Mr. Speaker, I guess that is the whole point of this whole issue brought forth to the House today, the fact that the Minister indicates in this House that the best quality of medical care is given to people in the NWT, to avoid unnecessary discomfort, but the Department of Health, the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital, under the auspices of the Department of Health, is not attempting to avoid unnecessary discomfort when abortions are being performed, that anesthesia is not given to women. So can the Minister indicate that he can stand up in this House today and state that the best quality of medical care is given to people in the NWT when I can basically state that the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital states as it states in all public reports, do not give anaesthesia to women when abortions are performed? That I am sure is a painful experience for women.
Debates of March 25th, 1992
Topics
Supplementary To Question O379-12(2): The Nwt Health Care Way And Abortion Procedures
Question O379-12(2): The NWT Health Care Way And Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 457
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Supplementary To Question O379-12(2): The Nwt Health Care Way And Abortion Procedures
Question O379-12(2): The NWT Health Care Way And Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 457
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O379-12(2): The Nwt Health Care Way And Abortion Procedures
Question O379-12(2): The NWT Health Care Way And Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 457
![Tony Whitford](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/11-tony-whitford/105f4ea7b52656a29f4630008629dd25.jpg)
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is what I hope the independent review will determine, the standard of treatment that patients receive through the Stanton Hospital. 1, personally, have no knowledge of anybody, other than what I heard in the media, from that one report, speaking of this hideous treatment that they receive here. I have no evidence whatsoever of that and I hope that the independent review will help to clarify whether or not this procedure is being undertaken, that I have been assured that they have a standard of practice there that complies with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
I received this memo from Dr. Andre Lalonde, which I will table at the appropriate time, which outlines the procedure and he concurs with it.
Further Return To Question O379-12(2): The Nwt Health Care Way And Abortion Procedures
Question O379-12(2): The NWT Health Care Way And Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 457
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Ms. Mike.
Question 380-12(2): Assurance That Current Abortion Practices Do Not Continue
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 457
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health. As he stated a few minutes ago, this is a delicate issue, and I am sure it is also an emotional issue. Perhaps the reason why any of these women have not come to his department is because of that very fact. It is a delicate issue. If he is not aware of what has been happening, how can he assure us that this kind of method that is being used in the Stanton Hospital will not continue? Are you just going
to have the review and not have any recommendations made?
Question 380-12(2): Assurance That Current Abortion Practices Do Not Continue
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question 380-12(2): Assurance That Current Abortion Practices Do Not Continue
Question 380-12(2): Assurance That Current Abortion Practices Do Not Continue
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
![Tony Whitford](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/11-tony-whitford/105f4ea7b52656a29f4630008629dd25.jpg)
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the main purpose of this review is to get to the bottom of this matter. It is to be able to review and listen to anyone that has expressed concerns previously and privately to other folk, that yes there is a procedure that is taking place there that in their opinion may not be as sensitive as I would like to think and the Member would like to think, and as tenderly as possible under those trying and traumatic circumstances.
I am trying to assure the Member that we will get to the bottom of this, and that any recommendations that are made will be tabled here so that all Members are aware of what took place. These recommendations will be taken forward to the medical profession. If there are some inadequacies in the method of treatment or the level of pain suppression that is experienced by people under those trying and traumatic conditions, Mr. Speaker, these things will be rectified. But, at the present time, I have instructed my department through the medical people in the department to have a word of advice given to people that there are concerns.
The Member is right. It is a delicate thing that people may not want to come out and perhaps tell me because there is no possibility of my truly understanding what they have gone through. The honourable Member is a female, and they should certainly be able to confide in her, or some other member of the public that they trust, to let them know there are things going on that they have suffered under this procedure. Somehow or other they can remain anonymous. The information can come back so long as it is verified if there is, indeed, something there that we may not be aware of. We can take steps to correct it, but we only read in the newspaper and hear on the radio -- only yesterday at 8:30 in the morning, and today there is front page news. But, if they had gone to Members before and explained to them, this would be conveyed to my department through me. I would have ensured that this would have been looked at far sooner.
There is this number that is being given out. Fourteen is a lot of people. I am very concerned. I want to assure the Member that this is not being taken lightly by myself, and I have answered as honestly as I can. I want to assure the public that we are looking into this and that there will not be a cover-up. There will be a review of the procedures. This will be discussed, I am sure, with other informed people, Mr. Speaker, that are experts in this area as to whether or not what we are doing here is in keeping with the standards of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada for this particular type of procedure.
