Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, what I would like to say is the benefit -- pharmacy -- I don't know how to say it very easily without a lot of words in this time because our medical -- our extended health benefits is multiple programs together. So pharmacy goes through Alberta, and there is the changes that were made and they implement our senior benefits and our extended health benefits and our Metis benefits. But for each program, they're supposed to be simultaneously done. The one thing that we were looking at under Restoring Balance was how do we -- you know, if there's changes...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said before, there are many things going on throughout the entire healthcare system that is -- you know, is improving within the capital, within the regions. There is capital projects that are going on. There is a significant amount of work that is going on. I have discussed this with my department on how to better front-face all of the work that the department is working on and is doing, and I'm -- you know, we're working with our COMMS people to be able to provide a front-facing -- some type of public document that is showing a lot of the different things that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the relationship between the NTHSSA and Avens is between the NTHSSA and Avens, and they were supported. This -- as we've been talking about in this House today, that was something that nobody else has experienced. And I understand where the Member is coming from but, like I said, we looked at all of the, and we worked with the Minister of MACA, and the decision still stands. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what I do know about the -- what happened within that situation, there has been discussions that's gone back and forth. It came back between the disaster funding that it wasn't eligible or applicable, and these were things that didn't meet for reimbursement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The little bits and pieces, what I do know of the First Nations BC health authority are from my old practices with NIHB. And I know from the -- within BC, all of the Indigenous groups have gotten together, the reserves got together, and so they do run clinics on their reserves. They draw down those funds. And I know that we've had these conversations that they're getting larger amounts of money per capita because they've drawn down some of these services on their reserves. And they also encompass administering NIHB in their province solely.

But within the Northwest...

Yes, I will direct the PA to update what needs to be updated in that area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the services that we provide in the Northwest Territories, what that statement means is that we look across jurisdictions and we compare for non-insured services what they are charging residents for, how are they charging residents for, and is that something that, you know, to be able to pay for our extended health benefits and other programs that aren't covered by the federal government, how can we find funding. It doesn't mean that we are -- made those decisions. It's looking at ways to be able to continue to provide non-insured services to the residents...

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to update this House on the work that's being done by the health and social services system on cultural safety and anti-racism, one of my top three priorities as Minister.

First and foremost, Mr. Speaker, our government has a duty to confront the persistent health inequities faced by Indigenous residents. Our commitment to cultural safety and anti-racism tackles a difficult reality and that is that these inequities stem from a health and social services system founded on colonial values that have marginalized Indigenous peoples and excluded them from decision-making...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to support the motion to send the Members' Code of Conduct to the standing committee on procedure and privilege for review and possible changes. This motion, again, is not about restricting free speech. As my colleague has said, as an Indigenous woman, we have a voice, we'll use it, but it's about our duty as elected leaders to maintain the respect and the trust of the people that we represent.

In our territory, governance goes beyond just laws and parliamentary rule. It's also deeply connected to Indigenous laws, values, and northern...

Mr. Speaker, not only is the public administrator worked on that area but as recently as today, I've had conversations with NTHSSA and they are working with staff. They are working with staff on contingency plans throughout any department that we start to run short on staff in any of our regions because this happens in the small communities, we have to have contingency plans, in the regional centres we have contingency plans, and in the capital. And so that work is going on, and it's engaging those staff to come up with other plans, you know, in case that there are -- there comes a time where...