Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Based on the Minister's experience as a nurse, as a Regular MLA for four years sitting over on this side, and now as health Minister, can she confirm from her experience whether the problem exists, whether the problem of health care shift workers not being allowed to take the full leave that they're entitled to? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member from Yellowknife North. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, within the health care system, there are areas where health practitioners have to provide 24-hour care and within that health care system, those practitioners, nurses, you know, they fall under, you know, unionized employees and they are allotted time based on their years of service. So the longer employees have way more time. You know, and we've heard -- and I know we have -- there is an acknowledgement within the health authority that within that 24-hour care model that sometimes it's unfortunate but that not everybody can access all of their leaves due to operational requirements. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I think it's a great first start to just acknowledge that there's a problem. And understanding that the health authority is an independent authority, is the Minister aware of whether policies are being reviewed around when and how frontline staff can take leave, or will she request that those policies be reviewed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what I can commit and say that what has been committed to by the Stanton is that the policy that is within Stanton for leave is going to -- or is being reviewed currently. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's a good first start. Would the Minister agree that when someone applies for leave, there should be a deadline for either approving or denying that leave that gives reasonable notice for that person so that they might plan their leave? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, those employees that are unionized employees, they have -- you know, when they apply for leave, it is the expectation that as the employer that they do follow the collective agreement, so 18.02-2(2) does speak to that. And so it gives them two weeks to respond to any employee that puts in leave. And if there are scheduling needs that need to be done in this advance, that those employers notify the union and that those -- they still have to have a set date as to when leave is put in and they still have to follow a two-week, and they have to respond in writing and the reasons why if they're declined. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So will the Minister commit to ensuring that a plan is developed to enable health care staff to take all their leave, to address policies and planning procedures in the short term, and over the longer term, to address chronic understaffing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do and I will and I have had communicated this to NTHSSA and to the other health authorities, you know, and so that way that we do have a plan in place and that, you know, when people can't get their leave, as many members said, that it does impact them. So thank you.
Minister of Health and Social Services. Oral questions. Member from Monfwi.
