Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I asked the Minister of Health and Social Services about the Minister’s response to the motion in the House passed earlier this year dealing with the review of the Leishman incident at Stanton Territorial Hospital. The Minister has responded by establishing an external review conducted by Dr. Douglas Perry from Alberta, which is, in my opinion, a good first step. However, I notice that this review will be conducted under the Evidence Act. Specifically, statements made by the hospital staff will have protection of the Evidence Act and will not be made public, nor will they be shared with the mother; who, by the way, e-mailed me this morning indicating frustration that this will not be more of a public review. Given the importance of learning from this incident, can the Minister advise me as to why he chose not to have a more public review?
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The intent was to provide the information requested. There was a motion passed; a need to have a better understanding of what took place during the particular incident. The use of the Evidence Act is a way to allow people to come forward to be able to disclose with some certainty that they can speak frankly. That’s why that process was chosen. We want to do this expeditiously. We want to do it. This initiative has been dragged on for some considerable time. We have a very qualified individual to do it and the intent is to do it in a timely way to make sure that all the information was there. We’re not intending to re-open. We’re looking at what has happened, what has been done, what has been pulled together so far, and review to see if in fact there are issues of concern.
I’d like to thank the Minister for his response. When I reviewed the unedited Hansard from yesterday, the Minister said, “I’ve already committed to share the results of this review with the committee. We’ll look at what those recommendations are, what they say and, as well, we’ll be able to review what he proposes as a response.” Does this mean that the Minister will share more than just the recommendations with committee and the mother, and that he will also share information upon which those recommendations are based, and if not, why?
I indicated that I would share with the committee the report and the recommendations and will do that on a confidential basis.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Abernethy.
I’m good, thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
