Jane Weyallon Armstrong

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...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation not provided].

Mr. Speaker, in Behchoko and across Tlicho region, families continue to raise serious concerns about the absence of a dedicated facility to support residents with special needs. For individuals with special needs, stability and routine are essentials to well-being. When supports are not available locally, Mr. Speaker, they are sent away to regional centres or even down south for care. Removing them from their home community can increase anxiety, escalate behaviours, and leave them feeling isolated.

Mr. Speaker, this separation also places a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given the ongoing concerns raised by families, will the Minister commit to advancing the development of a dedicated special needs facility in Behchoko and/or other Tlicho communities? Thank you.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.

I want to ask the Minister what services are currently available in Tlicho region for residents with special needs, and how many residents are currently receiving care outside their home community due to a lack of local supports. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what has the department done to identify gaps in supervision and structured care for residents with special needs in the Tlicho region, and what specific steps has it taken to address those gaps? Thank you.

Now with the mine closure, like I said, my region is going to be impacted more. So now with the mine closure, do we still -- are we still going to employ people from the south knowing that we need -- you know, the family needs to survive or that rely on the mine, are we still going to keep those southern workers? You know, have them working here rather than using 100 percent of northern resident workers? It doesn't say here about the progress. Thank you.