This is page numbers 1250 - 1278 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th 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

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to ask the Premier. I would like to question the Premier with regard to my Member's statement today about preparing fire breaks around communities. I wonder whether the Premier will take on the responsibility of requesting the Minister responsible for emergency measures, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and the Minister responsible for fire suppression to, collectively, determine whether or not they can arrange to create fire breaks around the communities. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Return To Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise the honourable Member that the topic of fire breaks has been under active discussions for over two weeks. We are looking at preventative measures. The Ministers responsible have gotten together to see how that can be accomplished. Given that the suggestion is appropriate at this time and that, although some communities do have fire breaks, there could be better use of this preventative measure, they have been discussing it. The Ministers responsible have decided to take measures to decide things like how much it would cost, how it can be done, and for the particular communities, where it is needed. I'm pleased to be able to say that this measure has been adequately discussed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the Premier. Mr. Speaker, if discussions have taken place regarding the creation of fire breaks, I would like to ask the Premier what plan does the government have to create fire breaks? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

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Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, this is what the Ministers are discussing now. We can all have ideas but there has to be a plan of action and that is exactly what is being discussed now: how would we put a plan in place, where are the priorities, and how can we stage it so we maximize northern intelligence on the matter. The plan hasn't been finalized, but that is exactly what is being worked on right now, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie- Jewell.

Supplementary To Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you. Can she advise the House as to when she feels they will have a plan in place to address the idea of creating fire breaks around the communities? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Supplementary To Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the Minister responsible feels that this is a measure that should be addressed quickly, although a plan is not in place. I hope, given the urgency of the matter, that it will be as soon as possible. I can't give exact dates, but I can take the question as notice, and confer with the Ministers to see what timetable they've set. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 580-12(7): Creation Of Fire Breaks As Preventative Measures
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question I would like to direct to the Minister responsible for Health. Last week I made a statement regarding the recent closure of the surgery ward at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital. As I said then, I was informed the ward has been closed since March and will likely be closed through the summer. I would like to ask the Minister of Health whether the hospital administrators gave notice of this closure to the Minister or to her deputy minister.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Health and Social Services, Madam Premier.

Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the board of the Stanton Hospital informed me that they wanted to make some changes to make best use of their resources, and I believe, as well, the deputy minister was informed that there would be some changes in order to make best use of the resources that the hospital has in serving the patients. Thank you.

Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During my last public meeting, a number of my constituents expressed great concern at this closure of this ward, and I've heard subsequent to my statement even more concerns. Even though there are excellent reasons for the temporary closure of the ward, and I think we can appreciate their reasons for it, many of the clients of Stanton Hospital were or are unaware of these reasons and they merely noticed the inconvenience of the closure once they Were there. Will the Minister consider directing the hospital administrator to provide better information to clients and to the public on these matters?

Supplementary To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
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Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ms. Cournoyea.

Further Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, now that we do have a hospital administrator, I will talk to the chairman of the Stanton Hospital board. He is aware that communications can be better. As the Member probably would acknowledge, for a time we did not have a permanent hospital administrator. This position has been filled. An individual has been identified and needs a couple of weeks to get oriented. We will pass the message on to this individual through the chairman of the Stanton board. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, one other concern that I would like to clarify. Stanton Hospital is the largest and is the best equipped hospital north of the 60th parallel. In recent years, Stanton Hospital has been building a strong reputation and public image as a first-class health centre, and I am concerned that this closure may tarnish this reputation. Will the Minister assure us that she will work with the Stanton hospital board and administration to ensure that the public and health clients are kept better informed and that the reputation of this fine institution is well preserved?

Supplementary To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ms. Cournoyea.

Further Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Just to make sure that communication is at its best today, the surgical unit was closed due to a low patient count or census and, as I stated earlier, it was an adjustment that was made. The actual operating unit was not disbanded or anything like that at all. The facility continues to operate in the same manner. The operating room remains open and in use, and the patients do not have to wait any longer for surgery as a result of this closure. It is just a reorganization of where patients are put. Just to assure the patients out there who are using the Stanton Hospital, there is no diminishing of the service in any way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
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Item 6: Oral Questions

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just for the record, I would like to ask the Minister of Health if there has, as a result of this closure, been any change in service? Have there been any patients sent to Edmonton for surgery as a result of this closure?