This is page numbers 1181 - 1214 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 6th 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 know.

Topics

Further Return To Question 368-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Program Delivery In Aklavik
Question 368-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Program Delivery In Aklavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1187

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will be directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services in the area of my Member's statement on dental health. I know that he has addressed this in some responses to another Member in the area of travel that it is not permitted under medical travel for persons requiring dental work outside of their communities. I'd like to know from the Minister of Health and Social Services, what is available to residents that cannot get work done in their constituencies or communities? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is, for NIHB clients, they are eligible to have travel costs recovered for emergency services if they have been referred out by a nurse or a dentist or a doctor. I know there is apparently some confusion over some of the latest correspondence that has come out of the department as a result of direction we received from NIHB. There have been clarifications subsequently sent out so there are travel costs for people referred out for emergency dental services through the NIHB program. Thank you.

Return To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Supplementary To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that would be good news for many residents. Is that open to all residents in the Northwest Territories, just for clarification? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the benefits under NIHB are open only to those that qualify as status Indians or Inuvialuit, Inuit. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Supplementary To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What is available to people who don't qualify under NIHB? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, where there is a referral by a nurse or doctor or dentist, the travel policy applies. We've also made changes in June to close the gap for those people that aren't covered by third-party insurance, so that we have attempted to make sure that there is a benefit in this area for all the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Your final supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Supplementary To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So if an individual who has been told that they cannot have services done in their community and is told that the services can be provided outside of their community and are referred by the dentist, their travel costs will be covered. Is that what the Minister stated? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, yes.

Further Return To Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Question 369-14(6): Available Dental Services And Travel
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier this morning. As Regular Members it is our job to hold Ministers accountable to ensure that there is fairness in the way which government resources, programs and services are distributed throughout the North on behalf of our constituents. We have acts, regulations and policies within which departments and Ministers are expected to act. A matter has been raised in the House by some of my colleagues with respect to fairness or the perception of fairness, particularly with the Minister responsible for Housing. He has been questioned about a recent transaction or contribution to several residents of the Husky Trailer Park in Inuvik. Has the Premier made himself aware of the circumstances of this transaction?

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue that was raised has been discussed with the Minister, yes.

Return To Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I take it from that response, and I'll just ask the Premier to confirm, that he is satisfied that the Minister's conduct complies with the acts, the regulations and the principles of being seen to be fair?

Supplementary To Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1188

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

October 2nd, 2003

Page 1188

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Housing Minister has acted according to existing rules and procedures. The issue for us has been around the amount of discretion that is granted to a Minister under the regulations, and we had a discussion amongst ourselves as Ministers and we have agreed we will review these rules and procedures to determine whether or not the present amount of discretion granted to a Minister should be addressed and tightened up. Appropriate action would be taken in the future to ensure that there will be no question as to whether a Minister has acted appropriately or not. That is the action we are taking. We believe the issue was raised, Members raised the concern and it will be addressed. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Question 370-14(6): Husky Trailer Park Lot Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1189

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.