Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to thank my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, earlier this session I spoke about the steps we are taking through the Health and Social Services Action Plan 2002-2005 to ensure sustainability of the health and social services system in the NWT.
The issues we face are not unique. Concerns regarding the sustainability of Canada's health system led to the creation of the Romanow Commission by the Prime Minister in April 2001. The commission has been mandated to develop recommendations that will help ensure long-term sustainability of a high quality, universally accessible, publicly administered health care system for all Canadians.
The NWT supports the work of the commission. We concur with Mr. Romanow's statement that Medicare needs to be remodelled and not demolished, and we agree that long term sustainability of the health care system must remain a priority. This being said, we also believe that funding levels from the Government of Canada have not kept up with the changes in the health care system here and across the country.
The work of the commission is comprised of two stages; a fact-finding stage, resulting in an interim report, and a dialogue with the Canadian public and interested stakeholders based on the interim report. Mr. Romanow's interim report issued in early February indicated that he plans to consult Canadians about four key themes. These are:
- • Canadian values and how they are and should be reflected in the Canada Health Act;
- • sustainability and funding;
- • quality and access; and
- • leadership, collaboration and responsibility.
Mr. Speaker, the issues raised in the commission's interim report are important to Northerners. We agree with a number of the report's observations. In particular, we support the concept that the Canada Health Act must reflect the values of all Canadians, including those living in the North, and that more must be done to meet the unique needs of aboriginal Canadians.
The commission's consultation process includes 18 days of open public hearings in major urban centres across Canada. Mr. Romanow has written to us and indicated that he has scheduled a consultation in Yellowknife on May 16, 2002. The Premier and I will be appearing before the commission to speak on the challenges and opportunities in the NWT and the health issues unique to the people of the North. We will outline for the commission our action plan and the reforms we have initiated. We will also outline our government's continuing commitment to providing high quality health services to Northerners regardless of where they live.
In recognition of our consensus style of government, the Standing Committee on Social Programs will also be provided with an opportunity to appear at the commission hearing.
As there are unique health care issues facing the North and aboriginal people, we will also be recommending to the commission to take the opportunity while in the NWT to visit and experience first-hand a small northern community.
As our colleague, the MLA for Yellowknife South indicated in a Member's statement on this topic last week, all Northerners with an interest in our health care system are urged to get involved in this process.
While we support the work of the commission, the NWT, like other provinces and territories, must continue to move forward in reforming its health and social services system. The Health and Social Services System Action Plan 2002-2005 builds on the recommendations of reports and studies done on the NWT health and social services system over the past eight years and the advice of NWT leaders, residents and health care professionals. Through this plan, it is our intention to make the long-term sustainability of our system a reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.