I meant simply by that under supp health benefits, as it exists now -- not supp health -- extended health benefits, people with chronic conditions or requirements, they get paid right now. They are covered right now under the existing policy. So the catastrophic drug coverage question came in because of the changes that were proposed, but that’s gone. We said that this morning. So there is no need. We have the most generous Health Benefits Program in the North and they are all covered under the existing policy. Thank you.

So just for clarity for the public, the status quo includes an Extended Health Benefits Program that includes coverage for seniors, coverage for catastrophic costs and coverage for Metis. But I think what my colleagues were asking is do aboriginal individuals who are currently covered by NIHB, if they have a catastrophic condition, they are covered by their insurance hopefully first, and then they’re covered by NIHB to a top-up, but their costs would still be significant. So under our existing programs, aboriginal people who have catastrophic conditions can still receive some top-up today. Is that correct? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That’s what happens right now. NIHB, then Supp Health. Thank you.

Okay, so following along my colleague’s line there, so what the department is proposing, and I support, is first insurance, then if you still have some costs, then our existing Supplementary Health Program, which includes costs for catastrophic costs if you have a catastrophic condition. You can still access that program today; we’re just asking you to help us

help you by utilizing your insurance first. Is that correct? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Member is going into the details of which we have to still work on. That’s what I am saying in saying that we need to look at how we implement the recommendations made in the Joint Working Group. Part of it is to review parity and equity between the three programs. We need to figure out how do we encourage people to get third-party insurance, how do we encourage employers to get third-party insurance. We want that to be the first option, but we need to work out how that can be done. The Member made those suggestions in our review process and there are other suggestions, but those are things we need to work on. I think it’s premature for us to talk about the details of that, because I don’t have a set plan in front of me. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Final supplementary, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree. I think what the Minister is doing is highlighting the fact that this still requires a significant amount of work and earlier she mentioned that it’s not an implementation plan she’s bringing forward next week. It’s a work plan, which is what we needed to hear; implementation plan/work plan are significantly different things. So I’m happy about that. The Minister has already agreed to work with us on this side of the House about that implementation plan. So I just realized I don’t have a question, so I’ll sit down.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have another question for the Minister of Health and Social Services, but probably to her great happiness, it’s not regarding supplementary health benefits. It’s regarding hearing tests.

I’ve had some complaints from constituents that it’s taking 18 months or more to get hearing tests here in the Northwest Territories. They’re gravely concerned. I’ve brought this to the attention of the Minister’s office and at the time the response was yes, that’s the reality. In short, what is being done on this problem and has the Department of Health and Social Services solved this problem by finally being able to bring somebody in and shorten up those wait times?

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right that this issue was brought up. I believe I followed up on it with the status of what was happening at the time, but I don’t have the most recent updates. I will commit to getting back to the Member on that.

The Minister is right; she did provide a response that, yes, they know that. Her response also said they’re looking at it, but the reality is that this response was lacking in the sense that it didn’t seem to have a plan to bring someone in or a long-term plan to solve the solution. The issue comes down to the fact that I’m being contacted again by more constituents saying that this continues to be a very important issue and they’re concerned is the government hearing them. Would the Minister commit to getting an answer and update before the end of this sitting so if there are problems, we can deal with them in a timely way before session ends? We usually get better answers to our questions while we’re in the House than outside.

To be fair and just going by my recollection, I believe what we were working on was to have some of our local people trained so that we could create more of a human resource pool for that office. I believe the starting time for that training program was this fall. I don’t have the most recent updates, so I’m willing to look into that. I believe our response last time was more than we know about that. I think it was more precise on our action plan. I will get back to the Member.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The time for question period has expired; however, I will allow the Member a supplementary question. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. This is a very important issue for many people who have hearing loss. It’s difficult for some people who have hearing loss to finally admit it, let alone deal with it. It is a significant challenge in families and I’m well aware of some families out there that struggle trying to communicate with each other in the way of dealing with this particular issue. The important thing is, will the Minister respond to this issue with a plan of action to show how the department is going to deal with this particular issue and showing the resources that can be committed to this problem with some time frames on how we plan to do this on the short term, again back to a long-term solution?

As I stated, I will get back to the Member with the details.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees

on the review of bills. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act. This bill amends the Liquor Act to allow for an inspector or peace officer to seize and remove anything referred to in a warrant for the search of a dwelling house. A public hearing and clause-by-clause review was held on October 28, 2010. The committee wishes to report that Bill 12 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Item 14, tabling of documents. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Report of the Supplementary Health Benefits Joint Working Group.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. While perusing the CBC website I came across a very interesting and informative story to make sure I could table it before the House: Yukon Passes Cell Phone Driving Ban. I certainly hope the Minister of Transportation makes extra note of this story and tabling.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Item 15, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, November 1, 2010, I’ll move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Tabled Document 103-16(5), Government of the Northwest Territories Contracts Over $5,000 Report, Year-to-Date of the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2010, be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration.