Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Medical Travel Policy was first established almost 25 years ago, so without question, it is in dire need of modernizing. In essence, we need a more responsive and effective way to manage this program.

Since 1998, when there was a proposed attempt at revisions, and since then, the department and all past governments have failed to live up to this obligation of change, and even went as far as to mislead the Auditor General of Canada in a 2010 report in promising immediate change.

This policy has not been transparent or accountable to the public or to Members of this House. There has been no attempt at revisions for this policy to have the proper recording mechanism or an effective appeal process for its users. In several

reviews there was a cited need and recommendation of a standard NWT operating manual, yet this has fallen to the platitude of reigning leadership over the years.

Finally, there has been an overall lack of monitoring of the administration of the program, and this gap has been clearly established in several reviews and yet nothing has been done.

Where has been the accountability and transparency for the people it serves? It is abundantly clear, we are facing a wall of worry in our finances and we need to make and take every opportunity to streamline our services and to facilitate the modernization in patient care.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you again, where is this government on containing the ballooning costs of medical travel and creating efficiencies for our residents? Will this be another failed year of this department’s lack of effort, or will you finally see this promise fulfilled?

I leave this to its Minister and to its department to answer for the House and for the people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.