Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the June 2024 budget commitments, health and social services committed to expand midwifery services to two more communities without birthing services. Mr. Speaker, what progress has been made on the establishment of midwifery services in Behchoko?
Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Sorry. Can you repeat the question, Mr. Speaker.
Member from Frame Lake, can you please (audio) --
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to reiterate the question -- and I didn't specify I was asking it of the Minister of Health and Social Services. But, Mr. Speaker, in their June 2024 budget commitments, Health and Social Services committed to expand midwifery services to two more communities without birthing services. My first question is what progress has been made on the establishment on midwifery services in Behchoko? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. The midwifery leaders at the department and the health authority have explored what it would take to expand service to Behchoko and a second community within the existing fiscal resources. These discussions led to a thoughtful and holistic proposal of the future expansion of midwifery services. However, the level of financial investment required, combined with the ongoing recruitment and retention challenges, makes the expansion beyond the current service not possible right at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm quite disappointed to hear that. I understand, Mr. Speaker, this was a budget commitment made in response to a committee and was committed to on the floor by the Finance Minister. It's difficult for me to understand them saying now it can't be done. Can the Minister elaborate on that and why are we reneging on the commitment? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Tlicho government, as a self-governing Indigenous nation, has indicated through the Tlicho Community Service Agency that they are not ready to integrate formal midwifery services into their system at this time. We must respect their position and continue to work collaboratively to support the community health priorities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Frame Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, certainly, I respect that response. But the commitment also did speak to expanding to communities outside of that region. So, you know, the point is that midwifery services are needed in many communities. There was an additional community on the list. Why is an additional community not being considered? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this time, the department's focus remains on sustaining and strengthening the existing midwifery programs in Fort Smith and Hay River, which are foundational to our midwifery care in the Northwest Territories. Expansion is not solely a matter of funding, but it also depends on the availability of qualified midwives, community readiness, and the ability to maintain high quality, culturally safe care. Recruitment and retention challenges continue to be a significant barrier, and efforts are underway to address these through targeted strategies, including the midwife recruitment campaign that was launched in December 2024. However, there hasn't been any -- the recruitment challenges still remain. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.
