Julie Green

Yes, I think that's this part of the budget. Thanks.

Thank you. I'm not trying to be difficult, but I am very familiar with the client group at the Inclusion NWT, and that client group includes a client I know is from Tuktoyaktuk, a client who is from Behchoko. They have lived here for a big chunk of their lives because this is where the services are located. The services they need are not generally available outside of Yellowknife and the regional centres. That's why I'm asking. If we took the client from Tuktoyaktuk, would that person be from Tuktoyaktuk because that's the origin of her family, or would she be from Yellowknife because she has...

Yes. Thank you. Yes, the Member is correct. The biggest portion of this increase, $8.4 million, comes from the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care funding from the federal government, and it's reflected in various categories through this budget. One million dollars is for staff to pay for unfunded elements of the collective agreement in this area. We also have a very innovative program going with Aurora College where we are doing some workforce planning with them to train people to work in long-term care as personal support workers and nurses, and so we are collaborating with...

Yes. Thank you. I do not think this has to do with medical travel. I think it has to do with the physician services and the hospital stays that happen out of territory, but for further clarification, I would like the question to go to the director of finance. Thank you.

As I said, this is a continuum of services that is required by people who are accessing treatment. We are, as a department, actively involved with integrated case management and the integrated service delivery initiatives so that we are, in fact, able to provide this seamless care approach to people coming out of treatment.

With respect to the survey, I am delighted to say that, in the first week it was offered, we had in excess of 300 responses. We certainly look forward to more by the end of March. This survey is available in hard copy at the health centres, and it is also available online...

Thank you. I'll ask the deputy minister to answer that, please.

I'm sorry, I don't have that information. I wonder if the deputy minister -- he doesn't have it, either. We'll have to return with that information.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to express some concern about us identifying people who are working in small communities in a limited number of jobs. I don't think it's fair for us to discuss their competence or qualifications in this forum. They are not here to defend themselves. We don't have the level of detail, because this is a high-level departmental budget, to provide that level of information. We have standards for health professionals, standards of education and experience that they have to meet, and there are also professional qualifications that are set out by the Registered Nurses...

Yes. Thank you. It's my understanding that, yes, there is a lot of fluctuation in this area. It's hard to predict how many people will need out-of-territory treatment and what that will end up costing. However, for more detail in this area, I would like you to please call on the director of finance. Thank you.

In order to go to facility-based addictions treatment, it's necessary for a referral to happen from somebody who is a physician, a counsellor, whether that's in the non-profit sector, in the friendship centres, or within the community counselling program. There is a relationship that is established there that goes from the referral, includes check-ins during the treatment duration, and then follows up when the person exits. This is a program standard. This is not something that is optional for counsellors. We expect this to be done in each and every case. The thing that does happen, though, is...