I want to assure you that we will get to the bottom of this. Any recommendations that are made will be tabled here in this House, or each Member will receive that if the House is not sifting, so that they can take this back to their constituents to assure them that, in fact, we are trying to deliver the best level of health care in the Territories that the public deserves.
Return To Question 380-12(2): Assurance That Current Abortion Practices Do Not Continue
Question 380-12(2): Assurance That Current Abortion Practices Do Not Continue
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Health if he is aware that there is no general surgeon, at this time, at the Inuvik Regional Hospital.
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
Return To Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.
Supplementary To Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if any of his officials have informed him, in any written or oral form, that there is no general surgeon at the Inuvik Regional Hospital at this time.
Supplementary To Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
March 24th, 1992
Page 458
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
![Tony Whitford](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/11-tony-whitford/105f4ea7b52656a29f4630008629dd25.jpg)
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, as I said, I do not know. I may have been informed that there is, in fact, no general surgeon at that hospital as I am aware that other hospitals may not have a full complement of staff, but it is not something that I realize is an issue at this particular point.
Further Return To Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.
Supplementary To Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Mr. Speaker, could I have the Minister of Health inform me and my other colleagues from the Inuvik Region as to where patients are being flown to or evacuated to for surgical procedures, including minor surgical procedures?
Supplementary To Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
![Tony Whitford](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/11-tony-whitford/105f4ea7b52656a29f4630008629dd25.jpg)
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I do not have specific knowledge as to individual cases, but I would assume that we utilize whatever facility is nearest to the patient's home community. I would probably not be too far wrong if I were to suggest that the majority of patients that require elective surgery that can be performed here in the Territories are referred to Stanton Yellowknife Hospital. Those that cannot be are referred to other hospitals, perhaps south to Edmonton or Calgary. It depends on the nature of the medical treatment that they are seeking. If it is not available here, we go somewhere else. If it is not available in the communities, I believe we use the expertise here at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital.
Further Return To Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Question O381-12(2): Absence Of General Surgeon At Inuvik Regional Hospital
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 458
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Item 6, written questions. Mr. Nerysoo.
Question W29-12(2): Tendering Process For Ice Roads From Inuvik To Aklavik/tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Written Questions
Page 458
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two questions to the Government Leader. One is a question in response to a written question that I asked earlier regarding tender calls or practices.
1) Was a tender call requested for the ice roads between Inuvik and Aklavik, or between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk?
2) If not, what are the reasons for waiving the tendering process?
3) Are all the contractors provided with the same permits or documents necessary to carry out government contracts in which they were successful, or necessary in preparing their submissions to government tenders?
Question W30-12(2): Restructuring Of NWT Power Corporation
Item 6: Written Questions
Page 458
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Mr. Speaker, I have another written question to the Government Leader.
1) Has the NWT Power Corporation restructured its administration for the takeover of the POL, petroleum, oil and lubricants, responsibility?
2) If this restructuring has occurred, who issued the instructions for such restructuring?
3) What are the costs for restructuring the NWT Power Corporation to assume the present responsibilities of Government Services for the POL administration and management?
4) Will the Government Leader provide the details of the restructuring and the instructions issued for such restructuring?
5) Will the NWT Power Corporation be subject to the goods and services tax on the construction of all required facilities and purchase of POL products presently under the administration of Government Services? If so, what will the additional cost be to the NWT Power Corporation? Could these costs be calculated on this year's capital infrastructure or POL purchases?
6) Does the Department of Government Services pay goods and services tax on the construction of its facilities or on the purchase of POL products?
7) Has cabinet made any final decisions or given any instructions about the amalgamation of the POL administration into the NWT Power Corporation?
8) Has the Government Leader, her cabinet colleagues or staff met with the NWT Power Corporation to discuss the transfer of the responsibility of the administration of POL to the NWT Power Corporation?
Question W30-12(2): Restructuring Of NWT Power Corporation
Item 6: Written Questions
Page 459
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.
Item 7: Returns To Written Questions
Item 7: Returns To Written Questions
Page 459
Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton
Mr. Speaker, return to Question W15-12(2), asked by Mr. Dent to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism concerning contributions by the NWT Development Corporation.
Return To Question W15-12(2): Contributions By The Northwest Territories Development Corporation
Item 7: Returns To Written Questions
Item 7: Returns To Written Questions
Page 459
Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton
Hon. John Pollard's return to Question W15-12(2), asked by Mr. Dent on March 2, 1992: In response to your question regarding a listing of all contributions made by the Northwest Territories Development Corporation, I have distributed a copy of this information to all Members of the Legislative Assembly.