Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently I was looking at the medical travel expense claim form, and I was looking at this form and I noticed the -- a constituent drew to my attention that the daily rate for meals is $18. It's hard to imagine, Mr. Speaker. And they pointed out to me, they said, you know, if I went to McDonald's, that would be the $18, buying a quarter pounder with cheese or, you know, some type of Big Mac, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister of Health and Social Services is when was the last time this daily rate was ever looked at? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate that question. I think in the last government this policy was looked at. However, to the $18 a day, that is -- those who are travelling, whether it be NIHB through Metis benefits or through our medical travel policy, if you're travelling for an insured service and you're covered through those policies, what we try to do is make sure they're equitable. NIHB is the guiding equitable rates that we use. And this is type of funding that we get. And most people that are travelling for medical travel, they're usually either travelling under that, and if they're low income, they stay at the boarding home, which there's meals and accommodations. If you're over that income threshold, then that's where that will come in. If you choose not to stay at the boarding home, then you have to go by those. But, however, I will say that as part of the medical travel modernization, we -- in the means of trying to bring services closer to home, which will reduce the amount we spend on medical travel, that we could free up some dollars, and we can look at these priorities. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I think what was missed in that really good extensive and long answer was when was the last time this number was looked at. Maybe I'll ask it this way: When was it $18 a day for your meal per diem, the whole meal day; when was that set? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the date, I don't have that information, so I'll get back to the Member for the date that that was set.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this number's one of those things you could make a lot of fun out of it. But to get right down to the nitty-gritty is is there a way to get this number revisited? Because I don't know anybody who could travel on medical travel and only eat their full day's worth of meals for $18. So in other words, would the Minister be willing to go back and look at the inflationary costs of what even a basic meal costs to ensure our citizens are treated fairly and respectfully? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, through our medical travel policy, as I stated, we do have the boarding homes in the capital here for those that are travelling into the capital for specialized appointment as well as in Inuvik, in the regional centre, and in Edmonton at Larga, and so those -- most people, if they're -- you know, if they're travelling through, if you have work insurance that your work insurance will be paying that. If you do not have work insurance or if you're a senior, you will qualify and you're not under NIHB. You'll qualify if you're low income. And if there's hardship, then you can stay at the boarding home, and you will get your meals. So those are always exceptions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.
