Your response was not on the record. Could you respond again as soon as your light goes on.
Debates of June 3rd, 1997
Topics
Further Return To Question 528-13(4): Block Funding For Health Programs
Question 528-13(4): Block Funding For Health Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1285
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Further Return To Question 528-13(4): Block Funding For Health Programs
Question 528-13(4): Block Funding For Health Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1285
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again I say no, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 528-13(4): Block Funding For Health Programs
Question 528-13(4): Block Funding For Health Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1285
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1285
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier and it is regarding my statement this morning about the fact that there are potentially federal civil servants located in the south that perhaps more appropriately should be located here in the north. I was thinking of several various departments, more than just the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. I am wondering if the Premier could tell me if the territorial government may have on hand or has ever had an indication of an inventory of federal positions that are located in the south that could potentially be transferred to the territories. Thank you.
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1285
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Premier.
Return To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1285
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There has been a bit of work done on this whole issue already. Myself, I have taken the initiative to talk to Minister Irwin, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development when he came to the Northwest Territories recently. My understanding is that there are approximately over 100 PYs. That is just within mineral and oil and gas development for the north alone. We can undertake to look at the other ones as well. But at this time I would like to stay focused and try to get this part transferred to the north immediately with the help of our MP. Thanks.
Return To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1285
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary. Mr. Ootes.
Supplementary To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1285
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Yes, I quite appreciate that the Premier feels that we should focus and rightly so. It is very important to ensure that we address specific areas, but I do feel that there is potential for more. Certainly, as I said earlier, there is a golden opportunity here for us to be able to identify those at this particular time, especially with the new Minister coming on stream. He or she potentially will be in position within a month. I wonder if the Premier could tell me if we could pursue the idea of an inventory of positions with various departments. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1285
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1285
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we can find out what positions are in the south that affect decision-making in the Northwest Territories and what positions can possibly be moved north. We will do that work, but we will also
proceed politically immediately, starting as soon as possible to try to get the political support to move things north. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary. Mr. Ootes.
Supplementary To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I think that the political support is very essential and I was pleased that the Premier had the opportunity at the Premiers' Conference to be able to initiate and address this question. I think that is very good for the north. I am wondering how, if the Premier could tell us how that may translate. Can we call on the Premiers when we make a proposal? Can we call on their support to address this to the Prime Minister? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the Western Premiers' Conference that I just returned from a few days ago, we did get support from the western Premiers on this whole issue. Once we do that at a Western Premiers' Conference than we will pursue it at the Premiers Conference in Canada. All the Premiers will be meeting, I believe it is in August in New Brunswick, and I have the western Premiers' support already on record, so I can pursue it there as well to get the support of all the Premiers across this country to devolve that authority to the Northwest Territories as well as moving PYs as soon as possible. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Final supplementary. Mr. Ootes.
Supplementary To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I think this can be a really good news story for us all here in the north because as the Premier stated they have identified some 100 positions, perhaps we may be a bit optimistic there but that can be a really good outlook for the north and can replace some of the lost positions that we have had happen. I am wondering if the Premier could tell me, just out of curiosity, when the Premiers' Conference will be, the National Premiers' Conference. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not have my schedule with me so I cannot give the exact dates. It is, I believe, in the early part of August and it will be in New Brunswick. I do know that it is in August. I would be pleased to share those dates with the Members of the Assembly. Let me assure the Members that we will also be working diligently starting immediately with meeting both our MPs as soon as we can, as well as talking to the Prime Minister either today or tomorrow, as well as talking to the new Minister of Indian Affairs immediately after he or she is appointed into their position. We are going to be aggressively going after this issue so that we can get positions moved to the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Question 529-13(4): Inventory Of Federal Civil Servants
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.
Question 530-13(4): Responsibility For Recruitment Of Physicians
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
Jane Groenewegen Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services and it has to do with the subject of recruitment of doctors for the north. Hay River as a community has indeed been very fortunate in the past in that we have had a fairly good number of doctors and doctors who have committed to stay in the community for a number of years. However, with the departure of Dr. Culvert last year, we as a community are very concerned about recruiting and retaining physicians in our community. I would like to ask the Minister, who has the responsibility for this task of recruitment at the present time? Is it done by each individual community or the regional health boards? What is the process for the recruitment of positions at this time?
Question 530-13(4): Responsibility For Recruitment Of Physicians
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 530-13(4): Responsibility For Recruitment Of Physicians
Question 530-13(4): Responsibility For Recruitment Of Physicians
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently the regional or local Health and Social Services authorities have the responsibilities for recruitment. Thank you.
Return To Question 530-13(4): Responsibility For Recruitment Of Physicians
Question 530-13(4): Responsibility For Recruitment Of Physicians
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary. Mrs. Groenewegen.
Supplementary To Question 530-13(4): Responsibility For Recruitment Of Physicians
Question 530-13(4): Responsibility For Recruitment Of Physicians
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
Jane Groenewegen Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to that, I am just wondering if there are any further incentives or inducements that the department could think of that would assist in getting doctors to consider the north. There is a tremendous amount of competition for Canadian graduates at this point. Many Canadian graduates are actually opting to practice in the US. I am wondering if it is not something that we should be looking at on a territorial basis to come up with standard options for encouraging doctors to consider the north?
Supplementary To Question 530-13(4): Responsibility For Recruitment Of Physicians
Question 530-13(4): Responsibility For Recruitment Of Physicians
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1286
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.