Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to encourage the Minister to share those statistics that show the improvement. I am sure that will put everyone's mind at ease.

Mr. Speaker, previously when there was a firearms incident in the emergency room, it was brought to my attention that they didn't have a code silver in place at the time. I understand that has since been rectified. But are all the appropriate codes and operational procedures in place now for Stanton Territorial Hospital to the standard that other hospitals enjoy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that pursuant to Rule 9.4(5)(a), the Government of the Northwest Territories table a comprehensive response to this report, including all recommendations, within 120 days or at the earliest opportunity subsequent to the passage of 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Public Accounts is pleased to provide its report on the review of the 2024-2025 Public Accounts and commends it to the House.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that Committee Report 38-20(1), Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report on the Review of the 2024-2025 Public Accounts, be deemed read and printed in Hansard in its entirety. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

*ed: Committee Report 38-20(1) can be found here.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

There were questions from the public regarding the use of the Act with schools in the NWT. In particular, there was confusion about whether school property becomes municipal property after hours, and how quickly to call the RCMP for assistance if there were a trespasser on school property. It is the committee's understanding that education bodies are defined as occupiers under Bill 34 to ensure that the legislation will also be applied to both private and public schools. It is important that schools in the NWT understand how the Act will be applied to them, and therefore...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I guess we've just got the two to look forward to and then we'll move on.

Speaking of moving on, another part of the statement was talking about the Mika AI Scribe tool. So my question with this tool that's being touted as innovative as listening to the physicians who have asked for more AI tools and more innovation, we use paper-based charting, Mr. Speaker. That's how we do charting in the hospital system and in the health system. How does an AI help with that? And to that end, is it compatible with our EMR, our outdated EMR that needs replacing? We have this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Finally, the issue here is about weapons, largely. It's about the presence of weapons in the emergency room and how they cause concern to both patients and staff. Has the Minister -- is it time for a metal detector in the emergency room to ensure the safety of the public and the safety of staff? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories update the regulatory legislative and policy framework so that it works coherently with territorial protected areas under the Protected Areas Act and resolves existing gaps;

And further, the Government of the Northwest Territories should begin the required policy work to identify and assess options for legislative amendments and bring forward recommended changes for decision. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to that information and so do healthcare workers.

Mr. Speaker, how is this government balancing permanent staff and contract agency workers in northern health care? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories table, by the end of the May/June 2026 sitting a detailed update, including an implementation framework for territorial protected area agreements that responds fully to the auditor general's recommendation at paragraph 56 of the audit report. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, heavy reliance on contracting out healthcare staff is expensive and doesn't build local capacity. Investing in permanent northern staff will save money long term and improve continuity of care, particularly in regional and small communities. My question for the Minister of health is how much money are we spending annually on contract and agency staff? Thank you.