Mr. Speaker, I agree with the intention of the Member's preamble and question. I think the employee should be placed where they can be most effective in their job. Certainly there is no intention to consider placing everybody in Yellowknife. I think if we take oil and gas positions, for example, they can be and should be located where they can be most effective. I expect that is most likely in the areas where there are oil and gas activities. So our government's intention continues to be to build regional capacity. We intend to continue doing that. We will continue to urge the federal government to work with us, as well as with their employees, in maybe moving north. Thank you.
Debates of Feb. 19th, 2001
This is page numbers 1051 - 1087 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 health.
Topics
Further Return To Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1064
Further Return To Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1064
Supplementary To Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1064
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister indicated that Minister Nault had to take a paper to Cabinet on this particular issue. Could he indicate what he anticipates the timelines will be and when he expects to hear the outcome in terms of the decision on that particular paper that I heard him refer to? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1064
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.
Further Return To Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1064
Joe Handley Weledeh
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding from discussions with the Minister of DIAND that he is taking forward a submission to federal Cabinet that will outline what is recommended as necessary, given our economic growth. It will outline the federal government's needed capacity. I do not know any details of the paper. I do not know exactly when it would go forward. I expect from my discussions with him that it is a matter of weeks and months, not years. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Question 333-14(3): Transfer Of Federal Government Employees To The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1064
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Minister Handley. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.
Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1064
Sandy Lee Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today goes to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley. It is further to what Mr. Dent had stated earlier, Mr. Speaker. It has to do with the need to streamline the regulatory process under the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board.
I agree with Mr. Dent that there has to be additional resources provided for this board, because I do not think it was ever contemplated that this board would take on as much work as it has been forced to do in recent years. So I wonder, Mr. Speaker, further to the consultation, the review that is taking place under the direction of DIAND, I wonder if the Minister could advise us as to whether this is a public process or is it completely internal to the board or the department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1064
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.
Return To Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1064
Joe Handley Weledeh
Mr. Speaker, my discussions with Mr. Beaubier, who is doing the review, and also the Minister of DIAND, are that this is to be looked at as a consultant's job, I suppose. Mr. Beaubier is on a special assignment. He will be coming to the North. He has assured me that when he comes to the North, he will be speaking to us as a government for sure. So it is not just being viewed as an internal, federal activity. Whether he will be holding public consultations, I do not know. Thank you.
Return To Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1064
Supplementary To Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1064
Sandy Lee Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister stated earlier to Mr. Dent, I think it has become apparent to everyone involved in the process that there has to be more clarification on timelines and some of the other meetings, of some of the terminology and the need for extra resources. I know that the board has undertaken on its own a lot of review over the last couple of years, so I wonder if the Minister could commit in this House to do more than just advise, but to put that on the table to see if Mr. Beaubier could talk to as many people as possible in the industry as well as in the government? Could the Minister commit to do that? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Handley.
Further Return To Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
Joe Handley Weledeh
Mr. Speaker, I think that is a good suggestion. I will undertake to contact Mr. Beaubier or have my office contact him and set it up. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Question 334-14(3): Public Input Into The Regulatory Review
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Minister Handley. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.
Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen, on the issue of non-insured health benefits.
I am glad she has a briefing note in front of her today and that possibly the government might retain the contract for another year. I have the programs and functional review document in front of me. This is a quote from their issues and considerations:
"Both Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories in self-government negotiations has supported aboriginal groups assuming control of the Non-Insured Health Benefit Program on behalf of their members. Withdrawing from the contribution agreement would be consistent with this position."
Mr. Speaker, if the Government of the Northwest Territories had that position on a lot of things, maybe we would have had all the land claims settled and revenue sharing by now. The question I have for the Minister is what impact would withdrawing from this agreement have on other programs and services that are currently delivered by the Government of the Northwest Territories in the areas of health? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Return To Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand the question to be that if the territorial government withdrew from delivering the NIHB services, what impact would that have on the delivery of other health services to constituents, if I understand the question correctly. The answer is that it would have no impact and this is not a role which the Government of the Northwest Territories would vacate without considering a seamless transition from ourselves to another party in terms of interruption of services to constituents. At this point, it looks like the negotiations are going well, and that inevitability we may not have to deal with. Thank you.
Return To Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
Supplementary To Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did not ask what to do with it, but eventually I think that we are going to have to deal with it, whether we deal with it on a year-to-year basis. If we are going to be monitoring it for one year, then maybe we will look at it again.
The other question I have deals with the Inuit, particularly in the North. There is a provision in this document dealing with First Nations, but there is no Inuit representation in the Northwest Territories. How would they deal with their non-insured health benefits if it has been transferred to the federal government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Further Return To Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I missed the name of the document that Mr. Nitah said he was referring to, so it is difficult for me to respond to things contained in there. Right now, this program does cover the package of services that I have outlined to status Indians and Inuit in the Northwest Territories. This is a program that is delivered to other status Indians as well in other parts of Canada. In this particular instance, we deliver this on behalf of the federal government.
Maybe if I had more clarity, Mr. Speaker, and I do want to thank Mr. Nitah for his questions last week as well that enabled me today, hopefully with my Ministers' statement, to clarify some of the questions that he raised last week, but I am not familiar with the document he is referring to today. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Madam Minister. Perhaps the Member would be kind enough to give the document at some point to the Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.
Supplementary To Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1065
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think every Member in this House has this document. It is called Program and Functional Review and it is in the health and social services area. It was introduced in the House in September, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, within this document, in terms of timelines and consultation, I know that the Minister has made the suggestion that they might continue this for another year if they can come to a satisfactory agreement, but there is no guarantee of that. On past employment, the Government of the Northwest Territories was to serve the federal government with termination notices early in November, and at the same time notify aboriginal groups of the GNWT's intent and action taken. In November and December, the government and board staff developed this engagement plan.
In January and February, discussions with the federal government to ensure smooth transition, cease delivery of non-insured health benefits by April 1, 2001, complete claims and audits of 2000 and 2001 programs by 2001.
I asked on Friday about the consultation process. Is this the consultation process, Mr. Speaker? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1066
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Further Return To Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Question 335-14(3): Non-insured Health Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1066
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my Minister's statement, we have realized some very significant progress in our negotiations with Health Canada. The actions indicated in the document that Mr. Nitah refers to may not be relevant now because we have secured agreement on $800,000 on disputed billings and we have another $700,000 under review. They are also considering supplementing administrative costs of delivering the program.
Mr. Speaker, we are now hopeful that we will be able to continue to deliver this program. Should this not be the case, then absolutely we would consult with aboriginal organizations on the decision that we would take. We would also, as I said, ensure that there was no disruption to services provided by the program to the beneficiaries. Thank you.