Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to read into the record a motion that passed back in the 14th Assembly, which I moved, seconded by Mr. Leon Lafferty, the Member for Monfwi.
“WHEREAS the stated mission of the Department of Health and Social Services ‘is to promote, protect and provide for health and well-being of the people of the Northwest Territories;’
AND WHEREAS residents in small communities do not have access to the same level of health and social services programs as residents in large communities;
AND WHEREAS services vary between health authorities meaning that some residents are being better served than others by virtue of where they live;
AND WHEREAS services available in small communities can be restricted to emergencies only or withdrawn completely with very short notice due to staff shortages;
AND WHEREAS some of those staff shortages are related to vacancies or training and can be anticipated and planned for;
AND WHEREAS only providing emergency medical services has serious health consequences for the very young and the very old who need access to preventative health programs;
AND WHEREAS preventative health programs such as diabetes clinics, well baby clinics and other preventative programs are essential to the continued health and well-being of a community;
AND WHEREAS many smaller communities do not have access to such core programs as mental health and alcohol and drug workers and cannot begin their road to recovery without such assistance;
AND WHEREAS one of the foundations of the Canadian health care system is universality and the Department of Health and Social Services and its subordinate health authorities are choosing to ignore this principle;
AND WHEREAS the Minister and the Department of Health and Social Services are ultimately responsible for the provision of these services to the Northwest Territories residents….”
Mr. Speaker, my point is that this motion was passed in the 14th Assembly, and we’re talking about the same issues now in the 16th Assembly. No one should have to have an issue outstanding for that long period of time and should realize that this has to have some unique responses. It’s got to be essential by way of programs and services, and it is affecting the lives of people in the small communities with regard to health care and core services.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. These motions that are passed in Assemblies time and time again have to change. We have to ensure that motions really mean something when we pass them in this House with regard to services to our people. It is affecting the quality of life of our residents, the quality of life in our communities and the well-being of those communities to sustain themselves and have healthy communities.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services about this particular motion and those aspects of this motion, because we have to do something. This is an urgent matter. If we’re not treating it as an urgent matter, we may have to take some urgent steps.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
