Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. GSO, for Tlicho region, there's four. It was like that within the 2024-2026, and it's the same. But it's part-time, on a part-time basis. I just wanted to ask the Minister if they have any plan of changing the status from part-time to full-time. Because I can -- I get a lot of phone calls from my constituents, especially elders, and they said I can't wait -- because this is an emergency. I can't wait for the workers to be in the office in the afternoon. And most of the phone calls I get are in the morning, so I just -- I know they're -- you know, they can --...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, how is the department working with other departments and Indigenous governments to support the creation of new local industry to ensure communities can retain workers displaced by mine closure? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that we have no control over the market but when I think and talk about the mine closure, I feel sad knowing the outcome for the people and the environment. With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, my question is for Minister of ITI.

Given the fact that impacts of mine closures extend far beyond employment, how is ITI coordinating with education, culture and employment and health and social services to ensure a unified approach to workforce transition, mental health supports, and family stability for affected workers and communities? Thank you.

No, that's -- it's a real good position, you know. They provide lots. And the people that I know that are in that job in my region, they all speak fluently in Tlicho so they can provide both members, and I really do appreciate that and I know they're doing an excellent job. But it's just that it's, you know, given the time of day, you know, it's -- sometimes the elders, they don't know what to do, where to go, and that's when they call me. And I always tell people that, you know, okay, go to GSO office, go to GSO office. And then -- and they're, you know, like, I explain, the office, because...

Department summary.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I just have one question. But before I start, you know, when this institution was first born in the '60s, MLAs were people that we were not familiar with. Since that time, we have come a long way, so which is good, and it's good to see this department or division dealing with wide variety of issues concerning Indigenous. So I am, you know, quite pleased about that, and I am, you know, grateful -- I mean, I am thankful that, you know, my colleagues are asking, you know, all kinds of questions regarding this division -- within this area. But the questions...

Thank you. Okay. NWT wraparound services, my colleague just talked about that. Okay, it's 36 for the upcoming fiscal year, and it's funding provided. It's an agreement with the Government of Canada on crime prevention to support NWT wraparound services. You know, these are the forgotten people that we keep, you know -- it's regarding that, but, you know, the funding is coming from a specific -- for the specific cost. But the forgotten people that I mentioned is that I would like to mention here, people leaving the correctional centre, you know. This is -- I am sure a lot of them will benefit...

Thank you. Will the Minister consider creating a clear exception process for residents who become unexpectedly ill outside the Northwest Territories and face unavoidable costs related to that illness? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is a question for Minister of Health and Social Services. So I want to ask the Minister what specific financial supports are currently available to NWT residents who fall ill outside the territory and incur illness-related costs, such as extended accommodations -- accommodations or rebooked flights? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I am going to be talking about medical travel.

Mr. Speaker, residents of the Northwest Territories should be supported during medical emergency wherever those emergencies occur; however, when residents fall ill while outside the territory, they are not eligible for GNWT-approved medical travel. While emergency treatment outside the territory may be covered, the expenses that come with an unexpected illness while traveling are not. Rebooked flights, extended stays, and accommodation near a hospital are often unavoidable when someone cannot safely return...