the cheek swab and got my name into the database.
About a week later, it was very coincidental, but I ran into a nurse who had asked me if the NWT was doing anything in terms of stem cell research or stem cell donor campaigns, mainly because there was a young Aboriginal girl down south who couldn’t find a match, and brought Kim to my attention, so I looked into this a little bit further and wanted to bring it to the attention of the Assembly and the people of the Northwest Territories.
Stem cells are immature cells that can either become red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. A variety of diseases and disorders are treated with stem cell transplants, including blood-related diseases such as leukemia, aplastic anemia and inherited immune disease and metabolic disorders. In this case, the patient’s diseased bone marrow is replaced with the healthy stem cells from a donor, which usually is a volunteer donor or somebody from the family. This is a very safe procedure and, in fact, anybody who donates has to go through a very small surgical process and then come out on the other side very well. In fact, most people who donate… Well, everybody who donates their blood and stem cells from their bone replenishes within six weeks.
With that said, when somebody becomes a donor and volunteers as a donor, all they have to go through is a small surgical process. They recover, but the big thing is they save somebody’s life.
I want to bring to the attention that less than 30 percent of patients who need a stem cell transplant will find a match within their family. Most people depend on an unrelated donor, meaning all these volunteers who go to these booths and get their cheeks swabbed and get into the database. A person’s best chance of finding a matching donor is within his or her ethnic group. As it currently stands, Canada’s database is 76 percent Caucasian and the other ethnicities only represent 24 percent.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement, please.
---Unanimous consent granted
As I was saying, as it currently stands in Canada’s base for stem cell donors, there are 76 percent for Caucasians, 24 percent for ethnicities, and of those 24 percent for ethnicities only 0.9 percent are Aboriginal donors. That means if we have anybody that needs stem cells and is Aboriginal, it’s going to be very hard for them to find a donor.
Right now there is a special need for ethnic males in the ages 17 to 35.
Later today I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services to see what this territory is doing to help close that need for this type of help.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. Colleagues, I’d like to draw your attention to the gallery where we have a former Member. Mr. Ernie Bernhardt is in the House today. Good to see you.
---Applause
The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Once upon a midnight dreary, whilst this Cabinet pondered weak and weary,
Over a quaint curious volume of forgotten lore, dreaming of pensions, travel… need I say more.
Whilst the Premier nodded, nearly napping, suddenly a Regular Member like myself came a rapping,
As of some, one gently rapping, upon the Cabinet door.
’Tis a Member with ideas, and community problems that needed to be solved,
Then the Premier muttered, tapping at my Cabinet door – Only this, he laughs, nothing more.
Ah, distinctly I remember it was a bleak December,
With the Members’ cap-in-hand, asking for a hand, something slightly more than spam.
Eagerly the Premier wished the moral; - Vainly I sought to borrow simply his ear to talk about a Plan Nord, a future, a tomorrow.
From my finance books surcease of sorrow – sorrow for the lost Members’ quest, there is no money to borrow.
The Member hath ideas, the Premier jests… I say no more.
Nameless, hopeless we stood there evermore.
Opportunities for growth lost forevermore.
And with silken, sad, and certain rustling of opportunities struck down without a tussle.
Thrilled me – filled me with fantastic terrors, filled before a people working, families fed, children happy, a future with bread.
So now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood firm and repeated to the Premier of our chance.
A Plan Nord I say will help this territory advance.
This Premier scoffed, some Member still entreating entrance at my Cabinet door;
Tis a Member wanting to see “Plan Nord”? – Ah, nothing more.
Presently my soul grew stronger, hesitating then no longer,
“Sir,” said I, “truly your forgiveness and all I ask if for your ear.”
Plan North will put people to work and it will make those bellies fed.
But the fact is, this Cabinet kept a napping, so gingerly as Members like myself kept a rapping.
And I scarcely sure I heard you say, open the door wide and hear us more;
Darkness there seems to pour.
All I ask is for the Cabinet to look at Plan North.
Merely this and nothing more.
Back into the Cabinet the Premier goes turning, all my soul starting within me to burn.
Sooner or later this Premier must hear the tapping of the Members’ call and a clapping.
What we need is some assurance, not a threat, Mr. Speaker, we ask for more.
Let it be sure and queer, all we are asking for during question period is this government to consider a plan just like Quebec, Plan Nord. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for the Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Northern Youth Abroad is a Canadian and international program marking their 15th anniversary this year. I would like to acknowledge that more than 70 Northwest Territories youth were participating, representing nearly every community.
