Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I hear the Member's concerns and I'll certainly raise those with the department for a discussion moving forward. The increase in this area is for enhanced rehab services for children, which includes a speech language pathologist and occupational therapist, an audiologist, and an admin, but these are designed and being put in place as a result of the Early Childhood Development Action Plan, so not focused on the clients that the Member is referencing. These positions won't necessarily increase the number of trips to Hay River, but I hear the concern. I recognize it. I'll...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I have had the conversation with my FPT colleagues, as well. They obviously would like to see it happen as a result of the Daniels case. We are in a slightly different position, given that we are already expending money in this area and they are not. We are the only jurisdiction in the country that provides NIHB-equivalent services to Metis people. I just remind the Member the case wasn't just about healthcare. It was about Metis services and all that. We are just a part of that. We raise it all the time, and so do the other PT ministers. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 73-18(3): Alcohol Harm Reduction Measures"; and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 114-18(3): Medical Travel Coverage." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the timing is interesting. We haven't completed a work plan on this yet, but I am scheduled to have a briefing in the next couple of weeks once we have a bit better idea of the magnitude. I will certainly keep Members informed as we move forward as appropriate. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Given that the role of hiring and tracking physicians is going to be a part of the territorial authority, they will be the ones that will be compiling that information. I will certainly, through the deputy, have a conversation with the CEO to make sure that is the type of data we are monitoring and so we can see how we are doing.

I will caution the Member: don't expect to see radical changes in year one or two. We have already recognized some improvements. In order to get real trending data on this, give us a few years to get some trending data. We can give you year to...

I hear the Member. We do know that there is some frustration with individuals who are uncomfortable with going the day of their appointments just in case there is a cancellation. There is some frustration there. Patients can go early. They can book the flights themselves and seek reimbursement. The reimbursement is based on the rate that we would pay. We have a standing offer agreement with a number of our airlines, which is a little cheaper than what residents would pay if they booked themselves. We can reimburse them up to that rate.

If there are unique situations, the residents can approach...

Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the $50,000 for a jurisdictional review of public health legislation and regulations and identification and development of the NWT regulatory changes under the Public Health Act that are harmonized with federal and GNWT legislation related to public health and agriculture. It's a contract of $50,000. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, these dollars were identified and put in place as a result of the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan that identified the need for options. The majority of this money flows directly to Aboriginal governments who run different On the Land Healing Programs designed by them for them. We always indicate that we're happy to provide some human resources or expertise if they require it.

In addition to that, Mr. Chair, there is the NWT On the Land Collaborative that exists in the Northwest Territories. That's where departments like Health and Social Services...

I'm not 100 per cent sure what the Member means. We are working through our public health office to create awareness of country foods. We have really cool materials like colouring books for kids, and some other resources that are available to promote healthy country foods, but I'm not sure what the Member is referring to, exactly what she is referring to, so I apologize.

We have the Aboriginal Health and Community Wellness Division within the Department of Health and Social Services. I'm happy to say that they have been working very closely with Education, Culture and Employment on new health curriculum here in the Northwest Territories that focuses on some of the realities and challenges that our people are facing. It does focus on prevention, and it's my understanding, but I will certainly confirm, that there is information in there on pregnancy and the risks of alcohol on a child of a pregnant mother.

Certainly, we need to go further and make sure that there...