Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Chief Public Health Officer and her staff has paid off when one looks at the low number of cases, with no confirmed deaths in the Northwest Territories. Compared to the rest of Canada, the NWT appears to be moving along quickly with the rollout of the vaccine, which has resulted in the NWT receiving 19,100 doses with another 16,200 expected shortly. To date, approximately 14,600 first doses and 2,000 second doses have been administered in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, the World Health Organization, in an interim guidance communication...

That's all. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We, as a government, use our own resources? We're not receiving federal dollars, then, to fund Metis Health Benefits?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to talk about the NIHB, as well. With respect to dental care, I've been on the receiving end of just getting my teeth pulled because the first thing they ask you is, "What healthcare do you have? NIHB? Oh, sorry." With respect to that, there seems to be a discrepancy, or is there a discrepancy, in costing between status Indians who are Indigenous people who are from the Northwest Territories versus those who are living here, still under NIHB, but from down south? Are they included in the costs that you are showing here? For instance, the Metis, we have...

Can the Minister confirm the number of persons who have had their second shots delayed due to the delay in receiving the vaccine from the suppliers?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These questions are for the Minister of health. Can the Minister confirm how decisions are being made with respect to the vaccine rollout, more specifically the second dose? Is it at the sole discretion of the Chief Public Health Officer, or is there a vaccine working group? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Can the Minister confirm if her department in cooperation with other departments looked at the structure of the work and how it can be tendered so smaller businesses can benefit? What I am asking is: can contracts be broken into smaller parts to benefit smaller businesses?

Thank you, Member. I'll take that as a comment. Next, we'll go to Mr. Bonnetrouge.

Deputy Minister.

Member.