Kevin A. Menicoche

I guess the point I was making and failed to say was the First Nations, thereby First Nations government in our Northwest Territories and throughout the Northwest Territories we, of course, respect our First Nations partners and governments. How can we work with the hotel associations or our government to ensure they are included and get a good corporate rate, because they’re flying into Yellowknife and travelling throughout Canada, as well, to conduct their business just as we are.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I think the point is to plan to stay overnight and not just say the workload is so much here, we have to overnight and that. Also, it’s about improving access to the patients’ files. I can understand it if they’re going to see a patient and they don’t have the proper files from the regional headquarters, but spending an extra night gives the opportunity to fax, phone, or hopefully our electronic medical records get up on-line so they can actually request that it be e-mailed. Thank you.

That is part of the issue. The doctors are flying in and flying out and sometimes, if there is a weather system moving in, they are leaving early. I believe that they can expand their time in the community. In fact, communities welcome doctors overnighting.

Can the Minister review that and see if there is a possibility of doctors overnighting and doing a good visit through the communities? After all, they are only going there every six weeks. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The people in my riding are grateful when they can receive medical services in their small and remote communities. I’m really happy that doctors travel about every six weeks to small and isolated places like Trout Lake. What a precious opportunity to give our elders and children the best of care.

I’m sorry to say that we’re not fully making use of this opportunity. The doctor comes to Trout Lake, but residents are turned away if they don’t have a prior appointment. These are the elders and children.

I think, last week or a couple weeks ago in this House, Mr...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the use of tablet computers during formal session be at all times subject to the overriding discretion of the Speaker to intervene to ensure order and decorum in the Chamber, and that if the use of any tablet computer is deemed to impinge on the decorum or dignity of the House, the Speaker may order the offending Member to discontinue use of the device. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to discuss Committee Report 6-17(3), Standing Committee Economic Development and Infrastructure Report on Hydraulic Fracturing, and Committee Report 7-17(3), Report on the Use of Tablet Computers in Formal Session of the Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

I certainly look forward to that information. As well, some of our small communities, too, are technically a municipal government as well. Can he also look into that aspect of it as well?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to ask the Minister of Finance for some… Actually, I had a constituent that works for First Nations in my riding and that constituent actually came to Yellowknife and rented a hotel room, but wasn’t able to get a government rate. She had asked why we don’t get a First Nations rate.

I’d like to ask the Minister of Finance how the government gets a government rate at hotels here in the Northwest Territories or throughout Canada.

Thank you very much. I think part of the issue, too, is that if the flight returns at 4:30, doctors are packing up and leaving at 4:30. They have to have the flexibility and understand the needs of the community and to stay that extra couple hours or whatever it takes. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I spoke about the situation in Trout Lake where people can’t see the visiting doctor unless they have an appointment. As we are learning, this is not the only community that this is happening in.

Is the Minister willing to review the practice of turning away small community residents who do not have prior appointments with this visiting physician? Thank you.