Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, these are coordinator-type positions that are actually trying to coordinate the services. They are not necessarily a frontline provider, but they are helping individuals get to where they need the assessments, do get the services that they require. They are also helping coordinate individuals coming in to where different assessments could be done and helping, when appropriate, having some of our professionals go out to do assessments, as well. They are providing territorial services. It does not exist today to this degree. It's certainly an enhancement to...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of things: our territorial corrections facilities have nurses on staff who provide some level of services, but, if they need services that are not available by the corrections system, we do work with those patients. The guards will often bring them out so that they can attend their appointments and whatnot. All the services that we provide to residents are the same for our inmates, unless they are federal inmates, at which point they are covered by Correctional Service of Canada. We do have federal inmates in the Northwest Territories, but, if they are NWT...

It is more focused on the ability of the child to understand exactly what they are signing. Sometimes, a young child will understand. Other times, they will not. The same is true for an older child. Sometimes an older child, depending on a number of issues, may understand, and others may not. It is a difficult area. You want to be careful. You want to make sure you are being fair to everybody. That is where the children's lawyer can really help out.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The department has certainly been making the authority aware of the fiscal challenges that we're having and the demands that the authority is putting on us financially. Right now, we know that we're running about a $60 million deficit. We know that's going to increase. One of the major, well, I wouldn't call it the major driver, but certainly one of the drivers is overtime. The territorial authorities, CEO, board chair, board, and senior management have had a number of discussions about what they need to do to help control these costs. To make sure that they, frankly...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we had some money in the budget last year for transition into the new hospital that was a one-time funding to help us through the transition period. It is now gone. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is the right section of the budget, and it falls under the line item "therapeutic services." Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, our supplementary health benefit programs are intended to mirror the benefits provided by NIHB exactly. That is the extended healthcare benefits, the indigent health benefits, and the Metis health benefits. For us, in these areas, Alberta Blue Cross does administer our supplementary health benefits on our behalf. We do provide to Alberta Blue Cross our NIHB fee schedule. We give that to Alberta Blue cross every time it is updated, which is about once a year. We gave the most recent updated schedule in February of 2018. Alberta Blue Cross moves and acts on that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's too bad the red light didn't stay on as I was sitting down after I answered that last question. I said the child's lawyer in the last response, when I was actually meaning to say was the children's lawyer, which is actually a position that exists in the Department of Justice. It was created to provide support to youth so that their voices could be heard, whether it's through a family law case going through the courts, but also for Child and Family Services. To make sure the child's voice could be heard when necessary, they can access the child's lawyer. That wouldn...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, quite honestly, our first priority has really been the patients who were affected, and helping them understand what's changed and make sure that they are getting the care that they need. As we get closer to rolling out, we'll certainly be rolling out some information on what's changed and what's improved so that residents are informed. That will absolutely go to committee, as well.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a point of clarity. I mean, there's a significant amount of work we have to do here to control costs. As we move to a single authority, we were always very clear that this isn't about saving money, but we do believe strongly there's an opportunity to have better control of costs, control of growth, and an opportunity to make sure that we're getting maximum value for dollar, and spending it appropriately. It doesn't necessarily mean savings. It means efficiencies and opportunities to make sure the money is going to the right place to give us the best services possible...