Ms. Mike.
Debates of March 30th, 1993
Topics
Supplementary To Question 634-12(3): Legislative Review Of Health Related Acts
Question 634-12(3): Legislative Review Of Health Related Acts
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1264
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary To Question 634-12(3): Legislative Review Of Health Related Acts
Question 634-12(3): Legislative Review Of Health Related Acts
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1264
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take the question as notice.
Supplementary To Question 634-12(3): Legislative Review Of Health Related Acts
Question 634-12(3): Legislative Review Of Health Related Acts
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1264
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1264
Henry Zoe North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health. Yesterday, during committee of the whole, my colleague for Inuvik asked the question about the development of an MOU between the department and health and hospital boards. This is a very necessary agreement which clearly spells out the roles and responsibilities of the department and the boards. I was very concerned with the response which was provided by the deputy minister of Health. I will quote from the unedited Hansard of yesterday, Mr. Speaker, "We have today reviewed the ten proposals which were submitted in response to an RFP to begin that process, and we expect it to be complete by the end of September." Mr. Speaker, given the turmoil which presently exists between the boards and the department, I would have thought it was important to complete this initiative much sooner than that. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister clarify the current status of the initiative to negotiate an MOU between health boards and the Department of Health?
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1264
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Can I ask Members to try to keep their preamble very short and very concise? Ms. Mike.
Return To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1264
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. From what I know, there is only one health board which is under an MOU and the rest are agreements signed by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. That is why the deputy minister was telling you they just finished reviewing the MOU proposals yesterday afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1264
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.
Supplementary To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
Henry Zoe North Slave
Thank you. Mr. Speaker, the Minister should know that this House has passed motions recommending that boards be allowed to exercise greater autonomy in operating, managing and controlling health facilities and programs. Will the Minister indicate whether any changes, in the current responsibilities for health boards, are now going to be put on hold until the end of September?
Supplementary To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Ms. Mike.
Further Return To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I should know many other things since I got on Cabinet in December as the Member for Lac La Martre is suggesting. Perhaps if I had a magic wand things would be all right. The functions of the health boards between now and September will not be affected. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Can I ask Ministers if they would please just respond to the question? Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.
Supplementary To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
Henry Zoe North Slave
Mr. Speaker, on one hand the department is saying they are going to wait until September, and on the other hand the Minister is indicating things are not going to change. I am totally confused. Nevertheless, I will ask a supplementary to that particular question, Mr. Speaker. The Minister should know this House has also passed motions indicating the Minister and her department place a high priority on completing the MOU initiative. She should also know that when he addressed the Health Care Association on September 21, 1992, her predecessor indicated that the MOU would be completed before the end of the current fiscal year. Why has the completion of this important agreement been delayed at least another six months?
Supplementary To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Ms. Mike.
Further Return To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is likely due to the change of the Minister. From the time he made the commitment to the time I received the portfolio, things were slowed down a little bit. To answer the Member's question, when I said the boards' functions will not be affected, I did not say things will not change. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.
Supplementary To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
Henry Zoe North Slave
My final supplementary, Mr. Speaker. The report of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions clearly indicates it will be the responsibility of the Minister to make sure the MOU is completed. Can the Minister confirm her deputy minister's projected completion date and assure the House that the MOU will definitely be in place by the end of September, 1993?
Supplementary To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Ms. Mike.
Further Return To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that is what my deputy minister said and I will make sure MOUs will be in place by the end of September. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Question 635-12(3): Status Of Mou Negotiation Between Health Boards And Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.
Question 636-12(3): Powers To Be Devolved To Health Boards
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health, further to the question asked by the honourable colleague for North Slave. The health boards do not seem to have too much autonomy and it seems the staff and administration in the Department of Health have more jurisdictional powers. It seems the health boards have very limited powers in their regions, even though they seem to have been given a certain role designated to them as the bodies of power concerning health issues. Mr. Speaker, concerning this report upon completion, will the territorial health boards be given more powers and will their powers be more clearly defined, because in the present system all these powers seem to be held by the Department of Health. Thank you.
Question 636-12(3): Powers To Be Devolved To Health Boards
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Mike.
Return To Question 636-12(3): Powers To Be Devolved To Health Boards
Question 636-12(3): Powers To Be Devolved To Health Boards
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In response to the Member for Baffin South, the health boards have certain powers but they still have to work within the Health Act. Since I became Minister, I have encouraged them to function within those powers. I try not to interfere with their roles. Thank you.
Return To Question 636-12(3): Powers To Be Devolved To Health Boards
Question 636-12(3): Powers To Be Devolved To Health Boards
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.
Question 637-12(3): Water Reservoir Pipes Freezing In Resolute Bay
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1265
Ludy Pudluk High Arctic
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Public Works and Highways. In Resolute Bay there is water provided from the lake through the pipe systems. There has been ongoing concern regarding freezing of the pipes. Presently, today in
fact, there is some freeze up happening around the piping areas. I wonder if the Minister is aware of the problem which causes the freezing repeatedly in that area. Thank you.
Question 637-12(3): Water Reservoir Pipes Freezing In Resolute Bay
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 1266
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Minister.