Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this situation has resolved itself in terms of the accreditation issue. We no longer have, have not had I believe since last May, any kind of relationship with the facility in question or the program in question. Arrangements have been made both in Edmonton and in the North for the folks that were involved or staying at that facility and in that program. The issues that were raised in terms of mistreatment and other concerns that were raised by some of the former staff of that facility are being dealt with. It’s in Alberta. It’s a situation that occurred in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first I want to point out that, when this fee was instituted, it was clearly anticipated and it was planned to leave the elders sufficient amount of money that they would not be left without any means to have looked after some of their personal needs. So I made a commitment to the Member. I would also like to point out that, under the federal government, it has a fiduciary responsibility for aboriginal and treaty people and Inuit people, so this $750 would be, if they are treaty, covered through the federal government.

I will commit once again in this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first, I would just like to point out that we have some of the best long-term care facilities that I have seen anywhere. They come at a cost that will not be bettered in any jurisdiction in this country. The reality is that there was a decision made, I think in the 13th Assembly, that there would be a modest charge for that high level of service in those specialized facilities. That has been the policy that has been in place. It is the one that we continue to follow today. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we have this discussion and question and answer period in this House there are staff making note of the concerns, and I will make note of the concerns and I will assure the Member that I will be talking about them with the public administrator and the CEO of Stanton to make sure that we are covering and making all reasonable efforts, covering all our bases and if we’re not, if there are gaps, then, yes, I will look at how to address and have those filled. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, it’s only three years, just for the record. Mr. Speaker, I’ve articulated and tried to lay out some of the things we are doing. The other thing we are also doing is we’re looking at right now planning for a major midlife upgrading renovation at Stanton. One of those key pieces being looked at is the emergency room and how it’s structured in terms of the actual physical layout. Mr. Speaker, we’ve also, over the last number of years, put out a book, “Do I Need to See a Nurse or a Doctor?” and it was sent to every household in the Northwest Territories....

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member has raised an interesting question; one, obviously, that I must become more conversant on. So, yes, I will review the issue.

But…Hearing silence from the Speaker I will carry on.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, if a student is at home and they are sick and they have to be referred south, if I understood the question, that would be medical travel as far as I am aware. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are doing a review of the clients. We have done a review. We have made the steps in some cases to repatriate some of the clients. One size does not fit all. These are clients with individual and, in some cases, very specific and specialized needs. It’s not accurate or appropriate to assume that you can just create a facility that would be able to deal with all the issues of all these high-needs individuals. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the money is not spent to no end. These are individuals that have significant needs. In some cases we’ve done a review on all the clients. In some cases they’ve been returned to the North. In other cases alternate placements have been found. Some are very high need and will never be able to, in our opinion, come North, at least not in the foreseeable future. So we’ve made the appropriate arrangements in all cases for the individuals involved. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question is not clear enough for me in terms of the crisis he’s talking about. If he wants to be more specific, I’ll try to be more specific as well. Thank you.