This is page numbers 3095 - 3130 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 know.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. Any abstentions. The motion is carried. These reports will be moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration.

---Carried

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills, Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 40, an Act to Amend the Medical Profession Act, be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Medical Profession Act to allow a medical practitioner regulated in another province or territory to provide virtual care to patients in the Northwest Territories from a location outside the Northwest Territories. This may happen in the following ways:

  • An out-of-territory practitioner may apply for registration in the virtual care register and be issued a virtual care permit;
  • An out-of-territory practitioner may practice under a limited exception where they have received a referral from the NWT;
  • An out-of-territory practitioner may practice under an agreement between the Minister and either the government or the regulatory of their home jurisdiction.

The bill makes the associated necessary changes to the act to facilitate these new methods of practice. The bill also adds a regulation-making authority to authorize the establishment or adoption of standards, practice, code of ethics, continuing competency programs, and scope of practice frameworks and guidelines. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe this is a number of things the department is doing to provide further virtual care to our residents. I just want to thank the Minister for bringing this forward.

During COVID, we made many steps in this direction, and now there seems to be a bit of a catch-up to change some of the regulations, adopt the software, and really be a leader in this area. So I will gladly support this bill on second reading.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. To the principle of the bill.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. Any abstentions. The motion is carried. Bill 40 has had second reading and is referred to a committee.

---Carried

Colleagues, before I put you into Committee of the Whole, I'd like to wish the Member for Thebacha a Happy Birthday for tomorrow and invite you all to join me in the Great Hall for a small celebration. Happy birthday.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, Bill 23, 24, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 36, Tabled Document 437-19(2), Tabled Document 438-19(2), Tabled Document 439-19(2), Tabled Document 466-19(2) with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

November 26th, 2021

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 437-19(2), Capital Estimates 2022-2023, and we'd like to consider the Department of Health and Social Services and Municipal and Community Affairs. Thanks, Madam Chair.

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Does committee agree? Thank you, committee. We will take a short break, and then we'll resume with the first item. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I'll call committee back to order. Committee, we've agreed to consider Tabled Document 437-19(1) Capital Estimates 2020 -- or, sorry, 2022-2023. Committee, we will now consider the Department of Health and Social Services. Does the Minister of Health and Social Services wish to bring witnesses into the Chamber?

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Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Yes, please.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Would the Minister please introduce her witnesses.

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Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Yes. On my left is Derek Elkin, the assistant deputy minister for corporate services. And on my right is Perry Heath, the director of infrastructure and planning.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, welcome. The committee has agreed to forego general comments. Does committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the document?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Committee, the Department of Health and Social Services begins on page 33. We'll defer the departmental totals and review the estimates by activity summary beginning on page 34 with administrative and support services with information items on page 35. Questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

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Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm looking at about three and a half million dollars of various medical-- I really have no concern with what's presented here. My question is it was my understanding that we were looking to replace our electronic medical records system, and I believe that was quite a costly endeavor, and I don't see that here. Can the Minister just give an update as to what is going on with that process. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister of Health and Social Services.

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Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. The Member is correct. The current electronic medical records system has an end date, and it is necessary to replace it. And I believe that Mr. Elkin has been participating in that process and could give you an update.