In developing the oral health strategy, we have actually contracted a local dentist here in the Northwest Territories to provide some oversight and direction on that. We also have some staff members involved. We are looking at changing the way that we provide oral health services. Some of the things we are hoping to accomplish is to create an integrated oral health program for children within the NWT at all ages, not just the ones in the school system.
We are looking at delivering more prevention/promotion activities with an emphasis on oral health as a part of the overall health, not as a separate program. We are looking at working with our existing staff and providing them with the resources and tools they need and incorporating with other programs like the healthy family program so the information is getting out there and is seen as overall health and the incredible value that maintaining good oral health has on your overall health. It is a change in direction. It is working with our staff to provide more resources. We are not at this point in time looking to train people to occupy the dental therapist positions. We think we are evolving into a better system that is going to provide better results for all residents, especially youth zero to five and in the school system, as well.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that answer. I guess my concern, though, is: we are still not dealing with it. We have small communities that have this issue. I have been listening to people. They basically would like to see some dental therapists in the smaller communities, like Fort Providence, Fort Liard, some of these smaller communities, to give these residents from zero to 20 years old the opportunity to get this treatment. Will the Minister look at the smaller communities, at training the staff and getting people in these places? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is actually part of the oral health strategy that we are working on, training our local people to do some of that work, especially some of our existing staff, whether it is community health reps or community health nurses. I indicated previously I did have an opportunity to meet with the dean of the medical program at the U of A, and we did have some conversation about whether or not there is an opportunity for some of their dental hygienist students to possibly come to the Northwest Territories, in particular to small, rural, remote communities to do some practicum placements and do some of the dental hygienist work in the communities. That is education, but also some treatments, fluoridation, and those types of things. We are pursuing that as an opportunity. That is above and beyond the work we are doing with training our local staff to do some of this work as well. We are trying to get it from a number of different angles. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents entitled "Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2017-2018," "Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2017-2018," "Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2018-2019," and "Interim Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories for the Year Ended March 31, 2017." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents entitled "Cannabis Legalization in the Northwest Territories: Report on What We Heard, October 13, 2017," "Public Engagement and Transparency: Open Government Policy: What We Heard, June 2017," "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 872-18(2): North Slave Correctional Complex Fencing," and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 875-18(2): Lands Integrated Risk Based Strategic Plan." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 847-18(2): Medical Travel" and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 880-18(2): Centralization of Long-Term Care Facilities." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 837-18(2): Deletion of Moose Kerr School Retrofit" and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 899-18(2): Small Community Employment Support Program." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents entitled: Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 822-18(2): Peel River Ferry Services; Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 855-18(2): Status of Repairs for Highway No. 6; Follow-up letter for Oral Question 859-18(2) Support for Traditional Harvesters; and Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 909-18(2): NWT Geological Survey Strategy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Masi, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement today, I am going to table a report called "Hearing About the Realities of Intimate Partner Violence in the Northwest Territories from Frontline Service Providers: Final Report." Masi, Mr. Speaker.
Tabling of documents.
Pursuant to section 14 of the Indemnities, Allowances and Expense Regulations of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I hereby table the Statutory Declaration of principal residence of the Member for Monfwi, dated September 25, 2017.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on October 19, 2017, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that this Assembly formally revokes the pleasure of the Assembly from the appointment of the Honourable Louis Sebert as a Member of the Executive Council;
And further, that this Assembly recommends that a Member be chosen to be a Member of the Executive Council.
And, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time tomorrow, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Notices of motion. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, October 19, 2017, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that pursuant to section 91 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories the reappointment of Mr. David Phillip Jones as Conflict of Interest Commissioner, effective December 1, 2017.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Notices of motion. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on Thursday, October 19, 2017, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Ms. Elizabeth Joy Noonan be appointed as the Equal Pay Commissioner in accordance with the Public Service Act by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories as recommended by the Legislative Assembly. And further that the Speaker be authorized to communicate the effective date of the appointment to the Commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Notices of motion. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on Thursday, October 19, 2017, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on October 20, 2017, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday, February 7, 2018; and further, that at any time prior to February 7, 2018, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
