This is page numbers 1229 - 1258 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairman.

Topics

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In more general terms, significant monies have been budgeted this fiscal year in the budget which is before us, is it expected that the planning exercise can be substantially concluded by the end of this fiscal year?

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1254

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Madam Minister.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1254

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Minister. Mr. Patterson.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Mr. Chairman, do I understand that the federal government has committed in the health transfer agreement, I know parts of it are under attack by lawyers, to new hospital facilities in the Baffin region, and could I have confirmation from the Minister of what commitments were made by the federal government and whether there are any dollars attached to those capital commitments? Thank you.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1254

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Madam Minister.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Member for Iqaluit is quite correct. There was a commitment made by the federal government to provide a hospital for the Baffin region in the amount of $40 million. It is a cost-sharing agreement. Thank you.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1254

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Minister. Mr. Patterson.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Were there dollar amounts attached to those commitments, may I ask the Minister through you, Mr. Chairman?

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1254

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Madam Minister.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. About $40 million.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Minister. Mr. Patterson, general comments.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Is there a time limit on that federal financial commitment? Was it anticipated it would be spent before a certain time? Thank you.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Madam Minister.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do not think there was a deadline on that agreement. We could check that and provide it to Mr. Patterson. Thank you.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Minister. General comments. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a few general comments about the Department of Health. First of all, I would like to mention to the Minister my concern regarding the Department of Health with respect to some of the reports from the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions. Through our public meetings, there were suggestions to the Department of Health about studying the concept of members of health and hospital boards. A suggestion was that these members should be elected, rather than appointed. I know some communities have expressed an interest in moving toward a system which will allow for election of hospital boards and health board trustees. I believe the concept is being considered in other jurisdictions. I would like to ask the Minister if any consideration has been given toward an elected process of board members by the Department of Health? If not, why not? If so, what steps is the Minister going to take in order to study the potential for elected health trustees? Thank you.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you very much. Madam Minister.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have talked to my deputy about elected health boards. At the present time, territorial hospital insurance services does not have any provision for elected boards, so this is one of the items which is going to be ongoing in the process, when these acts are being revised. At the present time, there is no provision for elected boards within the act. Thank you.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1254

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Minister. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I recognize there is no provision currently in the THIS Act with regard to the election of board members or trustee members, they are all appointed through the appointment process. Since the Minister has spoken to the deputy minister, I am wondering whether there are any plans to consider changing the act?

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1254

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Madam Minister.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That would be a major policy revision, so I would probably have to seek advice from my Cabinet colleagues on that and take it from there. Thank you.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1254

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Minister. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, I am wondering if the Minister is going to bring it forth to Cabinet for discussion, for the development of policy and further to consider changes to the act with regard to entertaining the idea of an elected trustee or board member concept, as opposed to the appointed. When does she intend to do this so this issue can be addressed? Thank you.