Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you. Mr. Ng.

Thank you. I have Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Operations and maintenance, total operations and maintenance, $29.538 million. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. I do not have a copy of the motion. We will have to take a five-minute break and have the motion translated. Thank you.

--Break

I would like to read the motion for the record, moved by Mr. Krutko, Member for the Mackenzie Delta. I move that this committee recommends that the Minister of Health and Social Services work toward the establishment of guidelines and standards for the operation of all health boards in the Northwest Territories. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. Mr. Henry.

The motion has been put forward by Mr. Krutko. You may speak to the motion. It is not the Ministers' motion, obviously. To the motion. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Henry. To the motion. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Ng. To the motion. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. In regard to the whole idea of guidelines and standards, we do not only have territorial standards and guidelines that we have to follow. We also have to follow national standards that are presently in place which affects everybody. The boards should be made aware these national standards also exist. Your responsibility and your taking that oath of office to be a board of director, you are also liable in regard to what you are getting yourself into, knowing that there are certain national standards and guidelines you have to fulfil as part of your obligations as a board member.

It is important that these things are spelt out and all boards in the territories follow the same standards and guidelines right across the board. There is not one board going to be any different from the next in delivering health care to the residents of the Northwest Territories. This is why it is critical we have consistency as to how these boards operate in the Northwest Territories.

That is why I put the motion forth in light of the Ministers' statement saying this is what they have done. Great, but this is just to ensure that will be carried out, so the next time the Minister is held accountable to ensure these things are all in place at the appropriate time and they do follow national standards and also the guidelines.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. To the motion. Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, I am not opposed to the motion, either. If the motion would help to identify that, in fact, there are guidelines as to how many nurses are available per capita in a community, and the health boards can, in fact, meet those guidelines at all times. I presume this would also apply to doctors being available at any one time and to ensure health boards do, in fact, have that service available. There seems to be a suggestion of a lack of guidelines in the past whereby, when would the department step in, for instance, to take over the operation of the Kitikmeot Board or the Keewatin Board, I would say? If this motion serves to identify those guidelines that presumably exist according to the Minister, then there are no drawbacks to the motion. I am concerned with the ability of this government to step in when it is necessary. Therefore, in that sense I could support the motion. Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Department of Health and Social Services, administration, operations and maintenance, total operations and maintenance, $29.538 million. Agreed?