Northern Youth Abroad gives young people ages 15 to 22 the opportunity to live and work in communities across southern Canada and sub-Saharan Africa while they gain high school credits, work experience and life skills.
Designed especially for youth in isolated communities across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Northern Youth Abroad has viable objectives such as building cross-cultural awareness by living with a host family and doing meaningful volunteer work. Other objectives include encouraging youth to take responsibility for their own learning, to graduate from high school, to find ways to make a difference back home based on their experiences, and become participants in their global society. Finally, Northern Youth Abroad seeks to build a self-confidence and life skills essential for youth to successfully pursue post-secondary education outside of their home communities and avoid the pitfalls many young Northerners fall into when they move to cities in southern provinces.
Here are just some of the positive impacts Northern Youth Abroad have had over the last 15 years:
better than average Canadian high school graduation rates in regions that have the lowest graduation rates in the country;
a bridging program for youth at risk;
exchange between youth between different northern communities;
fostering the strong sense of volunteerism in northern communities;
strengthened community and cultural awareness and our connectedness to the rest of the North, the rest of Canada and the world;
motivation building, esteem raising and leadership development.
I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Jamie Norwegian, Jodie Bonnetrouge and Waylon Simba for successfully completing the 2011 Canadian program, and Marina Sabourin who was selected to be the first ever group-leader-in-training and assisted with one of the groups in Botswana in the summer of 2011.
Northern Youth Abroad is a registered charity and receives funding through Municipal and Community Affairs youth core funding. This year 25 applicants from the Northwest Territories have been selected to participate.
With that, I recognize the Deh Cho students Grayson Somers and Joey Lacorne.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
With that, I want to recognize the Deh Cho students Grayson Somers and Joey Lacorne for being selected to the Canadian program, and Jeremy Landry for being selected for the international program.
Thank you to the Government of the Northwest Territories for its ongoing support for Northern Youth Abroad and becoming one of its 2011-2012 funding partners. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last June, June 6th to be exact, the 17th Assembly passed a motion asking the government to establish an ombudsman office. Several weeks ago the government responded to that motion and the response was tabled in the House. The response was neither a yes nor a no, which was both disappointing and hope inducing.
In the response following a summary of what the ombudsman does not do, the government stated: “The Government of the Northwest Territories is currently reviewing these legislated-based rights, as well as a number of policy and program-based rights of appeal, to identify gaps and better ascertain what role an ombudsman office might play in the Northwest Territories.”
There’s no question that there are gaps. I have mentioned them before. Three times in the 16th Assembly I spoke of the need for the NWT to have an impartial arbiter, an ombudsman to assist our residents with a dispute or a disagreement so they can avoid having to go to court to settle it. Some of the gaps are these: landlord tenant issues that are outside the jurisdiction of a rental officer; housing or income support issues where an appeal has been denied; administrative decisions by officials at hospitals and other medical facilities; times when a resident rightly or wrongly feels that they have been treated unjustly and without fairness. I’m not sure why the government feels it has to determine the role of an ombudsman. It’s pretty well defined in other jurisdictions. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel here.
I expect there also would be economies of scale if we establish an ombudsman office. It would be an opportunity to collapse some existing appeal boards and tribunals and save time and money. But the biggest opportunity is that an ombudsman can ensure fairness in the delivery of government services and programs. It will provide an avenue for clients of government programs and services – our residents – to lodge complaints outside of that program or department that they’re accessing, an avenue that does not exist now.
In the last five years, I’ve seen many instances where an ombudsman would have been of benefit to the NWT and its residents. The need for this service has not yet gone away and I will have some questions for the Premier at a later time. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have been given a gift, and that gift is our recent surge of TV films showcasing the North. I say gift because not every jurisdiction in Canada can boast of TV productions such as NWT Ice Pilots, Ice Road Truckers, Licence to Drill and the acclaimed CBC’s Arctic Air at their doorstop. Although I give credit to the NWT Film Commission for maximizing the economic opportunities for our local residents and local businesses to participate in the media arts industry, I do have to say we are far from being the ultimate production location of choice for many professional film companies.
I can stand here today and defend this statement, as I attended the NWT Professional Film Forum held here in Yellowknife on October 2nd of this year. This forum was held during the successful Yellowknife International Film Festival that showcased such films as our very own Mr. Richard Van Camp’s “The Lesser Blessed.”
