Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this summer the Minister committed to reviewing the Yukon government's model for gender-affirming care navigation services and exploring options for similar system navigation supports for trans and gender diverse clients here in the NWT. Can the Minister provide me with an update on that work or an estimated time of completion? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, yes, this summer I did have the opportunity to sit down and meet with the Northern Mosaic Network. The work to explore gender-affirming care navigation support is underway, and it's being approached collaboratively with the Northern Mosaic Network. This work involves multiple areas, including policy, clinical operations, patient services, and financial planning. The Northern Mosaic Network is interested in working with us on this initiative, and they are in the process of setting up a multi-sectoral working group that will include government and health representatives. Initial discussions have taken place and information being shared to help support the group's development.
Before moving forward, we need to look at what we already know, learn from other jurisdictions, assess our current services and future goals. This will help us to ensure any supports we develop are effective and sustainable. And we are committed to continuing this partnership. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister for continuing that good work.
Mr. Speaker, in 2022, the Yukon government worked through regulatory changes to their health care insurance plan act that allowed them to provide expanded care to private clinics for gender Yukoners -- Yukonits? Can the Minister tell me if her staff, or the health sustainability unit staff, are able to provide insights and an analysis as to whether gender affirming services that are in line with the Yukon's services could be considered core and/or insured services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we are aware of the changes that have been done in Yukon, and Yukon's approach is unique and reflects its own priorities but it's helpful for us to look at. At this time, I'm not aware that the health sustainability unit is actively reviewing the Yukon model, but it's something that we can, you know, explore in the future. I know that they are reviewing the out of territory services, so we'll certainly look at what other jurisdictions are doing, including Yukon, to see what lessons we can learn from them, and this will be done in partnership with the Northern Mosaic Network. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, as the Minister has mentioned, she sat down with the Northern Mosaic Network this past July, and at that time they requested that the Minister and the GNWT provide formal recognition that trans health is a priority and visible action to back that up at all levels from policy to frontline care. Would the Minister care to comment on this request at this time?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, ensuring access to quality, equitable care is one of my highest priorities. We know that the system still faces challenges in delivering that care, and improving access remains a key focus for myself, as Minister, including for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people. We're taking meaningful steps to strengthen our system and eliminate barriers residents face while trying to access the care that they need, and we are committed to working in partnership with the Northern Mosaic Network group to ensure that this is done thoughtfully and inclusively. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife North.
