Robert Bouchard

At that cost of $800 to $1,000 a month, which I was costing the GNWT every month, I have since then been able to get off of insulin, I haven’t eliminated Metformin yet, I have gotten rid of water pills, and because I am on Metformin still, I need a blood pressure pill. Most of those costs are gone, Mr. Speaker. So the costs associated that are saved could be put towards bariatric surgery. That would be repaid within a year to two years, depending on the types of medications an individual is on.

I will have questions for the Minister of Health today to convince him and the department that this...

I think the longer that somebody is obese the more likely it’s going to cost the system, and cost the system in different ways. As I indicated, I was a big cost on the system before with insulin and large volumes of Metformin a requirement.

As I indicated, the department will receive its money back quickly on bariatric surgery by reducing the amount of medication required. Has the Minister looked into the cost recovery process due to weight loss done by bariatric surgery? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about the bariatric surgery and my current situation. I have questions for the Minister of Health. I guess I’m basically looking for direction from the Minister of Health. Why does the GNWT not pay for bariatric surgery?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you indicated, this is a big day today. I would like to thank the Premier, Cabinet Ministers and my colleagues here for all the hard work on this topic and all of the MLAs that came before us that have worked on this topic.

I will be supporting this motion. I support devolution, and devolution will give Northerners control over northern issues.

I believe that devolution will bring jobs from Ottawa to the North, and this Assembly has committed to putting those positions out into the communities and out into the regions. Devolution will bring us 60 or 70 million dollars...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Ralph Sanquez, one of my constituents. I would also like to recognize Jack Rowe, resident of Hay River, and also Nicole Latour, former resident of Hay River and her mom is a constituent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to acknowledge Ralph Sanguez, who received the 2013 Premier’s Individual Award. He’s a hardworking employee for MACA, a strong representative of our local fire department, and soon to be a proud father. I’d like to wish him and Shannon good luck with the birth of their child.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we sit in here today, over 1,000 youth throughout the Northwest Territories are converging on Hay River at the 23rd Annual Track and Field.

There are 33 teams representing 16 communities. Obviously, Hay River, Yellowknife, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Nahanni Butte, Wrigley, Fort Good Hope, Rae-Edzo, Colville Lake, Fort Providence, Fort Res, Fort Liard, Jean Marie, Inuvik, Kakisa and Ndilo.

It is with great honour that we represent the Northwest Territories and host these youth. We wish them all the best of luck.

The youth are at different levels. Some are there just to...

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 36(2) and have Bill 22, Territorial Emblems and Honours Act, moved into Committee of the Whole.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize not only a constituent but a member from Hay River, Tim Coleman, who travels quite a bit back and forth, and also the Mineral Strategy Group, thank you for coming today, especially Cathie Bolstad, who travels to Hay River regularly, annually for a golf tournament. It is good to see their support for Hay River as well. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that Bill 22, Territorial Emblems and Honours Act, be read for the second time.

Bill 22 provides the adoption of the official emblems of the Northwest Territories and the establishment of the Order of the Northwest Territories. The bill also repeals the Flag Act and the Full Emblem Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.