Debates of July 4th, 2000

This is page numbers 397 - 466 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairman.

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Condolences To The Family Of Mary Beth Miller

Pension Entitlements Due To Former Giant Mine Workers

Highway No. 5

Recognition To Volunteers Of Hay River Museum Society

Democratic Victories Won By Mexican Voters

Treatment Facilities, Programs And Services

Affordable Housing

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Addictions Treatment In The Nwt

Federal Responsibility For Giant Mine Pensioners

Proposed Hotel Tax Projections

Fair Treatment Of NWT Workers

North Slave Addictions Treatment Facilities

Grant And Contribution Accountability

Giant Mine Pensioners

Federal Environment And Development Commitments

Funding For Improvements To Highway No. 8

Additional Federal Funding Sources

Health Concerns Due To Dust Inhalation

Proposed Hotel Tax Projections

Bill 10: An Act To Amend The Adoption Act

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Wilderness Camps

North Slave Territorial Correctional Centre

Probation Officers

Human Rights Legislation

Inmate Programming In Correctional Facilities

Stand-alone Courthouse

First Nations Policing

Young Offenders Review

Affirmative Action

Targets And Measures

Family Law Backlog At Legal Aid

Informatics Plan

Position Report Explanation And Employee Appraisals

Alternative Justice

Victim Impact Statement Policy

Business Plan Format

Recommendation To Work Cooperatively With Legal Services Board To Clear Backlog Of Family Law Cases In The Legal Aid System (carried)

Recommendation That The Minister Instruct The Department Of Justice To Place A Greater Emphasis On Literacy In Inmate Programming (carried)

Mental Health And Addictions Strategy

Early Childhood Development And The Children And Youth Agenda

Child Welfare League Review And Other Initiatives

Home Care Programs And Palliative Care

Long-term Care Facilities And Repatriation From Southern Institutions

Governance Issues

Medical Travel Policy

Computer Records Security

Funding Implications

Reporting Requirements And Business Plan Format

Integration Of Income Support And Disability Pensions

Sustainability Of Care

Recommendation To Examine Number Of Nurses Requiring Upgrade Of Qualifications (carried)

Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the reason for my question was that this shows a 12 percent increase. I know that in committee, we talked about how much was actually spent this year. There was the explanation that it was not entirely the amount that was shown on the variance report. My concern is that if it is only $2 million, and I had expected that there was probably some over-expenditure in the program over the $14,488,000, so I was trying to get a sense of what that was.

My concern is if there is enough money here to follow through on the program you have embarked on in Yellowknife. In order to make the change to put the doctors on salary, there will be a trickle-up from that. Doctors who are currently on salary, the specialists, for instance, I am sure will, depending on what salary you settle on with the GPs, that may drive up their contract talks.

Based on the shortage and the moves we have to make to change the compensation for doctors in order to attract physicians to the Northwest Territories, is this enough? Or will we be overspending or coming back for supplementary funding in this budget area?

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Madam Minister.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, initially, the additional resources required will be drawn down on the trust funding that has been allocated. Between year three and five, if we do not change the primary care model and incorporate the use of nurse practitioners into the primary care model and realize the potential savings from that, then the answer to the Member's question is yes, it will require additional resources in year three to five. Thank you.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Madam Minister. Mr. Dent.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess we all better hope we can move on the revised primary health care system. I have one other question in this area, Mr. Chairman. For a number of years, there has been a problem with the reimbursement from the federal government for programs we provide services to northern residents. Has that problem been fixed? Will the Minister assure us that we will spend no more on those benefits than what we receive from the federal government?

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Madam Minister.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I will refer that question to Ms. Praamsma.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

The Chair David Krutko

Ms. Praamsma.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

Praamsma

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the department is definitely committed to discussions with the federal government about non-insured health benefits, including dental services. The difficulty is that the actual approval of the different services that are provided under non-insured are done at a varying level. In some cases, the actual cost has been inccurred prior to them actually receiving the resources back. What is happening is the individuals are getting the service, we are putting the claim in, and in some cases it is not allowable under the federal government. That is the discussion and the negotiations that have been ongoing with the federal government.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Dent.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. From that explanation, it sounds like the problem is that some of the boards are not aware of the limitations of the program. Is that correct? They are providing a service we are not getting reimbursed for. Is that the case? What steps is the department taking to make sure boards do not deliver programs we will not be reimbursed for?

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ms. Praamsma.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

Praamsma

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The department is working very closely with the boards in restating the rules of application with the federal government. In some cases, and this actually happens quite often, the rules of application changed three months ago, and the department or the Government of the Northwest Territories may only be notified of that actual application change today. There are many instances where we have in fact referred things in for reimbursement only to find out that they have been eliminated from the approval list. We work very closely with the boards to ensure they understand that if in fact they approve this and it is not reimbursable, we are losing these resources.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Ms. Praamsma. Mr. Dent.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 459

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, is this a common problem across Canada? Do other jurisdictions have the same issue? If so, is this something the Minister will take up with her colleagues from across Canada and perhaps work together with them to hand the program back to the feds? If they are not going to adequately fund the program and pursue this kind of offloading to provincial and territorial jurisdictions, can we move to try to force the feds' hand on this issue?

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 460

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ms. Praamsma.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 460

Praamsma

This is not just a territorial issue. It is non-insured health benefit problem for both reserve and off-reserve throughout Canada. It is a topic at the federal-provincial-territorial meetings. We continue to bring it to the forefront as an agenda item. There has been considerable discussion with the federal government about the responsibility of jurisdiction and the decision as to whether or not the territorial government should remain in this particular program and administer it. Thank you.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 460

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Roland.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 460

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there were some thoughts there on the dental care. I am aware the situation is going from bad to worse ever since the federal government took over control of the delivery of the program, where people who need dental work have to get approval from someone in Ottawa. It can take weeks to months before any work is done. By the time that patient gets back and is looked at, a problem with a tooth can become quite severe. What is the department doing to try to pull this back?

I know there have been ongoing discussions, but has it gone anywhere? Has it moved ahead at all? Is there any recognition that what they have done has created more problems, and they would be looking at bringing the controls back to the North? Thank you.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 460

The Chair David Krutko

Madam Minister.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 460

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There has been quite a bit of media attention to the problem. When the rules changed and prior authorization was required, the length of time it took for turnaround for that authority to come to the dentist, and the time that would lapse, and the speed with which dentists would be paid for these services are problems.

I recently received a package of information from the Northwest Territories Dental Association. It has become more critical lately. The same kinds of challenges we face in recruiting physicians and nurses is now becoming more of a pronounced problem with dentists, partly because of this issue with the federal government over the authorization and payment for dental services.

It is my intention to get together with the Northwest Territories Dental Association and discuss how we might work together to approach the federal government about this and outline the seriousness of this. We will collaborate with any other jurisdiction that is having the same problem to try and get this issue resolved. Thank you.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 460

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Roland.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 460

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Can the Minister inform me, in the area of dental therapists, has there been any work done by the department to improve the situation with dental therapists in the Northwest Territories?

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 460

The Chair David Krutko

Madam Minister. Ms. Praamsma.

Committee Motion 18-14(3): Recommendation Of Development Of A Computer Security Strategy (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 460

Praamsma

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dental therapists actually play a very vital role and they have been supported by the department in the past year with different training programs that have been made available to them. We continue to have the contract with the college in Saskatchewan, which is the Federation of Dental Therapists. Additionally, we have a contract dentist who provides us with advice and consultation on some of the...going back to your question on approvals, who looks at and provides a second opinion on work that was challenged, there are various support mechanisms available to the dental therapists.

Debates of July 4th, 2000

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