Agreed.
Debates of June 2nd, 1997
Topics
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Some Hon. Members
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Clause 3.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Clause 4.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Clause 5.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Bill as a whole.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Agreed. Does the committee agree that Bill 17 is ready for third reading?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Agreed. Bill 17 is now ready for third reading. Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On behalf of the Minister of Health and Social Services, I am pleased to introduce today, Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Act, No. 2
As I said previously, this Act is legislation that ensures all residents of the NWT are eligible for insured services. It also authorizes the Minister of Health and Social Services to establish boards of management for health facilities and programs.
The amendments in this Bill will allow boards of management to operate, manage and control social services, programs and facilities such as children and elders group homes, child protection, adoption wellness and adult and young offenders programs and services. It will also eliminate the legislative barrier to the consolidation of Health and Social Services at the regional level, as approved in the department's 1997 main estimates.
Finally, changing the name of the Act to better reflect these main responsibilities, the new name will be the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act. These amendments are consistent with the GNWT desire for communities to assume greater authority for programs and services. By expanding the powers of boards, the regions and the communities can have direct input on how health and social service facilities are operated.
Programs may be delivered and designed according to local needs and priorities. These amendments will also ensure that all board members can operate social service programs and services legally. The statutory protection that exists for current boards of management and operation of health facilities and programs can extend to these boards for all programs and services.
It should be easier for these boards that apply the necessary insurance coverage. I would be pleased to answer any questions of the Members. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Member for Standing Committee on Social Programs. Mr. Roland, do you have opening remarks?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Report on review of Bill 18 and Act to Amend Territorial Hospital Insurances Services Act, No. 2. Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, I would like to report on our review of Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Act, No. 2.
This Bill provides the Legislative Assembly authority for the amalgamated Boards of Health and Social Services. On June 2, 1997, we held a public hearing on the Bill, with Minister Arlooktoo filling in for Minister Ng. No public stakeholders expressed concerns with the Bill. Members did express a concern to the Minister that under the amalgamated boards, there was still a need to maintain an equally strong roles of both health services and social services. There was an indication that this would be addressed through the core needs each board would have to provide.
The Standing Committee on Social Programs has completed its review and has no major concerns with the proposed Bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Roland. General comments? Are we ready for general comments? Mr. Krutko.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regards to the powers that we seem to be giving to the regional health boards
and these amalgamation - an example I would like to use is the mental health workers position that has been eliminated in Fort McPherson. There was no consultation whatsoever with the community. It was a board decision. I would like to know exactly where in this Act it allows that there will be that insurance that the communities which are affected by the decision of the bureaucrats and the people on the board, will have an avenue for public consultation, a mechanism so that when these decisions are made, they are accountable to the people they are making them for.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister. Do you want to respond now or do want to bring in the witnesses before you can reply?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Mr. Chairman, I understand the witnesses are ready to come in the Chamber, so if I could have the permission of the House to bring them in so they could assist in answering that question?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Members, do you concur with the Minister that we bring in the witnesses?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Proceed with the witnesses please, Sergeant- at-Arms.
Thank you. Mr. Minister, would you please introduce the witnesses? This is for the record. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With me is David Ramsden, the deputy minister of Health and Social Services and Bronwyn Watters, the director of policy for Health and Social Services.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Welcome to the committee of the whole. Honourable Minister, do you remember the question or can you confirm it with your officials who will respond to the honourable Member? Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe the issue or the question was whether the Act would ensure the public is consulted on important matters such as change in its structure. I would ask that Mr. Ramsden respond to that question.