If I could ask for some clarification of the complaint, Mr. Todd. If you are talking about a complaint made in September, the Minister was not responsible for the portfolio at that time. So that question would not be an appropriate question to ask. Mr. Todd.
Debates of March 26th, 1992
Topics
Supplementary To Question O387-12(2): Minister Of Health Being Informed Of Specific Complaint
Question O387-12(2): Minister Of Health Being Informed Of Specific Complaint
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary To Question O387-12(2): Minister Of Health Being Informed Of Specific Complaint
Question O387-12(2): Minister Of Health Being Informed Of Specific Complaint
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Speaker, has the Minister of Health now been informed of this complaint by a letter dated March 25, 1992? The answer was yes, I thought. I asked the Minister if he was informed of it by the hospital administration or by the lady herself.
Supplementary To Question O387-12(2): Minister Of Health Being Informed Of Specific Complaint
Question O387-12(2): Minister Of Health Being Informed Of Specific Complaint
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O387-12(2): Minister Of Health Being Informed Of Specific Complaint
Question O387-12(2): Minister Of Health Being Informed Of Specific Complaint
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
Further Return To Question O387-12(2): Minister Of Health Being Informed Of Specific Complaint
Question O387-12(2): Minister Of Health Being Informed Of Specific Complaint
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Nerysoo.
Question O388-12(2): Availability Of Doctors In Inuvik
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Question to the Minister of Health. It is with regard to the doctors in Inuvik. Is the Minister aware at any time, or told by his officials, that there were no doctors available at the hospital within the last month or so?
Question O388-12(2): Availability Of Doctors In Inuvik
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O388-12(2): Availability Of Doctors In Inuvik
Question O388-12(2): Availability Of Doctors In Inuvik
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
Return To Question O388-12(2): Availability Of Doctors In Inuvik
Question O388-12(2): Availability Of Doctors In Inuvik
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health. In respect to the issue of the medical procedures used for abortions, the point we are raising is the fact that women are enduring pain during such a medical procedure. An anesthesia is not given to the women. The Minister basically indicated, through unedited
Hansard as of yesterday, that if they want it they can ask for it or there are types of pain relief given. Does the Minister believe that during a medical procedure used for abortions that the procedure should allow the use of an anesthetic?
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I explained yesterday as best I could what I knew, and I hope the review would explain even further as to what may be necessary to know.
Return To Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Supplementary To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, I just cannot imagine the type of answers, and I am really appalled. I would like an answer, yes or no, and an answer as to whether this issue can be dealt with. I am not getting anywhere and I am getting very frustrated. But I am going to keep pursuing the Minister on this issue throughout question period, because it is a critical issue and I am not getting answers for it. The public would probably want to know. I would like to know, during medical procedures, when abortions are being conducted, does the Minister believe that anesthesia should be used?
Supplementary To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
In your capacity as a Minister, as a government policy. Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
I am not sure, Mr. Speaker, whether or not it is government policy to advise a doctor whether at a particular moment or in a particular procedure, whether there should be anesthesia; I am not sure what the question is. I thought I did indicate yesterday that my information had it that there was a process that took place, everything from counselling prior to the abortion to minor medication to deal with anxiety, and medication to suppress pain would be administered according to a particular type of procedure that was taking place. The individual at the time and the doctor's advice to the patient, the patient's advice back to the doctor, there was a consultation process that took place throughout, and I believe I explained pain suppressants would be administered accordingly, and if the pain intensified there would be more, and if it was not needed it would be 'less or none. I thought I explained that, but that is as much as I know.
Further Return To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Supplementary To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Health, can the Minister of Health give me one example, which is indicated to him by his advisors, why anesthesia should not be used on patients when abortions are performed?
Supplementary To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 470
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
No, Mr. Speaker, it is not within my ability to answer those specific things. I indicated that
perhaps Dr. Kinloch, who is a medical doctor would be able to better explain the medical procedure than I would be.
Further Return To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Supplementary To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, I am somewhat concerned, if I may explain. Mr. Speaker, I guess the fact of the matter is, the Minister in this House is responsible for the delivery of health in the Territories and he is accountable to this House to ensure that the delivery of health is brought forth. The Department of Health indicated that anesthesia is not administered to patients when abortions are performed. I would like to ask the Minister: Can he give this House an example as to why his advisors advised him that anesthesia should not be administered during this medical procedure?
Supplementary To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I do not believe I said the Department of Health said these things. I believe there are quotes on the radio and stuff like that about anesthetics not being given, but I do not think the department said this.
Further Return To Question O389-12(2):use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Question O389-12(2): Use Of Anesthetics In Performing Abortions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Nerysoo.