Glen Abernethy

An RFP is currently out for the delivery of air ambulance services in the Northwest Territories. It is being overseen by a fairness commissioner. As a result, I will not be speaking about this RFP. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Setting aside that particular business, which has its own issues and will follow the normal disposal process, as I indicated previously, if there are private organizations who are looking at setting up facilities in the North, we obviously strongly encourage that, recognizing that if it becomes a GNWT-funded institution as far as we’re paying for the clients, that might change some of the requirements that are placed on them. If they’re completely private and encouraging people to come in and pay a fair market rent to be in those facilities, they would have certainly a lot more freedom.

As I said, I would encourage anybody who is interested in starting this type of business here in the North to review the regulations that exist within their communities with respect to building and construction.

To the Member’s question, we do have the National Building Code of Canada, which requires that all facilities in the Northwest Territories that provide health care must comply with the National Building Code. We have the National Fire Code, the NWT Public Health Act and regulations, and just an important reminder that there are no regulations governing private long-term care centres in...

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services is committed to publicly reporting on the performance of the health and social services system and our progress towards achieving the Legislative Assembly’s goal of an effective and efficient government.

The Department of Health and Social Services uses a number of different reports to ensure we are accountable to this Assembly and to the residents of the NWT.

The Northwest Territories Health Status Report is published every five years and presents updated information on the health status of the NWT population. It is an important...

By the dental therapists that we do have, yes.

Child and Family Services Act, Mr. Moses brought this up and I think a number of the other Members did bring this up as well. An Auditor General report is coming forward shortly. I haven’t seen it, the system works in such a way that I don’t actually see it until basically the same time you do, but I have heard anecdotally that it is going to be rough. We look forward to seeing the report and coming up with solutions to address the issues that are outlined in it.

A number of Members have talked about traditional foods and this is one I would love to...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With me today are Debbie DeLancey, the deputy minister of Health and Social Services; and Jeannie Mathieson, director of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, titled “NWT Health and Social Services System 2012-2013 Annual Report: Measuring Success and Focusing on Results.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I will get that information from the department and share it with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An RFP is currently out for the delivery of air ambulance services in the Northwest Territories. It is being overseen by a fairness commissioner, who will make sure that all aspects of this RFP are fair, reasonable and equitable to all applicants. As a result, I will not be speaking about this RFP. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, Avens and YACCS do receive funding, and they are providing services on behalf of the GNWT. As a result, they are limited in what they can charge and they must apply the long-term care fee, which is basically monthly accommodation to cover meals and accommodation. Currently that rate is $752. That is something that anybody interested in starting a private business would have to consider, because that may not be a sustainable business plan if they took in GNWT residents and were expecting us to pay.