So what were these top film producers saying at this forum? What were their needs? Simply put, tax incentives would be nice, but this was not the core motivating factor of choosing NWT as their film location. They did mention the current NWT Film Commission website was a great start, but they all agreed that they required to see a symbolic gesture to support the industry with proper incentives such as travel incentives, underground travel coordinators, proper transportation to and from shoots, people who know how to handle their equipment for set-up and operation, mobile caterers and mobile motorhomes for use.
The producers clearly indicated that we are missing the opportunity at the bare minimum to truly be a destination of choice. They also suggested that we create our own infrastructure to ensure our future in films, ideas such as cultural consultants and creative staff writer understudy programs would go a long way toward this infrastructure. In fact, talking with them also yielded the idea of a joint mentorship program with Omni Films offering on-the-ground training for such positions at their Vancouver production sets. Think about this: The potential of a new study training program with Aurora College and the real-time experience in Canada’s version of Hollywood.
We need to keep this gift alive and not let this industry vote with their feet when things start to slow down. We need to invest, we need to create, we need to teach and we need to share.
I will be asking more questions later today with the Minister of ITI on whether or not the NWT is ready to make this real commitment and investment to ensure our future in this film industry.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many people in the Northwest Territories travel outside the North on a regular basis. Northerners are well-travelled folks, not the least of which the people in this very room. Being stuck away from home – I’m not one of those, though – injured or ill and finding out that you do not have medical travel insurance can be a very, very costly lesson.
Many NWT residents still don’t seem to know that the NWT Health Care Plan does not cover medical travel expenses that originate outside of the Northwest Territories. In Canada, residents covered by NWT Health Care will have necessary medical care paid for either directly or through reimbursement, but this coverage does not include medical travel costs, which is the expense for things like medevac, air or ground ambulance, the cost of transfers between hospitals, escorts, hotel or meals, or any other expense related to an accident or an illness when this originates outside of the Northwest Territories. Those fees could well run into the thousands of dollars. Emergency ambulance services for Inuit and treaty cardholders would be covered in some situations, but other expenses and flights home are not covered.
The story could be even worse for anyone travelling outside of Canada without medical travel insurance. Our travellers are only reimbursed at NWT rates for their necessary medical care. Let’s say the fee in a foreign country for necessary care from a doctor or in hospital was $1,000. If the NWT rate for that same service is only $250, then you are going to be out $750.
Our residents travelling abroad also have to pay for their own ambulances, travel, accommodations and similar costs. A medevac from another country, or even within Canada, is very expensive. Any time that you need a plane or an ambulance, you are looking at a very large bill.
I would remind everyone, if you are planning on travelling outside of the NWT, you should purchase medical travel insurance prior to travelling. Such coverage is available through many outlets such as banks or insurance companies, and can be purchased on-line or over the phone. You can purchase plans that cover you for one trip or several trips or for a year at a time. It is a very modest cost, especially compared to the expenses incurred in the case of required transportation costs of an accident or illness while travelling.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Do not fall into the tragic situation and financially devastating situation when you least expect it. It is up to you to protect yourself by buying independent medical travel insurance. Please purchase insurance for yourself and your family, your students that are out going to school, and remind your friends and neighbours of the risk of travelling outside of the Northwest Territories without medical travel insurance.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, as well, would like to recognize a former roommate from the really good old days in the last century when we were in Grandin College together, a lifelong friend, Mr. Ernie Bernhardt.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a wonderful constituency assistant, Maia Lepage, who is also here chaperoning two of our Pages for the week. She is doing double duty this week.
At this time I would also like to recognize Mr. Ernie Bernhardt, who has been an ambassador, innovator and teacher of arctic sports throughout the circumpolar region of the world.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. I would like to welcome all visitors in the public gallery here today. Thank you for taking an interest in our proceedings.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Health. I didn’t make a Member’s statement because he has already heard my issues. He’s heard about the lack of full-time doctors in Hay River. He’s heard the interest in the nurse practitioners and the need for midwifery. My question is: With the department’s lack of flexibility in funding, has the department come up with any solution for the health authorities to allow flexibility in these types of areas in funding these positions?
Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Physician funding is restricted by the Financial Management Board, so that funding is not used elsewhere. However, we are making a business case for three authorities including the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, to the Financial Management Board to create flexibility within physician funding.
