Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to an Oral Question asked by Mr. Delorey on November 3, 2000 regarding ambulance services on Northwest Territories highways. Although there is no lead GNWT department with responsibility for organizing or setting up emergency ambulance services to respond to highway accidents, there are a number of departments that are involved. The Department of Transportation is responsible for establishing the rules of the road, for example, speed limits, and ensuring that the highways are safe to travel on. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has, through its legislation, enabled municipalities to establish ambulance services. The Cities, Towns and Villages Act allows municipalities to pass by-laws concerning ambulance services.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, by agreement with the Government of Canada and the Northwest Territories, have the primary responsibility for responding to emergencies on the public highway system. Depending on the nature of the emergency, the RCMP receive assistance as required from a number of federal, territorial or municipal agencies. Ambulance services are not an insured service under the Medical Care Act. The department does, however, have policies concerning payment of or reimbursement for ambulance services. The Department of Health and Social Services will work with the Departments of Municipal and Community Affairs and Transportation to clarify the mandate and responsibility for ambulance services, establish parameters for development of ambulance services, protocols for receiving and dispatching calls and the provision of services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.