Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the Member brings up a concern about the health, in general, across the Northwest Territories. I do want to talk about a program we are doing. It is a primary healthcare reform, so it is an initiative that is advancing culturally, safety, and relationship-based care as priorities of the Health and Social Services system where clients have better access to services closer and in their communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to thank the Member again for this suggestion. The form is usually provided prior to travel as it is required to be signed by the clinician as confirmation proof of attendance to their appointment. The form is available at any medical travel office or at all health centres throughout the Northwest Territories. However, based on the feedback, I will advise the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority to post the medical travel expense claim to their website to ensure that there is one available online. In addition, if clients have difficulty completing their expense form, I would encourage them to reach out to the health centre or to the regional medical travel office for support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I slowly glance over to the Minister of Finance to just seek clarification as the processing now comes through the Department of Finance, I don't believe that is correct. From the time that the claims get into our system, it is within that 30 days. If that is not correct, I can clarify with the Member.

Sorry. Is the Member asking if the process is within the six week period? Can I just ask for clarification, please?

The Member is correct. On January 27, 2020, the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority had transitioned to the GNWT service accountability and management, which is called SAM. This brought six of our different financial systems carried over from the previous regional health authorities to align to a coordinated system. Prior to this change, payments were processed from within the health authority, and now, the GNWT's financial and employment shared systems, FESS, centres with the Department of Finance process payments. The centres provide Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authorities with a convenient one-stop shop for processing all its financial transactions. This is the same system used by other departments within the GNWT. This change is meant to provide more consistency in the payment processing and better financial information across the Health and Social Services centre.

As with any system implementation, the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority and the Department of Finance are currently going through a period of change as with this move, there are 1,500 employees that have transitioned into this new system. New process, new systems take time to refine, and staff to require time to adjust this new way of working. During this adjustment period, we expect there are going to be delays, but our staff is working hard to ensure that the target time for processing meets within the 30 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Member for asking this question. Medical travel in the Northwest Territories, it is a big program. The medical travel office has not previously heard concerns about the expense claimed from clients, however, the form serves two purposes: number one, the medical travel office needs certain information about the expenses being claimed to ensure expenses align with travel to an approved appointment in order to authorize payment. That is number one. Number two is: the Department of Finance also needs that form as part of the backup payment under the government's accounting system. I am open to meeting with the Member to hear any suggestions he may have to simplify the form. However, the information on the form needs to be collected in enough detail to be financially accountable to standards and to satisfy also the requirements of the non-insured health benefits program, as well, as well as third parties. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to recognize Denise MacDonald, who is a constituent of mine in Inuvik Boot Lake. Welcome, Denise. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. There are some things the department is doing now. We have heard from many of our stakeholders about how our elders don't go to sleep at 5:00. There needs to be that aftercare, and that is something that our department is looking into because we feel the need of having, and right now, we're in the process of what does that look like. That is something our department is looking into. It will include many things like looking at the collective agreement on some of the staff who don't just work 8:30 to 5:00. What would it look like? It is something we've heard, and it is something that we definitely need to look into, because I agree, elders don't go to sleep at 5:00. Bingo's at 7:00 and finishes at 9:00. They need help getting tucked in, and all that stuff.

Thank you, Madam Chair. That is definitely something we look at. I mean, you look at the whole mandate itself, to "improve early childhood development indicators for all children," and if there is something out there. Our government keeps saying we need to look at strengthening partnerships and you look at the Child and Family Services, the new legislation that is coming out. Here is an opportunity for us to work with Indigenous groups, to be able to work together for the best interests of children, and if Hotii ts'eeda is doing a research project, something that we could build on, that's definitely something that we should have a look at. If it's working, then why not? Thank you.