Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank Member Groenewegen picking up on this medevac issue. The Minister, earlier today in some of my questions, had pointed out that his department has no involvement and no role, so all that boils down to is simply that it’s none of NWT’s business. But the fact is, medevacs landing safe in a good way, in a timely way in Alberta are very important and we should be having an active role. We’re really faced with a complexity here. We can either be driving the bus on this issue, we can be behind the bus on this issue, or we can take the Minister’s approach, which sounds like we’re under the bus as it keeps on going by.
I’m asking the Minister how much money does the Northwest Territories, through the Department of Health and Social Services, spend in Alberta health. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have the exact amount but I do know that if we’re talking about medical travel, medevac planes landing in Alberta, we land there approximately 350 times a year.
Although the Minister didn’t answer the question, I will thank him for the point he emphasizes, that we need that service in the size and the magnitude of the problem. That’s only just one element. We’ve got lots of health services that go there. My point being is that we have an active role and you’d think as their client that they would be very interested in our opinion. I’d like to reaffirm my question, similar to Mrs. Groenewegen’s earlier, which is: What type of active role is this Minister going to take in this particular problem and will he join the lobby effort by the Alberta government to get DND to turn over the Edmonton Garrison as the medevac solution? Thank you.
Yes, as I said to the other Member asking questions, yes, we will take an active role in this process. Thank you.
Will the Minister commit to do this and report back to the House on his particular activities as well as report to standing committee? Because this is an active issue and many Northerners care. Will he make that commitment? Thank you.
Yes, I would be more than willing to do that. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
