Hon. Nellie Cournoyea's return to Question W12-12(2), asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on February 27, 1992: A list of the honoraria paid to the chairpersons and members of selected boards, agencies and committees has been circulated to all Members. It would take a considerable amount of time to compile the costs associated with all 800 boards, agencies and committees. However, if the Member is interested in the costs of a particular chairperson not on the list, efforts will be made to supply that information as soon as possible.

The total amount paid to all chairpersons in 1991-92 is not readily available because board costs depend on numbers of meetings and are covered by many different departments and several governments.

Hon. Nellie Cournoyea's return to Question W20-12(2), asked by Mr. Nerysoo on March 2, 1992:

1) Has any Member in this House criticized or questioned the services that are being offered by the medical professionals or nursing staff? As of March 2, 1992, the department was not aware of any criticism of the services being offered by medical professionals or nursing staff at the Inuvik Regional Health Board. The concerns that had been raised to that point dealt with administration and management of Inuvik Regional Hospital. Most recently, March 25 and March 26, there have been several questions concerning the absences of physicians.

2) Have any Members in this House criticized or questioned the services that are being provided by the administrative staff? The Department of Health is aware of some concerns about Inuvik Regional Hospital operations brought to the attention of the MLA for Inuvik and the MLA for Mackenzie Delta by their constituents. Subsequently, the specific concerns were brought to the attention of the Minister of Health by MLAs through correspondence and tabling of letters of concern and a petition in the Legislative Assembly.

3) Would the Minister indicate if any meetings have taken place at, or in the Inuvik Regional Hospital, where such concerns were raised by the staff or expressed by the management of the lnuvik Regional Health Board? The following items have been brought to the attention of the Inuvik Regional Health Board and administrative staff, to advise them of concerns raised in the Assembly: a) copies of the honourable Member for Inuvik's statements made during the second session of the 12th Assembly on February 17 and 20, 1992; b) the letters of concern regarding Inuvik Regional Hospital, tabled in the House on February 20, 1992; and c) Petition 2-12(2) presented by the MLA from Inuvik on February 25, 1992.

The trustees of Inuvik Regional Health Board met in full session on March 11 and 12, 1992. At that meeting the board members discussed in detail the current state of employee management relations at the hospital in Inuvik. On the instructions of the board, senior management implemented discussions between employees and their immediate supervisors. The purpose of these meetings was to encourage staff to discuss their concerns with their immediate supervisors and to help identify potential solutions. The board has written to all staff assuring them that the problems that are identified, and more importantly their solutions, will be given serious consideration by both senior management and the board.

The executive committee of the board will be meeting in the near future, and the department will be obtaining a further report on the matter.

Hon. Nellie Cournoyea's return to Question W21-12(2), asked by Mr. Antoine on March 2, 1992:

a) The purpose of the community health services and facilities review is to identify options for the provision of services and improve the quality of these services. The review consists of three phases: Phase 1, information and data collection/verification and development of the health services profile, by April 30, 1992; Phase 11, review of health services profile, identification of opportunities and development of service delivery options, by May 31, 1992;Phase 111, development of an action plan and implementation plan, by June 30, 1992. A team of two persons headed by a consultant from the hospital and health facilities division of the department is collecting community information and data.

b) It would be premature for the department to summarize plans for the continued delivery of services by a qualified medical practitioner at the Fort Simpson Hospital. No decisions can be made on this matter until the community profile is completed and further discussions with key respondents in Fort Simpson have taken place.

c) The Department of Health's position on evacuation of obstetrical patients recommends that pregnant women be transferred to the nearest hospital for the safe delivery of their infants. The Department of Health also has a directive whereby the regional health/hospital board may consider elective community birthing if there is a registered nurse, midwife with lots of experience working in a specific community health centre. The directive outlines, in detail, specific conditions in which the competent nurse-midwife may elect to deliver in the community. A physician associated with the specific health board would also be consulted if an elective community birth were to be considered.

d) The department does not have a strategy for the delivery of long-term care services through a home care model. Strategic planning will be based on the results of the current review.

e) A copy of the 1985-86 document titled "Aged, Disabled, and Chronically III" report has already been provided to you under separate cover.

f) The department is unable to provide you with a summary of public discussions on the development and implementation of a model for home care delivery in small communities, as per recommendation 22 in the "Aged, Disabled, and Chronically III" report completed seven years ago.

Hon. Nellie Cournoyea's return to Question W25-12(2), asked by Mr. Gargan on March 9, 1992: The Department of Health has two agreements with the Department of Indian and Northern Development for the cost sharing of hospital services related to status Indians and Inuit and the recovery of payments made for medical services related to status Indians and Inuit. These agreements have been in effect since the 1960s, with the wording very similar to what is in existence today. The agreements were in place both prior to, and renewed subsequent to, the 1988 health services transfer.

The Department of Health's understanding of the DIAND position is that the latter feel the Government of the Northwest Territories is totally responsible for the costs of delivering hospital services to status Indian and Inuit in the Northwest Territories. The GNWT position is that DIAND is still responsible for hospital services provided to status Indian and Inuit residents that exceed the transferred amount. Put simply, DIAND's responsibility under the cost sharing agreements did not change with the 1988 agreement with Health and Welfare.

This financial dispute is viewed very seriously and is now being pursued at a senior political level. For the benefit of the Members of this House, I would be prepared to hive my officials provide a briefing on the issue to the standing committee on finance, or if you wish, to the entire caucus.

