Debates of February 26, 2026 (day 85)

Date
February
26
2026
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
85
Speaker
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay MacDonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Mrs. Yakeleya
Topics
Statements

Question 1111-20(1): Data Collection in northwest Territories Healthcare

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to follow up with the Minister of health on the CIHI data gaps, specifically now around health information management workforce. How many certified HIM professionals does NTHSSA employ, and is that sufficient for meeting national reporting requirements? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Range Lake. Minister of Health and Social Services. Two questions there.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have that level of detail. Thank you.

I think when the Minister finds out, she'll find that we are lacking, Mr. Speaker. The labour market supplement covers nurses, physiotherapists, social workers, many professionals, Mr. Speaker, yet HIM professionals are excluded. Will the Minister commit to fixing this and provide labour market supplements for these important professionals so we can get our data to where it needs to go and use it properly? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will have a conversation with my colleague, of Minister of health about that information -- or Finance. Sorry, I am Minister of health. Minister of Finance. It's been a long week.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of health. That would have been a really interesting conversation. Final supplementary. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Look, if Cabinet has too many portfolios, there's Members who can come over and help them out.

Mr. Speaker, the NTHSSA is filling health information roles with uncertified staff who lack certification from the Canadian Health Information Management Association and have no recognized coding training. Will the Minister commit that coding positions will now require certification going forward for all these positions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I am not sure how that is hired and how that is screened within our context, but I will take that back to NTHSSA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Oral questions. Member from Great Slave.