Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a follow-up to my Member's statement, I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister: has the Minister been aware of the service and transportation needs of patients and clients of the Tsiigehtchic Health Centre or similar needs at health centres in other smaller communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to thank the Member for bringing this particular issue to my attention.
I agree with the Member's statement and his concerns around liability of staff using their own vehicles, and the need for staff to have the resources they need in order to provide the high-quality services that the staff in Tsiigehtchic currently provide.
When we're done here today, Mr. Speaker, I am going to have a conversation with the department and get them to work with the NWT Health and Social Services Authority to review the need for a vehicle in the community of Tsiigehtchic in light of issues raised such as liability and other concerns. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That took care of my next two questions so I'll just ask my last one here: will the Minister ensure that the community gets a vehicle to continue providing these essential services in Tsiigehtchic?
I believe there is a policy that dictates when a vehicle might be appropriate, but in light of the current concerns raised by the Member, specifically around liability of them using their own vehicles, this is something we do need to look at. For purchasing vehicles, we do have to go through a capital process, so we would have to build a business case and it would have to compete against all other capital asks.
I am going to take a look at it. I am going to have the department work with the authority to see what if anything could be done to make sure that our staff in Tsiigehtchic can continue to provide the high quality services without taking any additional liability risk or any other risks.
Can the Minister ensure that the department could look through their surplus vehicles, possibly in Inuvik? I'm sure they have a number of vehicles available that they can bring to the community of Tsiigehtchic to bridge this gap.
I'll have the territorial authority work with our partners to explore all options.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if there are no vehicles available, will the Minister look at possibly renting a vehicle until we could get one for the community? As you can tell, there is a huge need in the community.
Elders have trouble getting around the community, and it is a big help when CHRs and home support workers help the elders get to where they need to go with their groceries and prescriptions and so on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker
Our home support workers and our CHRs do incredibly important work, and we certainly do not want them to experience any liability issues from using their own vehicles. If they need a vehicle to provide those valuable services that they are providing in the community, we will find a solution. It may not include the rental of a vehicle. That might prove a little bit beyond our capacity, but we will explore all options, Mr. Speaker, and we will find a solution for the community and our valuable staff. Thank you.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
