Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to speak again about the provision of health services and the changing landscape of those services provided to NWT residents in Alberta.
Back in May I asked the Minister of Health and Social Services whether or not she had written a letter to the Government of Alberta or the City of Edmonton outlining our government’s concern over the impending closure of the City Centre Airport in Edmonton. She said, yes, we have written letters. To make a long story short, it took over two months to get a response from the Minister. That was only after she was threatened by an ATIP request from my colleague Mr. Abernethy to produce the letters. The letters came and, lo and behold, none were signed by our Health Minister. Letters were written by senior management to other bureaucrats in Alberta and some consultant in Missouri.
The bottom line is that this Minister did not take a position to defend our government, our communities, and the health and well-being of the public here in the Northwest Territories. Given the
fact that the Health Minister did not get out in front of the closure of the City Centre Airport in Edmonton, how am I supposed to believe that the Minister is paying attention to ensure that the appropriate operational plans and infrastructure are in place before our medevac flights are moved out to the International Airport? Who is speaking for us and the public? Is it the Minister or is it her staff?
The Alberta government is currently undergoing some major health care reform initiatives that will definitely impact the services that our residents will receive in Alberta. It could very well mean that all medevac flights are directed to specific locations, such as Grande Prairie and Calgary. How exactly are we a part of these developing reform initiatives in Alberta? What will be the impact on our residents here in the Northwest Territories? What will it cost our government?
The Minister stated back in May that we are deeply involved in making sure that we minimize the impact of the possible closure of the Edmonton City Centre Airport. Well, I hope the Minister will take a leadership role in ensuring that we get the very best services and results for the people of the Northwest Territories.