In favour.

Opposed.

In favour.

In favour.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform this House and residents of the NWT about the upcoming changes to the Extended Health Benefits Policy. They will come into effect on April 1st next year. The Government of the Northwest Territories is dedicated to ensuring fair access to extended health benefits for all NWT residents, with a focus on people with low income who are not covered under the existing policy.

The existing Extended Health Benefits Policy has been in place for over 30 years without substantial change. The updated policy addresses gaps in coverage that have left some NWT residents without access to extended health benefits. It will better position the GNWT to sustain the delivery of this benefit program for all residents in the years to come.

To ensure we created a robust new policy, we conducted a comprehensive review of coverage across various jurisdictions to align ourselves with provincial and territorial programs. In the fall of 2022, we asked for feedback from residents and stakeholders over a three-month period. We gained valuable insights by listening to the lived experience of people accessing extended health benefits. This feedback from more than 700 people shaped the final policy.

The new Extended Health Benefits Policy makes some key changes, including access to benefits which will be dependent upon an annual income assessment. Residents above the established low-income thresholds will need to contribute to the cost of their benefits to reasonable limits adjusted for family size and region where applicable. The new policy no longer requires residents to have a specified condition to access benefits. Instead, there are a suite of benefits available to all residents each with its own terms and conditions for eligibility and levels of coverage.

The changes we have made to the Extended Health Benefits Policy have nothing to do with seniors aged 60 and older. Their current benefit levels continue. There are no changes for residents who access the Non-Insured Health Benefits and Metis Health Benefits.

Mr. Speaker, as we move forward, we are committed to careful planning and implementation of the changes to the policy. We will have information and staff available to support residents to access benefits and will plan to have this available well in advance of April 1st, 2024. We want to ensure a smooth transition for all residents because we understand the importance of stability and continuity to access benefits.

Mr. Speaker, these policy changes are a testament to our commitment to improve equitable access to health benefits and thereby health outcomes for all NWT residents. By addressing the gaps in our current policy, we strive to provide support to those who need it most while aligning with jurisdictions across Canada and working towards a sustainable health and social services system. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't have any information about what other jurisdictions do. I can certainly commit the resources to see what Alberta does as our closest neighbour. There is no path forward for this service unless the health budget is increased. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for the question. The GNWT does not cover the cost of psychologists or their services. There are, however, private insurance programs, such as the GNWT Employee Benefit Program, that will pay for psychologists' services and so people can obtain them in that way. But this is not a funded service. And so it is not provided by the GNWT.

And an analogy that people may be familiar with is massage. Massage may be very beneficial but it is not a service that is offered by the GNWT, but it is offered in Yellowknife, for example, and it can be paid for through private insurance. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for the questions. We have no plan to hire psychologists. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for the question. The Member, I think, does not want to hear about counsellors and the community counselling program; he wants to hear about psychologists. They are not part of the NWT health plan. We don't employ any at the Department of Health and Social Services. The Department of Justice employs two who serve the incarcerated population. Thank you.