Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to address an issue that has recently come to my attention through one of my constituents. This concern is related to medical travel benefits and coverage of these students while attending school outside of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, for instance, say a student is studying in the south at a college or university recognized by NWT Student Financial Assistance as a qualifying educational institution. Assuming this student has submitted a signed temporary leave of absence form and has done everything necessary to remain insured with NWT health coverage, this student would receive basic insured benefits. Now, assume that this student finds it necessary to travel to a larger centre for medical treatment while attending school. Would they be covered under medical travel? The answer is no. A student does not receive medical travel benefits because the travel is not considered as originating inside the Northwest Territories.

Students are not travelling on vacation or just visiting outside the Territories for a week or two. A student is still a resident of the NWT. They retain their northern residence as their primary address and continue to use their NWT driver’s licence. Most students return to their home community for spring break, reading week, as well as Christmas vacation and the four months during summer and fall semester breaks.

In addition to all this, we also anticipate that a number of these students will return to the North to seek permanent employment. Most students rely on student financial assistance, part-time employment and, if they are fortunate enough, their parents are able to help them financially. But they are most likely not in a position to afford costly medical travel insurance. The burden of an unexpected medical trip could financially end their studies for that particular year or longer. Students who are able to attend one of our northern post-secondary facilities are not faced with this expense and I believe that all students deserve the government’s support, as they further their education, in the fair way.

I urge the Minister to review this portion of the medical travel policy with a view to granting medical travel protection to all NWT students while on temporary leave of absence from the Northwest Territories to attend school. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hear! Hear!

---Applause