Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you. So you said there's a formula in place. So the money that's there, it's one point something million 1.3 million here. So is it allocated based on needs or per capita?

Thank you. Does the GNWT have a specific and unique plan to address housing, crime, education, mental health, and addictions in my regions, in Tlicho regions? Thank you.

Thank you for the answer. She is the Minister of Health and Social Services, so that's why I was addressing.

Can the Minister report on any progress achieved to reverse the poor health trends in the Tlicho region since the report was tabled over two years ago?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I am going to be talking about NWT Health Status Chartbook published in the fall of 2019.

Madam Speaker, this report details the health of NWT residents and this report clearly shows that the need of the people in the Tlicho region have long been ignored. The region has the worst health indicators in almost every area that is measured. These poor health indicators are the results of lack of attention and action from the Government of the Northwest Territories over many years. For example, many people do not have access to clean running water right now. This is...

That's good. Thank you.

I see here in the budget it says the actuals from 395, the main estimates was different and that it went down. So it really so for the main estimates for this upcoming fiscal year's lower. What happened, and why is that?

Yes, because right now at you know, usually at this time, people from my region they harvest caribou, and in the past they used to go to our regions in the regions, Tlicho regions, but now they have to go long distance. And it's just a lot of them are saying that it's hard. It's difficult if you don't have the means, if you don't have a vehicle, if you don't have any of those the stuff that it's really hard for them to access country food, especially caribou because which is a main diet for the people in the regions. And so that's why I was asking about that for it, because harvesters...

Thank you. I see that you said there's an increase in the contribution for the harvesters support program. Because I've been hearing from families, especially young families in the small communities who rely heavily on country foods. So what they're saying is that because of well, lately they've been seeing an increase in groceries and gas. It's making it difficult for them to it's difficult for them as it is, especially for those with low income from low income family. What they're saying is that now that with the caribou restriction in place, it is hard for us to go out because of the gas...

Yes, thank you. That is the GNWT Health Status Report that was published in fall of 2019 which I tabled two days ago, and that's their own report that I am addressing. So that's why I'm asking what are they doing to fix the problem. Do they have any action plan? Do they have any what do they have? What are they doing to fix things in our region? Or not just in my region but in other regions as well, and which we heard from other Members addressing their issues.

So Madam Speaker, if the GNWT was to allocate their budget based on need, we should be seeing improvements in health outcomes over...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Okay, question for the Minister of Health and Social Services, that the department tracks the NWT health profile of its residents to understand public health issues that impact the whole population. The information gather is to provide decisionmakers the information they need to take actions. With that in mind, can the Minister provide an update on action taken in Tlicho region to address the poor health outcome in my region? Thank you.