Katrina Nokleby

Thank you, Madam Speaker. According to Statistics Canada, the national suicide rates are higher among Indigenous people than the nonIndigenous population in Canada. The NWT Office of the Chief Coroner 20212022 Early Release of Suicide Data Report does not include any data on race or ethnicity, and the absence of this data does not allow the government to target supports and resources to those who really need it. So can the Minister of Justice explain whether or not the chief coroner tracks this data by race or ethnicity? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on October 3rd, the chief coroner released the 20212022 Early Release of Suicide Data Report to raise the alarm on the escalating rate of suicide in the territory. There had already been more suicides by September of this year than in any year total in the previous two decades.

Madam Speaker, Indigenous youth that identify as male were among the majority of those who turned to suicide due to the stress of their daily life. What does this say about the state of our territory and the kinds of resources, supports, and opportunities the government is...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker,

WHEREAS Tabled Document 69419(2), Northwest Territories Coroner Service 20212022 Early Release of Suicide Data has been tabled in this House;

NOW THEREFORE I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Tabled Document 69419(2), Northwest Territories Coroner Service 20212022 Early Release of Suicide Data; and, Minister’s Statement 26419(2), Response to the NWT Chief Coroner’s Report on Suicide, be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that answer. I will state that even a partial benefit to allow for either subsidy of the IVF treatment itself or the benefit the medical travel benefits or the per diems, any little bit would help. I've recently been contacted by people where it's $20,000, and both partners have underlying conditions. They're looking at 60 to $70,000 in order to have a baby likely. So more of a comment. If the Minister wants to respond, that's fine. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. And I do appreciate that that's the current situation, but given the number of emails that I've received since I spoke about this topic last week, there does definitely seem to be an interest and a need amongst members of the GNWT. So could the Minister speak to whether or not she's been approached about including fertility treatments in the benefits package. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I'm glad to hear the Minister speaking about a change in the way that we're approaching things. There's definitely a lack of aftercare for people that are released from our correctional facilities. Can the Minister speak to anything that has been done in the last year, so that's innovative or different to the Northwest Territories when it comes to our vulnerable Indigenous men? Has there been something within the correctional system that he can point to as a success. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I would like to request unanimous consent to return to recognition of visitors in the gallery. Thank you

Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. I would like to recognize the crew of 62 Degrees North, a medic company here in Yellowknife, that was instrumental to helping us during the pandemic, including the production of hand sanitizer locally. So we have Matt Vincent who is the president and CEO. And with him we have Cody Earl, Brian Johnson, Kim Bailey, Sebastian Rapid, and Alex Purcell. So welcome to the gallery, I hope you enjoyed it today...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm hoping that the Minister will provide me with that information, and I'll take that as a commitment.

Can the Minister explain how the situation of multigenerational living arrangements are going to be taken into account? Often, you know, we've seen in the past where a grandmother is helping out children, and they come to live with her, and then she is penalized for having that additional income in the House even though there is no overall rise to the amount of money she has herself; can the Minister speak to that. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Can the Minister explain how the thresholds in the proposed supplementary health benefits were arrived at and what data was used to inform them? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, The Supplementary Health Benefits Programs will create a publiclyfunded supplemental health benefits program for lowincome residents. This program replaces the current specified disease condition criteria, with a needsbased, incometested model, where changes will be phased in over time while leaving senior benefits as is. The creation of a new program is to include essential dental services and treatment, medical supplies, equipment such as hearing aids and walkers, and prescription eyewear. Access to the program will be incomebased and residents must...