Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure to recognize… Firstly, I will go with the court workers, another one of the greatest and hardworking court workers is Mr. Pat Waugh from Fort Simpson, and also welcome Ms. Val Watsyk, a former resident of Fort Simpson. I see in the gallery, as well, Ms. Melaw Nakehk’o. It gives me great pleasure to welcome Nahanni Butte students in the gallery here today. I would like to recognize the chaperones, Mr. Mike Matou, Ms. Tammy Matou and Joe Ekotla and the students individually, if you will bear with me colleagues, Kwinlin Matou, Riley Matou...

As I indicated in my Member’s statement, I think by having an agreement with the BC Health ministry will certainly impact and even lower our health costs in terms of medical travel as well.

Can the Minister investigate what process will it take to having a working agreement with the BC Health ministry as we did in the old Capital Health System with Alberta? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to say, for the record, that we do have a great health care system. It is very difficult to deliver quality health care from Fort Liard all the way to Sachs Harbour, but on the whole, people working in the health system are to be commended.

Saying that, there is always room for improvement, and I would like to suggest some changes that would both help out the people of Fort Liard and probably lower the cost of health care and medical travel in my region.

It is one of the goals of our health system to deliver as much care as close to home as possible and I very...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I just want to say that I’ll be voting in favour of this motion. It certainly shows the seriousness of Members on this side that that old technology is just not working and we should give it serious consideration. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

So it’s in anticipation of planned extra travel in the new fiscal year, then, is it?

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I guess a lot of area has been covered already by my colleagues. I guess one specific thing that impacts my constituents and the Dehcho First Nation is the recent approach to the Protected Areas Strategy. …(inaudible)…even stopping the process right now, so that raises some concerns. As well, Grand Chief Herb Norwegian was asking about Edehzhie, the Protected Areas Strategy and getting that process continued. I think that was one of the ones that have to be considered, Madam Chair.

Those are my particular comments right now, Madam Chair, with regard to the...

Already our Fort Liard residents are utilizing the Fort Nelson health system on their own costs. Will the Minister also investigate the possibility of reimbursing patients in Fort Liard going to Fort Nelson, at least for routine care? They’re using the dentist, they’re getting health check-ups. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today in my Member’s statement, I spoke about our Health department working with the BC Health ministry and their northern health authority about having Fort Liard residents utilize their services.

I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, do we have a current arrangement with BC Health or any of its authorities currently? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

No, thank you very much. That clarifies my question.