Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when we create different processes throughout our consensus government, those that are going to be locating dollars, those have to go through our financial process. So at this time, we are working through that to be able to come forward with some type of other benefit for those who are travelling for medical escorts and things like that. But at this time, we do not have that in place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I don't have that information, but what I will commit to is finding that out and giving that information to all Members. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, within the medical travel policy, no person should be left on the streets; however, the process is that when people travel, there is an approval process. So if they're travelling out for medical, they need to be referred through medical process and that needs to be approved through medical travel before they travel. When escorts travel, you know, sometimes, yes, it's last minute, but if they're not approved then it may not meet the criteria. And so how we come up with that criteria is what we're trying to look at. We're almost in completion of phase one of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are currently working with NIHB to establish -- to try and come up with what they're criteria that they're using; however, those conversations are ongoing. When there is a medivac, this is where it becomes complicated because if it was a non -- when it's a scheduled appointment within non-insured health benefits, we also have our medical travel benefits that are for scheduled travel. So we are able to, you know, look at those within both of the rules under that and approve and use our exception area. When it becomes a medivac, this is where the GNWT does...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been a huge overhaul in the child and family service area due to the fact of the two previous auditor general reports and a lot of the information on those reports are tracked publicly online, and there is information online as to where we are. There are some things that we still are working towards implementing as later in this 20th Assembly. Part of that work is implementing new legislation, and with that legislation will come more changes to the child and family service program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had the honour to meet with that group, and when we walked away from that meeting, there was a commitment from my department to work with them and how that we could support them into -- you know, engaging with a lot of our small communities. And so that work is ongoing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as within the NIHB, we are a third -- like, we administer their funding. I'm not aware of a policy that was written on a Friday that allocated dollars to something and that was passed on a Monday, so I would have to take that back and see how that -- fast that process could happen and utilize our processes to put -- you know, to look at it. But however, we are working towards a new process for medical travel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, I have many briefing notes in front of me and that's not one of the ones that I have off hand so I won't be able to answer the question today, but I will provide an answer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't have that level of detail of staffing right know in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, medical travel is probably my top priority. What I've spent two years working on so far is the majority of the time is meeting with Indigenous communities, hearing from Indigenous leaders at the Council of Leaders, travelling with Indigenous leaders to Ottawa to explain the needs of the residents in the Northwest Territories. Many of the issues that rely around what we hear comes to the escort piece. When it comes to Indigenous people needing access, that access is always there for them. There is no limitations on them getting insured services through it...