Mr. Speaker, the advantage of early mammograms is that it can detect cancer before there is a lump. Has the Department of Health looked at locating and purchasing available portable screening units to be made available at the regional centres, so these tests or screens can be done closer to home? I think everyone realizes the embarrassment of having to do these tests, especially away from home. My question is to the Minister, is the department looking at purchasing the available portable screening units and locating them in the regional centres so mammographs can be done closer to home? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of Feb. 24th, 1997
Topics
Supplementary To Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Supplementary To Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been considered, but as I have indicated in the past the capital requests do come from the boards and we support them if the priority and need is there. To date there has not been any specific requests for those portable mammography units. I would like to say it is an important part of breast cancer screening, but it is just as important to recognize annual clinic examinations and self-examinations are also an important part of possible early detection of breast cancer, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have been doing a little bit of research into this area and I understand the advantage to the mammograph is that it can detect cancer before it is felt by touch, which is very important. My follow-up question to the Minister is; if he is telling me we do not have the portable units in the communities in the regional centres, it is because the health boards for those regions have not requested said equipment. Is that correct? Is that what he is saying? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is part of the reason. I believe what is also important to recognize is that the other health boards have not placed such a high priority on this type of equipment, whether there have been other capital requirements and capital needs they have put a higher priority on than portable mammography units, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Question 377-13(4): Portable Mammography Screening Units
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Roland.
Question 378-13(4): Co-operative Tourism Efforts With The Yukon
Item 6: Oral Questions
February 23rd, 1997
Page 807
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will be directed to the Minister responsible for tourism, Mr. Kakfwi. I would like to know if this government has any agreement with the Yukon government when it comes to any tourism initiatives. Thank you.
Question 378-13(4): Co-operative Tourism Efforts With The Yukon
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question 378-13(4): Co-operative Tourism Efforts With The Yukon
Question 378-13(4): Co-operative Tourism Efforts With The Yukon
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of any particular agreement offhand. I would have to take the question as notice. Thank you.
Return To Question 378-13(4): Co-operative Tourism Efforts With The Yukon
Question 378-13(4): Co-operative Tourism Efforts With The Yukon
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a follow up on Mr. Picco's questions regarding mammograph machines, I wonder if the Minister could tell me if he has responded to my comments from last year and during the committee review of the budget requesting him to look into the matter of providing information to the communities in aboriginal languages on breast cancer problems?
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, although I have not had a chance to speak to my staff yet on the specifics of it, I have asked for an update on what information is available on breast cancer screening. Thank you.
Return To Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.
Supplementary To Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if the Minister could reassure me he will have the department provide information and literature throughout the Northwest Territories in the next half year on breast cancer problems? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes we can provide or make sure the information is available out in the communities, if it is not already. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.
Supplementary To Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 807
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister also ensure it is provided in the aboriginal languages? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 808
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 808
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cannot commit to that at this time because of the fact that I do not know what is out there and how much additional costs it would entail to provide it in all aboriginal languages. I can make the commitment that we will make sure people who are unilingual will have access through personnel in the communities to the information whether it is through the community health representatives or other health care officials working in the communities. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Question 379-13(4): Breast Cancer Screening Information
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 808
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Roland.
Question 380-13(4): Sale Of Vacant Staff Housing Units
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 808
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will be directed to the Minister of Finance. A while back we discussed in this House, the issue of staff housing and the sale of it in regards to having vacant units and empty units in small communities that needed some housing for the people who were not employees of this government. The Minister said he would look at taking those vacant units and transferring them over to the housing authorities. I am wondering if there is a timeline on the sale of staff housing and these units, because it seems everything is hinged on the sale of these units. Is there a timeline that this will happen or the transfer will happen? Thank you.