Glen Abernethy

This goes to the fact that we have put in a new system for actually collecting data, and we have tested it rigorously to ensure that the data collection is something that is both useful and practical, and it will give us information we need to make informed decisions moving forward. Mr. Speaker, I certainly would like to see a copy of the information the Member is making reference to, and put it in context with respect to where that letter was sent to, who, and what was it answering as opposed to making assumptions in this House on exactly what the conversation before and after was.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, audits prepared by the Department of Health and Social Services around Child and Family Services, are never made public or shared with committee as a result of the confidential nature of much of the detail and information contained within. When I met with committee in January 2017 when we discussed the audit, I indicated that although we had put in a new audit process as a result of recommendations from the Auditor General of Canada and as part of our building stronger families, an audit was done that looked at qualitative and quantitative data, and a new...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the years there have been some suggestions on what the cost of alcohol is on the system. I think the Member has actually shared some numbers that he had with me. I can’t remember what those numbers are at this time, but I will go back and see what we can provide as far as what those numbers are. I might have to look at Hansard because I think the Member might have actually used those numbers at a previous date and once upon a time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s a fairly broad question but I’ll do my best to stick to youth and younger people as the Member’s statement focused in what I thought was mostly about youth. We are coming forward. We have just tabled more recently the Youth and Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan which articulates and outlines a number of things that we need to do as a government and as an Assembly to support our youth who are struggling with either mental health issues or addictions issues.

One of the key things that we’re looking to do is providing some quality counselling...

Mr. Speaker, once again, the boarding homes are contracted to provide particular services: room, board, transportation. The boarding homes do try to have traditional food on the menu when that food is made available to them. In Yellowknife and Edmonton, by way of example, the boarding homes are run by Aboriginal beneficiary organizations, and I do know that they make an effort to provide traditional food and traditional menus. However, they are limited by budget and supplies not always there. As a result, they can’t always provide these menus on a regular basis, but I do know that they want to...

I think this also goes to one of the questions the Member asked earlier today about individuals being in their own rooms. Unfortunately, there is no specific policy in place regarding cancer patients and boarding homes. Cancer patients do stay at boarding homes but the accommodations made can be different depending upon patient circumstances. For example, it could be important that other arrangements are made for patients with reduced immune systems as a result of this type of treatment. This is a policy hole in our system right now. This is one of the things that I’ve asked the department to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it depends on availability. The patient may sometimes have a roommate, sometimes have a room to themselves, however there are increasing periods of high medical travel here in the Northwest Territories which affects volumes. In some situations, patients may need to share the room. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can say that there are residents of Nahendeh being sent out for cancer treatment. Some of those are in Yellowknife. Some of those are going south for radiology services or chemotherapy but at this point in time, I’m not prepared to actually give the number. The number is low. Given how low it is, I don’t want be in a position where we might be able to identify individuals by articulating the number but I will certainly discuss that with the Member later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I always appreciate getting some suggestions and ideas from the Members. I will certainly share that information with the department as we are looking into our current contracts with our providers. I have been to the different facilities that we do support by way of contract here in the Northwest Territories, and they are wheelchair accessible. There are spaces for people that do have limited mobility, but certainly interested in following up on the Member's suggestions.

Mr. Speaker, the directors' report will be made public. It is a summary of activities over a year, ongoing progress and processes where we are at any given time with Child and Family Services. The summary that I am going to provide committee is not something we are prepared to make public at this time. I hear the Member, and I would like to, obviously, bring some comfort and confidence to the work that is being done in recognition of the incredible hard work that many of our staff are doing to improve Child and Family Services in recognizing that we are taking a new direction with building...