Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to let the Member know that the decision to add fluoride rests with the municipal governments. The department is responsible for setting maximum limits and monitoring fluoride levels in water. The chief medical health officer supports the addition of fluoride to drinking water as a measure to prevent tooth decay. At this time in the NWT, there are only three communities that fluoridate their drinking water: Inuvik, Fort Smith and Yellowknife. Wrigley has natural fluoride in their water. It is the municipalities that can make the decisions on fluoridization. The...

I’d like to reiterate what the CEO said in her interview, which is that all of our equipment meets national standards. They’ve decided to improve the steam quality of the sterilization equipment. They have recently installed a new reverse osmosis system and are in the process of installing a steam filtration system to improve steam quality. In doing so, they have had to have a new part and they are waiting for that. That is the situation with this.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all I need to clarify some of the confusion that might be created as a result of our exchange here. There are incidents of infections that I had reported yesterday, but there is no connection between those infections and the sterilization equipment that we’re talking about.

Stanton is maintaining and upgrading the sterilization equipment. They are waiting for parts. For that reason they have had to cut down on surgeries. They are doing emergency surgeries as well as those that require medical travel when people travel here to have surgery. They are doing those...

Yes, the department and the CPHO and other people involved with the department use the website for lots of information dissemination, so I’d be happy to undertake to do that. Thank you.

As I indicated earlier, she’s responsible for setting the procedures and setting the maximum standards. I’m sure there is information on our publication material, but I will confirm with the Member as to what information is available on fluoride. Thank you.

The CEO has indicated in the media, and I have indicated to the Member, that the reason for the cancellation of elective surgeries is because of the fact that they are waiting for this equipment, so I will get back to the Member as to what is the best information they have on the date by which they expect to have this equipment in. I don’t know if the Member knows the exact type of equipment, but I don’t think it’s really beyond one’s imagination to accept that there is some highly sophisticated equipment that is being used at the hospital that sometimes takes time to have their parts...

As I said, we have had cancellation of elective surgeries. Other surgeries are going on. We have had cancellation of elective surgeries in January and February. If the Member wants me to get back to him on the exact date, I would be happy to do that. I believe that’s the same question and I’m answering it for the second time. Thank you.

Thank you. We will get it to the Member. Thank you.

We believe it’s just a Collective Agreement increase. There is no enhancement in the programming. Thank you.

Yes, please, Mr. Chairman.