Hon. Dennis Patterson's return to Question W28-12(2), asked by Mr. Dent on March 24, 1992: The following is a list of the number of victim impact statements which have been completed, pursuant to the victim impact statement pilot project, from July 1991, when it started, to the end of February, 1992: Rae, 16; Coppermine, 35; Hay River, four; Fort Resolution, 11; Aklavik, two; Rankin Inlet, eight; Norman Wells, four; Pond Inlet, nine; Sanikiluaq, three; for a total of 92.

Hon. Titus Allooloo's return to Question W29-12(2), asked by Mr. Nerysoo on March 25, 1992: The following response is provided to the questions asked by Mr. Nerysoo concerning the awarding of ice road contracts in the Mackenzie Delta and the provision of permits required for government contracts.

1) A tender call was not issued for construction and maintenance of this year's ice roads between Inuvik, Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk.

2) Executive Council approval was given to waive tendering and to negotiate this year's contract for construction of the Mackenzie Delta ice roads directly with the Inuvialuit Development Corporation. By combining the previous three contracts, the Department of Transportation was able to achieve more efficient use of equipment and to consolidate its contract administration. The single contract for the winter roads in the Mackenzie Delta reduced the department's costs.

3) Under the terms of the Department of Transportation contracts, provision of permits and licences is generally the responsibility of the successful contractor. This includes business licences, Workers' Compensation Board registration, highway operating authorities and vehicle licences.

Some permits, such as federal land use permits, are obtained by the department on behalf of the contractor to avoid delaying the project because of lengthy application processing time. In this case, the contractors competing for work are advised of the terms and conditions of the permit as part of their tender package. Upon award of the contract, the successful contractor is authorized by the department to operate under the authority of the permit.

Hon. Nellie Cournoyea's return to Question W31-12(2), asked by Mr. Zoe on March 27, 1992:

1) The Department of Health currently has 10.25 per cent of employees at headquarters who qualify as aboriginal employees under the affirmative action program. The number of people who have both training and experience in the health care system is very limited. In order to increase the number

of aboriginal employees in the Department of Health, the number of aboriginal people taking health care studies needs to increase significantly.

2) Because of fiscal restraint there are currently no training positions within the Department of Health to prepare aboriginal people for management positions in the department.

3) The Department of Health in headquarters hired two aboriginal employees on a casual basis during 1991-92. The affirmative action criteria for hiring are applied to applicants for departmental positions. One of these employees is in the process of completing a course in health administration. The number of aboriginal post-secondary school students in health care studies who are receiving Department of Education funds for 1991-92 is 20. All resident aboriginal students qualify for Department of Education funds. All of these students are studying in health practice areas. There are two students receiving health bursary assistance during 1991-92; one in the health practice field and one in diploma studies in health administration. All aboriginal students who applied for the health bursary funds received bursaries.

Hon. Titus Allooloo's return to Question W32-12(2), asked by Mr. Nerysoo on April 1, 1992: On February 21, 1992, the Department of Transportation received a request from the Arctic Red River Band Council to negotiate a contract to operate the Mackenzie River ferry crossing. A meeting was held on March 2, 1991, with representatives from the Arctic Red River Band and the Departments of Economic Development and Tourism, Education, and Transportation. As a result of the discussions, the Department of Transportation agreed to reduce the term of the pending Mackenzie River ferry crossing contract from five years to one. The ferry contract will terminate in October, 1992. During this period, planning for a negotiated contract will be undertaken between the Arctic Red River Band Council and the Department of Transportation.

The former Chief, Peter Ross, and the Arctic Red River Band were pleased with the department's efforts to include the community in the operations of its ferry.

Further meetings will take place over the next year to prepare training plans and to negotiate a contract with the Arctic Red River Board to commence operations of the M.V. Louis Cardinal Mackenzie River ferry crossing in May 1993.

Thank you. Item 8, replies to Opening Address.

Item 9, petitions.

Item 10, reports of standing and special committees.

Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Clerk, pursuant to Rule 57(10), I wish to table the following responses to petitions: Tabled Document 45-12(2), Response to Petition 1-12(2), tabled by Mr. Pudluk and responded to by the Minister of Health; Tabled Document 46-12(2), tabled by Mr. Koe and responded to by the Minister of Health.

Item 13, notices of motions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, April 6th, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the Minister of Health take appropriate measures to provide medical services to the Metis people and non-status Dene of the NWT on the same basis as that provided to status Dene and Inuit under the Indian Health Policy. At the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to proceed with this motion today.

Notices of motions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, April 6th, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Keewatin Central, that when the House adjourns on April 3, 1992, it shall stand adjourned until June 16, 1992; and further, that at any time prior to June 16, 1992, the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Mahsi.

Notices of motions.

Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 15, motions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the Minister of Justice has tabled a legislative action paper on access to government;

AND WHEREAS the terms of reference of the standing committee on legislation permits it to review matters referred to it by the House;

AND WHEREAS the legislative process permits the standing committee to consider legislative action matters;

NOW THEREFORE, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Tabled Document 33-12(2), Legislative Action Paper on Access To Government, be referred to the standing committee on legislation.

The motion is in order.

Question.

Question is being called. The mover of the motion has an opportunity to conclude debate.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? Opposed, if any? The motion is carried

--- Carried

Motions. Mr. Koe.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to proceed with my motion today regarding provision of medical services to Metis and non-status Dene.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to proceed with Motion 14-12(2). Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the Minister of Health take appropriate measures to provide medical services to the Metis people and non-status Dene of the NWT on the same basis as that provided to status Dene and Inuit under the Indian Health Policy.