This is page numbers 557 - 606 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd 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 thanks.

Topics

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Does the Department of Health and Social Services have, or will it be developing, a virtual care strategy so that Northerners can have a clear understanding of the GNWT's view on its future role with Northwest Territories' healthcare system? Thank you.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Yes, the department is certainty looking at developing what we are calling a digital care strategy. This digital care strategy will help us make decisions when to use technology to improve patient care in the Northwest Territories. The virtual care enables health practitioners to meet with each other and with patients over distance will be a key component of this strategy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions today for the Minister of Lands regarding the transfer of Commissioner's land within municipal boundaries. One of the issues that has ran up is that a number of municipal boundaries are in dispute with land claim negotiations as if the land is claimed by an Aboriginal government, and rightfully so. In the case of the City of Yellowknife's request, can I just confirm with the Minister of Lands whether that includes any of the land in the Akaitcho interim land withdrawal?

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Minister of Lands.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Government of the Northwest Territories is not contemplating transferring any of the lands to the city that are current with withdrawal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

I appreciate that answer because I just want to make it clear: when the City of Yellowknife is requesting the municipal lands in their boundary, they are not requesting the land that the Akaitcho is requesting. That is a separate issue that the City of Yellowknife is not requesting that land. My next question is: I am concerned that we underfund our municipalities, and they have been asking for this land. I am concerned that the Department of Lands is then going to make the city pay an arm and a leg for it. My question is for the Minister of Lands: is there an intention to charge the city for this land?

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

This land has value. However, when we are working with the municipal governments, there is a fee of $1.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Despite the municipal funding gap, I believe they could probably afford $1. My next question is: I believe that there have been some concerns about surveying the land exactly, in that Commissioner's land is in large parcels and is not exactly surveyed into smaller parcels that a city would often use. I was hoping the Minister of Lands could speak to any issues, if any, that require surveying before we could transfer the land to the City of Yellowknife.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

When we talk about surveying the land, that actually belongs to the city. That is their responsibility moving forward. It is their responsibility.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I just clarify whether that surveying that is the city's responsibility must take place before we transfer the land, or can we just simply transfer the land and then leave the city's responsibility to survey it and divide it into parcels accordingly up to the city? Is there an order in which surveying has to occur?

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I apologize to the Member. Prior to transferring a fee simple title to the city, legal surveys must be done. It is the city's responsibility. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On December 11, 2019, the Minister of Health and Social Services stated that the department received a full and final report on the Home and Community Care Review on September 16, 2019, and she also stated it had 22 recommendations. Will the Minister provide this document as promised by her to us MLAs by this session? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me go back and have a look at what was committed at that date. If it's possible to share, then absolutely, we will share the document.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Just to clarify, that was the Home and Community Care Review. Will the Minister tell us if the review provides recommendations to bring our out-of-province NWT placements home?

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Repatriarchy is very important to our department. If and where necessary, if we can provide services closer to home and bring our patients back to the Northwest Territories, that is very important to us. It is also a cost saving. I can have a look to see what's in the report again just to refresh my memory and get back to the Member.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

After receiving the stats of the out-of-territory, by the number, I think we have 109 adults out-of-territory. Thirty-nine of them are in the Yellowknife area, and 27 out of that, those are the top two, but with the population of the Beaufort-Delta, we have 27 out-of-province placements for adults. Will the Minister look at finding a way to try and repatriate these clients from Alberta, wherever they are, to the Beaufort-Delta and, if not the Beaufort-Delta, at least to the NWT?

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

I think that is kind of the same question that was asked. Let me just re-answer it to say that I will get back to the Member. Repatriation is, again, important. The reason why we send some of our patients out is because we don't have the complex services that other provinces are able to offer. That is why we send them out. If there is ability to bring them back, then, absolutely, our department will look into that.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a final question, the Minister may not have the answer, but if she could let us know what the total amount is -- if we can't get that today, we can get that at some point -- of how much we're spending on these 109 adults out of territory? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

In the next couple of weeks, we'll be coming to committee to review our budget items, and, in my briefings, I've gone through my department's budget items. You know, we have a big budget, and I understand the Member is asking for the total amount. I've seen the amount; I just can't recall it offhand. I can have a look at it and get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.