Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, committee. Committee, 8-28, activity summary, supplementary health programs, grants and contributions, $16.829 million. Does committee agree?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How do you follow that Member’s statement?

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Mr. Speaker, in support of this government’s aggressive plan to increase our population base over the next couple of years, one must start to gaze into our future, and this future begins with our children, but more importantly those about to embark on their post-secondary education journey.

For years the Government of the Northwest Territories has praised its Student Financial Assistance Program as the key in supporting northern students’ return to the NWT upon the completion of their post-secondary education.

So one...

I’m hearing that we believe, but accounting is about accuracy of dollars and cents. Does the department have and do they table this information? Is it readily available for committee to review? Thank you.

With that one number that the Minister just gave of over $9 million as arrears, that exceeds the actual full main estimate in relation to some of that billing line, so are we to assume that the numbers we have here for reciprocal billing are lower than what we normally do on a regular rolling average? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

These are First Nations patients. These First Nations patients are entitled to Non-Insured Health Benefits, which is paid out by the Government of Canada through Non-Insured Health Benefits. So, whether or not we’re billing the territory of Nunavut, everything funnels back to our federal counterparts for the actual cheque. So, again, my question still stands. Have there been shortfalls and are those shortfalls embedded within the revenue summary on page 8-9? Thank you.

I believe – and the Minister might want to correct me if I’m wrong – page 8-37 is directly linked to this program line. The billing is going to Non-Insured Health Benefits, as far as I’m aware. I guess the question still stands. Have there been shortfalls? What have those shortfalls been with the billings that we’ve been doing with Nunavut patients versus what we’re getting in as revenue to cover those for those patients from Nunavut? Have there been historical shortfalls and are those shortfalls captured in these estimates? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe we are on 8-9. I want to formulate my questions regarding the reciprocal billing. I believe 8-9 is closely linked with 8-37 involving Non-Insured Health Benefits being paid back by the federal government. Now what we see here in terms of main estimates and revised estimates and what was in the past historically, I find it odd that we are seeing the same numbers repeat themselves. This amount we get in revenue, does it truly cover the full amount of Nunavut patients that come here for services and are we actually acquiring the full amount of those services with...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister offering his comments and thoughts on that. Earlier today the Minister indicated, and just now, that they are working on a review within a framework of a number other departments.

Can the Minister indicate to the House here when Members on this side of the House might be able to see the findings of this review. Thank you.

Just one final clarification on 8-9. You have a reference here on program called special allowances for $1 million. It seems to kind of repeat itself here. Can you describe what that is? Thank you.

Can the Minister indicate how his department and the Department of HR work together to try to find new ways of enhancing our student financial program, especially within the recruitment framework of the Department of HR? Thank you.