David Krutko

Mr. Aumond.

Next on the list I have Mr. Ramsay.

With that, we’ll take a 15 minute break and begin with Capital Estimates.

The Committee of the Whole took a short recess.

A number of months ago we had a similar discussion in regard to the Department of Environment, where they moved out to Shell Lake and were in the facility where they were renting space, yet they had the department check to see exactly what is the vacancy rate in Inuvik of retail space.

Minister of Finance.

I now call the Committee of the Whole to order in consideration of bills and other matters, Minister’s Statement 80-16(2), Sessional Statement and Tabled Document 93-16(2). What is the wish of the committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a written question directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. The Mackenzie Delta riding that I represent undergoes a wide variety of medevacs. We have patients travelling for medical appointments.

What is the amount spent on medevac services and patient travel for Mackenzie Delta?

What is the total cost of nursing, mental health, dental, health representative and home care services in the Mackenzie Delta?

What is the cost to operate and maintain health services in Mackenzie Delta communities, and what are the overall O & M costs for each of the health...

Mr. Speaker, again it sounds like a “dream on” answer, where basically nothing is going to happen. So I would like to ask the Minister this: why is it that the community of Fort McPherson, some 900 people, does not have a mental health position in which they receive services two days a month from Inuvik for 900 people?

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services in regard to my statement and the motion I passed back in the 14th Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, the “whereases” refer correctly to the services that are provided in our communities — or in this case, the lack of services. If anything, the service has declined to a point where there are no services in the community of Tsiigehtchic and no programs such as mental health positions in Fort McPherson and also in regard to the medevac emergency service to get people out of our communities to the regional hospital or elsewhere...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to read into the record a motion that passed back in the 14th Assembly, which I moved, seconded by Mr. Leon Lafferty, the Member for Monfwi.

“WHEREAS the stated mission of the Department of Health and Social Services ‘is to promote, protect and provide for health and well-being of the people of the Northwest Territories;’

AND WHEREAS residents in small communities do not have access to the same level of health and social services programs as residents in large communities;

AND WHEREAS services vary between health authorities meaning that some residents are being...