Mr. Speaker, one of the highest priorities of any government must be the health and well-being of its citizens. The delivery of quality and affordable healthcare is a cornerstone of good government in Canada and it's something that Northerners have come to expect. Yet the standards of the Northwest Territories' healthcare system vary wildly across regions and not all of our residents have the same standard of care. The 17th Assembly recognized the need to take action on improving healthcare and began the process of health system transformation in an effort to provide the best possible care to patients and clients. A system that is focused on the needs of clients and that is efficient, sustainable, and accountable. Standardized levels of care and healthcare policies will also make it easier to implement broad policy changes that may be required by emergent concerns, such as the imminent issue of physician-assisted dying. How our government proceeds with that and other issues is just as crucial as having a means to deliver on those new policies and a stronger healthcare system, and is a welcome initiative on the part of this government.
While it is agreeable that our government continue to make progress and improvements to our healthcare system, we owe it to Northerners to ensure that a holistic and integrated approach is taken that respects regional differences and ensures that all of our people have a voice in how system operates. Significant changes to how our government provides any public service must be carefully implemented and effectively communicated, especially as it relates to the provision of healthcare. I will have questions for the Minister on the current status of health system transformation, as well as questions on the structure and overall benefits to healthcare this new system will provide to Northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. –
